Story By: DAN KAPUSCINSKI / JASON SIMMONS RACING – OSWEGO, NY – Tyler Thompson had a career night at Oswego Speedway on Saturday, leading several laps of the night’s Novelis Supermodified main event before finishing on the podium in third-place behind future Hall of Fame drivers, Dave Shullick Jr. and Otto Sitterly.
Thompson scored his third career heat race win earlier in the evening, putting the Jason Simmons Racing No. 98 on the outside of the front row for the night’s 50-lap finale.
Hurrying to beat rain showers that plagued every other speedway in the area, Thompson rushed to the lead from the drop of the green flag over Lou LeVea Jr.
For nearly half the race, Thompson led the pack with 2017 track champion and Classic winner, Shullick, in tow.
Eventually the lead duo caught lapped traffic around lap-20 and on lap-22 Shullick found the inside of the speedway to his liking, driving under Thompson for the race lead down the back chute.
Thompson kept pace, but it was clear that his machine was getting tighter as the race progressed, which hampered any chance at regaining the race lead.
As the race ticked away, Thompson seemed well on his way to a runner-up drive, until Sitterly found his way to third late in the going. With only four laps remaining, Sitterly drove around Thompson for second, leaving the high school graduate with a career-best third place finish ahead of Brandon Bellinger and Michael Barnes.
“Man, we started off so great tonight, but on lap 15 or so it just got really tight,” said Thompson. “Overall though, it was a good run and we finished right behind two of the best, so I’m very happy. I’d like to thank Lindsey Aggregates and Kelly’s Zen Den and everyone that helps on the car during the week. I really owe all those guys a big thank you.”
Thompson now sits 13th in the Supermodified standings, only 31-points from the top-ten.
Jason Simmons Racing and Thompson will return to Oswego Speedway on Saturday for autograph night and a 50-lap main event.
Saturday’s hot laps at Oswego will begin at 4:00 p.m., with the rescheduled driver autograph session at 5:15 p.m. and time trials set for 6:20 p.m. Heat racing for the night will take the green at 7:00 p.m.