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Written by Chris Moore
GEORGETOWN, DE – Historic.
On a history making night at Georgetown Speedway, Ricky Thornton Jr. made a piece of history of his own in the first ever appearance from the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series in the state of Delaware.
After struggling for a good portion of the 49-lap ‘Melvin L. Joseph Memorial,’ ‘RTJ’ came to life late in the race, surging from sixth to take the lead on the 41st circuit.
The win for Thornton Jr. was his 16th Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win of 2023, setting the record for the most series wins in a single season.
“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,” Thornton explained of the lap 35 restart that changed the race for him.
“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,” he continued in front of a robust crowd.
‘RTJ’ restarted in sixth with 35 laps complete but was into third by the time the field worked down the backstretch on the restart.
From there Thornton searched before pouncing on the leaders Brandon Overton and Mike Marlar to snatch the lead and ultimately the victory.
Overton would settle for the runner-up spot and Marlar the final podium position.
Tyler Erb, Garrett Alberson, Devin Moran, Tim McCreadie, Greg Satterlee, Hudson O’Neal, and Jonathan Davenport completed the top-10in the inaugural event.
Robert Smith was victorious once again for the Smith Brothers with the Delaware Super Trucks over T.J. Williams and Dale Elliott.
Jay Lowman topped the Delmarva Charger feature in front of an excellent battle for the runner-up spot between Ron Falkner and Josh Dahling. Feebs Distilling of Milford put up a massive $1,000 bonus to the winner, raising Lowman’s total to $1,200 to take home.
MJ White won the final feature of the night, topping the 12-lap Little Lincoln feature in dominant fashion.
Georgetown Speedway comes right back to life on Tuesday, August 29, as the annual ‘Blast at the Beach’ takes place at the Sussex County half-mile oval. The fan favorite event features the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco big-block/small-block Modifieds going for 35-laps and a $6,000 payday in Round No. 4 of the Rent Equip/Party Central South Region.
The STSS Crate 602 Sportsman join the program for a 25-lap, $1,500 winner’s share in Round No. 4 of the Belmont’s Garage South Region.
The Delaware Super Trucks and Delmarva Chargers join the program as well.
All Georgetown Speedway events will again be streamed live on FloRacing (www.floracing.tv) produced by the Dirt Track Digest TV production team.
Georgetown Speedway, originally constructed by Melvin L. Joseph in 1949, is located at the intersection of Route 113 and Speedway Road in Georgetown, Del., just miles from the Delaware beaches and less than a 40-minute drive from Ocean City, Md.
A website is live for the speedway at www.thegeorgetownspeedway.com. Like Georgetown Speedway on Facebook, follow @thegtownspdwy on Twitter, e-mail georgetownspeedway@gmail.com or contact the speedway hotline at 302.563.GTWN (4896).
MELVIN L. JOSEPH MEMORIAL – RESULTS SUMMARY – GEORGETOWN
SPEEDWAY THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023
‘Melvin L. Joseph Memorial’ Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Feature Finish (49 laps): RICKY THORNTON, JR., Brandon Overton, Mike Marlar, Tyler Erb, Garrett Alberson, Devin Moran, Tim McCreadie, Gregg Satterlee, Hudson O’Neal, Jonathan Davenport, Ross Robinson, Cody Overton, Max Blair, Daulton Wilson, Spencer Hughes, Kyle Hardy, Boom Briggs, Earl Pearson, Jr., Trevor Collins, Donald Lingo, Jr., Rick Eckert, Drake Troutman, Nick Davis, Matt Cosner, Dan Stone.
Did Not Qualify: Cory Lawler, Kerry King, Matt Sheppard, Danny Snyder, Ross Chastain
Delaware Super Truck Feature Finish (12 laps): ROBERT SMITH, TJ Williams, Dale Elliott, Scott Trice, Trent Marine, Jerry Hill, Tony Guinta, Tim Williams, Rick Short, Michelle Jackson, Thomas Jackson, Shane Clogg, Bruce Cornelius, Mackenzie Williams, Steve Portillo
Delmarva Charger Feature Finish (12 laps): JAY LOWMAN, Ron Falkner, Josh Dahling, Robbie Strain, Randy Galloway, Randy Merritt, Tyler Hottle, Wyatt Cummings, Billy Cummings, Dennis Nelson, Joe Waters, Matt Worley, Ashley Merritt
Feebs Distilling of Milford Winner Bonus ($1,000): Jay Lowman
Little Lincoln Feature Finish (12 laps): MJ WHITE, Mel Joseph, Jr., Jordan Herbert, Tyler White, Kirk Lawson, Dylan Betts, Wayne Seaton, Bryan Piercy, Nathan Austin, John Wothers, Eric Reed
Atlantic Liquors of Rehoboth Beach Lap Leader Bonuses (Laps 1-11, $20 each), (Lap 12, $49): MJ White (Lap 1-12)
