NASCAR Veteran Delivers Massive Verdict on Super Late Model Controversy as He Draws Parallels With Rusty Wallace & Darrell Waltrip

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series wrapped up its Super Bowl of Racing at Golden Isles Speedway on Saturday, capping off a thrilling three-day spectacle with a 60-lap dash for a $25,000 prize that drew the cream of the crop in the sport. Ricky Thornton Jr edged out Chris Madden by a whisker, just 0.425 seconds ahead, and swooped past mid-race frontrunner Jonathan Davenport to clinch his first win of 2024, hot on the heels of his record-breaking 19 feature wins in the Lucas Oil Series the previous year.

But the dust hadn’t settled when Thornton aired some grievances about a few of his racetrack rivals, Jonathan Davenport included. Now, stepping into the spotlight to weigh in on the drama, Xfinity stalwart Kenny Wallace has tossed his hat into the ring, ready to share his two cents on the brewing storm.

Kenny Wallace thinks the situation between Ricky Thornton Jr, Mike Marlar, and Jonathan Davenport resonates with NASCAR’s Rusty Wallace and Darrell Waltrip

In an epic duel between the old guard, Jonathan Davenport, and Ricky Thornton Jr, the young racer prevailed. But the veteran Davenport did not side with the youngster’s bump and did not mince his words in the post-race interview, vividly expressing his distaste for Thornton Jr’s racing style.

He said, “I’m going to try and be as professional as I can.” He furthermore added, “We all knew what we had with the racetrack. If you get a run, pinch him off on the outside, (then) whatever. But blatantly going in there and taking somebody’s whole left side off, bad enough you fall back a couple positions, that’s a s— deal. It is what it is.”

On the opposite side Thornton Jr said to FloRacing, “Had it been someone else, I probably would’ve lifted,” justifying his action that got Davenport from the lead position with just 12 laps remaining. “Had it been (Chris) Madden, I would’ve ran second and wouldn’t have even tried it. (Davenport’s) dirtied me a bunch last year. And I’m sure he feels the same way. I was going to take every inch he gave me. And I did.” But these things apparently did not erupt out of the blue. It seems they have a history.

Looking at how the drivers reacted towards each other showing displeasure towards each other’s driving style, and Davenport nudging Thornton with his elbow on the podium, Kenny Wallace said, “For the most part I see this as like an error story. You’re going to have the Old Guard right? You’re going to have uh you know the people in their 40s and 50s. Davenport’s my man and then you’re going to have the young kids going well. Davenport and Marlar in Ricky Thorton’s way.”

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He further continued, “So Rusty did this. Rusty wanted what Darrell Waltrip and Rusty in the uh what was that the All-star race. Rusty just gave it to Darrell. So you’re going to see okay DAV port’s got a long way to go he’s going to win a lot of races. But it you’re kind of looking at changing of Changing of the Guard so to speak.”

Do Ricky Thornton Jr and Johnathan have a history? 

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Ricky Thornton Jr and Jonathan Davenport seem to have a backstory that’s more of a whisper than a shout, with their past encounters not causing much of a stir until now. It’s like their history has muddied the waters of their current rivalry, at least from Davenport’s perspective.

Flashback to July 2023, when Thornton Jr sliced through the pack from sixth to snatch the lead from Davenport on the 19th lap at Huset’s Speedway, clinching a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory. Back then, the air was clear of any tension. Thornton Jr even admitted the race wasn’t spotless but highlighted the decent grip that helped him navigate through. Far from throwing shade at Davenport, Thornton Jr tipped his hat to him, noting, “It wasn’t clean, but there was just enough traction where you’d really get through it. I know JD has been really good lately too.”

Davenport, in return, tipped his cap to Thornton, conceding, “I was just too tight there […] I guess Ricky Thornton was just a little better and he could move around.”

So, what sparked this recent flare-up in their dynamic?

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