PORT ROYAL, PA (April 27, 2025) – For the second consecutive year, Ricky Thornton Jr. went to Victory Lane in the “Battle in the Borough” at Port Royal Speedway on Sunday night. The reigning Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion claimed the annual spring race at “The Speed Palace,” earning $10,000 for his sixth series win of 2025.

Jonathan Davenport, who led the first 14 laps of the 40-lap race, finished second with Devin Moran rounding out the Big River Steel Podium in third. Garrett Alberson was fourth and Gregg Satterlee completed the top five drivers.

Davenport took the lead at the start of the race, with Alberson holding down the second spot early on. Alberson stayed in second until Thornton, who started third, wrestled the second spot away from him on lap 11. 

A caution on lap 14 would change the race's complexion. On the lap 15 restart, Thornton would dive to the inside of Davenport heading into turn three. Once in front, Thornton would start to pull away from Davenport and Alberson.

A caution with 32 laps complete would set up an 8-lap dash to finish. Thornton would again pull away to win by 3.6 seconds over Davenport as he took the checkers first for the second night in a row after winning the Conococheague 50 at Hagerstown on Saturday night.

In Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the 48th time in his career, Thornton will carry the Midwest Sheet Metal orange spoiler to Circle City and Florence next weekend.

“What a race car that was. I told the guys when we got here earlier that I felt like the race would be won around the middle. We just kept working to get a little better there in the heat race, those last couple of laps. I was fortunate enough to be able to move around a little bit and figure out what we needed to run. Obviously, those yellows helped me big time. I don’t think JD knew how good the bottom was getting into three,” said the Chandler, Arizona driver.

“Once the middle kind of cleaned up, you could start rolling again. I am probably thankful I wasn’t the leader at that point because I could move around and see what worked best. I feel like we are slowly getting better. A little fine tune could be your make or break, and luckily tonight it was good for us.”

Davenport completed his best finish of the weekend with his runner-up performance at Port Royal after leading the field for the first 14 laps of the race.

“We need to do a lot to contend with Ricky,” said the 3-time series champion who is seeking a record tying fourth championship. “We was lucky enough to hang on for second. His car is really good right now, and we are just chasing him for sure. I was tight and loose at the same time, just depends on how the run went. The longer we went, the tighter I got. We started off a little free. I guess it’s just a balance issue. We have to go back and work on it some more. “

Moran maintains second place in the points coming into next weekend’s series races in Indiana and Kentucky.

“Without a doubt, it was a good weekend, we wish we were standing up there like we did on Friday night at Georgetown. I wasn’t very good at the start of the race. I was in a little bit of dirty air, and the track was a little dirty where they watered it, so it just took a little while to get going. On that long green flag run, I thought the car was really good. I actually could see Ricky and JD up there, so I knew I was making good time. But all-in-all, a great night for us for sure, every win matters this year, so Ricky is clicking them off the last couple of nights, but at least we got one on Friday night.”

The winner’s Koehler Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Ultimate Towing and Recovery, Hoker Trucking, Knight’s Companies, Elite Ready Mix, Capital Waste, Coltman Farms Racing, EMD Wraps, Certified Inspection Services, Bilstein Shocks, and Sunoco Race Fuels.

Carson Ferguson, Tyler Erb, Michael Norris, Hudson O’Neal, and Rick Eckert completed the top ten.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series 
Race Summary 
Battle in the Borough
Sunday, April 27, 2025
Port Royal Speedway – Port Royal, PA

Allstar Performance Time Trials
Fast Time Group A: Jonathan Davenport | 19.268 seconds (overall)
Fast Time Group B: Carson Ferguson | 19.505 seconds

Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 49-Jonathan Davenport[1]; 2. 22G-Gregg Satterlee[2]; 3. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[3]; 4. 24-Rick Eckert[6]; 5. 18D-Daulton Wilson[7]; 6. 25Z-Mason Zeigler[4]; 7. 48-Colton Flinner[8]; 8. 19M-Spencer Hughes[5]; 9. 06-Mike Lupfer[9]

Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[1]; 2. 79-Donald McIntosh[2]; 3. 22*-Drake Troutman[4]; 4. 1C-Alex Ferree[5]; 5. 71-Hudson O'Neal[3]; 6. 1Z-Logan Zarin[6]; 7. 66C-Matt Cosner[7]; 8. 6-Clay Harris[8]; 9. 11-Jason Schmidt[9]

