Kevin Thomas Jr. came around turns three and four at Gas City I-69 Speedway with rolling the middle of the groove compared to Logan Seavey on the cushion.
Thomas Jr. had gotten to the front and challenged for the lead with by dominating on the inside line in turns one and two.
The problem was that Seavey would make up the ground in turns three and four and stay shortly ahead of Thomas Jr.
The driver of the No. 9K willed his way to Seavey’s bumper during the last 10 laps, trying to get into position to make the pass for the lead.
Thomas Jr. entered turn three on the last lap, higher than he had been during the entirety of the race, and got into the 19 of Seavey, causing his car to wheel hop.
Kevin Thomas Jr. was half a turn away from winning the 2020 Indiana Sprint Week Opener.
Unfortunately, contact with the leader here forced him out of the race on the final turn. #USAC #ISW20
🎥 @FloRacingpic.twitter.com/OiSUXMbisA
— Connor Ferguson (@cfchangs9) July 25, 2020
Thomas Jr. ended up in the pits while the rest of the field ran a two-lap shootout to the checkered flag.
Despite Justin Grant being fast enough to go from P10 to P3 in the first six laps, or Chase Stockon challenging on the same line that worked for Thomas Jr., Seavey was able to complete the win, leading every lap of the Indiana Sprint Week opener.
The win is Seavey’s first USAC Sprint Car win of the season as he competes for the No. 19AZ team, as part of an effort that has gotten the team to fifth in the owners points.
Indiana Sprint Week continues on FloRacing on Saturday night as the USAC Sprint Cars head to Kokomo Speedway for the second of seven rounds of ISW action.
USAC Gas City Results
1. Logan Seavey
2. Chase Stockon
3. Justin Grant
4. Kyle Cummins
5. Thomas Meseraull
6. Carson Short
7. Shane Cottle
8. Brady Bacon
9. Jarrett Andretti
10. Matt Westfall
11. Chris Windom
12. Tyler Thomas
13. C.J. Leary
14. Clinton Boyles
15. Brandon Mattox
16. Dustin Smith
17. Wyatt Burks
18. Kyle Robbins
19. Jadon Rogers
20. Kevin Thomas Jr.
21. Dave Darland
22. Robert Ballou
23. A.J. Hopkins
24. Robert Bell