Hudson O'Neal Wins Lucas Oil Knoxville Late Model Nationals from 15th
2025-09-24 14:09
dirtFan website https://dirtfan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/dirtfan-200x200.jpg
KNOXVILLE, IA (September 20, 2025) - Hudson O'Neal charged from his 15th starting position to win the 21st Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals presented by All Makes Collision Center on Saturday night at Knoxville Raceway. The Martinsville, Indiana driver earned an event record $75,000 for his 34th career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win.
In a race with nine lead changes among three drivers, O'Neal finally took the lead for good on lap 57 and then led the last 18 laps to win by 8.368 seconds over Ricky Thornton Jr., Devin Moran, Brandon Sheppard, and Daulton Wilson.
Jonathan Davenport and Moran swapped the lead during the first 54 laps of the race, until O'Neal became the third different leader on lap 55. Moran led lap 56, and O'Neal took the lead for the second time on lap 57, then pulled away to dominate the rest of the race.
In Lucas Oil Victory Lane, O'Neal becomes the 16th different winner in 21 editions of the crown jewel event. O'Neal and his father Don are the first father-son duo to win the race, with Don having won it in 2011.
"I'm tired, man. Riding around that berm was so demanding; it got really rough down there, and I kept telling myself to just breathe. Hats off to my guys—whenever you destroy a race car like that, it definitely hurts. I put a lot of effort into that car to make it to the World 100; it was the car we planned to finish our championship with. That was definitely a morale killer a little bit, but we were able to unload the car the next day, and the guys worked hard to get it ready. To come back and have good speed last night was great—we had a mechanical failure, and to come from 15th is just so awesome," said the 2023 National Champion.
"It's been a tough month, but we've been making progress step by step. We've received a lot of help from many different people, including my family and everyone watching back home. These races are so special—these are the ones you dream of adding to your list. This one is so cool. I knew I was really good, and when I was racing with Devin, I didn't feel like I was pushing my limits down there. They were having to run really hard on the track to keep up, and I figured they'd heat their tires and I could slip away from them," said the winner, who became the youngest driver to win the event at age 25.
Thornton was the only driver in the top three finishers who did not lead a lap and came in second after passing Moran in the final four laps.
"I went much tighter than I did last night; the track never really slowed down like it usually does here. I don't know if it was easier to run around the bottom berm; overall, I'm happy with second. Obviously, Hud was a lot better than all of us; he drove to the front and won by over 8 seconds or whatever it was. Congrats to him. I feel like any time it gets around a berm like that on the bottom, I remember, like at Pittsburgh a few years back, he wore us all out running below the berm. So again, congrats to him for tonight; after flipping on night one, it didn't scare him at all."
Moran finished third on the Big River Steel Podium after leading 21 laps.
"We just got that bottom to start chunking out a little, and when it did, my nose was just too low, and it kept bouncing and bouncing. I couldn't circle that bottom. Overall, we'll take it. I really felt like we had a really good car for a long part of that race. I could move all around, and JD was having an awesome race. It was so fun to race with him, but obviously Hudson was the best car tonight. At the end, he did a great job — my guys said he was a second faster per lap at the end of the race."
The winner's SSI Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and sponsored by Big River Steel, Wheeler Metals, Triple O, Merrill Bonding Company, Sub Surface of Indiana, Professional Concrete, Cutting and Drilling, West Side Tractor Sales, Dyno One Inc., O'Neal's Salvage and Recycling, Indiana USSSA Fast Pitch Softball, Bob and Tammy Burton, Houchens Insurance Group, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, and Bob Cat of Batesville.
