As the SRX Racing Series begins its third season, it opens on a new day and new network with the return of Thursday Night Thunder on ESPN.

SRX starts the season on the asphalt at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Connecticut.

Before a sold out crowd the 12 drivers will run two heat races and a 75 lap main event.

There are eight full time drivers running all six races with four part time drivers each week.

Driving in 12 equally prepared cars are several current NASCAR Cup Series drivers.

The starting lineup was determined by a random draw.

This week’s drivers are:
Marco Andretti
Paul Tracy
Bobby Labonte
Haailie Deegan
Clint Bowyer
Denny Hamlin
Ken Scharader
Tony Kanaan
Brad Keselowski
Tony Stewart
Kevin Harvick
Ryan Newman

SRX Racing Series champion Marco Andretti brings the field down for the green flag of heat number one on a hot and humid night.  Andretti and Paul Tracy go side by side before Andretti edges out for the lead.

Each heat is 20 laps long or 12 minutes.  The drivers quickly spread out across the track.

The drivers only had 10 laps of practice earlier in the afternoon.

Denny Hamlin passes Clint Bowyer for fifth.

Lap five, Marco Andretti has led every lap so far with Paul Tracy in second; Bobby Labonte, Tony Kanaan, and Clint Bowyer round out the top five.

Lap eight, Paul Tracy passes Marco Andretti for the lead.  Ryan Newman spins out and brings out the caution flag after some contact from Kevin Harvick.

Ken Schrader noted that “everybody is hitting everybody.”

And the “choose rule” comes to SRX Racing.

Marco Andretti brings the field down for the green flag restart from the inside laneand goes side by side with Paul Tracy as the drivers get three wide across the track. 

The caution flag comes out when Brad Keselowski makes a run through the grass in a three wide battle.

Marco Andretti brings the field down for the green flag restart with just two laps remaining in the heat. 

Denny Hamlin wins heat number one.

The results for heat number one:
Denny Hamlin
Paul Tracy
Marco Andretti
Bobby Labonte
Tony Stewart
Ken Schrader
Clint Bowyer
Ryan Newman
Hailie Deegan
Kevin Harvick
Brad Keselowski

For heat number two, the field is inverted and heat winner Denny Hamlin will start at the back of the pack with the last place driver on the pole.

The starting lineup for heat number two:
Brad Keselowski
Kevin Harvick
Hailie Deegan
Ryan Newman
Clint Bowyer
Ken Schrader
Tony Stewart
Bobby Labonte
Marco Andretti
Paul Tracy
Denny Hamlin

Due to the flooding in Vermont, the race next week at Thunder Road has been cancelled and the SRX Racing Series will return to Stafford Motor Speedway.

Tony Kanaan is still on pit road while the crew tries to make some repairs to his car.  He makes it back on the track before the green flag waves but will have to start the race from the back of the field.

Kevin Harvick jumps out in front for the lead.  Drivers get three wide across the track.

There is a bit of smoking coming from Marco Andretti’s car after a brush with the wall.

Kevin Harvick leads the race with Brad Keselowski on his bumper; and Ryan Newman in third.

Brad Keselowski passes Kevin Harvick for the lead; Ryan Newman, Clint Bowyer, and Tony Stewart round out the top five.

Ryan Newman passes Kevin Harvick for second.

The caution flag comes out for halfway at lap number 10.

Brad Keselowski brings the field down for the green flag restart but it is Ryan Newman who gets out in front for the lead.

Ken Schrader gets turned around and brings out the caution flag after some contact with Paul Tracy.

The hood on Tony Kanaan’s car flew off and landed on the track in one piece.

Ryan Newman brings the field down for the green flag restart and holds on to the lead after a challenge from Brad Keselowski.

Clint Bowyer comes up to challenge Brad Keselowski for second.

Ryan Newman wins het number two.

The results for heat number two:
Ryan Newman
Clint Bowyer
Brad Keselowski
Kevin Harvick
Paul Tracy
Tony Stewart
Denny Hamlin
Tony Kanaan
Marco Andretti
Bobby Labonte
Ken Schrader
Hailie Deegan

There is a water leak in the engine in Ryan Newman’s car.  He will switch to a backup car for the 75 lap main race.

After losing the hood of his car, Tony Kanaan will also run the main event in a backup car.

The starting lineup for the 75 lap main event:
Paul Tracy
Denny Hamlin
Clint Bowyer
Ryan Newman
Marco Andretti
Tony Stewart
Tony Kanaan
Bobby Labonte
Brad Keselowski
Kevin Harvick
Ken Schrader
Hailie Deegan

With his first SRX pole, Paul Tracy brings the field down for the green flag start of the main event.  Caution flag will count until the final 10 laps.  There is also overtime finishes if necessary.

Marco Andretti makes it a three wide battle on race start and jumps out in front.

Marco Andretti leads the race with Clint Bowyer in second; Denny Hamlin, Paul Tracy, and Tony Kanaan round out the top five.

Denny Hamlin passes Clint Bowyer for second.

The caution flag comes out for a crash involving Ryan Newman, Bobby Labonte, Ken Schrader, and Kevin Harvick.

Marco Andretti brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap eleven with Clint Bowyer on the outside.  Andretti jumps out in front for the lead.

Denny Hamlin passes Clint Bowyer for second.

Drivers have no spotters.  There is a radio to race control for safety purposes.

Denny Hamlin passes Marco Andretti for the lead on lap 14.

Tony Stewart is slowed on the track and headed for pit road.

Clint Bowyer battles with Marco Andretti for second.

The top five are Denny Hamlin, Marco Andretti, Clint Bowyer, Tony Kanaan, and Paul Tracy.

Clint Bowyer finally gets around Marco Andretti.  Paul Tracy passes Tony Kanaan for fourth.

Tony Stewart is on pit road with a fuel pressure issue.

There are four crews assigned for the 12 cars; giving each crew three cars to handle.

Lap 27, Denny Hamlin has a half second lead on Clint Bowyer; Marco Andretti, Paul Tracy, and Tony Kanaan round out the top five.

Paul Tracy passes Marco Andretti for third on lap 34.

The caution flag comes out for a mid-race break.

Lap 41, the top five are Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer, Paul Tracy, Tony Kanaan, and Marco Andretti.

Denny Hamlin brings the field down for the green flag restart with bad weather on the way.

Denny Hamlin leads the race with Clint Bowyer in second  Tony Kanaan gets into the grass but keeps it moving and the track stays green.

Ryan Newman has passed Paul Tracy for third.

The top five are Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer, Ryan Newman, Paul Tracy and Marco Andretti.

Ryan Newman passes Clint Bowyer for second on lap 54. 

Ryan Newman is less than half a second behind Denny Hamlin in a backup car after the crew discovered a water leak in the engine during break.

The caution flag comes out with 19 laps remaining in the race due to lightning.

The white flag has waved for the final lap.

Denny Hamlin wins the first race in the SRX season three opener in his debut with a weather shortened race.

The results of the weather shortened race:
Denny Hamlin
Ryan Newman
Clint Bowyer
Paul Tracy
Hailie Deegan
Marco Andretti
Ken Schrader
Bobby Labonte
Brad Keselowski
Tony Kanaan
Tony Stewart
Kevin Harvick