
Thornton motors to Durbin Memorial checkers
By Josh Reynolds STUART, Iowa (May 15) – There was no catching Ricky Thornton Jr. in the race to the $1,000 IMCA Modified checkers Wednesday at Stuart Speedway’s inaugural Jake Durbin Memorial. Thornton, already on the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot, and Jesse Dennis drew the front row starting spots and it was Thornton jumping out to the early lead. Kyle Brown and Nick Roberts battled for second with Brown holding it down for the first six laps. Roberts got past Brown on lap seven, just before a caution flew. Two more quick yellows on laps 12 and 13 allowed Hunter Marriott to get past Brown and Roberts and on Thornton’s bumper. That was as close as anyone was coming on this night, however, as Thornton roared off into the sunset to take the win. Marriott finished second with Dennis third. Brown started 11th, took over second on lap 10 and gained the lead the next time around in winning the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature. A lapped car came into the mix as the [Read More]