Thornton clinches Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year title


HARCOURT, Iowa (Sept. 10) -- Ricky Thornton Jr. rattled off a handful of top-five finishes during the Hunt for the USMTS Casey's Cup powered by S&S Fishing & Rental, and his strong showings were enough to put him over the top in this year's Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year points race.

With one points race remaining on Thursday, Sept. 22, during the opening night of the 18th Annual Featherlite Fall Jamboree, Thornton has enough of a cushion to become the 17th driver to don the top rookie crown of the United States Modified Touring Series.

Thornton, who will turn 26 years old later this month, has competed in 25 USMTS events this season. He has yet to drive into the winner's circle, but has registered seven top-5 finishes and has wound up inside the top-10 on ten occasions.

Plover, Iowa's Mike Jergens sits second in the rookie standings, with the Bauman brothers-Cody and Brock-holding down the third and fourth spots after controlling the top of the rookie rankings for a majority of the 2016 campaign. Jacob Bleess rounds out the top five.

The 2016 Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year points standings are as follows:

1. 20rt Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, Ariz. ... 1667
2. 37 Mike Jergens, Plover, Iowa ... 1530
3. 4 Cody Bauman, Eureka, Ill. ... 1517
4. 6 Brock Bauman, Eureka, Ill. ... 1516
5. 21 Jacob Bleess, Chatfield, Minn. ... 1501
6. 99 Jett Big Eagle, Manor, Sask., Canada ... 1410
7. N81 Mike Densberger, Lincoln, Neb. ... 1406
8. 4w Tyler Wolff, Fayetteville, Ark. ... 1232
9. 4 Billy Vogel, Fargo, N.D. ... 813
10. 23 Adam Kates, Tonganoxie, Kan. ... 797

Former Rookie of the Year Award winners include Jesse Sobbing (2015), Cade Dillard (2014), Trevor Hunt (2013), Stormy Scott (2012), Jason Grimes (2011), Johnny Scott (2010) Grant Junghans (2009), Brandon Kenny (2008), Scott Green (2007), Jay Poidinger (2006), Brad McEwan (2005), Zack VanderBeek (2004), Corey Dripps (2003), Justin Boney (2002), Jason Hughes (2001) and Kevin Peters (2000).

Rookie points are awarded for each eligible driver's best 24 points performances during the season. To be eligible for the Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year Award, a driver may have participated in no more than 24 USMTS-sanctioned events prior to the current year and/or may not have won a USMTS "A" Main during a prior year.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usmts, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usmts and Instagram at www.instagram.com/usmts or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/usmtstv.

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