Thomson, Francis Jr., Kisel Lead Brainerd TC, TCA, TCB Practice

FG_AUTHORS: Series News - Pirelli World Challenge - Pirelli World Challenge

BRAINERD, Minn. – Karl Thomson (Touring Car), Ernie Francis Jr. (Touring Car A) and Andrei Kisel (Touring Car B-Spec) led the 30-minute practice session for the Pirelli World Challenge Brainerd International Raceway brought to you by Kia, Rounds 11 and 12 of the 2014 season.Thomson, of Toronto, clocked in at 1:42.251 in the No. 72 CTF.org/Touge Tuning/Racing4Research Honda Civic Si to lead overall. Compass360 Racing teammate Ray Mason, of Blacklick, Ohio, was second in the No. 71 Grand Alarms Honda Civic Si. 

Mason fills in for TC championship leader Michael DiMeo, of Toronto, this weekend. Thomson returns to the cockpit after missing Mid-Ohio.  Additionally, returning series veteran Michael Pettiford, of Louisville, Col., will run Car No. 42 instead of No. 41 on his Go4It/Hawk Brakes Pontiac Solstice. 

In TCA, Francis Jr., of Dania, Fla., in the No. 98 Breathless Performance Mazda MX-5, was the first driver in the 1:43 range with a best lap of 1:43.988. The two class title rivals were next, with Jason Wolfe, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, in the No. 36 Wolfe Trucking Kia Forte Koup ahead of Shea Holbrook, of Groveland, Fla., in the No. 67 TRUECar/Lucas Oil/Radium Honda Civic Si.

The Racing.ca teammates went 1-2 in TCB. Kisel, of North Vancouver, B.C., set a best time of 1:54.645 in the No. 57 Racing.ca/LaptopScreen.com Mini Cooper. Glenn Nixon, of Mission, B.C., in the No. 58 Racing.ca/LaptopScreen.com/Nixon Prosports Mini Cooper was second at 1:54.802.

Nathan Stacy, of Owasso, Okla., was third in the No. 14 MDG/Ford Racing Ford Fiesta at 1:55.110. He currently sits second in TCB driver points to Brian Price, of Middletown, Va., in the No. 51 Unlimited Racing/RP Performance Honda Fit. Price was sixth in the practice.

Qualifying runs today from 12:45 to 1:15 p.m. CT and local time.