Lenmar Motorsports “Bad Bird” Wins in Houston

Text by Robert Loar ~ Photo by Toyse Woody

Ken and crew had been hard at work since the last Texas Outlaw Pro Mod race last month at Kennedale.  After carding a career best 3.89 in qualifying at TXR, the Thomas Motorsports team completely tore down the Bad Bird and began making a whole host of upgrades.  A new billet block from AJPE and a further tricked out 18-71 blower from Jan-Cen Racing Engines highlighted the changes.  Then it was off to Houston to test the new equipment and see if the hard work had paid off.     

Houston Motorsports Park was the second stop in a very young 2009 TOPMA season.  After an early shake-down pass to check the new fuel tune up, Ken was ready to turn her loose in qualifying. The first full lap on the new combo netted a good 3.96 and pushed Ken to second in the standings behind Frankie Taylor.  After a few tweaks and adjustments, the TMS team saw a great 3.875 at 186  pop up on the scoreboard at HMP.  This run solidified their second spot in qualifying and helped the crew gain a lot of confidence going into eliminations.

In the first and second rounds, Ken would face not one, but both of his Lenmar teammates.  Ken’s 3.91 in first round was enough the get by Grant McCreary in the Hell Hoss, but he would lose lane choice to Gaylen Smith for second round as the Texas Bounty Hunter put up an excellent 3.90 @ 197.  The second round Lenmar match-up would show the Hell Fish getting a little out of shape while the Bad Bird motored down the track to another 3.877 ET.  The final would be a repeat of the last TOPMA race as Ken would try to pull even with Frankie Taylor in the win column for 2009.  In the final Ken managed a consistent 3.90 to take the win over Frankie and his 3.96 effort. 

To say the least, the TMS gang was very pleased with all of their new parts and how they performed in Houston.  They hope to build on this momentum as they are preparing for the ADRL event in Valdosta, GA, later this week.  Ken would like to thank Lenmar Motorsports and the House of Hotrods for their continued support.  Also, thank you to Mike Janis and Mike Janis Jr for their help with the blower.

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www.kenthomasracing.com

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