The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing made a stop at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa, on Thursday night and proceeded to put on an instant classic.

Garrett Alberson started from the pole and led the first half of the caution-laden event. On lap 33, Brandon Overton launched an all-out assault for the top position. The battle saw the two trade barbs, lines, paint, and eventually the lead as Overton managed to swindle the position away from Alberson. Just three laps later, a caution fell for the 20RT of Ricky Thornton Jr., who saw his second flat tire finally end his forgettable night. This caution set the stage for what would be a spectacular three-way battle in the closing laps. The action started immediately on the restart as the 93 of Carson Ferguson threw it all the way to Minnesota into turn one and briefly ran as high as 2nd before retreating back to his starting position of 4th. The intense racing peaked with four laps to go with a lead battle between Overton, Hudson O’Neal, and Alberson. The three were racing closely when the 76 of Overton nearly jumped the cushion in turn two, opening the door for O’Neal to get to his inside. This opened the door for a brilliant high-side pass by Alberson through turn four. Alberson would hold on to take the checkers, his first of the 2025 Lucas Oil season. O’neal would up 2nd, and Overton had to settle for 3rd.

“I really felt like I had something there, and I was rolling on Brandon, and Brandon went down there to, you know, protect, and just kind of shut it down in that bottom, and I heard a motor fire up out there outside of me, and I was like ‘oh no’ and then you know when we got to about the center of the corner I seen the white nose and figured that’s who it was.” -Hudson O’Neal in post-race interview

Ricky Thornton Jr. had a forgettable night. He had a rocket of a car, making his way to 3rd using the high line primarily, but contact on lap 15 resulted in a flat tire for the 20RT. He made it back onto the track before the green but then spun out three laps later. On lap 30, he cut another tire after recovering to 7th place; at this point, he retired and finished 20th. His misfortune, combined with a strong run from Jonathan Davenport, resulted in Superman re-acquiring the season points lead. He now leads by 70 over Thornton in what has been a back-and-forth battle as of late.

Looking Forward

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series heads to Lucas Oil Raceway in Wheatland, Missouri, the next two nights for the CMH Diamond Nationals. Who will take home the $25,000 winner’s purse? Follow along on FloRacing to see all of the action.