Cool-It Thermo-Tec Heat Race #3 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 58-Garrett Alberson[2]; 2. 72-Michael Norris[4]; 3. 93-Carson Ferguson[1]; 4. D19-Dillan Stake[6]; 5. 21-Chad Myers[9]; 6. 24Y-Dylan Yoder[8]; 7. 93L-Cory Lawler[7]; 8. 7-Ross Robinson[3]; 9. 66-Justin Kann[5]

Simpson Race Products Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 99-Devin Moran[1]; 2. 1T-Tyler Erb[3]; 3. 1-Brandon Sheppard[2]; 4. 2J-Justin Weaver[6]; 5. 76-Brandon Overton[4]; 6. 60-Dan Ebert[5]; 7. 4-Gary Stuhler[8]; 8. 32J-Shaun Jones[7]

Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 18D-Daulton Wilson[1]; 2. 25Z-Mason Zeigler[3]; 3. 48-Colton Flinner[5]; 4. 71-Hudson O'Neal[2]; 5. 19M-Spencer Hughes[7]; 6. 1Z-Logan Zarin[4]; 7. 66C-Matt Cosner[6]; 8. 6-Clay Harris[8]; 9. 06-Mike Lupfer[9]; 10. 11-Jason Schmidt[10]

UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 76-Brandon Overton[2]; 2. 21-Chad Myers[1]; 3. 4-Gary Stuhler[6]; 4. 60-Dan Ebert[4]; 5. 24Y-Dylan Yoder[3]; 6. 7-Ross Robinson[7]; 7. 93L-Cory Lawler[5]; 8. 32J-Shaun Jones[8]; 9. (DNS) 66-Justin Kann

Battle in the Borough Feature Finish (40 Laps):
Pos - Start - Car # - Competitor - Hometown - Pay
1 - 3 - 20RT - Ricky Thornton Jr - Chandler, AZ - $11,300
2 - 1 - 49 - Jonathan Davenport - Blairsville, GA - $6,600
3 - 4 - 99 - Devin Moran - Dresden, OH - $4,500
4 - 2 - 58 - Garrett Alberson - Las Cruces, NM - $3,400
5 - 5 - 22G - Gregg Satterlee - Indiana, PA - $2,500
6 - 10 - 93 - Carson Ferguson - Lincolnton, NC - $3,000
7 - 8 - 1T - Tyler Erb - New Waverly, TX - $2,200
8 - 6 - 72 - Michael Norris - Sarver, PA - $2,100
9 - 23 - 71 - Hudson O'Neal - Martinsville, IN - $2,850
10 - 13 - 24 - Rick Eckert - York, PA - $2,000
11 - 18 - 76 - Brandon Overton - Evans, GA - $2,300
12 - 22 - 4 - Gary Stuhler - Greencastle, PA - $1,400
13 - 16 - 2J - Justin Weaver - Clearspring, MD - $1,200
14 - 19 - 25Z - Mason Zeigler - Chalk Hill, PA - $1,000
15 - 9 - 22 - Daniel Hilsabeck - Earlham, IA - $1,750
16 - 15 - 1C - Alex Ferree - Saxonburg, PA - $925
17 - 7 - 79 - Donald McIntosh - Dawsonville, GA - $1,600
18 - 17 - 18D - Daulton Wilson - Fayetteville, NC - $1,575
19 - 24 - 19M - Spencer Hughes - Meridian, MS - $1,550
20 - 27 - 6 - Clay Harris - Jupiter, FL - $825
21 - 21 - 48 - Colton Flinner - Allison Park, PA - $800
22 - 26 - 60 - Dan Ebert - Lake Shore, MN - $800
23 - 20 - 21 - Chad Myers - Hampstead, MD - $800
24 - 28 - 66C - Matt Cosner - Ridgeley, WV - $800
25 - 11 - 22* - Drake Troutman - Hyndman, PA - $800
26 - 25 - 7 - Ross Robinson - Georgetown, DE - $800
27 - 14 - D19 - Dillan Stake - Mapleton Depot, PA - $800
28 - 12 - 1 - Brandon Sheppard - New Berlin, IL - $1,500