Completing the top ten were Brian Shirley, Garrett Alberson, Dan Ebert, Tyler Erb, and Donald McIntosh.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
21st Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals Presented by All Makes Collision Center | Night 3
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Knoxville Raceway | Knoxville, IA
Dirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Chad Simpson | 17.1719 seconds
Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 6J-Jake Neal[2]; 2. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[8]; 3. 99X-Dallon Murty[3]; 4. 51-Matt Furman[5]; 5. 51B-Brandon Carpenter[4]; 6. 21B-Rich Bell[7]; 7. 51C-Dean Carpenter[9]; 8. 17-Tim Simpson[6]; 9. (DNS) 16-Tyler Bruening
UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (9 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 25-Chad Simpson[1]; 2. 75-Daniel Adam[4]; 3. 15-Clay Stuckey[3]; 4. 38T-Dylan Thornton[6]; 5. 04-Tad Pospisil[2]; 6. 10-Junior Coover[9]; 7. 45D-Dan Battaglia[7]; 8. 53-Andrew Kosiski[5]; 9. (DNS) 6H-Al Humphrey
21st Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals Presented by All Makes Collision Center | Night 3 Feature Finish (75 Laps):
Pos - Start - Car # - Competitor - Hometown - Pay
1 - 15 - 71 - Hudson O'Neal - Martinsville, IN - $77,800
2 - 4 - 20RT - Ricky Thornton Jr - Chandler, AZ - $36,200
3 - 1 - 99 - Devin Moran - Dresden, OH - $13,000
4 - 9 - 1 - Brandon Sheppard - New Berlin, IL - $9,700
5 - 7 - 18D - Daulton Wilson - Fayetteville, NC - $8,700
6 - 10 - 3S - Brian Shirley - Chatham, IL - $7,000
7 - 3 - 58 - Garrett Alberson - Las Cruces, NM - $6,700
8 - 21 - 60 - Dan Ebert - Lake Shore, MN - $5,800
9 - 5 - 1 - Tyler Erb - New Waverly, TX - $4,500
10 - 14 - 79 - Donald McIntosh - Dawsonville, GA - $4,700
11 - 26 - 25 - Chad Simpson - Mt. Vernon, IA - $4,000
12 - 27 - 99JR - Frank Heckenast Jr - Frankfort, IL - $3,900
13 - 13 - 19M - Joseph Joiner - Milton, FL - $4,300
14 - 17 - 22 - Daniel Hilsabeck - Earlham, IA - $4,200
15 - 30 - 15 - Clay Stuckey - Shreveport, LA - $3,600
16 - 20 - 76N - Blair Nothdurft - Renner, SD - $3,300
17 - 23 - 99S - Jesse Sobbing - Malvern, IA - $3,200
18 - 2 - 49 - Jonathan Davenport - Blairsville, GA - $6,300
19 - 22 - 93L - Cory Lawler - Hanover, PA - $3,700
20 - 12 - 93 - Carson Ferguson - Lincolnton, NC - $3,600
21 - 11 - 1XM - Aaron Marrant - Richmond, MO - $2,800
22 - 28 - 75 - Daniel Adam - Peru, IL - $2,900
23 - 24 - 6 - Clay Harris - Jupiter, FL - $3,300
24 - 19 - 19R - Ryan Gustin - Marshalltown, IA - $2,500
25 - 8 - 32 - Bobby Pierce - Oakwood, IL - $2,500
26 - 32 - 51B - Brandon Carpenter - Coldwater, MS - $2,700
27 - 29 - 99X - Dallon Murty - Chelsea, IA - $2,700
28 - 16 - 32S - Chris Simpson - Oxford, IA - $2,500
29 - 31 - 4 - Tad Pospisil - Norfolk, NE - $2,700
30 - 25 - 6J - Jake Neal - Omaha, NE - $2,700
31 - 6 - 76 - Brandon Overton - Evans, GA - $3,200
32 - 18 - 18C - Chase Junghans - Manhattan, KS - $2,500
Race Statistics
Entrants: 42
Victory Fuel Pole Sitter: Devin Moran
MD3 Lap Leaders: Jonathan Davenport (Laps 1-2); Devin Moran (Laps 3-8); Jonathan Davenport (Laps 9-20); Devin Moran (Laps 21-23); Jonathan Davenport (Laps 24-43); Devin Moran (Laps 44-54); Hudson O'Neal (Lap 55); Devin Moran (Lap 56); Hudson O'Neal (Laps 57-75)
Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Jonathan Davenport
Wieland Feature Winner: Hudson O'Neal
Margin of Victory: 8.368 seconds
Coltman Farms Racing Cautions: Chase Junghans (Lap 3); Brandon Overton (Lap 4); Jake Neal (Lap 6); Tyler Erb (Lap 6 restart); Bobby Pierce (Lap 28); Clay Harris (Lap 30); Carson Ferguson (Lap 44); Jonathan Davenport (Lap 53)
Series Provisionals: Tad Pospisil; Brandon Carpenter
Fast Time Provisional: n/a
Emergency Provisional: n/a
Track Provisional: n/a
Big River Steel Podium Top 3: Hudson O'Neal, Ricky Thornton, Jr., Devin Moran
Penske Shocks Top 5: Hudson O'Neal, Ricky Thornton, Jr., Devin Moran, Brandon Sheppard, Daulton Wilson
PEM 4th Place Feature: Brandon Sheppard
DMI Rearends 5th Place Feature: Daulton Wilson
Wilwood Brakes Lucky 7th Place Feature: Garrett Alberson
Wehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Chad Simpson
Deatherage Opticians Lucky 13th Place Feature: Joseph Joiner
MD3 24th Place Feature: Ryan Gustin
Hoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Hudson O'Neal (Advanced 14 positions)
MD3 Most Laps Led: Jonathan Davenport (34 Laps)
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Hudson O'Neal
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Ricky Thornton, Jr.
