Ricky Thornton Jr. rallied from sixth after a lap 35 restart - storming to the lead on lap 41 and leading the rest of the way to pick up his record-setting 16th Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win of the 2023 season on Thursday at Georgetown Speedway.

It was the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series’ first-ever visit to the 1/2-mile oval to honor the late Melvin L. Joseph who built the track in 1949.

Thornton’s victory broke a tie with Scott Bloomquist, who had previously set the single season record for wins in 2016 with 15. Brandon Overton, who led laps 18 through 40 finished in second with Mike Marlar completing the Big River Steel Podium in third. Tyler Erb was fourth and early race leader Garrett Alberson rounded out the top five. Alberson had led the first 17 laps of the race.

Thornton, who started fourth on the grid and ran outside the top five for several laps blasted through the field in the final 14 circuits to win the 49-lap race. 

Overton, who was looking for his first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win since January almost completed the clean sweep for the night but came home in second. Marlar, who was in the hunt the entire race came home in third. 

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Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Highlights From Georgetown Speedway

Winning Quote From Ricky Thornton, Jr. 

“I really didn’t know how I did it. I started running the top down there in three and four and I felt like I could run with those guys in front of me. I didn’t know if I needed to restart on the top or the bottom. I was kind of glad I restarted on the bottom. I got a good start, and I was able to get by a couple of cars down in one and two and then we got to third. I didn’t know if those guys knew I was up there. I kind of just rolled around the outside of them and once I was out in front, I really didn’t know what to do. I ran as hard as I could.”

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Results From Georgetown Speedway

1. Ricky Thornton Jr.

2. Brandon Overton

3. Mike Marlar

4. Tyler Erb

5. Garrett Alberson

6. Devin Moran

7. Tim McCreadie

8. Gregg Satterlee

9. Hudson O'Neal

10. Jonathan Davenport

11. Ross Robinson

12. Cody Overton

13. Max Blair

14. Daulton Wilson

15. Spencer Hughes

16. Kyle Hardy

17. Boom Briggs

18. Earl Pearson Jr.

19. Trevor Collins

20. Donald Lingo Jr.

21. Rick Eckert

22. Drake Troutman

23. Nick Davis

24. Matt Cosner

25. Dan Stone

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Point Standings

Ricky Thornton, Jr. leads the point standings by 415 points over Hudson O'Neal. Jonathan Davenport holds down the third spot, while Brandon Overton reclaimed the all-important fourth position from Tim McCreadie. 

Full Point Standings

Last Race: Topless 100 at Batesville Motor Speedway - August 20

Next Race: Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series at Port Royal Speedway - August 25-26