Moran Earns First Career Win at Knoxville in Friday Preliminary
2025-09-20 14:03
dirtFan website https://dirtfan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/dirtfan-200x200.jpg
KNOXVILLE, IA (September 19, 2025) - Devin Moran took the lead from Brandon Overton on lap 17 and then pulled away to win the Friday night portion of the 21st Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals presented by All Makes Collision Center.
Moran, who started fourth, earned $10,000 for his first career win at Knoxville. Overton finished in second, followed by Jonathan Davenport, Bobby Pierce, and Garrett Alberson.
Overton bolted to the lead at the start of the race, which had only one caution flag. Overton maintained the lead until Moran, who had been challenging Overton from the first lap, made his move exiting turn two on the 17th lap to take the lead. Moran went on to win by 0.517 seconds at the finish after splitting a pair of cars in traffic to secure the victory.
In Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the 23rd time in his career, the Dresden, Ohio native became the 52nd different Late Model winner in Knoxville Raceway history.
"Winning at one of the greatest dirt tracks in the world is something to be proud of, whether it's a preliminary night or not, you know. I haven't been here very often, but every time we come, I feel like we have speed. We just discovered a couple of things, and we were really good all night. The air is so crucial for us because the track is so flat, and we can't carve like a sprint car. We can't come right up on that cushion; it's really challenging to do. They made some adjustments to the bottom of one and two, and I just hit that moisture patch there. I kept working on him (Overton), and finally, it paid off."
Overton, who led the first 16 laps of the race, stayed in second the rest of the race to hold off Davenport.
"Sometimes it's better to be second than to lead, so when I got behind him (Moran), I started to follow him. He was carrying way more speed. I was trying to stay wider to avoid sliding over the cushion, and he was just going so much faster, especially when entering one. But it is what it is. After the heat race, I felt really bad, but Burroughs and the team did a great job making it at least competitive, so we'll have a shot at it tomorrow. I believe our car is just as good as anyone here."
Davenport, who finished third at the Knoxville Late Model Nationals in 2022, rounded out the Big River Steel Podium.
"My car felt pretty good out there, but like anybody here, the closer I got to them, the worse I felt. Once we hit lapped traffic, I fell back a little, and I feel like I passed them both at one point during the last couple of laps, so that's something we can be proud of. At the start of the race, Devin was really fast; he was running a bit lower, so he was blocking my air, and I couldn't get lower than him. We were definitely a lot better tonight than last night. Hats off to the track crew; they did an awesome job today. They had a lot of wet clay to work around, but they handled it excellently. Hopefully, the track will be somewhat like that tomorrow."
The winner's Double Down Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Big River Steel, Lazydays RV, C&W Trucking, Hazen Services, Refuel Wellness, Anthony's Pizza, Car Source Auto, McHugh Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, VP Fuels, Pee Wee's Wrecker Service, Red Oak Pub, Eibach Springs, Phillips CPA, Smoky Mountain Speedway, Haulin' Haskell's, BOMAG, and Millwood Plumbing.
Completing the top ten were Ricky Thornton Jr., Brian Shirley, Brandon Sheppard, Carson Ferguson, and Ryan Gustin.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
21st Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals Presented by All Makes Collision Center | Night 2
Friday, September 19, 2025
Knoxville Raceway | Knoxville, IA
Allstar Performance Time Trials
Fast Time Group A: Carson Ferguson | 17.195 seconds (Overall)
Fast Time Group B: Garrett Alberson | 17.236 seconds
Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (12 Laps, Top 5 Transfer): 1. 1-Brandon Sheppard[4]; 2. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[5]; 3. 6-Clay Harris[2]; 4. 93-Carson Ferguson[6]; 5. 60-Dan Ebert[1]; 6. 76N-Blair Nothdurft[3]; 7. 15-Clay Stuckey[7]; 8. 38T-Dylan Thornton[8]; 9. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[9]; 10. 21B-Rich Bell[10]
Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (12 Laps, Top 5 Transfer): 1. 01-Tyler Erb[1]; 2. 1XM-Aaron Marrant[2]; 3. 18D-Daulton Wilson[4]; 4. 32-Bobby Pierce[5]; 5. 71-Hudson O'Neal[6]; 6. 19R-Ryan Gustin[7]; 7. 19M-Joseph Joiner[3]; 8. 75-Daniel Adam[10]; 9. 6J-Jake Neal[8]; 10. 51-Matt Furman[9]
Cool-It Thermo-Tec Heat Race #3 Finish (12 Laps, Top 5 Transfer): 1. 99-Devin Moran[5]; 2. 3S-Brian Shirley[4]; 3. 99S-Jesse Sobbing[2]; 4. 58-Garrett Alberson[6]; 5. 79-Donald McIntosh[3]; 6. 25-Chad Simpson[1]; 7. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[7]; 8. 53-Andrew Kosiski[9]; 9. 51C-Dean Carpenter[8]; 10. 45D-Dan Battaglia[10]
Simpson Race Products Heat Race #4 Finish (12 Laps, Top 5 Transfer): 1. 93L-Cory Lawler[2]; 2. 49-Jonathan Davenport[6]; 3. 18C-Chase Junghans[3]; 4. 76-Brandon Overton[5]; 5. 32S-Chris Simpson[4]; 6. 04-Tad Pospisil[7]; 7. 17-Tim Simpson[8]; 8. 51B-Brandon Carpenter[1]; 9. (DNS) 6H-Al Humphrey; 10. (DNS) 10-Junior Coover
Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): 1. 19R-Ryan Gustin[2]; 2. 19M-Joseph Joiner[4]; 3. 76N-Blair Nothdurft[1]; 4. 15-Clay Stuckey[3]; 5. 75-Daniel Adam[6]; 6. 38T-Dylan Thornton[5]; 7. 6J-Jake Neal[8]; 8. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[7]; 9. 21B-Rich Bell[9]; 10. 51-Matt Furman[10]
UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (6 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): 1. 25-Chad Simpson[1]; 2. 04-Tad Pospisil[2]; 3. 53-Andrew Kosiski[5]; 4. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[3]; 5. 51B-Brandon Carpenter[6]; 6. 17-Tim Simpson[4]; 7. 6H-Al Humphrey[8]; 8. 45D-Dan Battaglia[9]; 9. 10-Junior Coover[10]; 10. (DNS) 51C-Dean Carpenter
21st Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals Presented by All Makes Collision Center | Night 2 Feature Finish (25 Laps):
Pos - Start - Car # - Competitor - Hometown - Pay
1 - 4 - 99 - Devin Moran - Dresden, OH - $10,000
2 - 2 - 76 - Brandon Overton - Evans, GA - $5,500
3 - 6 - 49 - Jonathan Davenport - Blairsville, GA - $3,500
4 - 1 - 32 - Bobby Pierce - Oakwood, IL - $2,700
5 - 8 - 58 - Garrett Alberson - Las Cruces, NM - $2,500
6 - 3 - 20RT - Ricky Thornton Jr - Chandler, AZ - $2,300
7 - 10 - 3S - Brian Shirley - Chatham, IL - $2,200
8 - 9 - 1 - Brandon Sheppard - New Berlin, IL - $2,100
9 - 7 - 93 - Carson Ferguson - Lincolnton, NC - $2,050
10 - 21 - 19R - Ryan Gustin - Marshalltown, IA - $2,100
11 - 17 - 60 - Dan Ebert - Lake Shore, MN - $1,600
12 - 19 - 1 - Tyler Erb - New Waverly, TX - $1,400
13 - 14 - 79 - Donald McIntosh - Dawsonville, GA - $1,200
14 - 16 - 18C - Chase Junghans - Manhattan, KS - $1,000
15 - 5 - 71 - Hudson O'Neal - Martinsville, IN - $950
16 - 22 - 25 - Chad Simpson - Mt. Vernon, IA - $1,025
17 - 23 - 19M - Joseph Joiner - Milton, FL - $1,000
18 - 12 - 32S - Chris Simpson - Oxford, IA - $875
19 - 18 - 99S - Jesse Sobbing - Malvern, IA - $850
20 - 24 - 4 - Tad Pospisil - Norfolk, NE - $925
21 - 20 - 93L - Cory Lawler - Hanover, PA - $800
22 - 13 - 6 - Clay Harris - Jupiter, FL - $800
23 - 15 - 1XM - Aaron Marrant - Richmond, MO - $800
24 - 11 - 18D - Daulton Wilson - Fayetteville, NC - $800
Race Statistics
Entrants: 40
Victory Fuel Pole Sitter: Bobby Pierce
MD3 Lap Leaders: Brandon Overton (Laps 1-16); Devin Moran (Laps 17-25)
Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Brandon Overton
Wieland Feature Winner: Devin Moran
Margin of Victory: 0.517 seconds
Coltman Farms Racing Cautions: Hudson O'Neal (Lap 8)
Series Provisionals: n/a
Fast Time Provisional: n/a
Emergency Provisional: n/a
Track Provisional: n/a
Big River Steel Podium Top 3: Devin Moran, Brandon Overton, Jonathan Davenport
Penske Shocks Top 5: Devin Moran, Brandon Overton, Jonathan Davenport, Bobby Pierce, Garrett Alberson
PEM 4th Place Feature: Bobby Pierce
DMI Rearends 5th Place Feature: Garrett Alberson
Wilwood Brakes Lucky 7th Place Feature: Brian Shirley
Wehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Dan Ebert
Deatherage Opticians Lucky 13th Place Feature: Donald McIntosh
MD3 24th Place Feature: Daulton Wilson
Hoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Ryan Gustin (Advanced 11 positions)
MD3 Most Laps Led: Brandon Overton (16 Laps)
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Garrett Alberson
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Ricky Thornton, Jr.
O'Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: n/a
Pro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Devin Moran | Lap 3 | 19.715 seconds
Slicker Graphics Slickest Move of the Race: Devin Moran
Fresh Roof Hard Luck Award: Daulton Wilson
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Chuck Kimble
ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Racing Engines
Miller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn Chassis
Dirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Brandon Sheppard | 17.1885 seconds
Time of Race: 12 minutes 18 seconds
21st Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals Presented by All Makes Collision Center (75 Laps)
Row - Car # - Driver - Hometown - Car # - Driver - Hometown
1 - 99 - Devin Moran - Dresden, OH - 49 - Jonathan Davenport - Blairsville, GA
2 - 58 - Garrett Alberson - Las Cruces, NM - 20RT - Ricky Thornton Jr - Chandler, AZ
3 - 01 - Tyler Erb - New Waverly, TX - 76 - Brandon Overton - Evans, GA
4 - 18D - Daulton Wilson - Fayetteville, NC - 32 - Bobby Pierce - Oakwood, IL
5 - 1 - Brandon Sheppard - New Berlin, IL - 3S - Brian Shirley - Chatham, IL
6 - 1XM - Aaron Marrant - Richmond, MO - 93 - Carson Ferguson - Lincolnton, NC
7 - 19M - Joseph Joiner - Milton, FL - 79 - Donald McIntosh - Dawsonville, GA
8 - 71 - Hudson O'Neal - Martinsville, IN - 32S - Chris Simpson - Oxford, IA
9 - 22 - Daniel Hilsabeck - Earlham, IA - 18C - Chase Junghans - Manhattan, KS
10 - 19R - Ryan Gustin - Marshalltown, IA - 76N - Blair Nothdurft - Renner, SD
11 - 60 - Dan Ebert - Lake Shore, MN - 93L - Cory Lawler - Hanover, PA
12 - 99S - Jesse Sobbing - Malvern, IA - 6 - Clay Harris - Jupiter, FL
13 - B-Main 1 - 1st Place - B-Main 2 - 1st Place
14 - B-Main 1 - 2nd Place - B-Main 2 - 2nd Place
15 - B-Main 1 - 3rd Place - B-Main 2 - 3rd Place
16 - Event Points 1st Non-Transfer - Event Points 2nd Non-Transfer
Fast Shafts B-Main 1 (15 Laps | Top 3 transfer)
Row - Car # - Driver - Hometown - Car # - Driver - Hometown
1 - 16 - Tyler Bruening - Decorah, IA - 6J - Jake Neal - Omaha, NE
2 - 99X - Dallon Murty - Chelsea, IA - 51B - Brandon Carpenter - Coldwater, MS
3 - 51 - Matt Furman - Iowa City, IA - 17 - Tim Simpson - Iowa City, IA
4 - 21B - Rich Bell - Sheffield, IL - 99JR - Frank Heckenast Jr - Frankfort, IL
5 - 51C - Dean Carpenter - Coldwater, MS
UNOH B-Main 2 (15 Laps | Top 3 transfer)
Row - Car # - Driver - Hometown - Car # - Driver - Hometown
1 - 25 - Chad Simpson - Mt. Vernon, IA - 04 - Tad Pospisil - Norfolk, NE
2 - 15 - Clay Stuckey - Shreveport, LA - 75 - Daniel Adam - Peru, IL
3 - 53 - Andrew Kosiski - Lavista, NE - 38T - Dylan Thornton - Orcutt, CA
4 - 45D - Dan Battaglia - Gretna, NE - 6H - Al Humphrey - Giltner, NE
5 - 10 - Junior Coover - Norfolk, NE
21st Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals Presented by All Makes Collision Center Point Standings | After Night 2
About Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing
Founded in 2005, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing showcases the talents of the top dirt late model drivers from across the country. In 2025, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will sanction 58 events across 16 states, including some of the biggest marquee events in the industry, providing dirt slinging, sideways, door-to-door racing action lap after lap.
The series receives national exposure through a television package streamed live via FloRacing, with select broadcasts on RACER Network.
The in your face excitement of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing is second to none in motorsports. For more information, including the latest news, tour schedule, driver information, and more, visit the official website at: www.LucasDirt.com.
Official Marketing Partners
Associate Marketing Partners
Advanced Powder Coating, All Makes Collision Center, Behrent's Performance Warehouse, Black Diamond Chassis, Boyd Bilt Fabrication, Brodix, Capital Race Cars, Clements Racing Engines, Coltman Farms Racing, Dave Warren Powersports, Deatherage Opticians, DMI Rearends, Fast Shafts, Fire Suppression Engineering, FOX Shocks, Fresh Roof Shingle Rejuvenation, Heartbeat Hot Sauce, Heath Lawson Photography, Hellraizer Jacks, Hoker Trucking, Keyser Manufacturing, Longhorn Chassis, MD3, Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas, Midwest Sheet Metal, MSD, Outerwears, PEM - Performance Engineering Mfg, Penske Racing Shocks, ProFabrication Headers, Pro Power Racing Engines, Rocket Chassis, Schoenfeld Headers, Simpson Race Products, Slicker Graphics, Strange Oval, Swift Springs, Thermo-Tec Automotive Products, Vic Hill Race Engines, Victory Fuel, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Wilwood, Xceldyne, and 5150 Race Trailers