SARVER, Pa. — There aren’t many major events left that Jonathan Davenport has yet to conquer in Dirt Late Model racing. The Firecracker 100 at Lernerville Speedway had been one of them, the Dirt Track World Championship is the other.

But on Saturday night at the 4/10-mile oval that has left him discontent over the years, the Blairsville, Ga., veteran finally checked Pennsylvania’s ultimate 100-lapper off his bucket list, a victory that came rather convincingly outside a pair of challenges from Ricky Thornton Jr. and Max Blair.

Davenport commanded all but two laps of the 19th running of the event presented by Experience Butler County, Pa., in a feature that the pole-starting Thornton led the opening lap and lap 85.

“Check that one off, finally. I’ve had this one circled for a while. Thanks to all y’all fans for coming out here,” Davenport said in victory lane. “This was awesome. My car was really, really good there.”

Davenport had been virtually untouchable once he look the lead from Thornton on lap two up until the lap-84 restart. But hard pushes from Blair and Thornton on the lap-84 restart scared Davenport down the stretch.

Entering turn four on lap 84, Blair brushed Davenport’s left-rear when he “thought J.D. was entering a little higher.” A few seconds later, Thornton clipped the infield berm and shot up the track exiting turn four, clipping Davenport’s left-front while leading the lap.

The contact “knocked the left-front” and steering rack out of alignment so much Davenport “could hardly turn it.”

“I don’t know what happened on that one restart. I think I got hit by two different people there,” Davenport said. “I’ve been running the same line for 99 laps or whatever there. I don’t know what went on.”

Davenport added his steering rack was out of alignment by “a quarter turn” those last 15 or so laps, prompting him to be “all gas and brake, and trying not to spin the tires” as he “couldn’t steer at all.”

“Then I couldn’t turn down through this hole like I needed to anymore,” Davenport said. “Anyway, thank goodness we held on. Little closer than I wanted at the end. I didn’t really know what to do. There was two lapped cars there. I figured if I could stay right behind them and keep my speed up, somebody couldn’t slide up.”

Thornton fessed up to the mistake, saying he “went down in turn three and caught the hole wrong” and inadvertently “destroyed the left-side of him.” Thornton then purposely let Davenport back around because “that’s not how I wanted to pass him."

“I slowed down in one, left him get back in front of me. We race together too much to destroy a guy for a win” Thornton said. “I felt like I needed to get a little better. Overall, it was a good weekend for us. Congrats to J.D., his stuff was really good.”

Unlike last year’s Firecracker 100 that went caution-free the final 88 laps, six cautions slowed Saturday’s feature. The longest run lasted the opening 21 laps. Then cautions fell on laps 30, 44, 59, 78 and 86. Traffic never became a major influencer.

“I feel like maybe if we got to traffic a little (we could’ve had a shot). but two cars tired to destroyed each other the whole time and caused a bunch of yellows,” said Thornton, likely referring to Daulton Wilson and Carson Ferguson, who each caused two of the six cautions. “That part kind of sucked.”

Blair, meanwhile, posed as Davenport’s and Thornton’s closest challenger from the eighth-starting spot. He fell back to 11th before the lap-21 restart, but charged up to second by lap 73. His  lap-84 move simply “didn’t work out.”

“Ricky got on back by. If that yellow didn’t come out (on lap 84) when I got to second, I think I might’ve had a shot at it, but who knows how it would’ve played out in lapped traffic,” Blair said. “To run third to these two, I’ll take that all day.”

Even if traffic would’ve influenced the feature more, Davenport still felt comfortable enough to get the job done.

“I really felt like I got rolling there a couple times up through lapped traffic,” Davenport said. “Once you get by the first two or three there, they got spread out and run one line instead of all over the place. Once I finally got rolling there, I felt like I had a good lead, get in a good rhythm there, then we’d have a caution.

