Dirt on Dirt - Alberson nips Moran for first Lucas Oil victory

August 23

Port Royal Speedway,

Port Royal, PA

Sanction: Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (Rumble by the River opener) - $10,000

Information provided by: Kevin Kovac, Kyle McFadden, series and track reports (last updated August 24, 2:36 pm)

Alberson nips Moran for first Lucas Oil victory

Rumble by the River opener

Garrett Alberson
Devin Moran
Hudson O'Neal
Jonathan Davenport
Ricky Thornton Jr.
Daulton Wilson
Max Blair
Mason Zeigler
Mike Marlar
Rick Eckert
Clay Harris
Alex Ferree
Carson Ferguson
Drake Troutman
Jimmy Owens
Hayes Mattern
Ross Robinson
Brenden Smith
Cory Lawler
Dylan Yoder
Colton Flinner
Logan Zarin
Bryan Bernheisel
Justin Weaver
Boom Briggs
Andrew Yoder
Tim McCreadie

presented by

Live video Photo slideshow Feature highlights Heat highlights Video recap Related story

Heath Lawson/heathlawsonphotos.com

Garrettl Alberson's last-lap pass gave him his first Lucas Oil victory.

What won the race: Capturing his long-awaited first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory, Garrett Alberson of Las Cruces, N.M., won a drag race exiting Port Royal Speedway's turn four on the final lap to win by nine-thousandths of a second over Devin Moran in a wild finish with three leaders over the last six laps. Alberson earned $10,000 to edge Moran, who led 34 laps but slipped up in turn four with the checkers in sight. Hudson O'Neal, who dove under Moran to lead the 35th lap, tangled with a slower car one lap later and handed the lead back to Moran and settled for third. Moran initially inherited the lead on the fifth lap when Tim McCreadie's engine expired.

Quotable: "Oh man, this is everything," Alberson said of his first national touring triumph for the Ken Roberts-owned team. "I mean, winning's not everything, but we've tried so hard. We've put so much time and Ken's put so much money into all of this, and (crew chief) R.C. (Whitwell), (crewman) Thomas (Grinzic), (wife) Dani (Alberson), just everybody that's put time into this thing. Gosh, this is so cool. And what a cool race with Ricky and Hud and Devin there."

Key notes: The 35-year-old Alberson is in his third full-time season on the series. ... Runner-up Devin Moran's late struggles cost him. "I felt like I had that one in the bag," he said after the race. ... Polesitter Ricky Thornton Jr. settled for fifth. ... A key moment of the race came on the 36th lap, just after Hudson O'Neal overtook Devin Moran. O'Neal tried to slide under former track champ Colton Flinner between turns three and four but the contact damaged the right-rear corner of O'Neal's car and allowed Moran to regain the point. ... Outside front-row starter Tim McCreadie, going for his second straight Lucas Oil victory, led four laps but slowed for a lap-five caution with terminal engine trouble. The DNF dropped him to fifth in the series points standings. ... Debris caused cautions on the first lap and a lap-35 restart when the camera-carrying drone fell to the track after apparently being struck by a plastic helmet tearoff. ... Jimmy Owens went 19th to eighth but had to pit for a flat tire during the second-to-last caution. ... Gregg Satterlee's hauler was struck down by mechanical issues on Wednesday after he raced at Lernerville Speedway and repairs weren't made in time for Friday's trip to Port Royal, so his crew chief, Robby Allen, borrowed a flatbed truck to transport one car to Port Royal from his shop in Hagerstown, Md. He then missed time trials because of a battery that went bad and didn't qualify. ... Port Royal's weekend concludes with Saturday's 50-lap, $50,000-to-win finale.

On the move: Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., started eighth and finished fourth.

Winner's sponsors: Alberson's Roberts Motorsports Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Mesilla Valley Transportation, Done Right TV, Bill's Sport Shop, Roemer Machine & Welding, Sims Family Racing, Capitol Screen Company, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Mitchell Ranch, J. Craig's Tile, Arbor Autoworks, McGinley Construction, Browning Auto Parts, American Document Services, Sunoco Race Fuels, Fastshafts, Swift Springs, Bilstein Shocks and Midwest Sheet Metal.

Points chase: After Port Royal Friday: 1. Ricky Thornton Jr. (5,405); 2. Devin Moran (5,175); 3. Jonathan Davenport (5,150); 4. Hudson O'Neal (4,710); 5. Tim McCreadie (4,685); 6. Garrett Alberson (4,590); 7. Mike Marlar (4,440); 8. Daulton Wilson (4,430); 9. Jimmy Owens (4,190); 10. Max Blair (4,080).

Current weather: Clear, 64°F

Car count: 51

Fast qualifier: Tim McCreadie

Time: 17.976 seconds

Polesitter: Ricky Thornton Jr.