Race Statistics  
Entrants: 35
Victory Fuel Pole Sitter: Jonathan Davenport
MD3 Lap Leaders: Jonathan Davenport (Laps 1-14); Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Laps 15-40)
Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Ricky Thornton, Jr.
Wieland Feature Winner: Ricky Thornton, Jr.
Margin of Victory: 3.655 seconds
Coltman Farms Racing Cautions: Daulton Wilson (Lap 9); Brandon Sheppard (Lap 12); Drake Troutman (Lap 14); Donald McIntosh (Lap 32)
Series Provisionals: Hudson O’Neal; Spencer Hughes
Fast Time Provisional: n/a
Emergency Provisional: Ross Robinson; Dan Ebert; Clay Harris
Track Provisional: Matt Cosner
Big River Steel Podium Top 3: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Jonathan Davenport, Devin Moran
Penske Shocks Top 5: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Jonathan Davenport, Devin Moran, Garrett Alberson, Gregg Satterlee
PEM 4th Place Feature: Garrett Alberson
DMI Rearends 5th Place Feature: Gregg Satterlee
Wilwood Brakes Lucky 7th Place Feature: Tyler Erb
Wehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Brandon Overton
Deatherage Opticians Lucky 13th Place Feature: Justin Weaver
MD3 24th Place Feature: Matt Cosner
Hoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Hudson O’Neal (Advanced 14 Positions) 
MD3 Most Laps Led: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (26 Laps)
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Ricky Thornton, Jr.
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Ricky Thornton, Jr.
O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: Daniel Hilsabeck
Pro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Jonathan Davenport (Lap 2 | 19.935 seconds)
Slicker Graphics Slickest Move of the Race: Ricky Thornton, Jr.
Hard Luck Award: Brandon Sheppard
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Zach Frields
ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Racing Engines
Miller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn Chassis
Dirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (18.9886 seconds)
Time of Race: 30 minutes 44 seconds

Big River Steel Chase for the Championship Presented by ARP Point Standings:
Pos - Car # - Competitor - Hometown - Points - Pay
1 - 20RT - Ricky Thornton Jr - Chandler, AZ - 2380 - $121,600
2 - 99 - Devin Moran - Dresden, OH - 2285 - $125,349
3 - 49 - Jonathan Davenport - Blairsville, GA - 2180 - $74,800
4 - 58 - Garrett Alberson - Las Cruces, NM - 2010 - $43,950
5 - 76 - Brandon Overton - Evans, GA - 1945 - $38,050
6 - 18D - Daulton Wilson - Fayetteville, NC - 1935 - $39,550
7 - 71 - Hudson O'Neal - Martinsville, IN - 1885 - $37,075
8 - 1T - Tyler Erb - New Waverly, TX - 1835 - $27,400
9 - 1 - Brandon Sheppard - New Berlin, IL - 1820 - $32,000
10 - 93 - Carson Ferguson - Lincolnton, NC - 1655 - $25,075
11 - 22 - Daniel Hilsabeck - Earlham, IA - 1605 - $17,850
12 - 19M - Spencer Hughes - Meridian, MS - 1570 - $19,250
13 - 7 - Ross Robinson - Georgetown, DE - 1555 - $20,300
14 - 79 - Donald McIntosh - Dawsonville, GA - 1550 - $16,100
15 - 60 - Dan Ebert - Lake Shore, MN - 1440 - $12,650
16 - 6 - Clay Harris - Jupiter, FL - 1380 - $15,150
17 - 93L - Cory Lawler - Hanover, PA - 1250 - $6,875

HAGERSTOWN, MD (April 26, 2025) – Ricky Thornton Jr., the reigning Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion, took the lead on lap 32 from Garrett Alberson and then went on to achieve his fifth series win of the season on Saturday night at Hagerstown Speedway. This victory marked Thornton’s first-ever win at Hagerstown, where he took home $25,000 for winning the Conococheague 50.

Alberson, who led the first 31 laps of the race, finished second with Daulton Wilson rounding out the Big River Steel Podium in third. Gregg Satterlee finished in fourth, followed by Brandon Sheppard in fifth.

Alberson, who started outside the front row, dominated the race, running unchallenged for the first 19 laps until a caution closed the gap he had built between himself and Thornton.

On the restart, Thornton was able to stay close to Alberson. After a long stretch of green flag racing, Thornton wrestled the lead away from Alberson on lap 32. He continued to lead the rest of the way, finishing with a 2.984 second advantage over Alberson at the checkers for his first win at the historic track.

In Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the 47th time in his career, he moved into fourth place on the all-time Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win list. Additionally, he became the 14th different winner in 15 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series events at Hagerstown.

“The crazy part is I felt like it hasn’t been this windy all night. I was here a few years ago and gave one away on the last lap, so it’s nice to come back and get a win like that tonight,’ said the Chandler, Arizona driver who lost on the last lap to Tim McCreadie in 2021.  

“Obviously, Garrett was really good. I felt like if we didn’t get to traffic, there was no way I was going to pass him. He slipped up just a little bit on that first lap getting into traffic, and I knew I had to take it slow and make sure I slid him getting into three, so that way he didn’t have a good chance to cross me over and pass me down the front straightaway. It worked out for us.”

Alberson, who scored his first series win at Port Royal last August returns to the scene of that win on Sunday Night to conclude the Mid-Atlantic weekend.

“Man, it hurts to lead laps like that and not win. I don’t know, we’re just a little out of balance there. I was way too tight getting across the center, and then I had to shake a little bit, and I started to get set up on the right rear, and I couldn’t leave the corner like I wanted to anymore. I hate that for my guys, but congrats to Ricky, he’s been doing a great job all year.”

Wilson, who started from the pole, stayed in the hunt all race long to come home in third.

“We have had a really good race car, my guys have been busting their butts. I don’t have a lot of laps here, but I felt pretty good. When I got to lapped traffic, I didn’t feel the greatest, but all in all to run in the top three tonight, we’ll take it.”

The winner’s Koehler Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Ultimate Towing and Recovery, Elite Ready Mix, Coltman Farms Racing, Hoker Trucking, Knight’s Companies, Capital Waste, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, EMD Wraps, and Certified Inspection Services.

Jonathan Davenport, Tyler Erb, Hudson O’Neal, Rick Eckert, and Ross Robinson completed the top ten.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series 
Race Summary 
Conococheauge 50
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Hagerstown Speedway – Hagerstown, MD

Allstar Performance Time Trials
Fast Time Group A: Hudson O’Neal | 17.686 seconds (overall)
Fast Time Group B: Garrett Alberson | 18.100 seconds

Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 18D-Daulton Wilson[3]; 2. 93-Carson Ferguson[4]; 3. 1T-Tyler Erb[5]; 4. 79-Donald McIntosh[6]; 5. 71-Hudson O'Neal[1]; 6. 66-Justin Kann[8]; 7. 66C-Matt Cosner[2]; 8. 6-Clay Harris[7]

Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 49-Jonathan Davenport[1]; 2. 22G-Gregg Satterlee[5]; 3. 2J-Justin Weaver[2]; 4. 99-Devin Moran[3]; 5. 11M-Kyle Hardy[6]; 6. 24Y-Dylan Yoder[7]; 7. 68-Nathan LaSalle[8]; 8. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[4]

Cool-It Thermo-Tec Heat Race #3 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 58-Garrett Alberson[1]; 2. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[2]; 3. 25Z-Mason Zeigler[3]; 4. 24-Rick Eckert[4]; 5. 11-Trevor Collins[7]; 6. 27-Trever Feathers[5]; 7. 0-Dale Hollidge[6]; 8. 60-Dan Ebert[8]

Simpson Race Products Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 1-Brandon Sheppard[1]; 2. 76-Brandon Overton[2]; 3. 7-Ross Robinson[3]; 4. 19M-Spencer Hughes[6]; 5. 4-Gary Stuhler[5]; 6. 119-Bryan Bernheisel[4]; 7. 93L-Cory Lawler[7]; 8. 17-Wayne Johnson[8]

Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 71-Hudson O'Neal[1]; 2. 11M-Kyle Hardy[2]; 3. 24Y-Dylan Yoder[4]; 4. 66-Justin Kann[3]; 5. 66C-Matt Cosner[5]; 6. 6-Clay Harris[7]; 7. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[8]; 8. 68-Nathan LaSalle[6]

UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 27-Trever Feathers[3]; 2. 11-Trevor Collins[1]; 3. 4-Gary Stuhler[2]; 4. 0-Dale Hollidge[5]; 5. 60-Dan Ebert[7]; 6. 119-Bryan Bernheisel[4]; 7. 93L-Cory Lawler[6]; 8. 17-Wayne Johnson[8]

