BRISTOL, Tenn. – Looking more like a seasoned veteran rather than an aspiring rookie, 2016 USAC National Midget champion Tanner Thorson quickly found his niche for Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway ahead of Saturday afternoon’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Zombie Auto 150.
Thunder Valley is the site of Thorson’s K&N East debut with Young’s Motorsports, operated by NASCAR Camping World Truck Series mainstay Tyler Young.
Thorson is using the “World’s Fastest-Half Mile” to prepare for his much-anticipated Truck Series debut next month at Dover (Del.) International Speedway.
“They’re saying Dover is just a bigger Bristol,” Thorson told a small group of reporters at Bristol Motor Speedway Friday afternoon. “I’m looking forward to that. Just getting through one race here and start worrying about the next one.”
During a short one-hour practice on Friday, Thorson wheeled his No. 28 Maestro’s Classic Chevrolet to the 13th quickest lap after circling Bristol’s oval 60 times. Known for his defying skills on dirt, Thorson’s other pavement race occurred in the ARCA race at Madison (Wisc.) International Speedway, where he contended early but faded to 10th at the checkered flag.
“We were good,” Thorson said. “A lot of it is just getting me comfortable as far as how much speed to enter into the turn with. As soon as I figured that out, the guys worked on some stuff. We had a few kinks that we got figured out.
“As soon as they figured that out, we started picking up some speed and got better.”
Thorson believes a realistic goal for his K&N debut would be in the top-10, however, Thorson isn’t counting out the possibility of stealing the show and contending for the victory.
Though whatever happens during the 150-lap rumble following the Xfinity Series race, he’ll be satisfied if he completes every lap.
“Our team is really, really good,” Thorson proclaimed. “We brought an awesome car to Bristol. I feel like we can qualify in the top 10 and just kind of race from there—get faster and faster. A lot of it for me is getting used to braking points and picking up the throttle, trying to get behind people and figuring that out. Getting used to the transition of the banking That’s probably the biggest things for me.
“But this Maestro’s Classic Chevy is really good. As long as I keep my nose clean, we’ll be all right.”
Thorson was recruited by Team Dillon Management’s driver development program earlier this year has impressed many, including Mike Dillon, general manager for Richard Childress Racing.
“I think he can run top-10 or better,” Dillon told Racin Boys. “That would be a good day, considering his level of experience in a car like this and his first time at Bristol.”
Quickly though the Minden, Nevada native took a liking to Bristol and compared its feel to Eldora Speedway, a dirt track and one of the 11 other tracks where he’s scheduled to race in Young’s Motorsports No. 20 Chevrolet Silverado following Dover.
“It’s awesome,” Thorson said of his impression of Thunder Valley. “It kind of reminds me a little bit of Eldora as a dirt race track with as much banking as it has. I told my guys I hope this gets a top groove real soon. I think I’ll feel more comfortable up there as far as the bottom, just coming from the dirt track stuff.”
But it’s been more than Bristol’s tight quarters and fast speeds that he’s had to adapt too. With the track laying down their “Bristol Bite” traction compound – practice and qualifying on Friday brought another element that Thorson had to get accustomed too.
“I really didn’t notice it at first but then I kept getting faster and faster and faster,” sounded Thorson. “Then we started picking up speed—especially from center off. I started to feel the transition a little bit. At first, I didn’t notice it much. I was able to get above it a few times, pass a few cars.
“I didn’t notice it too much. Hopefully, it burns off soon and it kind of equals out the playing field.”
Thorson qualified ninth on Friday afternoon keeping his expectations realistic for his NASCAR short track debut.
On the flip side, when Thorson isn’t competing in trucks – or maybe even an additional K&N East race or two, he’ll return to his roots and sling on dirt throughout the year.
“I’m going to run sprint cars about 80-percent of the time,” sounded Thorson who will compete in the King of the West tour. “My total schedule, I think going to be putting out 90-95 races.
“I’m going to run that then I’m going to run 10 to 15 midget races for Dooling Hayward in the (No.) 63 midget. So I have a busy schedule.
“I’m looking forward to this whole year. It’s been great getting in contact with the Dillon’s (Austin and Ty – management partners) and making everything happen.”
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