“I’m like. ‘Dang, you’re giving ‘em another shot.’ I knew the top was kinda there, but I never knew how good it was. There was enough lip there that somebody could throw a Hail Mary for a couple laps and get a good run on me. Luckily that didn’t happen. Really fortunate to be standing here, finally. This one has eluded me for a long time.

“Just an awesome racetrack. I’ve always loved this place. Just super slick, real technical. It’s a tough place to get around, no doubt.”

When asked how to encapsulate the Firecracker 100 victory into words, Davenport needed a few sentences to articulate himself. Once he could, he gave props to a legend that's won the event a record three times.

“It’s really tough. I don’t know how to say it. Man, it’s so tough to win here. We’ve been coming here a really long time. When I was out there leading, I was like, ‘You know, there’s this one other guy who used to be really good running through the middle here.’ He used to win quite a few here and he won quite a few quite a few at Eldora, too. Ole Scott (Bloomquist) was on my mind there. That man taught me a lot. We all miss him for sure.”

Notes: Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., finished eighth after starting 24th. ... Devin Moran of Dresden, Ohio, pulled into the hot pit while running fourth on lap 59. He restarted 22nd and finished 11th. ... Six cautions slowed the 100-lap feature: Lap 21 for 16th-running Carson Ferguson, who spun in turn two and then expressed displeasure with Daulton Wilson while driving back to the hot pit; lap 30 for 18th-running Ken Schaltenbrand, who spun between turns three and four; lap 44 for 15th-running Brandon Overton, who spun off the banking of turn four; lap 59 for 16th- and 17th-running Wilson and Ferguson, who tangled in turn two; lap 78 for 12th-running Josh Rice, who spun off the banking between turns one and two; lap 84 for 13th-running Schaltenbrand. … Lernerville local, fifth-starting Michael Norris of Sarver, Pa., retired from the race on lap 61 while running 16th. … Daniel Hilsabeck bicycled and flipped twice in turn one at the start of his qualifying laps, but he emerged uninjured. ... Eventually finishing fifth in the 100-lapper, Mason Zeigler didn't plan to enter the Firecracker 100 with his Super Late Model until the first two nights of action were canceled; he had his car brought from the shop on an open trailer to join the field this evening before eventually winning the $20,000-to-win RUSH Crate Late Model Bill Emig Memorial. ... Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series competitors contested the 19th annual Firecracker 100 presented by Experience Butler County, Pa., in a single day on Saturday after Thursday and Friday prelims were rained out. … Saturday’s program followed a normal Lucas Oil Series format with time trials, heats and consolations preceding the 100-lap, $50,000-to-win finale.

19th annual Firecracker 100
Pos. Driver (car no.), hometown, chassis, earnings
1. Jonathan Davenport (49), Blairsville, Ga, Longhorn, $50,000
2. Ricky Thornton Jr. (20rt), Chandler, Ariz., Longhorn, $20,000
3. Max Blair (111), Centerville, Pa., Longhorn, $10,000
4. Garrett Alberson (58), Las Cruces, N.M., Longhorn, $8,000
5. Mason Zeigler (25z), Chalk Hill, Pa., Rocket, $7,000
6. Hudson O’Neal (71), Martinsville, Ind., Longhorn, $6,000
7. Gregg Satterlee (22), Indiana, Pa., Rocket, $4,500
8. Chub Frank (1*), Bear Lake, Pa., Rocket, $4,000
9. Carson Ferguson (93), Lincolnton, N.C., Longhorn, $3,800
10. Donald McIntosh (79), Dawsonville, Ga., Longhorn, $3,600
11. Devin Moran (99), Dresden, Ohio, Longhorn, $3,400
12. Brandon Overton (76), Evans, Ga., Longhorn, $3,200
13. Daniel Hilsabeck (22), Earlham, Iowa, Capital, $3,000
14. Brandon Sheppard (1), New Berlin, Ill., Rocket, $2,500
15. Mike Marlar (157), Winfield, Tenn., Infinity, $2,400
16. Clay Harris (6), Jupiter, Fla., Longhorn, $2,300
17. Daulton Wilson (18D), Fayetteville, N.C., Longhorn, $2,200
18. Josh Rice (11), Crittenden, Ky., Rocket, $2,100
19. Dan Ebert (60), Lake Shore, Minn., Rocket, $2,000
20. Cory Lawler (93), Hanover, Pa., Longhorn, $2,000
21. Ken Schaltenbrand (29), Sarver, Pa., Longhorn, $2,000
22. Colton Flinner (48), Allison Park, Pa., Longhorn, $2,000
23. Michael Norris (72), Sarver, Pa., Rocket, $2,000
24. Tyler Dietz (77), Saxonburg, Pa., Longhorn, $2,000
25. Gary Stuhler (4), Greencastle, Pa., Rocket, $2,000
26. Jared Miley (10m), Pittsburgh, Pa., Rocket, $2,000
27. Spencer Hughes (19m), Meridian, Miss., Rocket, $2,000
Lap leaders: Thornton 1, 85; Davenport 2-84, 86-100
Heat race winners (among 53 cars): Thornton, Davenport, Norris, Moran, Alberson, Marlar
Consolation winners: Wilson, Hughes, Dietz
Provisional starters: Hilsabeck, Lawler, Shaltenbrand

