HAMPTON, Ga. - The second week of the 2018 Thursday Thunder Legends Series Presented by Papa John’s Pizza season brought intense racing to Atlanta Motor Speedway’s quarter-mile “Thunder Ring.”
Ryan Rackley took the lead halfway through the Associates Group Insurance Young Lions feature, and went on to take the win.
The race was Austin MacDonald’s to lose as he led from the get go. MacDonald ran with the lead while Rackley filled his rearview mirror. MacDonald blocked Rackley for a few laps until Rackley found a gap on the inside to steal the top position midway through the race. Rackley led the rest of the way en rout to the victory..
In other action, Lee Brown took the lead on the first lap of the Rookie Bandoleros feature and fought off a persistent Nathaniel Harry to take the win. Will Peacock finished third.
In the Chargers feature, Max Hennebaul took the lead on the opening lap. Over the next two laps, Hennebaul faced some pressure from Hayden Swank, while Zac Bacon and Bob Anderson fought hard for the third position. Ultimately, Hennebaul shook off the rivals to find victory lane.
Davis Rochester led the opening laps of the Semi-Pro feature, with Jason Treschl right on his bumper. Treschl gave Rochester a few taps but could not complete the pass. However, Treschl’s tenacity paid off as he took the lead on lap 13. Over the closing laps, Rochester caught up with Treschl and battled him side-by-side for position. Rochester completed a last lap pass exiting turn 4 to get past Treschl to win the race.
In the GRT Racing Driver Development Outlaws Division, Blaise Maddox led the field after the green flag Kenny Brady right on his tail. Brady completed a pass on Maddox to take the lead on lap two. However, Maddox would not give in so easily. Maddox and Brady battled for over half of the race for the lead with the pair exchanging positions a handful of times. But when all was said and done, Brady would walk away with back-to-back wins.
Seasoned veterans climbed on the track for the Masters Division feature race. Bill Plemons, Jr. raced his way out front of Robbie Woodall. As Plemons drove away, Woodall fought off Mark Swan for second, while Wes Potter and Dennis Hecht battled for the fourth spot. Woodall closed on Plemons to contest for the lead. Plemons found speed on the straightaway and pulled away, earning him his first win of the 2018 season.
In the VP Racing Fuels Pro feature, Dawson Fletcher held off Cody Hall for the victory, with Jensen Jorgensen, Rafe Slate and Jeff Holden rounding out the top five.
In the Bandits feature, Carson Ruark was forced to give up his lead at the beginning of the race due to technical issues. Kelley Puckett inherited the lead, and stayed out front for the remainder of the race to take the win.
The 2018 season continues with week 3 action on Thursday, June 14. For more information, visit AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com.
Atlanta Motor Speedway – Hampton, GA
Thursday Thunder – June 7, 2018
Week 2 Results
Young Lions
1. Ryan Rackley – Valdosta, GA
2. Lawson Ingold – Social Circle, GA
3. Gage Roberts – Milledgeville, GA
4. Janson marchbanks – Anderson, SC
5. Blaze Crawford – Fayetteville, GA
6. Audrie Ruark – Suwanee, GA
7. Michael Gannon – Canton, GA
8. Austin MacDonald – Pictou, NE
9. Annabelle Mohwish – Cumming, GA
10. Lucas Ruark – Suwanee, GA
11. Nathan Jackson – McDonough, GA
12. Ian Hampton – Stockbridge, GA
13. Hunter Burns – Thomaston, GA
14. Logan Nalley – Canton, GA
15. Ashton Whitener – Monticello, GA
16. Cutter Love
Semi-Pro
1. Davis Rochester – Lebanon, TN
2. Jason Treschl – Lagrange, GA
3. Andrew Dollar – Atlanta, GA
4. D.J. Canipe – Fallston, NC
5. Sammy Smith – Johnston, IA
6. Nick Woodall – McDonough, GA
7. Cale Hall – Griffin, GA
8. Pierce Brewer – Locust Grove, GA
9. Trey Tadrzak – Stockbridge, GA
10. Amber Fleeman – Dacula, GA
11. Parker Brewer – Locust Grove, GA
12. Ricky Springer – McDonough, GA
13. Max Brady – Marietta, GA
14. Jay Coen – Dacula, GA
Pro
1. Dawson Fletcher – Canton, GA
2. Cody Hall – Griffin, GA
3. Jensen Jorgensen – Stockbridge, GA
4. Rafe Slate – Eatonton, GA
5. Jeff Holden – Gainesville, GA
6. Russell Fleeman – Dacula, GA
7. Hunter Johnson – Griffin, GA
8. Gauntt Hudgins – Savannah, GA
9. Mike Weed – Franklin, GA
Masters
1. Bill Plemons, Jr. – Locust Grove, GA
2. Robbie Woodall – McDonough, GA
3. Mark Swan – Athens, GA
4. Wade Brewer – Locust Grove, GA
5. Wes Potter – Covington, GA
6. Randy Shubert – Stone Mountain, GA
7. Dennis Hecht – Hoschton, GA
8. Barry Bowen – Jackson Lake, GA
9. James Meredith – Locust Grove, GA
10. Rod Nelson – Knoxville, TN
11. Dale Jackson – Clinton, TN
12. Tony Armbruster – Covington, GA
Bandits
1. Kelley Puckett – McDonough, GA
2. Ryan Younginer – Locust Grove, GA
3. Garrett Erwin – Covington, GA
4. Carter Griffis – Homerville, GA
5. Bailey North – Hampton, GA
6. Matthew Kade – Hampton, GA
7. Denton Clem – Kathleen, GA
8. Benjamin McKeehan – Monroe, GA
9. Carson Ruark – Suwanee, GA
Rookie Bandos
1. Lee Brown – Acworth, GA
2. Nathaniel Harry – Concord, NC
3. Will Peacock – Eastman, GA
4. Kyle Bacon – Buchanan, GA
5. Gianni Esposito – Dacula, GA
6. Shelby Schell
Outlaws
1. Kenny Brady – Marietta, GA
2. Kenneth Henderson – Alto, GA
3. Blaise Maddox – Locust Grove, GA
4. Mason Maggio – Palm Beach Gardens, FL
5. Justin Campbell – Griffin, GA
6. Keaton Hendrix – Homerville, GA
7. Tyler Newcomer – Woolsey, GA
8. Shelby Ruark – Suwanee, GA
9. Tony Yawn – Roanoke, AL
10. Wilder Etheredge – Atlanta, GA
11. Aprilia Holt – Senoia, GA
Chargers
1. Max Hennebaul – Monroe, GA
2. Hayden Swank – Woodstock, GA
3. Zac Bacon – Buchanan, GA
4. Bob Anderson – Covington, GA