Heat race winners: Ricky Thornton Jr., Devin Moran, Daulton Wilson, Tim McCreadie, Garrett Alberson, Max Blair

Consolation race winners: Jimmy Owens, Carson Ferguson

Provisional starters: Brenden Smith, Cory Lawler, Andrew Yoder

Next series race: August 24, Port Royal Speedway (Port Royal, PA) $50,000

Editor's note: Corrects winning margin to nine-thousandths of second.

From staff reports

PORT ROYAL, Pa. — Live updates from Friday’s Rumble by the River opener featuring a 40-lap, $10,000-to-win main event for Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned Super Late Models (results unofficial):

Feature

Capturing his long-awaited first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory, Garrett Alberson of Las Cruces, N.M., won a drag race exiting Port Royal Speedway's turn four on the final lap to win by nine-thousandths of a second over Devin Moran in a wild finish with three leaders over the last six laps. Alberson earned $10,000 to edge Moran, who led 34 laps but slipped up in turn four with the checkers in sight. Hudson O'Neal, who dove under Moran to lead the 35th lap, tangled with a slower car one lap later and handed the lead back to Moran and settled for third. Moran initially inherited the lead on the fifth lap when Tim McCreadie's engine expired.

Feature lineup

(40 laps)

Row 1: Ricky Thornton Jr., Tim McCreadie
Row 2: Devin Moran, Garrett Alberson
Row 3: Daulton Wilson, Max Blair
Row 4: Hudson O'Neal, Jonathan Davenport
Row 5: Hayes Mattern, Drake Troutman
Row 6: Alex Ferree, Justin Weaver
Row 7: Mike Marlar, Mason Zeigler
Row 8: Rick Eckert, Colton Flinner
Row 9: Clay Harris, Dylan Yoder
Row 10: Jimmy Owens, Carson Ferguson
Row 11: Logan Zarin, Bryan Bernheisel
Row 12: Brenden Smith, Cory Lawler
Row 13: Andrew Yoder

Consolation race results

(10 laps; top two transfer)

First consolation: Jimmy Owens, Logan Zarin, Justin Kann, Kyle Lee, Boom Briggs, Dan Stone, Tyler Dietz, Mike Lupfer, Danny Snyder, Gary Stuhler, Kody Lyter, Scott Flickinger, Ron Fink, Ross Robinson, Trever Feathers. Scratched: Keith Jackson, Trevor Collins.

Second consolation: Carson Ferguson, Bryan Bernheisel, Dillan Stake, Matt Cosner, Jamie Lathroum, Shaun Jones, Cory Lawler, Chad Myers, Nathan Long, Greg Diehl, Brenden Smith, Coleby Frye, Andrew Yoder, Jason Schmidt, Chad Julius. Scratched: Gregg Satterlee.

Heat race recap

Ricky Thornton Jr. led all eight laps from the pole to win the first heat race by 1.697 seconds over Hudson O’Neal, who trailed him the entire way. Mike Marlar started and finished third, grabbing the third and final transfer spot into Friday’s 40-lap opener. … Pole-starting Devin Moran led the entire distance to win heat two by 2.282 seconds over second-starting Hayes Mattern, while sixth-starting Rick Eckert charged to grab third, earning the final transfer position. … After getting nipped at the line by 0.001 of a second by Alex Ferree to lead the opening lap, pole-starting Daulton Wilson led the rest of heat three, winning by 0.478 of a second over Ferree. Clay Harris held serve, starting and finishing third. … Tim McCreadie scored a dominating flag-to-flag victory in heat three, winning by 1.729 seconds over third-starting Jonathan Davenport, who slipped by Mason Zeigler on lap three, relegating Zeigler to third. … Garrett Alberson rolled to win heat five from the pole by 1.576 seconds over Drake Troutman, with fifth-starting Colton Flinner rounding out the podium finishers. The race’s lone caution came on lap five for debris. … Pole-starting Max Blair didn’t take the lead until he used an inside move by Dylan Yoder on lap five and led the final four laps to win the sixth and final heat race by 1.165 seconds over second-starting Justin Weaver, who led the opening lap. Yoder led laps 2-4 before giving way to Blair and slipping to third. … The six heats were slowed by only one caution (debris) and lasted a total of 18 minutes.

Heat race results

(Eight laps; top three transfer)

First heat: Ricky Thornton Jr., Hudson O'Neal, Mike Marlar, Justin Kann, Trever Feathers, Mike Lupfer, Dan Stone, Kody Lyter, Ron Fink.

Second heat: Devin Moran, Hayes Mattern, Rick Eckert, Logan Zarin, Boom Briggs, Tyler Dietz, Ross Robinson, Gary Stuhler, Danny Snyder.

Third heat: Daulton Wilson, Alex Ferree, Clay Harris, Jimmy Owens, Kyle Lee, Keith Jackson, Trevor Collins, Scott Flickinger.

Fourth heat: Tim McCreadie, Jonathan Davenport, Mason Zeigler, Matt Cosner, Dillan Stake, Carson Ferguson, Jamie Lathroum, Jason Schmidt, Gregg Satterlee.

