NASCAR: Thornton ready to race
The car is ready ... and so is the driver.
It’s time to turn Giles Thornton loose.
Thornton, of Whitefish, will make his NASCAR debut on Saturday in Stockton, Calif., at Stockton 99 Speedway.
This will the first of many K and N West Pro Series events he plans to drive in this year.
“He shows a lot of valuable racing experience at only 15 years old,” veteran NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver and Montana Raceway Park manager said Rick Crawford said.
“He listens well, pays attention and is attentive to his crew. I’m really pleased with what I see right now.”
Crawford is one of several individuals helping Thornton make the transition to NASCAR a smooth and successful one.
“He is surrounded with great people,” Crawford said.
“He has a great team behind him.”
Crawford won his first NASCAR championship in Alabama when he was 22. He holds the record for Camping World Truck series career starts with 336.
“The goal on how we start racing is gaining respect of veteran drivers, establish the footwork and groundwork and then we can go on from there,” Crawford said.
“He’s got the equipment, he’s got the ability. (Now) you have to show it,” he said of what he told Thornton.
“We all have to realize he is 15,” Crawford was quick to point out.
“He still enjoys being a kid, but is growing up around adults right now. We appreciate that and we can act like kids sometimes being around him while guiding him through the NASCAR ranks.”
Thornton was in Las Vegas in March to test drive his 2013 Toyota Camry in preparation for his series opener.
“It went really well,” Thornton said.
“Our times were close to the leaders. It was exciting to be up there with them ... just below or better (time-wise). It was really close.”
Thornton plans to do a couple races at his home track, but says the focus this year is on the NASCAR series.
“Much bigger car, more power, more weight to them,” he said of his Camry.
“The first three races will be very important for us a team. It will hopefully show that we belong here ... that we’re not going away.
“Right now, having a good team around you,” he said of what’s most important.
“Get along with the guys, understand them. It helps make racing more successful.”
Although Thornton will be one of the youngest drivers in the West Pro Series, he has paid his dues. He started racing Bandoleros at MRP when he was 7 and went on to claim three championships in that division. He followed that with two titles in the Legends and spent last year on the track in Super Late Models.
“From Bandolers to Legends was definitely a big jump,” he said.
“There was more power, a little bit taller, top heavy.
“Moving from Legends to Super Late Models was a big jump — four times the size, 10 times the power and the competition goes up.”
This also promises to be a big jump. This series is regarded as a proving ground for drivers who have much higher aspirations. Thornton is confident he can handle it.
“I took all the information I could and soaked it up like a sponge,” he said.
“What they have told me, I have applied.
“I have no fear in the car. I can do the high line, I can do low line or anything they want me to try. I trust the guys
“I get nervous before races, it’s something that will never go away,” he said.
“I like to be a little nervous. I take that to my advantage. I don’t want to be too nervous to make mistakes.
“I want to see how fast I can go, how hard I can push the car, put it to its limits and have a good time doing it.” Thornton said.
“I’m really looking forward to it (Saturday). It should be a lot of fun.”
NOTE: Key members of the Thornton Racing Team include: Charlie Thorne, Team Manager; Travis Sharpe, Crew Chief; Scott Brandt, Car Chief/Fabricator; Ted Cummins, Truck Driver/Parts/Crew Member; and Roy Pryor, Fabricator/Crew Member.