Ricky Thornton Jr., the current Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points leader, is teaming up with former United States Modified Touring Series champion Rodney Sanders to chase a six-figure payday at the Modified World Championship at Mississippi Thunder Speedway.
The Modified World Championship at Mississippi Thunder Speedway takes place between May 28th and 31st and is the first of its kind and will pay a whopping $100,025 to the winner of the 80-lap main event on Saturday, May 31st. Second place will take home $30,000 and third place collects $15,000. The series will be open to USRA, Wissota or DIRTcar UMP Modified sanctioned modifieds.
Thornton is optimistic about his chances of winning after watching Sanders drive from 21st to 6th at Mississippi Thunder Speedway during the opening of the Dairyland Showdown at the beginning of May. He told FloRacing, “I know he’s got really good equipment anywhere. He came from the back last night and charged towards the front so at least I know I’ll be in really good equipment.”
“I know Jimmy Mars and all them, they’ve got a million laps around here, so I think that’ll help me too. Just excited to be able to do it, I think it’s going to be fun,” he added. “Luckily enough, I’ve been here twice, which isn’t really a whole lot. Anytime you can get track time at a place, you learn what you can and hopefully when you come back it’ll be close to race conditions.”
If he happens to win the race, Thornton said, “It would be huge. I’ve been fortunate to win a couple $100,000 to win shows but never in a Modified. Obviously, I’m coming to a place where I don’t have a lot of experience, it would be crucial and big to get one.”
However, he noted, “As long as we have a smooth weekend and run somewhere up front, it’ll be successful.”
Sanders commented on the partnership on Facebook writing, “We couldn’t have asked to partner with better driver for this event. Ricky Thornton Jr. is top notch on all levels of racing. We are proud to have the opportunity to partner with him for one the biggest mod events of the year!’
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