A year after a setback at Eldoras Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series finale derailed Ricky Thornton Jr.s championship hopes, the 34-year-old found redemption in 2024.

Thornton becomes the ninth different driver in the series 20-year history to earn the illustrious Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series title. Thornton ended his 2024 campaign with 14 victories, 34 top-five finishes, and 41 top-10 performances.

This season, the Big River Steel Chase for the Championship presented by ARP became a five-race showdown. Thornton entered Eldora Speedway with a 50-point lead in the standings, requiring him to finish sixth or better to secure the championship if either Jonathan Davenport or Devin Moran tied for second in the chase claimed the season-ending Dirt Track World Championship.

In the end, Thorntons third-place performance in the 100-lapper earned him his first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Championship by a 60-point margin. 

Davenport retired from the race with terminal engine trouble on lap 64, while Moran finished fourth after his march through the field from an 18th starting position.

I feel like everyone kind of doubted us, Thornton said. Coming into this whole playoff deal, I think they wrote us off as fourth, so overall its kind of awesome just to come back and have a last couple weeks like we did. Obviously we wanted Pittsburgh (third- and sixth-place finishes to start the Chase on Oct. 4-5) to be a little bit better, but overall it worked out and we ended up champions.

Id say obviously the biggest thing is (it took) a lot of work and determination, not only by me but my whole crew. A lot of stuff was thrown at us this year and just to be able to come out on top is pretty awesome.

Moran was the runner-up in the final Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series standings for the second consecutive year. 

Davenport finished third, with Tim McCreadie and Hudson ONeal rounding out the top five.

Thornton led the series with 12 victories, while Davenport won nine features.

Three hundred and 71 drivers participated in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series events.

The Points

Ricky Thornton Jr. 6,910

Devin Moran 6,850

Jonathan Davenport 6,780

Tim McCreadie 6,765

Hudson ONeal 5,985

Garrett Alberson 5,780

Mike Marlar 5,720

Daulton Wilson 5,490

Max Blair 5,460

Jimmy Owens 5,310

Winners

Ricky Thornton Jr. 12

Jonathan Davenport 9

Bobby Pierce 7

Devin Moran 6

Hudson ONeal 5

Mike Marlar 2

Garrett Alberson 1

Daulton Wilson 1

Brandon Sheppard 1

Tyler Erb 1

Brandon Overton 1