Thornton and Sheppard Collect Friday Night Preliminary Wins at Lernerville
2026-06-27 12:11
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SARVER, PA (June 26, 2026) - Ricky Thornton Jr. and Brandon Sheppard each earned $5,000 victories Friday night, winning their respective 25-lap preliminary features at Lernerville Speedway.
The twin preliminary features set the lineups for Saturday's four heat races, which will determine the starting field for the 20th Annual Firecracker 100 presented by Experience Butler County. The crown jewel event will pay $50,000 to the winner.
Thornton claimed the opening feature for the 58th LOLMDS victory of his career in one of the season's most eventful races. Dan Ebert recorded the best Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series finish of his career in second, while two-time Firecracker 100 winner Brandon Overton rounded out the Big River Steel podium in third. Josh Rice finished fourth, and current Midwest Sheet Metal championship points leader Hudson O'Neal completed the top five.
O'Neal led the opening 12 laps before slipping in turn four, allowing Thornton - who started fourth - to take over the lead. Rice reclaimed second during the frantic lap-13 action before Overton moved into the runner-up spot on lap 17. Ebert then charged into second with five laps remaining and closed on Thornton in the final laps but came up just short.
The victory positions the two-time Firecracker 100 winner for a favorable starting spot in Saturday's heat races.
"I thought we had a really good car," Thornton said. "We built a new one coming here, and I told (Anthony) Burroughs I didn't really want to know what was going on - just do what you think we need to do. I felt like our car was really good. Sheppy looked really good around the bottom in the second feature, so I think we've still got a little room to improve down there. I was just a little too tight to be as good as he was. Hats off to all the fans for coming out. Hopefully we can get tomorrow's show in."
Thornton's winning Koehler Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and backed by Knight's Companies, Hoker Trucking, Coltman Farms Racing, Capital Waste, Elite Ready Mix, Certified Inspection Services, Strange Oval, SI Towing and Recovery, and Sunoco Race Fuels.
Completing the top ten in the first feature were Carson Ferguson, Brian Shirley, Chub Frank, Eric Wilson, and Brenden Smith.
In the second 25-lap feature, Brandon Sheppard charged from the seventh starting position and passed Devin Moran for the lead on lap seven, then pulled away to score his 41st career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory.
Moran, the defending Series champion, led the opening six laps before Sheppard used the bottom groove to take command. From there, Sheppard steadily extended his advantage, crossing the finish line 2.120 seconds ahead of Moran. Max Blair slipped past five-time and defending Lernerville track champion Michael Norris on the final lap to finish third, while Garrett Alberson rounded out the top five after starting 10th.
"It's one of those deals where, starting that far back, you just go where everyone else isn't," Sheppard said. "I knew my car was good no matter where I put it. I was just biding my time and watching where everyone was running. The top was pretty treacherous after seeing guys go over the edge in the first feature, so I didn't want to go up there unless I absolutely had to. Our car has been really balanced all year, and it was good again tonight. I just messed up both qualifying laps, or we probably would've started a little farther forward."
Sheppard's winning Mark Richards Racing, Rocket Chassis is powered by a Durham Racing Engine and backed by Valvoline, Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metal Works, Performance Grading, Petroff Towing, Franklin Enterprises, Sunoco Race Fuels, Gunter's Honey, Stiles Marine and Maintenance, and Collins Brothers Towing.