O'Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: Dan Ebert
Pro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Devin Moran | Lap 3 | 17.615 seconds
Slicker Graphics Slickest Move of the Race: Brandon Sheppard
Fresh Roof Hard Luck Award: Jonathan Davenport
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Jason Durham
ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Cornett Racing Engines
Miller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn Chassis
Time of Race: 49 minutes 27 seconds
Big River Steel Chase for the Championship Presented by ARP Point Standings:
Pos - Car # - Competitor - Hometown - Points - Pay
1 - 20RT - Ricky Thornton Jr - Chandler, AZ - 8095 - $497,050
2 - 49 - Jonathan Davenport - Blairsville, GA - 8025 - $411,700
3 - 99 - Devin Moran - Dresden, OH - 8015 - $298,849
4 - 71 - Hudson O'Neal - Martinsville, IN - 8015 - $354,800
5 - 1 - Brandon Sheppard - New Berlin, IL - 7175 - $244,825
6 - 58 - Garrett Alberson - Las Cruces, NM - 7105 - $190,650
7 - 76 - Brandon Overton - Evans, GA - 6770 - $157,200
8 - 18D - Daulton Wilson - Fayetteville, NC - 6185 - $128,125
9 - 93 - Carson Ferguson - Lincolnton, NC - 5955 - $105,750
10 - 79 - Donald McIntosh - Dawsonville, GA - 5885 - $94,100
11 - 22 - Daniel Hilsabeck - Earlham, IA - 5645 - $85,050
12 - 60 - Dan Ebert - Lake Shore, MN - 5430 - $86,375
13 - 6 - Clay Harris - Jupiter, FL - 5210 - $76,900
14 93L Cory Lawler - Hanover, PA - 4595 - $51,925
Big River Steel Big Four Eligible Feature Wins:
10 Bonus Points Awarded for Each Win in a Championship Points-Earning Event
Ricky Thornton Jr. (13)
1/30 - All-Tech Raceway
1/31 - All-Tech Raceway
2/7 - Ocala Speedway
3/21 - Atomic Speedway
4/26 - Hagerstown Speedway
4/27 - Port Royal Speedway
5/9 - Farmer City Raceway
5/15 - Eagle Raceway
5/17 - Eagle Raceway
7/11 - Lucas Oil Speedway
8/22 - Port Royal Speedway
8/23 - Port Royal Speedway
8/30 - Lernerville Speedway
Jonathan Davenport (6)
2/6 - Ocala Speedway
5/10 - Fairbury Speedway
5/16 - Eagle Raceway
6/21 - Lernerville Speedway
7/18 - Huset's Speedway
8/16 - Batesville Motor Speedway
Devin Moran (5)
2/1 - All-Tech Raceway
2/8 - Ocala Speedway
3/22 - Brownstown Speedway
4/25 - Georgetown Speedway
7/17 - Huset's Speedway
Hudson O'Neal (5)
5/22 - Lucas Oil Speedway
5/23 - Lucas Oil Speedway
7/5 - Muskingum County Speedway
7/19 - Huset's Speedway
9/20 - Knoxville Raceway
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