Ricky Thornton Jr. aims to continue his winning momentum at Smoky Mountain Speedway following his impressive DIRTcar Nationals performance and Big Gator championship title.

Despite a challenging start to the 2025 season with poor finishes at Golden Isles and Volusia Speedway Park, Thornton turned things around dramatically during February's Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals. His success came from strong qualifying runs and advantageous starting positions, resulting in two Feature wins and a runner-up finish.

Key factors in Thornton's improvement included:

• Collaboration with teammates Jimmy Owens and Jordan Koehler
• Effective information sharing across varying track conditions
• Strategic adaptation to different racing surfaces throughout the week

A notable moment came when Thornton nearly secured his third win of the week but jumped the cushion while leading, resulting in contact with Ethan Dotson. Despite this setback, he managed to finish third and maintain his Big Gator championship lead.

Looking ahead to the Tennessee Tipoff at Smoky Mountain Speedway (March 14-15), Thornton brings an impressive track record of three wins and one second-place finish in four starts since the track's reconfiguration to a 3/8-mile layout. His aggressive yet tire-preserving racing style particularly suits this venue.

"I feel really good going there," Thornton said. "It's one of those styles of racetracks that just fits me. You've got to run really aggressive but save your tires at the same time."

The Tennessee Tipoff promises to be an exciting continuation of the World of Outlaws Late Models season, with Thornton positioned as a strong contender based on his recent success and track history.

Photo by Josh James Artwork

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