7/13/2018
Dacotah Speedway
Thornton Jr Drives Away $10,003 Richer
After six straight days of racing across North Dakota and Canada, 74 drivers had a chance to drive home with $10,003. After winning his heat race, Eddie Belec of Arvada, Colorado started on the pole for the 50 lap feature. When the green flag waved, 33 cars raced three wide into corner one. Outside pole sitter Shawn Strand grabbed the lead but felt pressure from behind from Jason Wolla. An early caution regrouped the field and on the restart, Wolla took over the top spot from Strand. It quickly became a three car battle for the second position between Strand, RC Whitwell and Casey Arneson. Hugging the guardrail, Arneson shuffled into the second position. As Whitwell and Strand continued to race for third, defending Legendary 50 winner, Ricky Thornton Jr started to reel in the two drivers. Thornton picked off off Whitwell for fourth and then Strand for third. Continuing his march to the front, Thornton passed Arneson for second before a caution for a slow Jeff Taylor regrouped the field. On the restart, Thornton passed Wolla for the lead just before the caution for the mandatory pit stop halted the field on the front stretch. Pit crews had five minutes to make any changes needed with the exception of changing tires. When the green flag waved again, Thornton pulled away as DCMT Champion, Hunter Marriott passed Whitwell for fourth. The yellow flag would wave again with 23 laps to go for the spun car of Josh Rogotzke. On the restart, Wolla dove low under Thornton Jr while Marriott passed Arneson for third. Thornton had his hands full with a strong Wolla. They raced door to door for many laps, flip flopping position which allowed Marriott to close in on the leaders. Thornton started extend his lead when Marriott started to challenge Wolla for second. As Wolla and Marriott raced side by side, Thornton started to catch lapped traffic. Just laps before the checkered flag, Thornton found himself in the middle of thick lapped traffic which allowed Wolla and Marriott to close in a hurry. Unfortunately, they ran out of time as Ricky Thornton Jr cruised to victory lane and instantly became $10,003 richer. Jason Wolla held off Hunter Marriott for second while Fargo, North Dakota's Casey Arneson finished fourth ahead of Tim Ward.
Photo Credit: LPT Images
Article Credit: Becca Rattei
Submitted By: Becca Rattei
