Morris Storms To Victory In Exciting Early Thaw Modified Main Event

By Ben Deatherage

(Photo Courtesy of AOM Creative)

Casa Grande, ARIZONA (January 24, 2025) — Troy Morris III delivered a thrilling performance on the second night of the Ernie Mincy Memorial Early Thaw series at Central Arizona Raceway, capturing the Friday night IMCA Modified main event with a daring late-race pass.

Starting from sixth, the Bakersfield, California driver made his move in heavy lapped traffic with just two laps remaining, completing an impressive sweep around the outside to secure his first Western Region victory of the 2025 season and his second career Early Thaw triumph.

The twenty-lap race began with a fierce three-car battle for the lead, with Montana’s Tate Johnson taking control early. Johnson set a brisk pace, but as lapped traffic came into play, Wyoming’s Bryson Yeager capitalized, diving to the inside on lap twelve to take the lead.

Yeager appeared poised to claim the win, but Morris charged through the field, overtaking Johnson for second before setting his sights on the leader. With a bold move in traffic, Morris surged to the front and held on for the victory.

Yeager settled for a solid second-place finish, while Tom Berry Jr., piloting the Mike Wedelstadt entry, rounded out the podium in third.

Mike Albertsen and Mark Martini were the two additional feature winners visiting the winner’s circle in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars and IMCA Northern SportMods.

The IMCA Stock Car feature showcased a commanding performance from Mike Albertsen. The Audubon, Iowa racer, affectionately known as “Wahoo,” seized the lead at the drop of the green flag and never looked back, cruising to his first EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region victory of the season and his first Early Thaw triumph of his career.

While Albertsen checked out at the front, the battle for second heated up in the closing laps. Texas’ Shelby Williams, the winner of the opening night, edged past Minnesota’s Kaden Woodie to secure the runner-up spot. Woodie completed the podium with a strong third-place effort.

Mark “Bud” Martini delivered a masterclass drive in the IMCA Northern SportMod main event, capturing his first ever Early Thaw victory and opened his 2025 winning account.

Minnesota’s Jake Kierstead led much of the race, fending off challenges from both Ryan Peery and Martini. As Peery lunged to the inside, Martini found acres of space on the high side, rocketing past Kierstead on lap twelve to take the lead.

A late caution set up a green-white-checkered finish, but Martini held firm, crossing the line first to secure the win in a homebuilt chassis crafted by his brother, Eric.

Kierstead finished second, with double-duty driver Kaden Woodie earning his second podium finish of the evening in third, to make it an all North Star State podium.