Josh Richards held off a late rally from Ricky Thornton, Jr. to win Friday Night’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned “Night Before the Jackson” event at Brownstown Speedway. Richards, the 2017 LOLMDS National Champion, was the fourth different leader of the race when he took the top spot on lap 14. He held the lead the rest of the way despite Thornton’s furious charge, which saw the two drivers run side-by-side for several circuits. Earl Pearson Jr. crossed the line in third followed by Jonathan Davenport and Zack Dohm.
Devin Moran led four laps and Billy Moyer led three laps early on. Thornton battled with Moran for two laps, until he finally cleared him on lap 9. He then held the top spot until Richards forged ahead with 26 laps to go.
In Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the 31st time in his career, third time this season, he came from the seventh starting spot to get the win. “Coming here in the past, we didn’t really have a good package. I have never ran that well here. We have worked hard on the car the last couple weeks. I have the best team in the business and my guys have been awesome. I didn’t know what to expect early in the night. We worked on the car a little bit. I saw him [Thornton] there with two to go. I really didn’t know where to run. I just didn’t want to break my momentum and we held him off.”
Thornton continues to get closer to winning his first career LOLMDS event. He had a shot at the end of the race but fell a couple of car lengths back of Richards at the finish. “Congrats to Josh! I had a blast out there. You could move around some out there. We have a good hot-rod for tomorrow. I saw the board with 12 or 13 laps to go and I thought if I am going to get up I had better go now. I was able to get back to them and run Josh down. To race as hard as we did and we never touched once. It’s pretty awesome.”
Pearson was pleased with his third place finish. “The track is awful racy right now. We were a little worried at first with all of these cars here tonight. It was a good for us. I got held up by some traffic, but I don’t know if we had anything for the top two. ”
The winner’s Clint Bowyer Racing Rocket Chassis is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and sponsored by iRacing, Big River Steel, DEKALB Seed, Crawford Outdoor, Cometic Gasket, Sunoco Race Fuels, and Integra Shocks.
Completing the top ten were Tyler Erb, Bobby Pierce, Tim McCreadie, Devin Moran, and Tanner English.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary – “Night Before the Jackson” – Friday, September 25th, 2020 – Brownstown Speedway – Brownstown, IN
Lucas Oil Time Trials
Fast Time Group A: Chris Ferguson / 13.878 seconds (overall)
Fast Time Group B: Billy Moyer Sr. / 14.115 seconds
Penske Race Shocks Heat Race #1 (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Devin Moran, Josh Richards, Jonathan Davenport, Chris Ferguson, Shelby Miles, Jared Bailey, Robby Hensley, Dustin Linville, Brayton Laster, Greg Johnson-DNS
FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Hudson O’Neal, Zack Dohm, Tyler Erb, Stormy Scott, Austin Burns, Justin Rattliff, Jimmy Owens, Wayne Chinn, Kody Marsee, Victor Lee-DNS
Simpson Race Products Heat Race #3 (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Ricky Thornton Jr., Kyle Strickler, Shane Clanton, Steve Casebolt, Joe Godsey, Chad Finley, Chad Stapleton, Reid Millard, Troy Worrick, Brian Wilhite-DNS
