The Headline(s)
Score one for the locals, as Florence Speedway hero Josh Rice walloped the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series field to score his second consecutive Ralph Latham Memorial win.
How it Happened
2022 Ralph Latham Memorial (Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series)
Where: Florence Speedway – Walton, Ky. (streamed on Flo Racing)
Winner’s Purse: $15,000
One year ago, Josh Rice prevailed late in the going to score his first career LOLMDS win at his home track of Florence Speedway in the Ralph Latham Memorial, a win he called a dream come true.
This Thursday night, he won again in entirety different fashion, charging from the drop of the green flag, making what would ultimately be the winning pass on lap 26 of the 60-lap feature and then driving off into the sunset, lapping all the way up to 10th place in the field.
🗣️ @joshjr11 is a back-to-back Ralph Latham Memorial winner! @FlorenceSpdwy | @lucasdirt pic.twitter.com/aPpNumKFaN
— FloRacing (@FloRacing) July 1, 2022
Earl Pearson Jr. led the opening 25 laps of Thursday’s feature race before falling victim to Rice’s slide job in turn 4.
🏁 @joshjr11 slides to the @lucasdirt feature win at @FlorenceSpdwy! pic.twitter.com/CSA2bSN7eo
— FloRacing (@FloRacing) July 1, 2022
Once Pearson dropped out of the race during a lap 28 caution period, Rice was never again challenged at the front of the field.
Despite 90-plus degree weather, the track prep crew at Florence was able to deliver a stellar racing surface that saw the middle portions of the race chock full of three-wide racing throughout the top 10.
In the points race, current series leader Brandon Sheppard snapped out of mini-slump with a fifth-place finish, allowing him to gain ground on current runner-up and defending champion Tim McCreadie, who finished ninth after riding a wave of momentum that saw him win the Firecracker 100 at Lernerville last weekend.
RALPH LATHAM MEMORIAL RACE RESULTS
Success Stories
Take one look at the grandstands as Josh Rice took the checkers Thursday night. Saying the entire crowd was on their feet cheering was not an exaggeration. Rice is the very definition of a regional driver, and to take the regulars of the LOLMDS to school, even on his home track, is a real accomplishment. Rice will be a contender for the North/South 100 in August.
Defending LOLMDS rookie of the year Ricky Thornton Jr. finished second, but he won absolutely everything else Thursday night at Florence, taking fast time in qualifying…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Frontstretch…