Thanksgiving Invitational

Sam Sr., Tony, Chip and Mike T race in the 3rd heat

Tuesday, November 25th, 2014 marked by my count the 4th annual Thanksgiving Invitational at S&S Speedway. A little history for the race, it started as the Chicken Chucker 250 with JJ winning the event. Slot.it C class cars were used. The second year, Hines Spotted Dick came on board for the Spotted Dick 250, and they remained the title sponsor for 2013 as well. For 2013, the race class changed to the 1/24 scale H&R chassis IMSA GTO cars were used. With the economy not really flourishing in the American Bread Pudding market, Hines Spotted Dick brought another British favorite along to help sponsor the race for 2014. Mr. Brain's 4 Pork Faggots Thanksgiving Invitational presented by Hines Spotted Dick became the official name of the event. Along with the name change the race organizers decided to change the car class as well. This year the Racer Sideways Daytona Prototype cars were chosen to compete.

John, JJ, Bill W, Evan and Sean marshal

The race format was also changed this year to be a team race. Each team had to use both drivers cars 2 times each, for each driver to race a total of 4 times. The race consisted of 8 heats per team, of 5 minutes each. Teams will be chosen by qualifying with the fastest driver with the slowest driver, the second fastest with the second slowest, and so on.

Qualifying began around 7:30 with all 12 drivers completing 5 laps, with the fastest lap counting for scoring purposes. When it was completed, the six teams were set. Scott and Mike T, JJ and Tony, Chip and Sean, Clem and John, Sam Sr. and Mark and Bill Wand Evan were the teams.

The racing began, and team strategy became the discussion as teams were looking for the most opportune situation. At the halfway point, JJ and Tony were in the lead with Scott and Mike T behind. After 20 minutes of racing, the finish order looked like this.

Finishing Order, Bottom left to top right.
Tony & JJ, Mike T & Scott, Sam Sr. & Mark
Clem & John, Chip & Sean, Evan & Bill W

JJ & Tony --------------- 300 Laps
Scott & Mike ---------- 294 Laps
Sam Sr. & Mark ----- 288 Laps
Clem & John ---------- 287 Laps
Chip & Sean ---------- 287 Laps
Bill W & Evan ------- 283 Laps

Clem & John finished ahead of Chip & Sean by position on the track.