Completing the top ten in the second feature were Dillon McCowan, Alex Ferree, Tyler Wyant, Gregg Satterlee, and Ryan Montgomery.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Firecracker 100 Presented by Experience Butler County | Night 2
Friday, June 26, 2026
Lernerville Speedway | Sarver, PA
Allstar Performance Time Trials
Fast Time Group A: Dan Ebert | 16.665 seconds (Overall)
Fast Time Group B: Devin Moran | 17.447 seconds
Group A Results:
Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, All Transfer): 1. 93-Carson Ferguson[2]; 2. 60-Dan Ebert[1]; 3. 11-Josh Rice[5]; 4. 17SS-Brenden Smith[3]; 5. 27W-Eric Wilson[8]; 6. 55-Chris Schneider[6]; 7. 93L-Cory Lawler[10]; 8. 10L-Gary Lyle[7]; 9. 9-Breyton Santee[11]; 10. 6M-Matt Martin[9]; 11. 42C-Chad Shearer[12]; 12. (DNS) 33-Josh Ferry
Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, All Transfer): 1. 71-Hudson O'Neal[1]; 2. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[2]; 3. 76-Brandon Overton[5]; 4. 3S-Brian Shirley[3]; 5. 77-Tyler Dietz[6]; 6. 99B-Chub Frank[4]; 7. 29-Ken Schaltenbrand[7]; 8. 10-Jared Miley[8]; 9. B22-Bump Hedman[9]; 10. 76C-Charles Powell[11]; 11. 0-Ryan Scott[10]
Firecracker 100 Presented by Experience Butler County | Night 2 Group A - Feature Finish (25 Laps):
Pos - Start - Car # - Competitor - Hometown - Earnings
1 - 4 - 20RT - Ricky Thornton Jr - Chandler, AZ - $5,000
2 - 3 - 60 - Dan Ebert - Lake Shore, MN - $3,000
3 - 6 - 76 - Brandon Overton - Evans, GA - $2,000
4 - 5 - 11 - Josh Rice - Crittenden, KY - $1,500
5 - 2 - 71 - Hudson O'Neal - Martinsville, IN - $1,250
6 - 1 - 93 - Carson Ferguson - Lincolnton, NC - $1,000
7 - 8 - 3S - Brian Shirley - Chatham, IL - $950
8 - 12 - 99B - Chub Frank - Bear Lake, PA - $900
9 - 9 - 27W - Eric Wilson - Vienna, OH - $850
10 - 7 - 17SS - Brenden Smith - Dade City, FL - $800
11 - 14 - 29 - Ken Schaltenbrand - Sarver, PA - $700
12 - 16 - 10 - Jared Miley - Pittsburgh, PA - $600
13 - 22 - 0 - Ryan Scott - Garland, PA - $600
14 - 17 - 9 - Breyton Santee - Conneaut, OH - $600
15 - 13 - 93L - Cory Lawler - Hanover, PA - $600
16 - 18 - B22 - Bump Hedman - Sugar Grove, PA - $600
17 - 15 - 10L - Gary Lyle - Hyde Park, PA - $550
18 - 19 - 6M - Matt Martin - Indiana, PA - $500
19 - 20 - 76C - Charles Powell - Brookville, PA - $500
20 - 21 - 42C - Chad Shearer - Leechburg, PA - $500
21 - 11 - 55 - Chris Schneider - Lower Burrell, PA - $500
22 - 10 - 77 - Tyler Dietz - Saxonburg, PA - $500
23 - 23 - 33 - Josh Ferry - Titusville, PA - $0
Group A Race Statistics
Entrants: 46
Bilstein Shocks Pole Sitter: Carson Ferguson
MD3 Lap Leaders: Hudson O'Neal (Laps 1-12); Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Laps 13-25)
Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Ricky Thornton, Jr.
Wieland Feature Winner: Ricky Thornton, Jr.
Margin of Victory: 0.608 seconds
Hellraizer Jacks Cautions: Charlie Powell (Lap 9); Tyler Dietz (Lap 16); Chad Shearer, Charlie Powell (Lap 17)
MyRacePass Series Provisional: n/a
Fast Time Provisional: n/a
Emergency Provisionals: n/a
Track Provisional: n/a
Big River Steel Podium Top 3: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Dan Ebert, Brandon Overton
Penske Shocks Top 5: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Dan Ebert, Brandon Overton, Josh Rice, Hudson O'Neal
Behrent's One-Lap-to-Go Top 3: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Dan Ebert, Brandon Overton
PEM 4th Place Feature: Josh Rice
Diversified Machine 5th Place Feature: Hudson O'Neal
Wilwood Brakes 7th Place Feature: Brian Shirley
Wehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Ken Schaltenbrand
Velocity Manufacturing 13th Place Feature: Ryan Scott
XS Power Batteries 15th Place Feature: Cory Lawler
Hoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Ryan Scott (Advanced 9 positions)
MD3 Most Laps Led: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (13 Laps)
Sunoco Race Fuels Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Ricky Thornton, Jr.
