Throughout the past decade, competitors and fans alike have become accustomed to witnessing the Rock Steady Racing number 3R perform its magic during the Spring Showdown at Haubstadt, Indiana’s Tri-State Speedway.

First there was Hunter Schuerenberg in 2012, then Daron Clayton in 2014, and later on, Kyle Cummins did the deed in 2021. At Saturday night’s 11th running of the event on the 1/4-mile dirt oval, it was the team’s newest driver, Kevin Thomas Jr., who sealed the deal to become the fourth different driver from the team’s stable to capture a Spring Showdown victory.

Shortly following a restart, Thomas (Cullman, Ala.) chased down early race leader Mitchel Moles on lap 12, then successfully fended off the pursuit of the surging Cummins.  From there on, KTJ led the final 19 laps to score his third career Spring Showdown win after previous triumphs in 2013 and 2018. No other driver owns more than one Spring Showdown win.

Overall, it’s Rock Steady Racing’s ninth USAC National Sprint Car victory at Tri-State, far and away the most successful team in that category.  Fully cognizant of the resume held by the 3R at the southern Indiana venue, Thomas felt he had some weight on his shoulders to overcome.

“This is the most nervous I’ve been in a racecar in a long time,” Thomas admitted. “Especially with what Kyle has done here as a driver and them as a team. If you suck, it’s on you. So, that’s tough. But I’ve got a great deal of confidence in my team and my ability to drive a racecar. I was pumped up and I can’t remember the last time I did donuts!”

To be the man, you got to beat the man, and Thomas did just that, breaking the tie he held with Cummins atop Tri-State’s all-time USAC National Sprint Car win list. KTJ’s seventh win with the series at the track is now the standard bearer after grabbing his latest aboard the Rock Steady Racing/Inferno Armor – Eddie Gilstrap Motors – Creative Finishing/Mach-1/Stanton Chevy.

Highlights USAC Sprints Spring Showdown May 12, 2024

USAC Sprint Car Results Spring Showdown At Tri-State Speedway

1. Kevin Thomas Jr. (3

 2. Kyle Cummins (5)

 3. Mitchel Moles (1)

4. C.J. Leary (2)

 5. Jadon Rogers (4)

6. Daison Pursley (8)

7. Robert Ballou (16)

8. Brady Bacon (14)

9. Brady Short (12)

10. Logan Seavey (11)

11. Chase Stockon (9)

12. Carson Short (7)

13. Adyn Schmidt (10)

14. Carson Garrett (20)

15. Matt Westfall (17)

16. J.J. Hughes (19)

17. Jake Swanson (13)

18. Joey Amantea (21)

19. Donny Brackett (24)

20. Kayla Roell (23)

21. Aric Gentry (18)

22. Kendall Ruble (22)

23. Dustin Beck (15)

24. Justin Grant (6). NT