ROSSBURG, Ohio — Ricky Thornton Jr. sat in the same place Friday afternoon that he did almost exactly one year to the day: at a dais in Eldora Speedway’s media center alongside his three Big Four rivals in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series’s Big Steel River Steel Chase for the Championship.

ROSSBURG, Ohio  — Dirt Late Model racers often say they race their competitors with respect. But three drivers might get a little more respect during the Carl Short’s 44th annual General Tire Dirt Track World Championship presented by ARP.

From the very first winner in 1981, Jim Dunn, to the late Scott Bloomquist and Freddy Smith, there have been some legendary racers who have won the Dirt Track World Championship in the last 43 years. As this Saturday's 44th annual Lucas Oil Dirt Track World Championships approaches, another stout field of Dirt Late Model drivers will attempt to add their name to the history books.

The 2025 edition of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is poised to visit 25 different venues across 16 states. The 2025 schedule features 58 action-packed events - including 23 events that boast $25,000 or more for the winner.

Austin, TX (Oct. 18, 2024) - FloSports is entering into a multi-year media extension with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, which will maintain FloRacing as the exclusive streaming partner for the series. As part of the agreement, FloRacing will now also serve as the series’ presenting sponsor with full in-stream integration and promotion across all Lucas Oil Late Model Series events starting in 2025 with more than 50 races scheduled.  The announcement will be made as part of the end of season press conference this afternoon at the 44th Annual General Tire Dirt Track World Championship Presented By ARP at Eldora Speedway.

The complete schedule for the Dirt Track World Championship will transpire over a three-day span at Eldora Speedway.

The stakes appear a little higher as the years forge on at Eldora Speedway for Jonathan Davenport. For instance, his last appearance at the legendary Rossburg, Ohio, half-mile saw the Blairsville, Ga., superstar within reach of tying Billy Moyer’s record six World 100 titles.

With the 44th annual Dirt Track World Championship concluding this weekend, all eyes have been on the main event taking place this Saturday and, of course, the $100,000 prize for the winner.

Ricky Thornton Jr. of Chandler, Ariz., enters this weekend’s 44th annual General Tire Dirt Track World Championship presented by ARP at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, in the most advantageous position in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Big River Steel Chase for the Championship.

Perhaps no victory this season on the Lucas Oil Late Model Late Model Dirt Series will mean more to a driver than Mike Marlar’s triumph of the 45th annual Jackson 100 presented by Summit Racing Equipment at Brownstown Speedway.

Ricky Thornton Jr. and his Koehler Motorsports team are heading to Eldora Speedway this weekend with a chance to win the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series championship. And while it hasn’t been confirmed yet if Thornton will be back with Koehler Motorsports in 2025, we do know one thing for certain: “RTJ” will have a new crew chief next season.

The 2024 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series season and Big River Steel Chase for the Championship concludes with this weekend’s 44th annual General Tire Dirt Track World Championship presented by Automotive Racing Products at Eldora Speedway.

One of the most lucrative Dirt Late Model races of the year takes place this weekend with the 44th running of the General Tire Dirt Track World Championship presented by ARP at Eldora Speedway. We get you ready for the Crown Jewel in this edition of "Everything You Need To Know" on FloRacing.

Four rounds are complete in the Big River Steel Chase for the Championship on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and now the Dirt Track World Championship only remains until a national champion is crowned Oct. 19 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.

The 2024 racing season at Eldora Speedway will come to a close in style this week with the 44th running of the Dirt Track World Championship. Three nights of racing are on tap at "The Big E," headlined by the championship finale for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.