Some eagle-eyed Super Late Model fans noticed a big name in the most recent batch of entries filed for this weekend’s Chilly Willy 150 at Arizona’s Tucson Speedway. That name is none other than Derek Thorn, the reigning Snowball Derby champion. But while Thorn’s name does appear on the entry list, he’ll be at Tucson in a different capacity than we’re used to seeing.

Thorn and his personal team, Derek Thorn Racing, will be competing in the Chilly Willy 150 with 16-year-old Sean Hingorani behind the wheel. Thorn will be serving as team owner and driver coach to Hingorani. Thorn himself will only be racing in Friday night’s 50-lap feature.

“I’m racing Friday night in the 50-lapper,” Thorn told FloRacing. “I’m coming with a customer named Sean Hingorani.”

Thorn explained that when Campbell Motorsports shut down following their Snowball Derby triumph last December he decided to bring back Derek Thorn Racing.

“When Campbell shut down I started Derek Thorn Racing, which has been around for a while, but now Derek Thorn Racing has a rental program. Sean Hingorani will be racing out of my shop in one of my cars.”

Hingorani is relatively new to Super Late Model racing, but he does have experience at Tucson Speedway. The Newport Beach, California native won the Legends portion of the Chilly Willy last year. Hingorani said that racing for Thorn was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.

“I’ve worked with Derek in the past,” said Hingorani. “He’s helped me out here and there. I got this opportunity to run the Chilly Willy and I’m pretty excited for it. It’s not something you would pass up. I’m excited to see what we can do out there. I think we’re in pretty good shape.”

Hingorani said he doesn’t feel any pressure racing for the defending Snowball Derby champion, especially because he’s comfortable on the tight confines of the 3/8-mile Tucson Speedway.

“I won in the Legend car division (there) last year,” Hingorani said. “It’s a pretty unique track, but I’ve never been there in a big car, so we’ll see how that is.”

While race fans will only see Thorn race in Friday’s feature at Tucson, Thorn said fans will still be able to see him race at times throughout 2023 and that he’ll be announcing his plans for the season in due time.

“I’ll be running a handful of bigger races for another team,” said Thorn. “I haven’t made an announcement yet. I will be renting out my cars mostly for the west coast races.”

Race fans can watch all three nights of the 2023 Chilly Willy 150 from Tucson Speedway live on FloRacing beginning Friday, February 3.