What won the race: Jumping into the lead exiting turn four on the first lap, fourth-starting Ricky Thornton Jr. of Chandler, Ariz., led the rest of Sunday's first Baltes Classic twin 25-lapper at Eldora Speedway to capture a $5,000 tuneup for the upcoming World 100. Thornton, who slid past polesitter Mike Marlar on the opening lap, took the checkers 2.158 seconds ahead of Marlar for the victory.

Quotable: "Definitely a good way to debut a new Longhorn," Thornton said. "My guys, they've been busting their butt trying to get this thing ready and just find the right weekend to bring it out. I feel like we kind of had it ready for a few weeks and just really not knowing when we needed to bring it out. Obviously all the races pay so much, you don't really want to be test, but at least tonight we were able to get it out and see what it had."

Key notes: Thornton detected engine problems late in the race and noted that his team would look into fuel pickup or carburetor issues. ... Thornton, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points leader, won for the second night in a row. He earned $30,000 in Saturday's Hillbilly Hundred at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. ... Winning his first Eldora event since a June 2024 Dream prelim, Thornton debuted a new Longhorn Chassis, adding green to the graphics scheme of his Koehler Motorsports ride — a bit of a throwback to an old modified scheme he ran more than five years ago. ... The lone caution in the 25-lapper appeared on the third lap for a turn-two spin by Steven Roberts. ... Near the race's conclusion, Tyler Millwood, Jerry Bowersock and Todd Brennan got tangled up (Millwood started 12th, ran as high as sixth and finished 14th). .... The 17th annual Baltes Classic presented by Coors Light, split into twin 25-lappers, paid tribute to Eldora Speedway founders Earl and Berneice Baltes. ... The event serves as the annual tuneup for this week's upcoming prestigious World 100.

On the move: Josh Rice of Crittenden, Ky., started 22nd and finished sixth.

Winner's sponsors: Thornton’s Koehler Motorsports Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Coltman Farms Racing, Hoker Trucking, Capital Waste, Excel Floor Covering, Five Star Metal Buildings, Ultimate Towing, FK Rod Ends, Dynamic Drivelines, Ultrashield Race Products, Sharp Advantage Safety Products, Winning Edge Carburetion, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bilstein Shocks, Midwest Sheet Metal and EMD Wraps.

Points chase: After Eldora: 1. Rusty Schlenk (1,140); 2. Colten Burdette (1,106); 3. Rod Conley (928); 4. Clint Keenan (819); 5. Rob Anderzack (722).

Current weather: Clear, 63°F

Car count: 65

Fast qualifier: Brandon Overton

Time: 15.535 seconds

Polesitter: Mike Marlar

Heat race winners: Mike Marlar, Brandon Overton, Matt Miller

Consolation race winners: Steven Roberts

Provisional starters: Colten Burdette, Miles Cook II

Next series race: Sept. 12, Hidden Hollow Speedway, Colson, Ky., $7,500