TROY, NC :: Lemons Motorsports development driver Craig Stallard clinched a solid top 10 finish in his debut race.  Stallard finished 9th in the Thanksgiving All-Star Classic at Southern National Motorsports Park on November 30th.

“We couldn’t be more proud of his efforts,” said team owner Tommy Lemons. “A top 10 finish in his first race with us proves that our hard is paying off.”

With 44 of the best Late Model Stock cars on hand and only 32 starting spots available, making the race would be a great accomplishment.  Only the top 10 qualifiers would be locked into the main event; leaving the remaining 34 drivers to battle it out in a series of heat races and a last chance race.  While Stallard laid down an impressive qualifying time it was not enough to take a top 10 spot. He would field the No.42 Lemons Motorsports Chevrolet in the first heat race of the night, logging priceless seat time as he adjusted to his new car and team.  Stallard then found himself in unfamiliar territory.  He would start from the pole position in the last chance race and hold a commanding lead over the field for more than 30 laps.  Stallard would relinquish the lead on a restart after a late race caution.  “No need to push the issue,” Stallard said, “I knew we would advance to the main race and I wanted to save my car for that.”

Staring from the 26th position, Stallard and the crew had their work cut out for them but remained positive throughout the day and began to pick up positions one by one.  Stallard managed to avoid several wrecks and had advanced to the 18th position by the halfway beak.  The second half proved dicier than the first but Stallard was able to battle though several restarts to finish 9th.  “The car was better than finish; if I had qualified better I could have saved more for late in the race.”  “Our goals for this weekend were to get as much seat time as possible, to bring the car home in one piece, and to finish in the top 10.  The No.42 crew accomplished all three and we are looking forward to carrying this momentum into next season.  2014 can’t get here fast enough!” said Stallard following the race.

Stallard is supported by Lemons Motorsports, Hedgecock Racing Enterprises, Family Drug, and Performance Automotive.  For more information on the Lemons Motorsports team, check out their website at www.tommylemonsjr.com.