9/6/2025
Ricky Thornton Jr
Ricky Thornton Jr. Rules World 100 at Eldora Speedway
Pockets $72,000 for First Crown Jewel at Ohio Oval
MOUNT AIRY, N.C. (09/08/25) – Ricky Thornton Jr. finally conquered the hallowed grounds of Eldora Speedway on Saturday night, claiming a $72,000 victory in the 55th annual World 100 in front of a capacity crowd at the legendary Rossburg, Ohio, half-mile oval.
The Arizona native led the final 59 laps aboard his Ultimate Towing & Recovery / Elite Ready Mix / Coltman Farms Racing / Hoker Trucking No. 20RT Longhorn Chassis Late Model to capture the coveted globe trophy. The win marks Thornton’s first crown jewel triumph at Eldora — a track that had long stood as one of the few missing pieces on his otherwise stellar résumé.
“We were able to work on it and work on it and I don't know, we kind of went (back) to the drawing board,” Thornton said. “I feel like every time I get here I overthink it. I don't do exactly what I need to do. Tonight, I tried not to do that and really we didn't change anything from the heat race to the feature — and that never happens. Overall, it's just crazy. Finally.”
Thornton entered the World 100 week riding a wave of momentum, having won the Baltes Classic just four days earlier at Eldora. He recorded finishes of eighth and 11th in the twin preliminary features on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
On Saturday, Thornton started from the third row of his heat race and charged forward to win the 15-lap contest, securing the pole for the 100-lap main event. After slipping back in the early stages of the feature, he found his rhythm and mounted a calculated charge to the front.
Following a lap-42 restart, Thornton made his move, sliding past early leader Jonathan Davenport to take command. He held strong through the final 58 laps, including a tense 10-lap shootout after a late caution, to secure the 100-lap victory.
“Bobby told me a couple of months ago there was one race he really wanted to win,” Thornton said of team owner Bobby Koehler. “And it was this one.”
Thornton’s $72,000 payday adds to an already impressive 2025 campaign, bringing his season win total to 23.
Complete results from the 55th annual World 100 can be found at www.EldoraSpeedway.com.
Thornton and the Koehler Motorsports team are now preparing for Thursday’s FloRacing Night in America presented by Kubota at Volunteer Speedway, dubbed the second annual Scott Bloomquist Memorial Scorcher.
Full event details are available at www.FloSeries.com.
Ricky Thornton Jr. and the Koehler Motorsports team would like to thank their sponsors, which include Longhorn Chassis, Bilstein Shock Absorbers, Clements Racing Engines, Knight’s Companies, Cornett Racing Engines, Coltman Farms Racing, Hoker Trucking LLC, Capital Waste, Ultimate Towing & Recovery, Jones Racing Products, Certified Inspection Service Co., Inc., Varsitee Screenprinting, D and E Outside Services, Shocker Hitch, EMD Wraps, GoSunoco, Lonewolf Petroleum, Dynamic Drivelines, Excel Floor Coverings, Performance Bodies, Swift Springs, Buzze Performance, Keyser Manufacturing, Dirtcarlift, Impact Racing, Behrent's Performance Warehouse, Ultra Shield Race Products, LLC, Sharp Advantage Safety Products, LLC, Team SRI Motorsports, MPI - Max Papis Innovations, Strange Oval, TireDemon, FK Rod Ends, Schoenfeld Headers, Midwest Sheetmetal, and MyRacePass Marketing Services.
For the latest news on Ricky Thornton Jr., visit his official website at www.TwentyRT.com and follow updates at www.KoehlerMotorsports.com. Fans can also stay connected by subscribing to his official mailing list at https://pages/RickyThorntonJrRacing.
Article Credit: Josh James Artwork image
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