Ricky Thornton Jr clinched victory at the Eldora Speedway in the $50,000 finale of The Clash on the Wabash, showcasing intense competition throughout the race.
On October 10, 2026, the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, hosted the high-stakes finale of The Clash on the Wabash, a premier event within the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. With a lucrative purse of $50,000 on the line, drivers were eager to make their mark on the iconic half-mile dirt track.
Main Event Highlights
The race kicked off dramatically with Dale McDowell and Nick Hoffman taking the front row positions. As the green flag waved, McDowell seized the early lead, swiftly navigating turn one. Behind him, a fierce battle ensued for second place, with Hoffman initially holding strong as competitors jostled for position.
Shortly after, the race faced its first caution due to a slowing car, which involved the driver Hudson O’Neal, who had to make an early pit stop due to mechanical issues. When the action resumed, McDowell retained his lead but faced mounting pressure from Ricky Thornton Jr., who quickly advanced from his starting position.
As the laps progressed, notably around lap 25, Thornton Jr. executed an impressive slide job on McDowell, taking the lead with just 22 laps remaining. Meanwhile, tension brewed as Devin Moran, who had tagged the wall moments earlier, recovered and began his climb up the leaderboard.
With ten laps to go, Josh Rice emerged as a contender after starting from the back of the field (23rd position). He quickly climbed the ranks using a high line, demonstrating both speed and skill, which kept the crowd on its feet.
As the race closed in on the final laps, Moran managed to pass McDowell for second, while Rice followed closely behind. The intensity culminated in a final caution leading to a critical moment in the closing laps.
On the restart with three laps remaining, Thornton Jr. maintained his lead with Moran and Rice hot on his tail, but none could catch the skilled driver who would ultimately cross the finish line first, claiming victory in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
Eldora Speedway Race Results
The results from the intense main event were as follows:
- 1. Ricky Thornton Jr - 20RT
- 2. Devin Moran - 99
- 3. Josh Rice - 11
- 4. Dale McDowell - 17M
- 5. Kyle Bronson - 40B
- 6. Brandon Sheppard - 1
- 7. Nick Hoffman - 9H
- 8. Tyler Erb - 1T
- 9. Jonathan Davenport - 49
- 10. Garrett Smith - 10
Practice and Qualifying Rundown
The day began with practice sessions across multiple groups, allowing drivers to refine their setups ahead of the main race. Standout performances during practice included:
- Group 1: Chris Ferguson with a best lap of 16.212 seconds
- Group 2: Dale McDowell clocking in at 15.739 seconds
- Group 3: Garrett Smith leading with a blistering 15.721 seconds
- Group 4: Max Blair, dominating at 15.355 seconds
- Group 5: Dan Ebert showing speed with a 15.623 second lap
- Group 6: Nick Hoffman leading the charge with a time of 15.403 seconds
The qualifying rounds also showcased competitive times, with McDowell and Thornton Jr. both posting times under 15.3 seconds, positioning them favorably for the heat races that followed.
Heat Races and B-Mains
The event consisted of several heat races designed to determine the lineup for the A-Main. Highlights included:
- Heat 1: Dale McDowell finished first, maintaining his form from qualifying.
- Heat 2: Ricky Thornton Jr. won his heat, revealing his strong momentum heading into the feature event.
- Heat 3: Chris Ferguson demonstrated impressive speed, securing a top position.
- Heat 4: Nick Hoffman also showcased his prowess, finishing strong in his heat.
- Heat 5 and 6: The competition remained fierce, with notable performances from Brandon Sheppard and Carson Ferguson.
B-Mains gave additional drivers a chance to fight for a spot in the coveted feature race, further raising the stakes for those involved.
Conclusion and Video Highlights
Ricky Thornton Jr.'s victory not only nets him the $50,000 prize but also adds to his reputation in the Lucas Oil series. The excitement from Eldora did not go unnoticed, as video highlights of the event showcased thrilling moments and outstanding driver skill.
For more information on the event, including links to full results and video highlights, visit Eldora Speedway and Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.
