PEORIA, Ariz. – Ricky Thornton Jr. pocketed $1,250 for his victory in Saturday’s IMCA modified main event that opened the Winter Challenge series at Canyon Speedway Park.
It was the season opening event for the Peoria, Ariz., dirt oval. The first of four Winter Challenge series events that featured four IMCA divisions and dwarf cars drew 84 cars to the quarter-mile.
Zach Madrid and Thornton formed an impressive front row for the 25-lap IMCA modified main. Racing the opening lap side by side halfway around the oval, Thornton won the race to turn three with an outside line drive
Once in the lead, Thornton was in control despite eight restarts. Each time Thornton quickly reestablished his lead before finally reaching the checkers. Madrid finished second and Chas Baca Jr. was third.
All but one of the 24 Northern sport mods started the 20-lap, $1,000-to-win main, with the top 12 from heat races redrawing for the front six rows.
Shelby Frye used her outside front row redraw to lead all the laps, smoothly handling four restarts. Finishing second was another young lady, Taylor Kuehl, with Camron Spangler third to fill the podium. This was the second win this month for Frye after taking the checkers at Cocopah Speedway.
IMCA stock cars had an 18-car field with $1,000 to the 20-lap main event winner. Chance Hallatz led six laps before Andy Altenburg ran the bottom from turn one to turn four to complete what became the winning pass.
Pressure behind Altenburg was nonstop, but the Truman, Minn., driver made no mistakes and posted the win in the division.
Hobby stocks had 10 cars on hand, with eight starting the 20-lap main. Minot, N.D., driver Brad King drove under Jason Duggins early and controlled the remaining laps for the $500 win.
Six of 10 dwarf cars started their 20-lap feature and Dustin Washburn used the lower groove on the backstretch to lead the final 15 laps.