On what was likely the warmest night of the season, Bailey Jacobs – arguably the hottest driver in the Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car field at Peterborough Speedway – scored the first main event checkered flag of his young career.

With a background that includes multiple wins and division championships in the karting ranks, the youngster from Warsaw, Ontario – who recently celebrated his 19^th birthday – entered the 2016 season at the venue known as Canada’s Toughest 3^rd of a Mile Paved Oval with a pocket full accolades to show for his first campaign in stock car racing, including a 5^th place in the final point standings, along with the rookie of the year and hard charger awards. One of the few things that was missing from his resume was a trip to the winner’s circle.

“We had a great first year and learned a lot,” said the second season standout. “It was a steep learning curve, but Dad and I got plenty of help along the way. Week by week, I felt more comfortable and confident in the car and that allowed the opportunity to push things just a little bit harder to see where things could end up. I knew that we had the potential to score a feature win. The only question was when it would happen.”

During the opening pre-race practice session – Saturday, July 23^rd – the #60 machine was loose coming-off the corners but the driver kept pushing. In between rounds, Bailey Jacobs and his crew chief/father Jeff discussed making some changes to tighten things up, but elected to stay the course and roll the dice that changing track conditions would take care of the issue instead.

After scoring a win in his first qualifier and finishing a close second in his next heat, it was time to get ready for the main event. By luck of the draw, Jacobs would take the green flag from the pole position but with Nick Oram – who has been logging some solid runs lately – alongside and the division’s current point leader Howie Crowe and others just as hungry for a trip to the winner’s circle.

“On the drop of the green flag, I had to get any advantage I could, but I was also mindful of where everyone else was in the running order,” admitted the talented runner. “The car was still a little on the loose side and as we came off the 4^th turn, the back broke loose and opened the door to the inside line. Oram was close enough that he got the nose in; but that was when the caution flew. I’ve never been so happy to see a yellow flag in my life.”

Over the race’s closing stages, Jacobs kept the challengers in his rear-view mirror and parked his #60 Kawartha Kart Club/T.G. Quirk Towing/Bernardi Consulting/Chemong Home Solutions/Lakefield Napa Auto Parts/Close Quarters Tree Removal/Dart Heating & Air Conditioning/Clarke Motorsports Communications Chevrolet in victory lane, where he celebrated with family, friends and fans.

The Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car division will return to action Saturday, August 6^th at Peterborough Speedway.