Turn 2 Blog is a regular feature on InsideDirtRacing.com. Here, site operators Michael Moats and Richard Allen take turns offering their thoughts on the dirt racing topics of the day from east Tennessee and beyond.
The latest edition of the Turn 2 Blog is presented by the American All-Star Pro Late Models Presented by PPM Racing Products
How close is Ricky Thornton Jr. to recording the greatest season in the history of Dirt Late Model racing?
Richard: Adding yet another win after sweeping the Knoxville Late Model Nationals, it would be hard to argue that Ricky Thornton Jr. isn’t having an all-time great year here in 2023. Strangely, I’m not sure he is even having the best season of any driver this year. Bobby Pierce might even be in the midst of a better one.
But again, Thornton’s campaign up to this point has been an awesome one.
In comparison with Jonathan Davenport’s 2015, Brandon Sheppard’s 2019, Brandon Overton’s 2021, and Davenport’s 2022, Thornton’s season stacks up right there in terms of greatness. His wins have included crown jewels such as the Prairie Dirt Classic and the Firecracker 100. Along with those have been several events that paid big purses such as at Off Road Speedway and Smoky Mountain Speedway.
Unfortunately, there was a big missed opportunity when the No. 20RT failed post-race tech inspection following an apparent Show-Me 100 triumph. If Thornton’s season is missing anything, and it isn’t missing much, there are not quite as many crown jewels wins as those mentioned earlier in my answer. And more, each of the seasons by the drivers mentioned above included at least one win at Eldora Speedway while Thornton’s has not … yet.
I wouldn’t call Thornton’s 2023 campaign the greatest ever but adding a Dirt Track World Championship and Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series title at Eldora might very well get me to change my mind.
Ricky Thornton Jr. and crew in victory lane at Smoky Mountain
Michael: I don’t know if Thornton winning the DTWC and the Lucas championship would give him the honor of the greatest season. As much as he has won this year, it still seems behind Davenport’s 2015 season and Davenport’s 2022 season. I don’t know if it’s because Davenport has more fans or something else, but there just seems to be less of a buzz around what Thornton is doing this year.
As you pointed out, Pierce is also having a phenomenal season. If two drivers are doing something special at the same time, then I don’t believe either one can carry the label of greatest season.
Your thoughts from a dirt racing perspective on Bristol Motor Speedway going away from dirt?
Richard: Selfishly, I enjoyed the fact that such big races as some of those XR Super Series, World of Outlaws CASE Construction Late Model Series, and World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series events were held here in east Tennessee. From that standpoint, I wish Bristol would always be covered in dirt during the spring.
Add to the statement above, I just love that place. It is the site where I first fell in love with racing when my dad took me there in 1978.
However, the use of Bristol Motor Speedway as a dirt track probably went on one year too long. There was a great deal of excitement the first time around in 2021 and the crowds were very good. However, that cooled a good bit in 2022. It probably should have stopped right there.
Of course, a major drawback once the newness wears off is that the track is not well suited for dirt racing. It is too big with too much banking which makes the speeds too fast for good competition, especially for Late Models. That speed, of course, also brings in the possibility of hard crashes, which we saw a few of over the past three years.
The bottom line, though, is that the NASCAR races just never caught hold. Weather issues the first year did the ‘experiment’ no favors. However, if the grandstands had been more full each spring for the Cup Series events, there would still be dirt racing in Bristol’s future.
Jonathan Davenport won $50,000 at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2021
Michael: I believe holding the Cup races on Easter weekend the final two years of the dirt race did them no favors in the attendance department. I really thought they might do one more year and do it on a non-holiday weekend.
Either way, the overall excitement fell way off the first two years. And the car counts for the dirt cars reflected that. As one driver told me last year, doing it once every 20 years is about right – to give a new generation of racers a chance to experience it. It was time to put it to an end.
I really think if they could have gotten one of the major touring Late Model series to come back next year, they would have tried it one more year. Still, I think this was the right decision.
Does cooler fall weather make for a better experience at the race track?
Richard: I know I am odd but the heat of summer does not really bother me that much. I like it to be cooler, but not cold. I especially can’t stand for my hands to be cold.
I have been a bit amused at how quickly the heavy coats and coveralls come out at the first sign of a nip in the air, but to each his own. Ultimately to me, as long as there is a race going on, I don’t think too much about the temperature.
Michael: I guess it depends on each person and how cool that cool really is. When you start getting into the low 40’s and upper 30’s, that’s a bit much for a lot of people. Upper 40’s to the 50’s doesn’t seem to bother most people. The racing itself is like it is even when it’s warm. It all depends on track prep.
As someone who will layer up, I resemble your last remark.
Please consider also reading:
Knoxville Late Model Nationals in a tough spot on the racing calendar
Respond to this post on Twitter by following @RichardAllenIDR and @MichaelRMoats or by liking the InsideDirtRacing.com Facebook page.
Also, NASCAR and pavement racing fans can check out InsideCircleTrack.com
