Tyler Thompson Wins Second-Straight World Short Track Championship All-Star Invitational Victory

Story By: DAN KAPUSCINSKI / JASON SIMMONS RACING – OSWEGO, NY – A wet weekend at the Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway made scheduling difficult for the World Short Track Championships, but it did not slow Tyler Thompson and Jason Simmons Racing.

Returning to the site of his 2017 All-Star Invitational victory, Thompson unloaded in Charlotte with tremendous speed in his Bicknell Chassis No. 98T Sportsman, as he flew to the third fastest lap in overall time trials joining Brad Rouse and Dave Marcuccilli as the only drivers in the 17-second bracket.

A top qualifying time put Thompson in prime position for his qualifying heat race, as he dominated the 9-car field by over 5.5-seconds on his way to victory. Thompson’s fast lap in his heat race of 18.027-seconds was more than a half-second faster than any other car in the field.

Come feature time, Thompson started the 30-lap, $4,000 to win, Championship A-Main from the fifth spot behind Dave Schilling, Bob Henry Jr., Kevin Root and Jackson Gill.

Thompson fought hard in the Championship A-Main, charging from fifth all the way to second in the closing stages, but a pair of late race restarts would see Thompson slide back on the high side to a sixth-place finish at the checkered flag.

However, Thompson’s stellar run all weekend long was more than enough to qualify him yet again for the night’s All-Star Invitational, which would see him start third behind JSR teammate, Chris Corbett.

JSR continued to show the same speed from the entire weekend of racing as Corbett and Thompson flew to the front of the field, bumper to bumper, racing under the checkered flag in a one-two finish over Robert Bublak Jr., Gill and Jessica Power in the 20-lap special.

Unfortunately for Corbett, his No. A48 machine would come up just light on the scales, handing the win to Thompson for his second consecutive All-Star Invitational win at Charlotte.

“We feel bad for Chris (Corbett), that was his race,” said Thompson. “But both of our cars being fast and up front all weekend is a testament to our team. I can’t thank everyone enough for another great trip to Charlotte. We love this place and we’re happy to bring another trophy home.”

Thompson’s attention will now turn briefly to banquet season as the 17-year old driver is set to accept Rookie of the Year honors from both Oswego Speedway and the International Supermodified Association.