LAKE CITY, Fla. — Ricky Thornton Jr., the defending Lucas Oil Late Mannequin Filth Collection Nationwide Champion, seized the chance created by race chief Devin Moran’s flat tire on the ultimate lap to triumph within the 40-lap Wieland Winternationals opener on Thursday evening at All-Tech Raceway.
Moran, who led a race-high 34 laps, had a tire taking place within the last two laps, which allowed Thornton to move him on lap 39 as he went on to safe his first win of the season.
Max Blair edged previous Daulton Wilson on the ultimate lap, as they rounded out the rostrum, taking second and third place on the end. Moran limped throughout the road in fourth, with Tyler Erb finishing the highest 5.
Moran jumped to the lead initially of the race and maintained it for the primary 12 laps till Shane Clanton handed him on lap 13. Clanton would then lead Moran for 4 extra laps till Moran surged again forward for the lead on lap 18. Clanton remained stable in second till a flat tire on lap 29 ended his probabilities for the win.
A lap-30 restart noticed Thornton cost from fourth to second as he pressured Moran for the race lead. Nonetheless, Thornton slipped again when he obtained too excessive in flip two on lap 33 and hit the wall. He recovered, and Moran’s flat tire opened the door for Thornton, who entered the All-Tech race as the one driver to have received greater than as soon as within the final seven Lucas Oil Late Mannequin Filth Collection appearances on the observe, permitting him to go to the winner’s circle for the third time there.
It was Thornton’s forty third profession Lucas Oil late mannequin triumph.
“I I had a great run on that final restart. I obtained underneath Daulton for second as we entered flip three; we bumped a bit of, however nothing too critical,” Thornton mentioned. “Then I obtained to Devin, as I discussed, and I knew his crew man would transfer him up. I truly didn’t even see him [Moran] effectively sufficient to note that he had a right-rear flat. We obtained to the highest of flip three, and he was three-wheeling it. As we approached the white flag, I assumed it actually stinks for him, however I suppose somebody’s misfortune was good for us and we’ll take it.”
Blair, who began tenth, surged to the entrance within the last circuits, claiming the runner-up spot.
“I wish to be up there the place he [Thornton] is. We’ve got been good because the finish of final yr. The observe match our driving fashion tonight. We’ll come again tomorrow and attempt to end one spot higher.”
Wilson, who led probably the most laps at Golden Isles two weeks in the past, stayed within the prime 4 for many of the race and got here residence in third. “We have been good at Golden Isles and never so good final weekend. I assumed I had an actual shot at profitable tonight.”
The end:
Ricky Thornton Jr., Max Blair, Daulton Wilson, Devin Moran, Tyler Erb, Jonathan Davenport, Donald McIntosh, Jimmy Owens, Tim McCreadie, Hudson O’Neal, Ryan Gustin, Tyler Bruening, Brandon Sheppard, Carson Ferguson, Tyler Millwood, Trey Mills, Spencer Hughes, Garrett Alberson, Brandon Overton, Clay Harris, Shane Clanton, Ethan Dotson, Drake Troutman, Ross Robinson, Kyle Bronson.
