The winner at Lucas Oil Speedway failed the droop check in post-tech inspection
On Saturday night, Lucas Oil Speedway hosted the finale of the Show-Me 100 weekend. The 100 lap feature paid $50,000 to the race winner.
On a restart with just 5 laps to go, Devin Moran slid Brandon Overton for 2nd into turn three. He couldn’t clear him and instead, crowded Overton in turn four.
Overton was forced to lift, the car then hooked a hut. Overton slammed the outside wall and went off on the hook as Moran took 2nd away.
That turned into the winning move following some post-race drama.
Ricky Thornton Jr drove to the race win. However, after the race, the podium drivers head to the tech shed for a quick inspection by Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series officials.
They declared that Ricky Thornton Jr failed to meet the spoiler height requirements needed to pass the droop check.
Thornton Jr was relegated to a 5th place finish. Devin Moran was declared the race winner.
As the announcement was made, the fans in Wheatland, Missouri erupted with a wave of boos.
Show-Me 100 Results: May 27, 2023 (Lucas Oil Speedway – $50k)
Devin Moran comments after being handed the win
“What the hell,” Devin Moran stated from victory lane.
“This is like the best, worst-win of my life. I just won the Show-Me 100, $50,000 but like Ricky was the best car in the field.”
“I drove it like an idiot and wrecked the No. 76. I’m probably going to get a black-eye when I get back in the pits.”
“But, hell with it, we won the race, I guess.”
“I cleared Jonathan Davenport and I thought I was going to be able to clear Overton. Like I said, I completely ran over him. A bad move on my part.”
“It’s not as special as I’d like it to be because I drove like an idiot and I have been, all year. I gotta fix that.”
“The droop rule kinda eliminated the winner. I’m hoping we can find out a way to get rid of that rule or something so we don’t have to worry about the fastest guy not winning the race.”
“There might be an asterisks by it. But, it’s going to pay $50,000 one way or the other, so we’re going to take it. And, we’re going to drink some beer tonight.”
Ricky Thornton Jr comments
Ricky Thornton Jr stated the following via social media:
Shortly after the race he stated, “Should of won 50k tonight, had a part failure and failed post race droop check by 3/8 of a inch.. proud of my guys for all the hard work and thanks to all the fans that stopped by and chatted.”
LOLMDS Rulebook: Droop Penalties
These penalties will be enforced on all Time Trials, Heat Races, B-Main and A-Main events:
i.) Fifty-one and one-sixteenth of an inch (51-1/16”)to fifty-one and one-half inch (51-1/2″):
a.) Post Time Trialswill result in a one (1)row penalty in the original Heat Raceline up.
b.) Post Heat Race, B-Main or A-Main will result in a four(4) position penalty for that event.
ii.) Fifty-one and nine-sixteenths of an inch (51-9/16”) to fifty-two inches (52″):
a.) Post Time Trials will result in a two (2) row penalty in the original Heat Race line up.
b.) Post Heat Race, B-Main or A-Main will result in an eight (8) position penalty for that event.
iii.) Fifty-two and one-sixteenth of an inch (52-1/16”) or higher:
a.) Post Time Trials will result in the driver being penalized to the rear of the original Heat Race line up.
b.) Post Heat Race, B-Main or A-Main will result in the driver being scored last for that event.
iv.) In an event format where points are being earned to toward an overall event tally, driver will retain any points earned prior to the infraction. The driver will be awarded points for any event in which an infraction occurred based on the above penalties.
Show-Me 100 Results: May 27, 2023 (Lucas Oil Speedway – $50k)
Links
Ricky Thornton Jr | Devin Moran | Lucas Oil Speedway | Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
