CASA GRANDE, Ariz. — The Ernie Mincy Early Thaw continued on Thursday night at Central Arizona Speedway, with modifieds replacing sport mods on the card that featured Ricky Weiss winning the IMCA late model main event.
Dave Mass led two laps of the late model main until Weiss picked the top groove in turn two and finished the pass in turn four.
By lap 10, Don Shaw had moved from 14th starting spot to second. Shaw had one chance on a restart, but Weiss had no problem establishing a comfortable lead.
Shaw and Josh Zimpel raced for second with a couple passes finally deciding it with Shaw prevailing in the battle featuring two Minnesota drivers.
Stock car action featured a non-stop flag to flag race with Jordan Zillmer in charge the entire distance.
A trio of drivers battled for the remaining podium openings before Ryan Satter claimed second and Zachary Madrid finished third.
The limited modifieds followed Jake Smith for three laps before Lane Johnson rode the top line and powered into the lead out of turn four.
Johnson enjoyed a multiple car length lead until Lucas Rodin made the final four laps a side by side dual. Three times nearly even across the line ended when Johnson added a couple car lengths to his lead on the final lap for the win.
Rodin was second ahead of Smith.
Modifieds made their first appearance as an IMCA rules division and drew 47 cars.
Chaz Baca used a restart and a low line drive in turn four to take over the modified main with a handful of laps remaining.
Baca held off Shane Sabraski and Grey Ferrando for the win. Sabraski was light at the scales, moving Ferrando to second and Spencer Wilson to third.
Two more nights will finish the inaugural Ernie Mincy Early Thaw, which can be viewed on IMCA.tv.