SANDUSKY, Ohio — Report by Race Chaser Online Managing Editor Jacob Seelman — Ernst Sibberson photo —
A fire that broke out in the early hours of Monday morning has damaged the 100,000 square foot ThorSport Racing shop in Sandusky, Ohio.
Multiple (at least four, as reported by Sandusky Scanner Live) fire departments were called in to fight the blaze, which started in the basement according to a team statement.
“At this time, we can confirm that no one was injured (in the fire),” the team said. “We are currently working with the fire department and local officials to contain the blaze and assess the damage.”
As of 9:15, the fire was reported as being “under control” by SSL after being first called in just after midnight. It had been an ongoing blaze just two hours prior according to the Perkins Township Fire Department and NBC Sports.
The team fields four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams for two-time series champion Matt Crafton, sophomore Cameron Hayley and rookies Ben Rhodes and Rico Abreu, and is the longest tenured team in Truck Series history – dating back to the series’ second season in 1996. They have two wins this season (Charlotte and Dover) with Crafton, who finished second in the series’ most recent race at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday.
The team does not expect the fire to impact their participation in this weekend’s Speediatrics 200 at Iowa Speedway. Crafton won the race in 2011 driving for ThorSport.
Raw video footage of the fire is available and can be viewed by visiting the Sandusky Scanner Live Facebook page.
Additional information will be provided as received by the team.
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.
Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 22-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
Email Jacob at: speed77radio@gmail.com
Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77
Email Race Chaser Online: news@racechaseronline.com
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