Conococheauge 50 Feature Finish (50 Laps):
Pos - Start - Car # - Competitor - Hometown - Pay
1 - 6 - 20RT - Ricky Thornton Jr - Chandler, AZ - $26,100
2 - 2 - 58 - Garrett Alberson - Las Cruces, NM - $10,800
3 - 1 - 18D - Daulton Wilson - Fayetteville, NC - $6,700
4 - 7 - 22G - Gregg Satterlee - Indiana, PA - $4,000
5 - 4 - 1 - Brandon Sheppard - New Berlin, IL - $4,200
6 - 3 - 49 - Jonathan Davenport - Blairsville, GA - $3,800
7 - 9 - 1T - Tyler Erb - New Waverly, TX - $2,500
8 - 17 - 71 - Hudson O'Neal - Martinsville, IN - $3,100
9 - 14 - 24 - Rick Eckert - York, PA - $2,200
10 - 12 - 7 - Ross Robinson - Georgetown, DE - $2,800
11 - 15 - 99 - Devin Moran - Dresden, OH - $3,100
12 - 5 - 93 - Carson Ferguson - Lincolnton, NC - $2,600
13 - 23 - 22 - Daniel Hilsabeck - Earlham, IA - $2,600
14 - 13 - 79 - Donald McIntosh - Dawsonville, GA - $2,400
15 - 16 - 19M - Spencer Hughes - Meridian, MS - $2,300
16 - 22 - 4 - Gary Stuhler - Greencastle, PA - $1,500
17 - 24 - 60 - Dan Ebert - Lake Shore, MN - $2,200
18 - 11 - 2J - Justin Weaver - Clearspring, MD - $1,500
19 - 19 - 11M - Kyle Hardy - Stephens City, VA - $1,500
20 - 18 - 27 - Trever Feathers - Winchester, VA - $1,500
21 - 21 - 24Y - Dylan Yoder - Middleburg, PA - $1,500
22 - 10 - 25Z - Mason Zeigler - Chalk Hill, PA - $1,500
23 - 8 - 76 - Brandon Overton - Evans, GA - $2,200
24 - 20 - 11 - Trevor Collins - Seaford, DE - $1,500
25 - 25 - 6 - Clay Harris - Jupiter, FL - $800

Race Statistics  
Entrants: 32
Victory Fuel Pole Sitter: Daulton Wilson
MD3 Lap Leaders: Garrett Alberson (Laps 1-31); Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Laps 32-50)
Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Garrett Alberson
Wieland Feature Winner: Ricky Thornton, Jr.
Margin of Victory: 2.984 seconds
Coltman Farms Racing Cautions: Mason Zeigler (Lap 7); Trevor Collins (Lap 13); Dylan Yoder, Kyle Hardy (Lap 18); Carson Ferguson (Lap 19)
Series Provisionals: Daniel Hilsabeck; Dan Ebert
Fast Time Provisional: n/a
Emergency Provisional: Clay Harris
Track Provisional: n/a
Big River Steel Podium Top 3: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Garrett Alberson, Daulton Wilson
Penske Shocks Top 5: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Garrett Alberson, Daulton Wilson, Gregg Satterlee, Brandon Sheppard
PEM 4th Place Feature: Gregg Satterlee
DMI Rearends 5th Place Feature: Brandon Sheppard
Wilwood Brakes Lucky 7th Place Feature: Tyler Erb
Wehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Devin Moran
Deatherage Opticians Lucky 13th Place Feature: Daniel Hilsabeck
MD3 24th Place Feature: Trevor Collins
Hoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Hudson O’Neal (Advanced 9 Positions) 
MD3 Most Laps Led: Garrett Alberson (31 Laps)
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Ricky Thornton, Jr.
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Devin Moran
O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: Daniel Hilsabeck
Pro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Garrett Alberson (Lap 2 | 19.998 seconds)
Slicker Graphics Slickest Move of the Race: Ricky Thornton, Jr.
Hard Luck Award: Brandon Overton
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Zach Frields
ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Racing Engines
Miller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn Chassis
Dirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Tyler Erb (17.6325 seconds)
Time of Race: 27 minutes 33 seconds

