RPW Exclusive: Popular Drivers Find Trouble During FloRacing Night In America at Eldora
Column By: ROBERT SYMONDS / RPW – ROSSBURG, OH – The FloRacing Night In America saw Bobby Pierce topping the big field of drivers but many drivers who were favored to be on the podium of the kick off to the Dirt Late Model Dream ended up seeing their hopes dashed early on in the event.
Jonathan Davenport in the Fast 49 looked uncharacteristically sluggish after nearly putting his Longhorn into the turn 1 wall during time trials, followed up with a 9th place run in his heat run. Afterward the defending Dream winner, JD and his team decided to bring out their backup car because of possible engine issues and utilized a FloRacing Night In America Series provisional. Davenport worked his way up from the 25th position to just outside the top 10 but it seemed like something was slipping away as the 49 team could no longer march forward. Jonathan Davenport ended up advancing 11 positions to finish 14th.
Ricky Thornton Jr was another driver with misfortunes that put him behind the eight ball. Thornton was fast out of the gate being the 10th fastest driver in hot laps and 5th fastest in his group for qualifying. After starting 2nd in his heat and battling for the lead, his right rear tires blew which put him out of the transfer with just a few laps remaining in the qualifying race. After finishing 12th in the heat, Thornton was left with no choice but to take a series provisional. Thornton would climb only 9 spots in the feature to a 17th place finish.
Brandon Sheppard couldn’t seem to find his groove in the Rocket House Car. After starting 4th in his heat, he was in contention for a transfer spot but when the checkered flag fell, the New Berlin Illinois driver would find himself 2 spots out finishing 5th. In the BMain, Sheppard had every intention to race his way in but would fall one spot short for the transfer and take a provisional. BShepp shined in the feature though. Starting 28th in the feature, he became the hard charger finishing in the 12th position.
With the prelim nights for the Dream now upon us, these drivers all look to improve their 2025 Eldora runs. For the complete list of driver prelims for either night, check out Eldora Speedway on their social media platforms and keep it locked here to Race Pro Weekly for more Dream news.
