4/7/2023
Ricky Thornton Jr
Thornton advances to $20,000 Southbound Throwdown at All-Tech
Starting 14th on the feature grid was no challenge for Ricky Thornton Jr. on Saturday night at All-Tech Raceway. He stormed through the field to register the $20,000 victory in the inaugural event for the Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series aboard his SSI Motorsports / Hoker Trucking No. 20RT Dyno One Inc. / Excel Floor Covering / Sub-Surface of Indiana/ Longhorn Chassis/ Clements Racing Engine Super Late Model.
“I’m really loving All-Tech (Raceway) these days. It’s a fun place,” laughed Thornton Jr., who also picked up a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win at the facility back in February. “We struggled a week ago on the final night at Wheatland (Lucas Oil Speedway) and then we struggled at Volunteer Speedway on Thursday night, but I think we found the issue and it showed on Saturday at All-Tech because this car was a rocket ship in the feature.
“We’re heading back to Volunteer Speedway this week for three nights of racing, and with what we learned last week and what we found on the car, I think we’ll be better.”
Ricky kicked off last week’s action on Thursday with his first-ever visit to the 4/10-mile confines of Volunteer Speedway (Bulls Gap, Tenn.) to pilot the SSI Motorsports No. 20RT Late Model in the second running of the Kyle Larson Late Model Challenge.
With 45 Late Models on the grounds, Thornton raced his way into the main event via his B-Main after missing a transfer spot in his heat race. Starting the $20,000-to-win A-Main in 21st, Ricky was an early retiree from the 50-lap affair and was credited with a 24th-place finish.
Friday found the team in Florida competing against a field of 40 Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series entries at All-Tech Raceway (Lake City, Fla.) for the weather shortened Southbound Throwdown.
Ricky qualified seventh-fastest in his group before placing fourth in his heat race. Wheeling from the 14th-starting position in the feature, Thornton Jr. blasted ahead of leader Shane Clanton on the 40th circuit and led the remainder of the 50-lapper to claim his fifth win of the season and a $20,000 prize.
He took the checkers 3.113 seconds ahead of Clanton, Mike Marlar, Tim McCreadie, and Devin Moran.
Full results from the events are available at www.VolunteerSpeedway.com and www.HTFSeries.com.
Article Credit: Chris Anderson image
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