Big River Steel Chase for the Championship Presented by ARP Point Standings:
Pos - Car # - Competitor - Hometown - Points - Pay
1 - 20RT - Ricky Thornton Jr - Chandler, AZ - 2130 - $110,300
2 - 99 - Devin Moran - Dresden, OH - 2065 - $120,849
3 - 49 - Jonathan Davenport - Blairsville, GA - 1940 - $68,200
4 - 58 - Garrett Alberson - Las Cruces, NM - 1800 - $40,550
5 - 18D - Daulton Wilson - Fayetteville, NC - 1795 - $37,975
6 - 76 - Brandon Overton - Evans, GA - 1770 - $35,750
7 - 71 - Hudson O'Neal - Martinsville, IN - 1700 - $34,225
8 - 1 - Brandon Sheppard - New Berlin, IL - 1695 - $30,500
9 - 1T - Tyler Erb - New Waverly, TX - 1640 - $25,200
10 - 22 - Daniel Hilsabeck - Earlham, IA - 1450 - $16,100
11 - 93 - Carson Ferguson - Lincolnton, NC - 1445 - $22,075
12 - 19M - Spencer Hughes - Meridian, MS - 1435 - $17,700
13 - 7 - Ross Robinson - Georgetown, DE - 1430 - $19,500
14 - 79 - Donald McIntosh - Dawsonville, GA - 1405 - $14,500
15 - 60 - Dan Ebert - Lake Shore, MN - 1315 - $11,850
16 - 6 - Clay Harris - Jupiter, FL - 1250 - $14,325
17 - 16 - Tyler Bruening - Decorah, IA - 1230 - $25,000

GEORGETOWN, DE (April 25, 2026) – Devin Moran beat Ricky Thornton Jr. to the finish line by 0.077 seconds to win the Melvin L. Joseph Memorial on Friday night at Georgetown Speedway.

The two drivers entered the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing's third-ever visit to the track tied atop the points, but after the thrilling $20,049 victory, Moran leads Thornton by 10 points heading to Hagerstown Speedway on Saturday night.

Garrett Alberson registered another strong finish, coming from the 12th starting spot to secure a third-place finish in the Big River Steel Podium. Brandon Sheppard, who started 14th, finished fourth, while Hudson O’Neal recovered from a pit stop to finish fifth.

Brandon Overton led the first 21 laps from his outside front row starting spot. Overton, who was seeking his first series win of the season, was in control of the first 21 laps of the race until a restart on lap 22 saw Daulton Wilson bolt to the lead.

Wilson stayed in front until Moran, who had started sixth, swept by him to become the third different leader of the race on lap 18. Moran opened up a sizable lead over the field until a caution with 43 laps complete bunched the field up.

Another caution with 46 laps complete would delay Moran’s trip to victory lane as he was narrowly hanging onto the lead with Thornton applying heavy pressure. With three laps to go in the race, the two fought it out; Moran edged Thornton at the finish line as Thornton tried a cross-move on him that fell just short.

In Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the 20th time in his career, Moran registered his fifth series win of 2025.

“That took a lot of hard work to win. I was super good early and bidding my time, and I knew I had hard tires. There was a big hole getting into one, and you couldn’t hardly see it until you were right on it. After I got the lead, it was about five laps after I smoked it and demolished the whole right front. I don’t know what’s wrong with it. I was hanging on there at the end without a doubt.”

“I knew he (Thornton) was there. I was trying to enter wide and sweep down the hill. I knew with the front end messed up, it was just too tight to run up there on that cushion, so I just committed myself to the bottom. To be honest, I was just blocking at the end, so that way I could get to the finish line first. I knew it was close because I could see all of the fans standing on the frontstretch. It was a fun race for sure.”

Thornton, who had captured the previous two Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing events at Georgetown, was looking for a clean sweep of the night after setting a new track record in time trials and easily winning his heat race to earn the Victory Fuel pole.

“I don’t know. I tried to dive behind Overton at the start, but I got a bad restart and was buried back to about fifth or sixth. I messed up the next restart and nearly wrecked the field. After that, I started to throw it into the top of one and two. I thought in three and four you could move out, but it was so treacherous that you had to hit it right. I didn’t want that last yellow to come out. I felt like he (Moran) was stuck behind those two lapped cars, and I was able to get all the way to him.”

Alberson, who ran well at Georgetown a year ago finished third this time around.

“We just went back to our notes from a year ago here because we had a similar scenario. I think we went from 10th to third. I think we were on the podium with the same guys there, so I don’t know what it is about this track. I always enjoy coming here, and it always races really well in the feature. I was a little too tight to get in there with them guys, unfortunately, because they were having a heck of a battle. I wish I could have gotten in there to battle with them.”

