Column: Ricky Thornton Jr. Is Now A Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion

Column By: LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL DIRT SERIES – ROSSBURG, OH – Ricky Thornton Jr.’s third-place finish in the Dirt Track World Championship at Eldora Speedway Saturday night clinched him the 2024 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Championship.

The Martinsville, Indiana, driver earned his first career title, which pays $200,000.

Thornton, who entered the night needing to finish in sixth place or higher to clinch the championship, stayed within the top five the entire race despite a scary moment when he brushed the turn two wall, which damaged the right rear quarter panel.

“I got into turn three and thought the right rear was flat. It kind of laid over on the right rear, and I’m like, man, I really just gave this thing away. I don’t know if I want to come back in the pits if it is flat. I’d been better off to go out the back gate,” he said.

“It took a lot of hard work and determination. My job is pretty easy getting to wheel this thing. Overall, I get all the glory, and they do all the hard work. So, this is definitely a big team effort by everyone at Koehler Motorsports. It’s pretty awesome.”

“This car ran flawlessly during this playoff deal. Chris Madden [crew chief], I don’t think we could have won this without him. He has been a great leader for our team and helped us stay as a whole team. I had input this weekend, but I told him this is your racetrack and like we are better off letting him make the decisions.”