Thornton Claims First Career Arizona Mod Tour Win at Central Ariz. Speedway
By Mike Spieker
CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (February 12, 2018) – Ricky Thornton Jr. became the eighth different driver to add his name to the Karl Performance Arizona IMCA Modified Tour overall wins lists Monday night at Central Arizona Speedway.
Thornton, who started outside of row two, quickly made his way to the front. By lap four of 25, Thornton had reeled in leader and outside front row starter, Ryan Gaylord. Thornton executed a perfect slide job in turns three and four to take the lead over Gaylord, while Casey Arneson ran within striking distance in third.
Once out front, Thornton set sail and checked out from the field throughout the remainder of the caution-free main event.
Further back in the top five, Arneson and eighth place starter, Hunter Marriott, battled for the third position. The door opened for Marriott when Arneson pushed up the track in turn two, which allowed Marriott to get a big run down the backstretch. Marriott took the position and set his sights on Gaylord for the runner-up spot.
Marriott quickly erased Gaylord’s advantage, but had trouble maneuvering by the no. 7R in lapped traffic. With six to go, Marriott ducked to the inside of Gaylord in turn one, amidst a handful of lapped cars, to move into second.
Once clear of Gaylord, Marriott looked to track down Thornton, but by then Thornton had opened up an insurmountable three and a half second lead.
Thornton cruised to the checkers as Marriott, Chris Abelson, who started 14th, Gaylord and Arneson rounded out the top five.
Bo Partain charged from eighth to claim the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod feature win. Outside front row starter, Ryan Moser, jumped out to the early lead at the drop of the green flag and led the first 13 circuits. Partain moved through the field to take the lead with seven laps to go. Partain quickly checked out from the rest of the field, stretching it out to a solid three second lead at the checkers. Moser, Chase Alves, Daniel Drury, and Arie Schouten rounded out the top five.
The Karl Performance Arizona IMCA Modified Tour heads to Canyon Speedway Park Tuesday night for practice, before a pair of consecutive events at the Peoria, Ariz. clay oval. The tour wraps up Feb. 16-17 at Cocopah Speedway in Yuma, Ariz.
Photo by Melissa Coker.
RESULTS:
IMCA Modifieds:
- Ricky Thornton Jr., 2. Hunter Marriott, 3. Chris Abelson, 4. Ryan Gaylord, 5. Casey Arneson, 6. Jake O’Neil, 7. Ethan Dotson, 8. Zachary Madrid, 9. Brice James, 10. Jason Wolla, 11. Troy Heupal, 12. Jeff Larson, 13. Shawn Strand, 14. Spencer Wilson, 15. Anthony Roth, 16. Tanner Black. 17. Chad Andersen, 18. DJ Shannon, 19. Brint Hartwick, 20. Duane Rogers, 21. Tripp Gaylord, 22. Mark Carrell, 23. Darin Center, 24. Lance Mari, 25. Kody Scholpp, 26. Rick Spencer
