YUMA, Ariz. — Ricky Thornton Jr. led all 25 laps to take the opening night victory during the Winter Nationals held at Cocopah Speedway Thursday night.
A 108-car turnout in four IMCA divisions competed in the opening race of the six-event series.
Modifieds drew 49 cars and their five-heat format moved three to the main with the top two in the redraw. Tim Ward and Ricky Thornton Jr. redrew front row starts for the $1,000 to win main.
Thornton used the outside line in turn two on lap one to take the lead and held off Jake O’Neil after a restart with 12 laps remaining.
O’Neil broke in turn four on the final turn, coasting to the line third after Jeff Taylor passed him.
A 25-car sport mod field moved the top four from three heats to the redraw. It was Shelby Frye with the win in a time-shortened nine-lapper.
Trying to finish the 10th and final lap, Frye was taken out and officials restored her to the front spot for the win.
A 14-car field of stock cars had Troy Jerovetz redraw the pole, leading to a win for the Iowa Falls, Iowa, driver. Steffan Carey applied pressure the last three laps but came up a little short.
The 20-car field of hobby stocks raced a very competitive main with third-starting Joshua Cordova using an outside line pass in turn two during lap six to take the lead.
Cordova, driving without power steering, held off Tim Gonska the final eight laps for the win. Cordova was the 2019 track champion.