Fifth heat: Garrett Alberson, Drake Troutman, Colton Flinner, Bryan Bernheisel, Brenden Smith, Andrew Yoder, Cory Lawler, Chad Julius.

Sixth heat: Max Blair, Justin Weaver, Dylan Yoder, Coleby Frye, Shaun Jones, Chad Myers, Nathan Long, Greg Diehl.

Time trials

Group A
Driver (car no.), hometown, time (unofficial)
1. Ricky Thornton Jr. (20rt), Chandler, Ariz., 18.097
2. Devin Moran (99), Dresden, Ohio, 18.138
3. Daulton Wilson (18D), Fayetteville, N.C., 18.147
4. Hudson O’Neal (71), Martinsville, Ind., 18.414
5. Hayes Mattern (9m), Beavertown, Pa., 18.429
6. Alex Ferree (1c), Saxonburg, Pa., 18.572
7. Mike Marlar (157), Winfield, Tenn., 18.644
8. Logan Zarin (1z), Moon Township, Pa., 18.752
9. Clay Harris (6), Jupiter, Fla., 18.802
10. Justin Kann (66), Huntingdon, Pa., 18.836
11. Tyler Dietz (77), Saxonburg, Pa., 18.900
12. Kyle Lee (2T), Mercersburg, Pa., 18.955
13. Mike Lupfer (06), Shermans Dale, Pa., 18.970
14. Boom Briggs (99B), Bear Lake, Pa., 18.995
15. Jimmy Owens (20), Newport, Tenn., 19.002
16. Trever Feathers (20F), Winchester, Va., 19.005
17. Rick Eckert (0), York, Pa., 19.048
18. Trevor Collins (11c), Seaford, Del., 19.052
19. Dan Stone (2), Thompson, Pa., 19.117
20. Danny Snyder (4s), Green Lane, Pa., 19.201
21. Scott Flickinger (15), Elliottsburg, Pa., 19.228
22. Kody Lyter (25k), Lewistown, Pa., 19.317
23. Gary Stuhler (4), Greencastle, Pa., 19.340
24. Keith Jackson (11H), Martinsburg, W.Va.
25. Ron Fink (ez1), Cumberland, Md., 19.614
26. Ross Robinson (7), Georgetown, Del., 19.936
Group B
1. Tim McCreadie (1), Watertown, N.Y., 17.976
2. Garrett Alberson (58), Las Cruces, N.M., 18.430
3. Max Blair (111), Centerville, Pa., 18.483
4. Mason Zeigler (25z), Chalk Hill, Pa., 18.549
5. Drake Troutman (7T), Hyndman, Pa., 18.568
6. Justin Weaver (2J), Clearspring, Md., 18.665
7. Jonathan Davenport (49), Blairsville, Ga., 18.679
8. Brenden Smith (17ss), Dade City, Fla., 18.795
9. Coleby Frye (91), Dover, Pa., 18.797
10. Matt Cosner (66c), Ridgeley, W.Va., 18.797
11. Bryan Bernheisel (119), Jonestown, Pa., 18.798
12. Dylan Yoder (24), Middleburg, Pa., 18.863
13. Jamie Lathroum (15k), Mechanicsville, Md., 18.869
14. Colton Flinner (48), Allison Park, Pa., 18.870
15. Shaun Jones (32J), Shermansdale, Pa., 18.955
16. Dillan Stake (D19), Mapleton Depot, Pa., 19.027
17. Andrew Yoder (7y), Middleburg, Pa., 19.197
18. Greg Diehl (80D), New Cumberland, Pa., 19.258
19. Carson Ferguson (93F), Lincolnton, Pa., 19.279
20. Cory Lawler (93), Hanover, Pa., 19.322
21. Nathan Long (63), Selinsgrove, Pa., 19.697
22. Jason Schmidt (11), Lewistown, Pa., 19.763
23. Chad Julius (5), Harrisburg, Pa., 19.777
24. Chad Myers (21), Hampstead, Md., 19.860
25. Gregg Satterlee (22), Indiana, Pa., no time

Friday’s schedule

(All times local)
3:30 p.m. - Pits closed and cleared
4 p.m. - Pits reopen
5 p.m. - Grandstands open
5:30 p.m. - Drivers’ meeting
6 p.m. - On-track activity begins
- Limited Late Model hot laps
- Super Late Model hot laps
- Limited Late Model time trials
- Super Late Model time trials (2 laps)
- Modified hot laps
Opening ceremonies
- Limited Late Model heats (8 laps)
- Super Late Model heats (8 laps)
- Modified heats (8 laps)
- Limited Late Model consolation (10 laps)
- Super Late Model consolations (10 laps)
- Modified consolation (10 laps)
Intermission/track prep
- Super Late Model feature (40 laps)
- Limited Late Model feature (25 laps)
- Modified feature (20 laps)