The Rio Grande Waste Services Wild West Shootout presented by O'Reilly Auto Parts returns where the event began in 2001 at Central Arizona Raceway in Casa Grande, Ariz., as the miniseries features four $10,000-to-win events bookended by $25,000-to-win features.

Fending off Hudson O'Neal on a lap-41 restart, pole-starting Ricky Thornton Jr. powered ahead in the final 10 laps to take Saturday's miniseries opener at the 3/8-mile oval just south of his native Chandler, Ariz.. Thornton led 26 laps, earning a total of $38,000, including $13,000 in bonus money courtesy of Rio Grande Waste Services.

Four of the race's five cautions occurred over the final 15 laps: For Tyler Erb's flat tire on Lap 36 that knocked him out of fourth; Garrett Alberson's flat tire on Lap 40 that derailed a top-five run; Lap 37 for fourth-running Jake O'Neill's spin that ended a remarkable charge from the rear; and Lap 45 for Kyle Beard's spin.

Jonathan Davenport and Bobby Pierce were among drivers who failed to finish Saturday's feature.

2026 Wild West Shootout Opener Results At Central Arizona Raceway