(Photo: Richard Bales)
Bryan Hulbert – TULSA, Okla. (January 2, 2025) When mechanical issues struck during his EVO Fuel Injection A-Class Heat Race, that meant only one thing for Arizona’s Ricky Thornton, Jr. at the 40th annual Smiley’s Racing Products powered by NOS Energy Drink. Soup was about to be served, and the driver of the No. 20R has not disappointed.
Starting his run from the third E-Feature, Thornton brought the fans to their feet, going fifth to first in the E-Feature, 13th to first in the D-Feature, and 13th to second, coming to the white flag in his C-Feature to lock himself into the third B-Feature on Saturday night.
While Thornton thrilled, the bigger picture is starting to come into view, as one A-Feature has already started to take shape. With their Heats and Qualifiers already contested, the Flying A Motorsports Junior Sprint A-Feature has a dozen drivers locked in, led by Brexton Busch.
Qualifiers coming up in stock and outlaw divisions, 18 drivers find themselves locked into the next round of passing points for all four classes, with Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, and defending Outlaw champion Emerson Axsom among the lineup.
Working through Race No. 258 on Thursday, things pick up Friday, January 3, 2025 at 9:00 A.M. (CT) with the continuation of the alphabet for the Joe’s Racing Products Stock Non-Wing division. A total of 80 races make up Friday’s card.
DAILY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS – 40TH SMILEY’S RACING PRODUCTS TULSA SHOOTOUT:
Friday Schedule:
E (8 Laps), D & C Mains (10 Laps):
259-266: Stock Non-Wing E Mains (8 – 2 Advance to D Mains)
267-274: Stock Non-Wing D Mains (8 – 2 Advance to C Mains)
275-282: Stock Non-Wing C Mains (8 – 2 Advance to B Mains)
Qualifying Races (10 Laps):
283-290: Outlaw Non-Wing (8)
Restricted C Mains and Junior Sprint C & B MAINS (10 Laps)
291-298: Restricted C Mains (8 – 2 Advance to B Mains)
299-302: Junior Sprint C Mains (4 -2 Advance to B Mains)
303-306: Junior Sprint B Mains (4 – Top 2 from each Advance to A Main)
Qualifying Races (10 Laps):
307-314: Stock Non-Wing (8)
315-322: Restricted A Class (8)
323-330: Outlaw Winged (8)
331-338: A Class Winged (8)
Saturday Schedule:
B Mains:
339-346: Stock Non-Wing (12 Laps: 8 – Top 2 from each Advance to LCQ)
347-354: Outlaw Non-Wing (12 Laps: 8 – Top 2 from each Advance to LCQ)
355-362: Restricted A Class (12 Laps: 8 – Top 2 from each Advance to LCQ)
363-370: Outlaw Winged (12 Laps: 8 – Top 2 from each Advance to LCQ)
371-378: A Class Winged (12 Laps: 8 Top 2 from each Advance to LCQ)
OPENING CEREMONIES
Last Chance A Main Qualifiers (12 Laps):
379: Stock Non-Wing (Top 8 Advance to A Main)
380: Outlaw Non-Wing (Top 8 Advance to A Main)
381: Restricted A Class (Top 8 Advance to A Main)
382: A Class Winged (Top 8 Advance to A Main)
383: Outlaw Winged (Top 8 Advance to A Main)
Championship A Mains:
384: Stock Non-Wing (30 Laps)
385: Junior Sprints (20 Laps)
386: Outlaw Winged (30 Laps)
387: Restricted A Class (25 Laps)
388: A Class Winged (30 Laps)
389: Outlaw Non-Wing (55 Laps)
The Smiley’s Racing Products Tulsa Shootout takes place at the Tulsa Expo Raceway, located inside the SageNet Center in Tulsa, Okla. Fans can also follow the Smiley’s Racing Products Tulsa Shootout at https://www.facebook.com/TulsaShootout and on Twitter (@TulsaShootout).
Bryan Hulbert | Tulsa Shootout | Photo: Richard Bales
