Clayton Fights For Mobile Win & Ends Up Fourth

Jacob Clayton at Mobile Int'l Speedway. (Daniel Vining photo)

MOBILE, Ala. – After leading the majority of the 30-lap feature, Jacob Clayton posted his fourth straight top-four finish in a Pro Truck over the weekend at Mobile Int’l Speedway.

Clayton showed speed right from the start, leading practice before qualifying second with a lap time of 19.869 seconds (90.593 mph) in his black-and-red No. 17.

A two-inversion roll put Clayton on the pole for the main event, where he promptly took off from the rest of the field when the green flag waved. He led the first half with ease before encountering lap traffic late in the going.

On lap 25, Clayton got loose off turn four while trying to get around a slower vehicle, nearly spinning on the frontstretch before saving his truck and engaging in a battle for the lead with Treyce Capers – who caught up from a second back as Clayton’s momentum slowed.

From there, the lead duo battled wheel-to-wheel down the backstretch before making contact in turn three, though Clayton led lap 26 at the flagstand before falling in line behind Capers.

More contact from behind in turn one got Clayton out of the groove, where he faded to fourth before regaining his groove and pushing forward once again.

That would be where the 13-year-old ultimately finished, continuing Clayton’s impressive top-five streak in his first year racing a full-bodied vehicle, following a successful quarter midget career.

“Man, the lap traffic didn’t work in our favor there, but I’m so proud of the speed we had,” Clayton said. “I think we had the truck to beat, but when the slower trucks didn’t stay low where we could race around them on the outside, it really decided the race. I think this was the best truck we’ve brought to the racetrack so far, and if we keep this up, I think we’ll be able to reach victory lane before long.”

“I continue to be impressed with Jacob week-in and week-out,” added team owner John Thompson. “The save he had late in the race … to keep that truck out of the wall, that takes talent that you can’t teach. He drove the wheels off it, and this was just a lesson for him that, sometimes, the fastest truck doesn’t quite get to victory lane. His progression has been amazing, though, and we’re excited for the rest of the season with him.”

Clayton would like to thank Four Star Freightliner, TICO, American National Insurance, First Choice Painting, Grant Thompson Racing, Grant and John Thompson, Midwest Suspension Co., Race Face Digital, the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, Modern Images, JackArse Rentals, Swift Springs, and Elite Performance Industries for their partnership and support.

Clayton will get a couple of weeks to recharge before the next scheduled Pro Truck event at Mobile (Ala.) Int’l Speedway on Saturday, May 25.

About Jacob Clayton

Jacob Clayton is a 13-year-old, second-generation driver from Smith Station, Ala., who began his racing career in 2021 in quarter midgets and has competed fulltime at the grassroots level over the past three years. His accolades include 15 overall victories, multiple top-10 finishes in national points with the NASCAR Youth Series (formerly the USAC .25 Series), and time in three senior quarter midget classes.

For 2024, Clayton has made the move into full-bodied cars, running a Pro Truck for Grant Thompson Racing at Mobile Int’l Speedway in his home state. The team also has its eyes on competing in races at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla., the home of the famed Snowball Derby super late model classic.

Off the track, Clayton is a staunch supporter of the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation’s fight against pediatric cancer, as well as a soccer lover and avid iRacer as he continues to hone his various skillsets.

For more information on Jacob Clayton, visit his website at https://jacobclaytonracing.com/.