CASA GRANDE, Ariz. — Ricky Weiss was driving like he’d win every Early Thaw late model main, but Bricen James ended that streak when he drove an excellent race and posted the win on Saturday night at Central Arizona Raceway.
The third night of the Ernie Mincy Early Thaw drew a triple digit field with 103 cars on hand.
It also had new winners in three divisions.
Late models ran their usual 35-lap main event with Weiss looking for three in a row. His main competitor, Billy Moyer Sr., drew the pole while Weiss started fifth, leaving the door open to a different winner. Moyer led 14 laps until James used the low line in turn four to take over on lap 15. Weiss moved into second a lap later and the quickly closed on James.
The long, nonstop run created many traffic issues for James but he smoothly handled every challenge with Weiss hot on his tail. James used all the track to get past lapped cars but ran the top when clear. Weiss tried different lines, but was not able to pass James and finished second ahead of Cole Shill.
Trent Grager redrew the front row for the stock car main and used the luck to break Zachary Madrid’s two win streak. Grager was in control for the distance and claimed the win over Kevin Roberts and Ryan Satter.
Limited modified action was not pretty as numerous yellows led to an early checkers. Jeremy Thornton won, leading all but the first lap, and continued the trend of having a different winner each night. Shane Sabraski was second over Jake Smith.
Northern sport mods were dominated by Joe Docekal for his second consecutive win. Kyler Reynolds was second ahead of Clay Erickson.