MARYVILLE, Tenn. — When Smoky Mountain Speedway's chief starter threw the white flag in Saturday's 60-lap Mountain Moonshine Classic to signal one lap to go, all the drivers vainly chasing Ricky Thornton Jr. had seemingly thrown their own white flags of surrender to the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points leader.

The fourth-starting driver from Chandler, Ariz., zipped past fellow Friday preliminary feature winner Chris Ferguson on the 26th lap and routed the national touring field the rest of the way, racing to a season-high $50,000 payday on the shortened 3/8-mile oval near Knoxville, Tenn.

The 32-year-old Thornton, winning his tour-leading seventh Lucas Oil Series event of the season, wasn't challenged the rest of the way in stretching out to a 6.533-second margin over runner-up Hudson O'Neal of Martinsville, Ind. Mount Holly, N.C.'s Ferguson, who led the first 25 laps, settled for third while four-time series champion Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., and Kyle Strickler of Mooresville, N.C., rounded out the top five in a race slowed by a single lap-five caution flag.

WATCH REPLAY

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series At Smoky Mountain Speedway Highlights

VIDEO: Watch highlights from the Mountain Moonshine Classic at Smoky Mountain Speedway. 

Winning Quote From Ricky Thornton, Jr. 

"Fergy got out in front and, that's kind of the downside of leading here — really leading anywhere, you can't move around — where I was able to move around and see (which line) was better or worse."

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Results At Smoky Mountain Speedway

1. Ricky Thornton Jr.

2. Hudson O'Neal

3. Chris Ferguson

4. Jonathan Davenport

5. Kyle Strickler

6. Carson Ferguson

7. Tyler Erb

8. Spencer Hughes

9 .Jimmy Owens

10. Tim McCreadie

11. Daulton Wilson

12. Max Blair

13. Cory Hedgecock

14. Mike Marlar

15. Earl Pearson Jr.

16. Devin Moran

17. Boom Briggs

18. Garrett Alberson

19. Ross Robinson

20. Garrett Smith

21. Tyler Bruening

22. Dale McDowell

23. Brandon Overton

24. Jensen Ford

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Point Standings

With his win on Saturday night, Ricky Thornton Jr. extended his championship lead to 185 points over Hudson O'Neal. Brandon Overton and Tim McCreadie continue to hold down the all-important third and fourth positions in the standings. 

Updated Point Standings

Last Race: June 16 - Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Prelims at Smoky Mountain Speedway

Next Race: June 22 - Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series at Lernerville Speedway