Ricky Thornton Jr. will pilot a Rocket XR2 for Adam Family Motorsports during the Wild West Shootout in 2027.

Adam Family Motorsports announced that the team and Thornton are teaming up again for the upcoming Wild West Shootout at Central Arizona Raceway. The two joined forces this past year for the first race of the mini series. Thornton won that race after a great battle with Hudson O’Neal.

Team owner Joe Adam was ecstatic about the win telling FloRacing at the time that it was one of the best wins as a car owner for him, “It’s definitely up there. There’s Daniel’s first big MARS win down at Tri-City — I mean, obviously, being his father, that’s a big one.”

“He’s an incredible driver,” praised Adam. “Like I said in victory lane, if it’s a wheelbarrow race, you put him a half a lap behind, he’ll still figure out how to win it.”

Not only did he praise his driving talent, but he also praised his character, “He’s very, very humble. He’ll talk to everybody. And, like, he’s an open book on helping with setups, and what do we need to do, and helping Daniel.”

“That’s more what a lot of people don’t see about Ricky,” he continued. “You know, they see he’s winning, and of course he’s got his fans that cheer him on and ones that are kind of like with Bobby (Pierce), they don’t like seeing Bobby win all the time. But he’s very humble. I mean, see him over there talking with people right now, and signing autographs? He’ll take time for everybody.”

Given the success of last year, the team will look to repeat it this coming year. Adam Family Motorsports announced, “After a great showing at the last Wild West Shootout where Ricky won the opening night. Ricky Thornton Jr. and Adam Family Motorsports will team up again for the 2027 Wild West Shootout. This time it will be for two nights instead of one.”

“RTJ will run the $25,000 to win show on January 9th & the $50,000 to win on 17th. He will also be there for practice on January 8th. Ricky would love to run the other nights but he is committed to run the Chili Bowl the other nights,” the team continued.

Furthermore, they shared that Thornton and regular driver Daniel Adam will be competing in the team’s Rocket XR’s, “This year both Ricky and Daniel Adam will be in Rocket Chassis XR2’s powered by Pro Power Racing Engines.”

Team owner Joe Adam said of the partnership, “Having the talent of Ricky behind the wheel of one of your race cars only improves your program. Ricky had an outstanding showing at the 2026 Wild West Shootout with a win in his only night. Now that he has committed to run both big money nights I am hoping for two big checks! Obviously none of this is possible without all our great sponsors.”

As for Thornton, he said, “We’re proud to support racing right here in our home state and excited to be a part of the racing community that means so much to us. We’re looking forward to teaming up with the Adam’s family for the Wild West Shootout and can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together.”

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