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RTJ cruises in DIRTcar Nationals opener at Volusia Speedway Park

Ricky Thornton Jr. achieved another career first last Monday with a maiden voyage to DIRTcar Nationals Victory Lane in his SSI Motorsports No. 20RT Dyno One Inc./ Excel Floor Covering/ Sub-Surface of Indiana/ Longhorn Chassis/ Clements Racing Engine Super Late Model.

Thornton Jr.’s victory was worth $7,000 and marked his first of the year.

Additionally, the Arizona native is proud to announce the launch of a brand-new team website at www.TwentyRT.com. The new site is designed and maintained by Nebraska-based MyRacePass.

“It was kind of ironic that we won Monday because we originally had planned to take the night off, but then we got to the track and everything looked good, so we decided to race, and it definitely paid off,” Thornton Jr. shared. “Despite a little bad luck, we had a fast car the entire Speedweeks, and I’m excited about what our team can accomplish this year. We’re back at the shop and getting everything ready to roll in March at 411 (Motor Speedway) with Lucas Oil (Late Model Dirt Series). A big thank you to everyone, who supports our program.”

The 2022 Georgia-Florida Speedweeks continued for SSI Motorsports pilot Ricky Thornton Jr. on Monday afternoon at Volusia Speedway Park (Barberville, Fla.) for the 51st annual DIRTcar Nationals. With 47 Late Models registered, Thornton Jr. laid down the fifth-fastest time in his group before picking up a heat race victory. Leading flag-to-flag in the 30-lap feature, Ricky soared to his first win of the season, which came ahead of Chris Madden, Devin Moran, Brandon Overton, and Dale McDowell. He earned $7,000 for his dominant performance.

For another $7,000-to-win A-Main on Tuesday, Thornton’s second-place finish in his heat positioned him seventh on the starting grid for the show. Running into trouble near the halfway point of the 30-lapper, Ricky suffered a broken steering line that sidelined him on lap 14.

On Wednesday evening, Ricky topped his time trial group in qualifying but suffered terminal mechanical issues in his heat that ended his night immediately.

Hopping in his backup car on Thursday, Thornton Jr. laid down the sixth-fastest time in his group before placing first in his heat. Receiving the sixth-starting position for the $10,000-to-win A-Main via the redraw, Ricky faded back to a 15th-place outing.

In a field of 59 World of Outlaws Case Construction Late Model Series entries on Friday, Ricky edged his way into the A-Main with the third-and-final transfer spot in his heat. Moving forward four spots in the 40-lap affair, Thornton Jr. recorded a 14th-place finish.

To wrap up the 51st annual DIRTcar Nationals on Saturday, Thornton topped his time trial group in qualifying before picking up a heat race win. Rolling off from third row for the $10,000-to-win finale, Ricky held a steady pace to finish sixth.

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