FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2012
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Brandon Thirlby Sweeps Weekend With Two Feature Wins Including Inaugural Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour Victory

by Matt Prieur
Traverse City, Michigan (May 23) - The definition of a Perfect Weekend is winning every race you’re on the track for. In the case of Brandon Thirlby, it was “Mission Accomplished” for the Traverse City, Michigan standout who swept the entire weekend in his potent UMP Super Late Model starting at his home track of Cherry Raceway in Fife Lake, Michigan and then backing that up the next night at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan.

On May 18th, it was Opening Night 2012 / Best Looking Car Contest at Cherry Raceway and the night started off with Thirlby winning the Best Looking Car Contest for the tracks premier weekly division, the UMP Super Late Models. The contest was voted on by the fans in the grandstands by applause and it was the 24-year-old receiving the loudest ovation of all of the winners for all six weekly classes.

Then Thirlby made the home track fans even happier as he swept the entire night by winning his heat race and then holding off a determine challenge from Defending Track Champion Ben Hidy to win the Feature as well. “The weekend started off great, It always feels good to win there in front of all my friends and family. I have so many supporters there it’s unreal, I’d like to thank everyone who came out to see me last Friday night.” The appreciative driver stated.

The next night on Saturday, May 19th would be the Inaugural race for the Allstar Performance Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour Presented by Lane Automotive at I-96 Speedway. It was also a points night for the tracks weekly Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models and just like the previous night at Cherry, Thirlby would win his Qualifier Heat Race after a thrilling last lap pass of veteran Rich Neiser. The win was very important to Thirlby as he would then draw the outside front row starting spot for the 40-lap main.

In the Feature, he would start next to Defending Track Champion Tom Sprague Jr., on the front row and on the start; he would beat the reigning champion and opening night Feature Winner to the first corner to take the early lead. Numerous early cautions slowed down the pace. But on each restart, Thirlby would keep the rest of the field behind him and would lead all 40 laps to score his second Feature of the weekend.

“The first 10 laps kept me on my toes! There were so many cautions early on before we finally got rolling.” He Explained. “The Michigan Dirt Cup is definitely my main focus this season, and I hope to continue this success into next weekend’s action at Mt. Pleasant. I’d really like to thank Donny Roberts at Homestead Motorsports for getting me back on track, we hit a little rough patch already this season and he really turned my program back around.” He ended.

The Memorial Day Holiday Weekend will see Thirlby and the entire Thirlby Automotive Racing Team head down to Mt. Pleasant Speedway in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan on Friday, May 25th for the second race of the season for the Michigan Dirt Cup Late Models Tour which is a combined points event for the Sunoco American Late Model Series. Then on Saturday, May 26th, it’s back at I-96 Speedway for a weekly points event in the chase for the 2012 Miller Lite UMP Super Late Models Track Championship. Currently, he’s fourth in points at the Lake Odessa, Michigan speed plant.

For the remainder of the 2012 racing season, Thirlby’s familiar black and purple #m14 UMP Super Late Models which is a Mastersbilt Racecar will carry sponsorship decals all season long from Thirlby Automotive as well as Homestead Motorsports, FK Rod Ends, Integra Racing Shocks, Allstar Performance, Micro-Armor Racing, and M.P.H. Promotions.

For more information about Brandon Thirlby and the Thirlby Automotive  Racing and to find out about sponsorship opportunities for the rest of the 2012 season, check out the Brandon Thirlby Facebook Fan Page at: www.facebook.com and search for “Fans of Brandon Thirlby” You can also go to the Thirlby Automotive website as well located at: www.thirlbyautomotive.com