Ohlins Shocks Heat Race #4 (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Billy Moyer Sr., Bobby Pierce, Kyle Bronson, Tyler Bruening, Josh Rice, Billy Moyer Jr., Jeff Roth, Devin Gilpin, Britan Godsey, Tegan Evans
MyRacePass Heat Race #5 (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Tim McCreadie, Don O’Neal, Trevor Landrum, Tanner English, Cory Hedgecock, Duane Chamberlain, Skyller Lewis, Justin Shaw, Marty O’Neal, Mike Marlar-DNS
Lucas Oil Heat Race #6 (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Earl Pearson Jr., Jason Jameson, Michael Chilton, Colten Burdette, Scott James, Tim Vance, Tristan Chamberlain, Anthony Kinkade, Larry Grube
Tiger Rear Ends B-Main #1 (12 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): Stormy Scott, Chris Ferguson, Shelby Miles, Jared Bailey, Justin Rattliff, Austin Burns, Jimmy Owens, Robby Hensley, Dustin Linville, Wayne Chinn, Kody Marsee, Greg Johnson-DNS, Brayton Laster-DNS, Victor Lee-DNS
FAST Shafts B-Main #2 (12 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): Steve Casebolt, Tyler Bruening, Josh Rice, Chad Stapleton, Joe Godsey, Chad Finley, Jeff Roth, Reid Millard, Tegan Evans, Troy Worrick, Billy Moyer Jr., Britan Godsey, Devin Gilpin-DNS, Brian Wilhite-DNS
Sunoco Race Fuels B-Main #3 (12 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): Tanner English, Cory Hedgecock, Duane Chamberlain, Colten Burdette, Scott James, Skyller Lewis, Marty O’Neal, Tim Vance, Justin Shaw, Anthony Kinkade, Tristan Chamberlain, Larry Grube, Mike Marlar-DNS
Lucas Oil Feature Finish (40 Laps):
Pos Start Car # Competitor Hometown Pay
1 7 14 Josh Richards Shinnston, WV $10,000
2 5 20RT Ricky Thornton Jr Adel, IA $5,500
3 6 1 Earl Pearson Jr Jacksonville, FL $3,500
4 13 49 Jonathan Davenport Blairsville, GA $2,750
5 9 17D Zack Dohm Cross Lanes, WV $2,250
6 15 1T Tyler Erb New Waverly, TX $1,800
7 8 32 Bobby Pierce Oakwood, IL $1,500
8 4 39 Tim McCreadie Watertown, NY $1,300
9 1 9 Devin Moran Dresden, OH $1,200
10 21 81E Tanner English Benton, KY $1,100
11 3 71 Hudson O’Neal Martinsville, IN $1,075
12 19 2S Stormy Scott Las Cruces, NM $1,050
13 11 8 Kyle Strickler Mooresville, NC $1,025
14 25 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN $1,000
15 17 25 Shane Clanton Zebulon, GA $950
16 22 22F Chris Ferguson Mt. Holly, NC $925
17 18 97 Michael Chilton Salvisa, KY $900
18 12 12J Jason Jameson Lawrenceburg, IN $875
19 26 21 Billy Moyer Jr Batesville, AR $850
20 23 16 Tyler Bruening Decorah, IA $825
21 14 40B Kyle Bronson Brandon, FL $800
22 27 76 Shelby Miles Bloomington, IN $800
23 10 71D Don O’Neal Martinsville, IN $800
24 20 C9 Steve Casebolt Richmond, IN $800
25 2 21M Billy Moyer Sr Batesville, AR $800
26 16 18L Trevor Landrum Erlanger, KY $800
27 24 23H Cory Hedgecock Loudon, TN $800
Race Statistics
Entrants: 59
Lap Leaders: Devin Moran (Lap 1); Billy Moyer Sr. (Laps 2 – 4); Devin Moran (Laps 5 – 6); Ricky Thornton Jr. (Lap 7); Devin Moran (Lap 8); Ricky Thornton Jr. (Laps 9 – 13); Josh Richards (Laps 14 – 40)
Wrisco Feature Winner: Josh Richards
Margin of Victory: 0.978 seconds
Cautions: Steve Casebolt (Lap 4)
Series Provisionals: Jimmy Owens, Billy Moyer Jr.
Track Provisionals: Shelby Miles
Big River Steel Podium Top 3: Josh Richards, Ricky Thornton Jr., Earl Pearson Jr.
