For the 403rd time in his career, Ricky Thornton Jr. went to victory lane in Thursday’s Dirt Late Model Dream 50-lap preliminary feature at Eldora Speedway. But this one didn’t come the way many of them over the last few years have. Thornton Jr. didn’t dominate, but instead inherited the lead due to someone else’s misfortune.

The record books will show that “RTJ” started second and finished first, which would lead someone who didn’t watch the race to think that he got the lead on the start and drove away, leading all 50 laps. While he did take the lead on the start, Thornton lost the lead to Bobby Pierce just prior to midway.

It was Pierce who appeared to have the fastest car in Thursday’s split-field prelim feature, at one point driving out to a more than three-second lead over Thornton. But with about 15 laps to go, Pierce’s engine grenade with smoke billowing out from under the hood of his No. 32.

That gave the lead back to Thornton who had to hold off reigning Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series champion and reigning World 100 champion, Hudson O’Neal, as well as polesitter Josh Rice on consecutive restarts with less than 15 laps to go.

Thornton was able to put his white and blue No. 20RT right on the cushion and drive away from O’Neal to score the $25,000 preliminary feature victory.

O’Neal finished second, Rice third, Chris Madden finished fourth, and Max Blair completed the top five.

The second night of preliminary action for the 30th Dirt Late Model Dream will take place on Friday evening, and the main event for the Dirt Late Model Dream will follow on Saturday evening. 

Fans can watch both remaining nights from Eldora Speedway live on FloRacing. Fans can subscribe to FloRacing by clicking here.

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DLM Dream Thursday Night Prelim Feature Results