Ron Phipps took advantage of the inversion from qualifying to become the third different feature winner in Noble Wine & Spirits ThunderCar action. Phipps got the jump on his cousin, Mike, at the start chased by fast qualifier David McConnell.
Ricky Craig, a two-time winner this year, passed McConnell to move into the third spot and the two passed a slowing Mike Phipps on lap eight. The second caution flag waved on lap 16 when Kyle Allmond’s ride went up in smoke after advancing into the top five after starting on the tail of the field. Craig’s night also ended in a puff of smoke on lap 25.
At the finish it was Ron Phipps winning by 2.1-seconds over McConnell, who now has three runner-up finishes, and visiting Ohio driver Tim Hines. Mike Phipps won the heat race passing Hines on the third circuit and holding off McConnell by .255-seconds and Craig. For the third time in 2023, McConnell set fast time in qualifying. Ronnie Rose, a two-time winner in the division, for the second consecutive week was unable to compete because of a mechanical woe.
