2/10/2023
Ricky Thornton Jr
RTJ fifth on Friday at East Bay, leads LOLMDS point standings
Back in action on Tuesday after sitting on Monday’s Wieland Winternationals opener, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (LOLMDS) point leader Ricky Thornton Jr. and the SSI Motorsports team invaded East Bay Raceway Park (Gibsonton, Fla.) for the $5,000-to-win program.
After slipping over the berm in his time trial session and making light contact with the wall, Thornton made the decision to sit out his heat and B-Main.
On Wednesday, Ricky edged his way into the $7,000-to-win prelim with a seventh-to-third run in his heat. Starting in 16th, Thornton was an early retiree from the 40-lap feature on lap 19.
In a field of 63 LOLMDS entries on Thursday, Thornton laid down the second-fastest time in his group before placing first in his heat. With $10,000 on the line in the feature, Ricky was forced pitside on lap 10 with mechanical issues while running in second.
The following night, Ricky followed up a fourth-place finish in his heat with a consolation victory. Starting the $12,000-to-win A-Main in 21st, Thornton advanced through the field 16 spots in the 50-lapper to register a fifth-place finish. He chased Hudson O’Neal, Daulton Wilson, Ashton Winger, and Devin Moran to the checkers.
An unfavorable forecast washed out Saturday's Wieland Winternationals finale
Ricky holds a 50-point advantage atop the LOLMDS point standings.
Full results from the event are available at www.LucasDirt.com.
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