TROY, NC :: With back to back podium finishes in the 2014 season opener at Southern National Motorsports Park, Tommy Lemons, Jr. made sure everyone knew he meant business this season. Lots of drama surrounded the opening event but, as the Pulliam/McCaskill debacle unfolded, Lemons was busy collecting his 1st place trophy. Lemons inherited the victory in the first race after another driver was disqualified following post-race inspection.
Lemons started the first of two races in fifth and quickly advanced to the fourth position before the race’s first caution. He continued to progress through the field, taking the third position on lap 40. Following a caution, Lemons would restart on the outside lane in second position and battle side-by-side for the lead for several laps. Lemons crossed the line on lap 75 in second but would later be awarded the win.
“It’s a great start to the season for us,” Lemons said. “I’d rather win on the track instead of in the tech building but I’ll take it either way. I’ve never won the first race of the season before so I hope that’s a sign of how our season will go.”
Lemons started the second race third on the grid and moved up to second early on. He would again make a hard charge on the outside to challenge for the lead before a caution fell on lap 29. On the following restart, Lemons was relegated to third. He’d retake the second position on lap 65 but run out of time to catch the leader with just 10 laps remaining; going on to finish second in the second race.
“We just missed it a little bit,” Lemons said. “We had a really good car. It kind of sucks to come up short but it’s just tough here. You’ve got the National Champion sitting in victory lane and that’s why he’s there, because he’s pretty good. We’re not going to give up. We’re going to come back and battle hard on the 29th and see if we can’t get two victories that night.”
Lemons’ next race will be on Sunday, March 9th at Caraway Speedway.
Lemons is supported by Lemons Backhoe, Hedgecock Racing Enterprises, Kowlasky Racing Engines. For more information on Tommy Lemons, Jr. or the Lemons Motorsports team, check out their website at www.tommylemonsjr.com.