The winner’s Double Down Motorsports Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Big River Steel, Lazydays RV, C&W Trucking, BOMAG, Anthony’s Pizza, CarSourceAuto, McHugh Chrysler Dodge, Jeep and Ram, Haulin’ Haskell’s Refuel Wellness, Millwood Plumbing, Eibach Springs, VP Fuels, Smoky Mountain Speedway, and Phillips CPA.

Daulton Wilson, Brandon Overton, Rick Eckert, Dan Ebert, and Trevor Collins completed the top ten.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series 
Race Summary 
The Melvin L. Joseph Memorial
Friday, April 25, 2025
Georgetown Speedway – Georgetown, DE

Allstar Performance Time Trials
Fast Time Group A: Ricky Thornton, Jr. | 16.868 seconds (overall | new track record)
Fast Time Group B: Brandon Overton | 16.936 seconds

Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[1]; 2. 49-Jonathan Davenport[3]; 3. 24-Rick Eckert[6]; 4. 19M-Spencer Hughes[2]; 5. 60-Dan Ebert[7]; 6. 3-Brent Robinson[4]; 7. 0-Dale Hollidge[5]

Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 18D-Daulton Wilson[1]; 2. 7-Ross Robinson[4]; 3. 71-Hudson O'Neal[2]; 4. 79-Donald McIntosh[3]; 5. 55L-Donald Lingo Jr[6]; 6. 01-Matt Glanden[5]; 7. 4S-Danny Snyder[7]

Cool-It Thermo-Tec Heat Race #3 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 76-Brandon Overton[1]; 2. 99-Devin Moran[2]; 3. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[3]; 4. 1-Brandon Sheppard[5]; 5. 2J-Justin Weaver[6]; 6. 11-Trevor Collins[7]; 7. 66C-Matt Cosner[4]

Simpson Race Products Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 1T-Tyler Erb[3]; 2. 93-Carson Ferguson[1]; 3. 58-Garrett Alberson[2]; 4. 4-Amanda Robinson[7]; 5. 6-Clay Harris[4]; 6. 93L-Cory Lawler[6]; 7. (DNS) 22G-Gregg Satterlee

Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 6 Transfer): 1. 60-Dan Ebert[1]; 2. 2J-Justin Weaver[2]; 3. 6-Clay Harris[4]; 4. 55L-Donald Lingo Jr[3]; 5. 3-Brent Robinson[5]; 6. 11-Trevor Collins[6]; 7. 22G-Gregg Satterlee[12]; 8. 01-Matt Glanden[7]; 9. 66C-Matt Cosner[10]; 10. 93L-Cory Lawler[8]; 11. 0-Dale Hollidge[9]; 12. 4S-Danny Snyder[11]

The Melvin L. Joseph Memorial Feature Finish (49 Laps):
Pos - Start - Car # - Competitor - Hometown - Pay
1 - 6 - 99 - Devin Moran - Dresden, OH - $21,149
2 - 1 - 20RT - Ricky Thornton Jr - Chandler, AZ - $8,200
3 - 12 - 58 - Garrett Alberson - Las Cruces, NM - $5,700
4 - 14 - 1 - Brandon Sheppard - New Berlin, IL - $4,700
5 - 11 - 71 - Hudson O'Neal - Martinsville, IN - $3,800
6 - 3 - 18D - Daulton Wilson - Fayetteville, NC - $3,300
7 - 2 - 76 - Brandon Overton - Evans, GA - $3,100
8 - 9 - 24 - Rick Eckert - York, PA - $2,300
9 - 17 - 60 - Dan Ebert - Lake Shore, MN - $3,000
10 - 22 - 11 - Trevor Collins - Seaford, DE - $2,100
11 - 10 - 22 - Daniel Hilsabeck - Earlham, IA - $2,700
12 - 18 - 2J - Justin Weaver - Clearspring, MD - $1,800
13 - 24 - 66C - Matt Cosner - Ridgeley, WV - $1,600
14 - 16 - 4 - Amanda Robinson - Georgetown, DE - $1,500
15 - 5 - 49 - Jonathan Davenport - Blairsville, GA - $2,500
16 - 15 - 79 - Donald McIntosh - Dawsonville, GA - $2,000
17 - 8 - 93 - Carson Ferguson - Lincolnton, NC - $1,900
18 - 23 - 93L - Cory Lawler - Hanover, PA - $1,100
19 - 7 - 7 - Ross Robinson - Georgetown, DE - $1,700
20 - 13 - 19M - Spencer Hughes - Meridian, MS - $1,700
21 - 19 - 6 - Clay Harris - Jupiter, FL - $1,700
22 - 21 - 3 - Brent Robinson - Smithfield, VA - $1,000
23 - 4 - 1T - Tyler Erb - New Waverly, TX - $1,000
24 - 20 - 55L - Donald Lingo Jr - Millsboro, DE - $1,000