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Tanner English (Advanced 11 Positions)
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Jimmy Owens
Allstar Performance Most Laps Led: Josh Richards (27 Laps)
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Josh Richards
Eibach Springs Rookie of the Race: Tanner English
ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Cornett Racing Engines
Miller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket Chassis
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Brian Leonberg (Josh Richards)
Dirty Girl Racewear Fastest Lap of the Race: Bobby Pierce (Lap #4 – 14.9277 seconds)
STEEL-IT Tough Break of the Race: Cory Hedgecock
PFC Brakes Pole Award: Devin Moran
Time of Race: 14 minutes 31 seconds
“P3 Racing Shirts.com” ILMS Pro Late Models (38 Entries) – “Bowman 50”
HEAT ONE: Steve Peeden, Marty O’Neal, Colton Sullivan, Tory Collins, John Mayer Jr., Justin Bowling, Alan Edsall, Scott Young, Dustin Golden, Taylor Wiles-DNS
HEAT TWO: Keaton Streeval, Shelby Miles, Brad Erwin, Derek Bottoms, Joshua Harris, Patrick Shumaker, Dylan Norman, James Edsall, Keegan Cox, Scott James
HEAT THREE: Tyler Neal, Raymond Humphrey, Josh Boller, Jeremy Owens, Robert Rainey, Tony Blair, Jeffrey Shackelford, Zack Burton, Alan Magner
HEAT FOUR: Cory Hedgecock, Jt Green, Brad Barrow, Greg Kendall, Caleb Schryer, Brett Wagner, Mike Bechelli, Caleb Faulkner, Michael Chilton
B-MAIN ONE: John Mayer Jr., Robert Rainey, Justin Bowling, Jeffrey Shackelford, Zack Burton, Dustin Golden, Scott Young, Alan Edsall, Tony Blair, Alan Magner-DNS, Scott James-DNS
B-MAIN TWO: Brett Wagner, Joshua Harris, Taylor Wiles, Caleb Schryer, Patrick Shumaker, Mike Bechelli, Caleb Faulkner, Dylan Norman-DNS, James Edsall-DNS, Keegan Cox-DNS, Michael Chilton-DNS
FEATURE: Cory Hedgecock, Shelby Miles, Marty O’Neal, John Mayer Jr., Tory Collins, Brad Barrow, Raymond Humphrey, Jeremy Owens, Tyler Neal, Justin Bowling, Brett Wagner, Jt Green, Joshua Harris, Keaton Streeval, Greg Kendall, Colton Sullivan, Josh Boller, Derek Bottoms, Steve Peeden, Robert Rainey, Brad Erwin-DNS
“Knight Drainage and Excavating” Modifieds (37 Entries)
HEAT ONE: Adam Stricker, Jordan Wever, Levi Kissinger, Pete Holt, Zachary Stalker, Richard Gibson, Bill Lewis, Lucas Pace, Jason Highley, Troy Clark,
HEAT TWO: Curt Spalding, Jacoby Hines, Dylan Woodling, Josh Morton, Shawn Negangard, Brian Shaw, Zach Dennis, Austin Burton, Earl Plessinger
HEAT THREE: Tyler Nicely, Jacob Poel, Victor Lee, Danny Schwartz, Tony Anderson, Richie Lex, John Trowbridge, Derrick Huber, Steve Haefke-DNS
HEAT FOUR: Cole Falloway, Brayden Watson, Ryan Thomas, Cole Parker, Robert Tincher, David Winters Jr, John Clippinger, Mark Bechelli, Casey Davis
B-MAIN ONE: Tony Anderson, Richard Gibson, Zachary Stalker, Richie Lex, Casey Davis, Derrick Huber, Bill Lewis, Lucas Pace, John Trowbridge, Jason Highley-DNS, Steve Haefke-DNS
B-MAIN TWO: Shawn Negangard, John Clippinger, Austin Burton, Zach Dennis, Troy Clark, Robert Tincher, David Winters Jr, Brian Shaw-DNS, Mark Bechelli-DNS, Earl Plessinger-DNS
FEATURE: Tyler Nicely, Adam Stricker, Jacob Poel, Cole Falloway, Jordan Wever, Ryan Thomas, Victor Lee, Jacoby Hines, Danny Schwartz, Curt Spalding, Cole Parker, Levi Kissinger, John Clippinger, Shawn Negangard, Dylan Woodling, Pete Holt, Tony Anderson, Richard Gibson, Josh Morton, Brayden Watson-DNS
“Knight Drainage and Excavating” Pure Stocks (26 Entries)
HEAT ONE: David Palmer, Andrew Jones, Dalton Roark, Glynn Neal, Michael Nail, Daniel Hall, Eric Lewis, Brandon Lucas, Aj Warren
HEAT TWO: Mark Hines, Dalton Fleenor, Keaton Streeval, Haven Link, Kevin Applegate, Jerry Adams, Roger Absher, Eli Williams, Dj Dunn-DNS
HEAT THREE: Dusten Carr, Brent McMillan, Donnie Wilson, Tommy Fleenor, Josh Hayes, Mickey Hines, Josh Johnson, Conner Mertens
B-MAIN: Brandon Lucas, Eric Lewis, Aj Warren, Josh Johnson, Roger Absher, Eli Williams, Conner Mertens-DNS, Dj Dunn-DNS
FEATURE: Dusten Carr, Andrew Jones, Mark Hines, David Palmer, Dalton Roark, Keaton Streeval, Kevin Applegate, Glynn Neal, Josh Hayes, Jerry Adams, Brent McMillan, Donnie Wilson, Tommy Fleenor, Michael Nail, Haven Link, Eric Lewis, Daniel Hall, Dalton Fleenor, Brandon Lucas, Mickey Hines-DNS