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Hudson O'Neal
O'Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: n/a
Pro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Hudson O'Neal | Lap 1 | 17.689 seconds
FK Rod Ends Hard Luck Award: Hudson O'Neal
Victory Fuel Power Move of the Race: Josh Rice
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Anthony Burroughs
ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Race Engines
Miller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn Chassis
Dirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Brandon Overton | 16.1037 seconds
Time of Race: 22 minutes 46 seconds
Group B Results:
Cool-It Thermo-Tec Heat Race #3 Finish (8 Laps, All Transfer): 1. 99-Devin Moran[1]; 2. 8-Dillon McCowan[2]; 3. 72-Michael Norris[5]; 4. 1-Brandon Sheppard[8]; 5. 40B-Kyle Bronson[9]; 6. 10*-Levi Yetter[3]; 7. 24T-Tyler Wyant[7]; 8. 555-Brock Pinkerous[6]; 9. 12M-Ryan Montgomery[10]; 10. 24-Rick Eckert[4]; 11. J4-John Garvin Jr[11]; 12. 14R-Clay Ruffo[12]
Simpson Race Products Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, All Transfer): 1. 1C-Alex Ferree[3]; 2. 111-Max Blair[8]; 3. 157-Mike Marlar[1]; 4. 22G-Gregg Satterlee[10]; 5. 58-Garrett Alberson[4]; 6. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[9]; 7. 14-Dan Angelicchio[11]; 8. 1D-Braeden Dillinger[2]; 9. 6-Clay Harris[5]; 10. 15K-Lane Snook[6]; 11. (DNS) 48F-Colton Flinner
Firecracker 100 Presented by Experience Butler County | Night 2 Group B - Feature Finish (25 Laps):
Pos - Start - Car # - Competitor - Hometown - Earnings
1 - 7 - 1 - Brandon Sheppard - New Berlin, IL - $5,000
2 - 1 - 99 - Devin Moran - Dresden, OH - $3,000
3 - 4 - 111 - Max Blair - Centerville, PA - $2,000
4 - 5 - 72 - Michael Norris - Sarver, PA - $1,500
5 - 10 - 58 - Garrett Alberson - Las Cruces, NM - $1,250
6 - 3 - 8 - Dillon McCowan - Urbana, MO - $1,000
7 - 2 - 1C - Alex Ferree - Saxonburg, PA - $950
8 - 13 - 24 - Tyler Wyant - Oil City, PA - $900
9 - 8 - 22G - Gregg Satterlee - Indiana, PA - $850
10 - 17 - 12M - Ryan Montgomery - Fairmont, WV - $800
11 - 15 - 555 - Brock Pinkerous - Ellenville, NY - $700
12 - 18 - 6 - Clay Harris - Jupiter, FL - $600
13 - 12 - 22 - Daniel Hilsabeck - Earlham, IA - $600
14 - 11 - 10* - Levi Yetter - Cabot, PA - $600
15 - 6 - 157 - Mike Marlar - Winfield, TN - $600
16 - 16 - 1D - Braeden Dillinger - Dawson, PA - $600
17 - 22 - 48F - Colton Flinner - Allison Park, PA - $550
18 - 14 - 14 - Dan Angelicchio - Mt. Pleasant, PA - $500
19 - 19 - 24 - Rick Eckert - York, PA - $500
20 - 20 - 15K - Lane Snook - Port Royal, PA - $500
21 - 23 - 14R - Clay Ruffo - Brookfield, OH - $500
22 - 21 - J4 - John Garvin Jr. - Sarver, PA - $500
23 - 9 - 40B - Kyle Bronson - Brandon, FL - $500
Group B Race Statistics
Entrants: 46
Bilstein Shocks Pole Sitter: Devin Moran
MD3 Lap Leaders: Devin Moran (Laps 1-6); Brandon Sheppard (Laps 7-25)
Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Brandon Sheppard
Wieland Feature Winner: Brandon Sheppard
Margin of Victory: 2.120 seconds
Hellraizer Jacks Cautions: Kyle Bronson (Lap 5)
MyRacePass Series Provisional: n/a
Fast Time Provisional: n/a
Emergency Provisionals: n/a
Track Provisional: n/a
Big River Steel Podium Top 3: Brandon Sheppard, Devin Moran, Max Blair
Penske Shocks Top 5: Brandon Sheppard, Devin Moran, Max Blair, Michael Norris, Garrett Alberson
Behrent's One-Lap-to-Go Top 3: Brandon Sheppard, Devin Moran, Max Blair
PEM 4th Place Feature: Michael Norris
Diversified Machine 5th Place Feature: Garrett Alberson
Wilwood Brakes 7th Place Feature: Alex Ferree
Wehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Brock Pinkerous
Velocity Manufacturing 13th Place Feature: Daniel Hilsabeck
XS Power Batteries 15th Place Feature: Mike Marlar
Hoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Ryan Montgomery (Advanced 7 positions)
MD3 Most Laps Led: Brandon Sheppard (19 Laps)
Sunoco Race Fuels Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Brandon Sheppard
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Hudson O'Neal
O'Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: n/a
Pro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Devin Moran | Lap 1 | 17.728 seconds
FK Rod Ends Hard Luck Award: Kyle Bronson
Victory Fuel Power Move of the Race: Brandon Sheppard
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Danny White
ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Durham Race Engines
Miller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket Chassis
Dirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Ryan Montgomery | 16.3334 seconds
Time of Race: 10 minutes 05 seconds
Firecracker 100 Preliminary Points:
Pos - Car # - Driver - Friday Points - Tie Breaker (Fastest Lap in Time Trials)
1 - 20RT - Ricky Thornton, Jr. - 250 - 17.004
2 - 1 - Brandon Sheppard - 250 - 17.939
3 - 60 - Dan Ebert - 240 - 16.665
4 - 99 - Devin Moran - 240 - 17.447
5 - 76 - Brandon Overton - 220 - 17.264
6 - 111 - Max Blair - 220 - 18.054
7 - 11 - Josh Rice - 210 - 17.257
8 - 72 - Michael Norris - 210 - 17.804
9 - 71 - Hudson O'Neal - 205 - 16.786
10 - 58 - Garrett Alberson - 205 - 17.791
11 - 93 - Carson Ferguson - 200 - 16.948
12 - 8 - Dillon McCowan - 200 - 17.585
13 - 3s - Brian Shirley - 195 - 17.176
14 - 1C - Alex Ferree - 195 - 17.712
15 - 99B - Chub Frank - 190 - 17.233
16 - 24 - Tyler Wyant - 190 - 17.903
17 - 27W - Eric Wilson - 185 - 17.669
18 - 22G - Gregg Satterlee - 185 - 18.201
19 - 17SS - Brenden Smith - 180 - 17.096
20 - 12M - Ryan Montgomery - 180 - 18.103
21 - 29 - Ken Schaltenbrand - 175 - 17.664
22 - 555 - Brock Pinkerous - 175 - 17.846
23 - 10 - Jared Miley - 170 - 17.823
24 - 6 - Clay Harris - 170 - 17.841
25 - 0 - Ryan Scott - 165 - 18.072
26 - 22 - Daniel Hilsabeck - 165 - 18.1
27 - 10* - Levi Yetter - 160 - 17.683
28 - 9 - Breyton Santee - 160 - 18.242
