Photo Credit: Noel Lanier
ThorSport Racing suffered a devastating loss last night when it’s race shop went up in flames. NBC Sports is reporting the team’s haulers as well as some trucks did survive the fire.
The fire was tended to by the Perkins Township Fire Department shortly after midnight last night. Reports say the fire started in the basement of the team’s shop. Firefighters were on site fighting the blaze and surveying damage until 4:45 p.m. ET this afternoon at the 100,000-square foot shop.
Capt. Jim Johnson said that at least 12 trucks or chassis were saved.
“I had the manpower, so I was able to get about six guys at a time sent in and they would push the Trucks to the door and then the ThorSport employees would grab it where there was no smoke and push it down the ramp and to the grass,” Johnson told NBC Sports.
ThorSport Racing is the Camping World Truck Series’ longest tenured team. They have fielded trucks in the series since 1996, and currently fields trucks in each race for point leader Matt Crafton, Cameron Hayley, Rico Abreu and Ben Rhodes. Despite the fire, the team intends to race at Iowa Speedway this weekend.
Allison Thorson, daughter of team owners Duke and Rhonda Thorson, posted a statement on Twitter this afternoon talking about how the fire will affect the team going forward.
@ThorSportRacing @thisthisisdavid @rockinrhondat #ThorSportRacingStrong pic.twitter.com/lOSZ9sebvU
— Allison Thorson (@AlliThorson) June 13, 2016
According to reports, multiple teams from different manufacturers have reached out to ThorSport Racing offering their assistance this upcoming weekend at Iowa.
The Perkins Township Fire Department Chief Keith Wohlever said that although the fire doesn’t appear to be suspicious in nature, they will be “diligent” in the investigation.
