The 2025 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing has entered its most dramatic stage yet. Following the Late Model Knoxville Nationals, the Big River Steel Chase for the Championship presented by ARP has narrowed to four contenders in a five-race sprint to the finish, with $250,000 and national bragging rights on the line.

Ricky Thornton Jr. continues to hold the advantage after collecting a $10,000 bonus for his performance at Knoxville. Positions second through fourth each received $2,000 before the championship standings were consolidated. Drivers were then awarded 10 bonus points for every feature win scored in points-paying events during the regular season, further emphasizing season-long consistency.

Thornton enters the final stretch as the man to beat, leading the field with 13 victories and the maximum 130 bonus points. Jonathan Davenport sits 70 points back after tallying six wins, while Devin Moran and Hudson O’Neal are tied for third, each 80 points behind, with five wins apiece.

Championship Battle Heats Up

The Big River Steel “Big Four” will face off over the next three weeks in a demanding stretch of high-profile events:

Sept. 26-27: Brownstown Speedway (Brownstown, Ind.) Oct. 3-4: Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway (Imperial, Pa.) Oct. 18: Eldora Speedway’s Dirt Track World Championship (Rossburg, Ohio)

Each race will play a critical role in determining who will emerge as the 2025 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion.

What’s at Stake

The championship battle is backed by one of the richest purses in dirt late model racing. The series champion will claim $250,000, while the runner-up earns $200,000. Third place will take home $150,000, and fourth place receives $125,000, ensuring all four contenders walk away with six-figure paydays.

Beyond the money, however, is legacy. Thornton aims to solidify his dominance after a season filled with statement victories across the country. Davenport, the multi-time champion, looks to close the gap and add another title to his decorated career. Moran and O’Neal, meanwhile, remain hungry to etch their names into series history as first-time national champions.

Big River Steel “Big Four” Feature Wins

Ricky Thornton Jr. (13): Highlight victories include Atomic, Hagerstown, Port Royal (twice), and Lernerville. Jonathan Davenport (6): Key triumphs at Fairbury, Lernerville, Huset’s, and Batesville. Devin Moran (5): Early-season strength with wins at All-Tech, Ocala, and Georgetown. Hudson O’Neal (5): Mid-to-late season surge with victories at Lucas Oil Speedway, Muskingum County, Huset’s, and Knoxville.

The Road Ahead

With only five races remaining, the margin for error is razor-thin. Every lap, every pit stop, and every move in traffic will be magnified as Thornton, Davenport, Moran, and O’Neal battle for dirt late model racing’s ultimate prize.

By the time the checkered flag falls at Eldora’s Dirt Track World Championship on October 18, only one will stand atop the sport as the 2025 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion.