[ael911]

Moneymanager is right, after the car warms up to normal operating temps, wait a few more minutes and check your oil lines. Mine gets blistering hot on the flow side and very hot on the return side. The only time I think I experienced partial thermostat opening is in the winter when outside temps are in the 50's. This would cause the external t-stat to slowly open due to the cool air lowering the temperature on the t-stat body. I live in southern california and I see 210 temps when I am cruising the freeway during the hot summer. I also have the carrera cooler, fan, block off plate, and elephant finned lines. With your track use combined with the humidity of the midwest, I wouldn't be surprised to see close to 250 on a hot day. I think your t-stat is working as it should and you might just need more cooling.