One of the most talented dirt late model drivers in the country, Ricky Thornton Jr. announced he will make his 410 Winged Sprint Car debut with High Limit Racing at Lernerville Speedway this weekend.
Ricky Thornton Jr. via FloRacing.com
Thornton made the announcement on his Facebook page writing, “New weekend plans: make 410 wing sprint car debut with Indy Race Parts. See you soon Lernerville Speedway.”
Ricky Thornton Jr. Racing on Facebook
As noted by FloRacing, Thornton will be piloting the Indy Race Parts No. 71 car owned by Bernie Stuebgen where he will be competing with the best of the best in the $50,000 to-win Commonwealth Clash on Saturday.
Thornton provided more details to FloRacing telling the outlet, “I’m excited. Obviously it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, just never really had the right opportunity to. To be hooked up with Bernie and Indy Race Parts, I think it’s the best opportunity I’m going to get. Hopefully we can go out and have a really good weekend.”
Ricky Thornton Jr. via FloRacing.com
As for the timing, Thornton noted that Hurricane Francine forcing the World of Outlaws to cancel their doubleheader at Senoia Raceway and at the Talladega Short Track presented an opportunity to hop in the Sprint car.
“The rainout this weekend has made it a perfect opportunity,” he said. However, he did reveal that he had been talking with Stuebgen “for probably the last year, year-and-a-half, about doing something, but nothing ever lined up right.”
Thornton concluded, “I’m thankful for the opportunity to race with Bernie and thankful with Bobby Koehler at Koehler Motorsports for allowing me to go do it.”
Ricky Thornton Jr. via FloRacing.com
Brad Sweet, High Limit Racing series owner, currently leads the points standings. He’s got a healthy 230 point lead over second place Rico Abreu, who has been red hot recently with wins at Port Royal and Skagit as well as strong second place finishes at Silver Dollar Speedway, Kings Speedway, and Thunderbowl Raceway.
Also in the hunt is Tyler Courtney, who is only 270 points out in third. Brent Marks is in fourth 387 points behind Sweet and Corey Day rounds out the top 5. He sits 440 points behind Sweet.
Ricky Thornton Jr. leads Dale McDowell, Tim McCreadie, Mike Marlar, Hudson O’Neal and Scott Crigler at The Topless 100 via FloRacing.com
As for Thornton he has 25 wins across multiple series. With Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Series, he’s racked up 11 wins, 27 Top 5s, and 33 Top 10s in 36 features. He currently has a 225 point lead over Jonathan Davenport.
His most recent win came in a preliminary race at the Topless 100. He finished 20th at the 54th Annual World 100.
Ricky Thornton Jr. via FloRacing.com
What do you make of Ricky Thornton Jr. hopping in a winged sprint car with High Limit Racing at Lernerville? How well do you think he will do?