29 - 157 - Mike Marlar - 155 - 17.485
30 - 93L - Cory Lawler - 155 - 18.029
31 - 1d - Braeden Dillinger - 150 - 17.673
32 - B22 - Bump Hedman - 150 - 18.022
33 - 10L - Gary Lyle - 145 - 17.617
34 - 48F - Colton Flinner - 145 - 17.928
35 - 6M - Matt Martin - 140 - 17.849
36 - 14 - Dan Angelicchio - 140 - 18.515
37 - 24 - Rick Eckert - 135 - 17.791
38 - 76C - Charlie Powell - 135 - 18.419
39 - 42C - Chad Shearer - 130 - 0
40 - 15K - Lane Snook - 130 - 17.88
41 - 55 - Chris Schneider - 125 - 17.553
42 - 77 - Tyler Dietz - 125 - 17.582
43 - 40B - Kyle Bronson - 125 - 18.057
44 - J4 - John Garvin, Jr. - 125 - 18.203
45 - 14R - Clay Ruffo - 125 - 19.006
46 - 33 - Josh Ferry - 50 - 17.193
Penske Shocks Heat 1 Line-Up (8 Laps | Top 4 Transfer)
Row - Car # - Driver - Hometown - Car # - Driver - Hometown
1 - 20RT - Ricky Thornton Jr - Chandler, AZ - 76 - Brandon Overton - Evans, GA
2 - 71 - Hudson O'Neal - Martinsville, IN - 3S - Brian Shirley - Chatham, IL
3 - 27W - Eric Wilson - Vienna, OH - 29 - Ken Schaltenbrand - Sarver, PA
4 - 0 - Ryan Scott - Garland, PA - 157 - Mike Marlar - Winfield, TN
5 - 10L - Gary Lyle - Hyde Park, PA - 24 - Rick Eckert - York, PA
6 - 55 - Chris Schneider - Lower Burrell, PA - 14R - Clay Ruffo - Brookfield, OH
Summit Racing Heat 2 Line-Up (8 Laps | Top 4 Transfer)
Row - Car # - Driver - Hometown - Car # - Driver - Hometown
1 - 1 - Brandon Sheppard - New Berlin, IL - 111 - Max Blair - Centerville, PA
2 - 58 - Garrett Alberson - Las Cruces, NM - 1C - Alex Ferree - Saxonburg, PA
3 - 22G - Gregg Satterlee - Indiana, PA - 555 - Brock Pinkerous - Ellenville, NY
4 - 22 - Daniel Hilsabeck - Earlham, IA - 93L - Cory Lawler - Hanover, PA
5 - 48F - Colton Flinner - Allison Park, PA - 76C - Charles Powell - Brookville, PA
6 - 77 - Tyler Dietz - Saxonburg, PA - 33 - Josh Ferry - Titusville, PA
Cool-It Thermo Tec Heat 3 Line-Up (8 Laps | Top 4 Transfer)
Row - Car # - Driver - Hometown - Car # - Driver - Hometown
1 - 60 - Dan Ebert - Lake Shore, MN - 11 - Josh Rice - Crittenden, KY
2 - 93 - Carson Ferguson - Lincolnton, NC - 99B - Chub Frank - Bear Lake, PA
3 - 17SS - Brenden Smith - Dade City, FL - 10 - Jared Miley - Pittsburgh, PA
4 - 10* - Levi Yetter - Cabot, PA - 1D - Braeden Dillinger - Dawson, PA
5 - 6M - Matt Martin - Indiana, PA - 42C - Chad Shearer - Leechburg, PA
6 - 40B - Kyle Bronson - Brandon, FL - -
Simpson Race Products Heat 4 Line-Up (8 Laps | Top 4 Transfer)
Row - Car # - Driver - Hometown - Car # - Driver - Hometown
1 - 99 - Devin Moran - Dresden, OH - 72 - Michael Norris - Sarver, PA
2 - 8 - Dillon McCowan - Urbana, MO - 24T - Tyler Wyant - Oil City, PA
3 - 12M - Ryan Montgomery - Fairmont, WV - 6 - Clay Harris - Jupiter, FL
4 - 9 - Breyton Santee - Conneaut, OH - B22 - Bump Hedman - Sugar Grove, PA
5 - 14 - Dan Angelicchio - Mt. Pleasant, PA - 15K - Lane Snook - Port Royal, PA
6 - J4 - John Garvin Jr - Sarver, PA - -
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