Derek Thorn Overcomes Adversity to Win at All American Speedway

Derek Thorn overcomes adversity to win with his Campbell Motorsports No. 43 team in the SRL Spears Southwest Tour race at All American Speedway.
Derek Thorn, driver of the No. 43 with Campbell Motorsports celebrates a Spears SRL Southwest Touring Series victory at All-American Speedway Photo by Sal Sigala Jr.

Derek Thorn overcomes adversity to win with his Campbell Motorsports No. 43 team in the SRL Southwest Tour race at All American Speedway.

Throughout the years, Campbell Motorsports driver Derek Thorn has overcome adversity on the track. By the end of the race, he usually finds his way to victory lane. Thorn has built his resume as a driver who will not allow obstacles to keep him from giving 110 percent, from practice to qualifying, and, of course, the race itself.

Thorn stays positive throughout race weekends, and puts his faith in his team, and even more so, his crew chief Mike Keen. Those mainstays are consistently the recipe for the No. 43 to be successful on the track. Thorn also knows the very first part of the team’s accomplishment comes from the support and backing from team owners Byron and Carol Campbell, who give the team every tool necessary to get the job done.

Sad News from the Campbell Family

This weekend Thorn would once again overcome adversity on the track late in the race to get the win. It started with heartbreaking news involving the owners of the No. 43 team, which gave the team a new reason to perform above their abilities and put the No. 43 in victory lane. The mother and mother-in-law of team owners Byron and Carol Campbell suddenly passed away on Friday, giving this race weekend a somber feeling over the two days of racing.

“We had heavy hearts going into this weekend’s race, and we were proud to bring the win home for Kathryn Patrick! Thinking about the Campbell and Patrick family during this tough time. Thanks for everyone’s support,” said Thorn after winning the JM Environmental Inc. 150 presented by 51 Fifty LTM SRL Southwest Tour race.

Derek Thorn Overcomes Adversity on the Track

On lap 102, Thorn found himself in a no-contact spin coming out of turn two and out of the lead, after which he entered the pits thinking it was a flat tire. Coming back on track, after a red flag to clean up the track because of an oil spill, Thorn found himself back in 13th-place. His earlier spin was from an oil leak on the track. Ultimately, Thorn found himself back in the lead after some wild racing, and eventually, back in victory lane.

“I guess the feeling of this win hasn’t settled in yet,” Thorn admitted. “The biggest thing is that my thoughts and prayers are with the Campbell and Patrick family. I’m thinking about them and praying for them. This win is for them!”

Team owner Byron Campbell had this to say after the race via text message,

“It gave me a smile that I needed today. I think my mother-in-law might have helped tonight.” No doubt in anyone’s mind she was with the team throughout the weekend and helped the No. 43 team get a well-deserved victory.

Photo by Sal Sigala Jr.

Thoughts and prayers to the Campbell family during this difficult time from all of us here at Fan4Racing  Blog and Radio.