Ricky Thornton Jr. Cruises to Grant Junghans Memorial Win

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeremy Shields (shields@msrmafia.com)
November 2, 2020

Thornton Cruises to Grant Junghans Memorial Win
IMCA Desert Thunder Nationals Up Next

ADEL, Iowa (11/02/20) – Ricky Thornton Jr. smoked the competition Friday night at Lakeside Speedway, literally.

The driver of the Certified Inspection Service No. 20RT Excel Floor Covering/ D&E Outside Services/ Lethal Chassis Modified nursed a failing engine in the final circuits to claim the 5th Annual Grant Junghans Memorial.

“The motor started to let go the second half of the race, but I wasn’t going to pull off while I was leading,” Thornton said. “Thanks to everyone that came out and helped tonight. Also, thanks to the Junghans family and everyone involved for putting on such a great event. Grant touched so many lives and this event is a true testament to his character.”

A field of 118 United States Racing Association (USRA) Modifieds converged at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas on Friday night. Ricky Thornton Jr. grabbed a heat race victory to lock into the pole position for the $10,102-to-win main event.

Thornton set the pace from the start of the 42-lap main event, engaging in a spirited battle with Jordan Grabouski during the opening laps. Grabouski was able to slide in front to lead lap 6 but relinquished the lead back to Thornton on the seventh lap.

The final 32 circuits went caution free, allowing Thornton to pull away to a commanding lead. However, Thornton’s machine began to slow drastically as he past the flagstand with two laps remaining.

By the time Thornton came back around for the white flag, second-running Tyler Wolff had closed rapidly and only had a lapped car between himself and the leader. However, Wolff would have difficulty navigating lapped traffic, allowing Thornton to hold on for the win. Thornton took the checkers and the $10,102 top prize as he ride exploded in a cloud of smoke.

Wolff finished second with Lance Mari, Terry Phillips, and Lucas Schott rounding out the Top-5 competitors.

For complete results from this event, please visit www.USRARacing.com.

Thornton will take a few weeks off to re-group before heading west to compete in his final event of the season. The 7th Annual IMCA Desert Thunder Nationals is set for November 20-22 at Central Arizona Speedway in Casa Grande. The three-day program for IMCA Modified includes a $1,000 top prize on Friday and Saturday before wrapping up with a $3,000-to-win finale on Sunday.

To learn more about this event, please visit www.CentralArizonaSpeedway.com.

Ricky Thornton Jr. would like to thank all of his marketing partners, which include: Dyno One Inc., Excel Floor Covering, Certified Inspection Service Co. Inc., D&E Outside Services, Deines-Nitz Soultions & Powdercoating, West Side Tractor Sales Co., SSI Motorsports, Shelby Materials, Slicker Graphics, Lethal Chassis, Dylan Earven Foundation, Tire Demon, Hoker Trucking, Tanner Racing, High Performance Lubricants, Sub-Surface of Indiana, Midwest Sheet Metal, Dirtvision, Simpson Race Products, JE Pistons, Edelbrock, MSD, iRacing, E-Z-GO, Powers Performance, COMP Cams, Quarter Master, Cometic Gasket, Drydene, Winters Performance Products, Snap-on by Ryan Marsh, NGK Spark Plugs, Schoenfeld Headers, NAPA, Swift Springs, Penske Racing Shocks, Winning Edge Carburetion, Longhorn Chassis, Clements Racing Engines, Dynamic Drivelines, Superior Fuel Cells, Finish Line Body & Parts, Wehrs Machine, Dirt Defender, EMD Wraps, CPD racing Shocks, Bassett, Integra Racing Shocks, and MSR Mafia Marketing Services.

Visit the team’s official website at www.TwentyRT.com often for the latest team information. You can also stay connected with Ricky Thornton Jr. on social media at https://www.facebook.com/rickythorntonjrracing on Facebook, and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RThornton20rt.