Race Statistics  
Entrants: 28
Victory Fuel Pole Sitter: Ricky Thornton, Jr.
MD3 Lap Leaders: Brandon Overton (Laps 1-21); Daulton Wilson (Laps 22-27); Devin Moran (Laps 28-49)
Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Daulton Wilson
Wieland Feature Winner: Devin Moran
Margin of Victory: 0.076 seconds
Coltman Farms Racing Cautions: Carson Ferguson (Lap 7); Hudson O’Neal (Lap 9); Tyler Erb (Lap 9 restart); Carson Ferguson, Spencer Hughes (Lap 21); Jonathan Davenport (Lap 23); Ross Robinson (Lap 26); Jonathan Davenport (Lap 43); Cory Lawler (Lap 46)
Series Provisional: Cory Lawler
Fast Time Provisional: Matt Cosner
Emergency Provisionals: n/a
Track Provisional: n/a
Big River Steel Podium Top 3: Devin Moran, Ricky Thornton, Jr., Garrett Alberson
Penske Shocks Top 5: Devin Moran, Ricky Thornton, Jr., Garrett Alberson, Brandon Sheppard, Hudson O’Neal
PEM 4th Place Feature: Brandon Sheppard
DMI Rearends 5th Place Feature: Hudson O’Neal
Wilwood Brakes Lucky 7th Place Feature: Brandon Overton
Wehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Daniel Hilsabeck
Deatherage Opticians Lucky 13th Place Feature: Matt Cosner
MD3 24th Place Feature: Donald Lingo, Jr.
Hoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Trevor Collins (Advanced 12 Positions) 
MD3 Most Laps Led: Devin Moran (22 Laps)
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Ricky Thornton, Jr.
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Ricky Thornton, Jr. | Devin Moran
O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: Dan Ebert
Pro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Brandon Overton (Lap 5 | 17.891 seconds)
Slicker Graphics Slickest Move of the Race: Devin Moran
Hard Luck Award: Jonathan Davenport
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Chuck Kimble
ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Racing Engines
Miller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn Chassis
Dirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Brandon Overton (16.842 seconds)
Time of Race: 43 minutes 31 seconds

Big River Steel Chase for the Championship Presented by ARP Point Standing:
Pos - Car # - Competitor - Hometown - Points - Pay
1 - 99 - Devin Moran - Dresden, OH - 1890 - $117,749
2 - 20RT - Ricky Thornton Jr - Chandler, AZ - 1880 - $84,200
3 - 49 - Jonathan Davenport - Blairsville, GA - 1740 - $64,400
4 - 76 - Brandon Overton - Evans, GA - 1645 - $33,550
5 - 18D - Daulton Wilson - Fayetteville, NC - 1575 - $31,275
6 - 58 - Garrett Alberson - Las Cruces, NM - 1560 - $29,750
7 - 71 - Hudson O'Neal - Martinsville, IN - 1500 - $31,125
8 - 1 - Brandon Sheppard - New Berlin, IL - 1490 - $26,300
9 - 1T - Tyler Erb - New Waverly, TX - 1445 - $22,700
10 - 22 - Daniel Hilsabeck - Earlham, IA - 1285 - $13,500
11 - 19M - Spencer Hughes - Meridian, MS - 1280 - $15,400
12 - 93 - Carson Ferguson - Lincolnton, NC - 1275 - $19,475
13 - 7 - Ross Robinson - Georgetown, DE - 1250 - $16,700
14 - 79 - Donald McIntosh - Dawsonville, GA - 1245 - $12,100
15 - 16 - Tyler Bruening - Decorah, IA - 1230 - $25,000
16 - 60 - Dan Ebert - Lake Shore, MN - 1170 - $9,650
17 - 6 - Clay Harris - Jupiter, FL - 1125 - $13,525