Thornton strikes IMCA Modified gold at Park Jefferson’s J & J Fitting Iron Cup

Feature

Ricky Thornton Jr. returned to Park Jefferson Speedway to take the $7,000 IMCA Modified check­ers in Saturday’s J & J Fitting Iron Cup main event. (Photo by Jim Steffens)

JEFFERSON, S.D. (Aug. 8) – Ricky Thornton Jr. added his name to the list of J & J Fitting Iron Cup champions on Saturday night as the Adel, Iowa, driver invaded Park Jefferson Speedway and left with the famed IMCA Modified Iron Cup along with a $7,000 top prize.

The 35-lap feature went green with Cody Laney and Lance Mari making up the front row.  The California-based Laney found the top groove to his liking and controlled the race through the mid-point.

Thornton became the first driver to find the tacky bottom groove on turn four and passed slowly gained on Laney. 

A caution flag was all Thornton needed and he powered off the bottom of four to take the lead going into one.  

Meanwhile, Sioux City Excitement Chris Abelson was mounting a serious challenge and rolled into the second spot.  One last caution was enough for Thornton and he pulled away for the 2021 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifying victory with Abelson second and Tripp Gaylord in third. 

A number of drivers had strong runs mid-pack with Joel Rust, Chris Mills and Zach Dockter each passing seven cars. 

Joining Thornton in picking up Iron Cup titles were Jesse Sobbing in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Monty Ferriera in the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars, Cody Thompson in the Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods, Malik Sampson in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and Ramsey Meyer in the Mach-1 Sport Compacts.

Casey Arneson was the winner of Friday’s 15-lap IMCA Modified Race of States. 

Results 

Modified feature – 1 Ricky Thornton Jr.; 2. Chris Abelson; 3. Tripp Gaylord; 4. Casey Arneson; 5. Jesse Sobbing; 6. Cody Laney; 7. Ethan Dotson; 8. Tanner Black; 9. Jake O’Neil; 10. Joel Rust; 11. Chris Mills; 12. Bob Moore; 13. Zach Dockter; 14. Lance Mari; 15. Sean Barragan; 16. Ricky Stephan; 17. Jim Thies; 18. Jason Schneiders; 19. Devon Schlumbohm; 20. Jeff Berens; 21. Jim Mathieson; 22. Nicholas Carpenter; 23. Ethan Braaksma; 24. Shane DeMey; 25. Bob Flesh­man; 26. Kelsie Foley.

Modified Race of States – 1. Arneson; 2. Black; 3. Laney; 4. Stephan; 5. Moore; 6. Foley; 7. Rust; 8. Sobbing; 9. Berens; 10. Gaylord.

Related Articles

Hobby Stock

Five IMCA divisions featured in fifth annual Midwest Madness Tour     

WORTHINGTON, Minn. (May 3, 2023) – Drivers in five IMCA divisions race on five consecutive nights in the fifth annual Midwest Madness Tour.  Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars both run for $1,000 top checks, Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods race for $500 to win, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks for $400 to win and Mach-1 Sport Compacts for $200 to win at venues in Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota.  Modified winners become eligible to qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational and Stock Car winners become B & B Racing Chassis All-Star qualifying eligible.  The tour opens Sunday, June 25 at Worthington, Minn., Speedway and then travels to Clay County Fair Speedway in Spencer on Monday, June 26; to Park Jefferson Speedway in Jefferson, S.D., on Tuesday, June 27; to Buena Vista Raceway in Alta, Iowa, on Wednesday, June 28; and to Stuart, Iowa, Speedway on Thursday, June 29.  IMCA.TV affiliate Advantage Racing.TV broadcasts all five race programs. Drivers can now register for each event, at no cost, on MyRacePass. IMCA Speedway [Read More]

Events

Park Jefferson’s inaugural IMCA SportMod Horsepower Nationals pay $5,000 to win

JEFFERSON, S.D. (June 14, 2022) – Park Jefferson Speedway, along with Wayne Becker and Premier Industries, are pleased to announce the first-ever $5,000 to win Heartland Horsepower Nationals for Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods June 20-21.  The format will follow the popular Iron Cup format.  On Monday, drivers will draw for two complete heat race lineups. Each heat will pay $40 to win. Points will be accumulated and lock the top 10 drivers into the next night’s main event lineup.  On Tuesday, twin “B” features line up the next 10 spots on the main event grid before a last-chance qualifier sees all remaining competitors battle for the final four spots in the Premier Industries-sponsored main event.   In addition, both Monday and Tuesday cards include a full IMCA program with heats and features for the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts. Modified features pay $700 to win while Stock Car, Hobby Stock and Sport Compact features pay $500. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, regional and KMJ Performance State points [Read More]

Events

Park Jefferson hosts Ted Carlson Memorial this Saturday

JEFFERSON, S.D. – On Saturday, May 8, Park Jefferson International Speedway celebrates the life of Speedway founder Ted Carlson. Carlson was instrumental in turning Park Jefferson into an auto racing facility back in 1986 along with a team of others. In honor of his passing, Park Jefferson invites all to celebrate the Ted Carlson Memorial race sponsored by Zeitner and Sons. IMCA Modifieds, J&J Fitting IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars and Z98 Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods are on the card and every division’s winner will receive a special payout ending in 86 in honor of the year 1986 when Park Jefferson began racing automobiles. Modifieds will run for $1,086 along with a Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot berth and Stock Cars and SportMods both run for $486 to win. Fans can also participate by wearing their vintage Park Jefferson T-shirts, hats and coats. Fans can enter for a chance to win one of the $86 gift cards by wearing a vintage Park Jefferson Speedway hat, T-shirt, coat and more. Lucky winners will be chosen at intermission. Gates [Read More]