Safety truck struck by dirt late model during the World 100
On Friday, Eldora Speedway hosted night two of the World 100. The preliminary night will set the lineup for Saturday’s $56,000 finale at the half-mile dirt track.
Early in the second of two feature events, Ricky Thronton Jr’s machine sounded off in comparison to the rest of the field. He was likely suffering from a mechanical issue.
Meanwhile, it was Kyle Bronson that blew a motor. That brought out the caution as well as the safety clean up truck.
The safety truck parked on the straight. Officials were cleaning up debris.
Ricky Thornton Jr was coasting around under the caution and running in 2nd. He was likely taking a look at his gauges and or trying to communicate an issue to the crew on the infield.
Thornton Jr was cruising and heading directly into the back of the packed safety truck. Just a few feet before contact, he looked up and saw he was heading into doom.
Thornton Jr made an abrupt left hand turn. He was able to avoid contact with the frontend of his machine. However, he caught the tail light of the safety truck with the right rear spoiler.
The taillight of the safety truck was knocked out. Plastic pieces were spread across the track and the cleanup was extended.
Ricky Thornton Jr comments after the race at Eldora
Ricky Thornton Jr is one of the hottest dirt late model drivers in the country. He’s picked up 20+ wins so far this season.
“I just felt like I couldn’t really get down the straightaways. I could just kinda run wide open,” Thornton Jr told FloRacing after the race.
Thornton Jr added, “We’ll put a new motor in this for tomorrow.”
Drivers return to the half-mile dirt track for the World 100 finale on Saturday. The stars of the sport are racing for $56,000 to win.
Eldora Speedway Results: September 8, 2023 (World 100)
