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Tight Thunder Stocks points race a blast for Madison, competitors
By LOGAN NEILL In November, Stuart Madison capped his first season in Thunder Stocks by taking home the division's championship trophy. Although Madison would like to repeat that achievement when the Citrus County Speedway racing season ends in four weeks, the 31-year-old Wildwood driver acknowledges doing so will take a lot more effort than it did last year. Unlike last season when Madison cruised to the title with an 120-point advantage, the driver is in a three-way battle for the crown this season. Six points behind Robert Jordan and 14 ahead of Josh Teague, Madison agrees it is becoming quite a nail-biter. "It's been pretty close all season," he said. "Most nights when we're racing together, we're usually all up at the front racing each other for the win. I wouldn't be surprised if it all really came down to who's best on the final night." Though the trio's records are similar (Teague has seven feature wins, Jordan and Madison have four) the edge might go to Madison's experience. A four-year veteran, he was one of several drivers who crossed over last season when the former Street-Legal Junker division switched to the Thunder Stock oval configuration. Though he never won a regular-season race, Madison's consistent efforts at making his car more track friendly proved to be a successful formula. "By the end of the season I had my car handling better than most of the other guys, so I was finishing in the top five pretty often," Madison said. "I really thought somebody would catch me at the end, but it never happened." However, Madison doesn't discount the strong competition his rookie rivals have shown. Jordan, a longtime friend, began racing this season under Madison's guidance. And the 15-year-old Teague has also been impressive. "Any time we're racing together it's a lot of fun," Madison said. "We drive each other clean and just try to see whose got the better car. Nobody really gets an attitude about it, it's just fun and games." Madison isn't surprised to see how far the Thunder Stock division has come in 11/2 seasons. Its affordability and low-stress atmosphere attract as many as 35 participants each week. Most nights, the track has to run two features in order to keep the fields manageable. "It's probably the best way to learn to race," said Madison, who plans to move to Hobby Stocks next year. "Gradually you get some experience, and with a little luck and a little more money you can move up. But a lot of drivers stay just because they have a blast in Thunder Stocks." Madison is having a blast too, even if he ultimately comes up short in this year's title race. Said Madison: "I've saved a spot for the trophy, no matter whether it says first, second or third."
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