Feature lineup

(100 laps)

Row 1: Ricky Thornton Jr., Devin Moran
Row 2: Jonathan Davenport, Garrett Alberson
Row 3: Michael Norris, Mike Marlar
Row 4: Brandon Overton, Max Blair
Row 5: Colton Flinner, Hudson O’Neal
Row 6: Brandon Sheppard, Carson Ferguson
Row 7: Dan Ebert, Donald McIntosh
Row 8: Gregg Satterlee, Mason Zeigler
Row 9: Josh Rice, Jared Miley
Row 10: Daulton Wilson, Spencer Hughes
Row 11: Tyler Dietz, Clay Harris
Row 12: Gary Stuhler, Chub Frank
Row 13: Daniel Hilsabeck, Cory Lawler
Row 14: Ken Schaltenbrand

Consolation results

(10 laps; top two transfer)

First consolation finish: Daulton Wilson, Clay Harris, Logan Zarin, Wil Herrington, Alex Ferree, Ross Robinson, Dan Angelicchio, Justin Kann, Dan Stone, Ron Fink, Ethan Thompson (DNS) Brock Pinkerous.

Second consolation finish: Spencer Hughes, Gary Stuhler, Ryan Montgomery, Charlie Sandercock, Breyton Santee, Bump Hedman, Trevor Collins, Matt Sponaugle, Danny Snyder, Matt Martin (DNS) Michael Lake.

Third consolation finish: Tyler Dietz, Chub Frank, Ken Schaltenbrand, Levi Yetter, John Garvin Jr., Daniel Hilsabeck, Chris Schneider, Cory Lawler, Rick Wicker, Gary Lyle, Matt Glanden, Ryan Christoff.

Heat notes

Ricky Thornton Jr.’s quest for a third straight Firecracker 100 victory is off to a great start with fast-time honors in qualifying and a dominating flag-to-flag heat win to earn the pole position for the finale. He captured the first heat by 5.943 seconds over Brandon Overton, who outdueled Dan Ebert for the runner-up spot. … The second heat was slowed by a multi-car tangle on lap three involving teenager Brock Pinkerous, Wil Herrington and Alex Ferree. Pinkerous slid high off turn two and lost momentum ahead of a charging Herrington, who, as he tried to split Pinkerous and Ferree, turned Ferree into Pinkerous. All three cars spun around and only Herrington continued. … Seeking his first-ever Firecracker 100 triumph, Jonathan Davenport went on to win Heat 2 by 2.448 seconds. … Four-time Lernerville champion Michael Norris led wire-to-wire to claim the third heat over Brandon Sheppard, whose last-lap bid fell short. Josh Rice took the final transfer spot to the Firecracker 100 in his first-ever appearance at Lernerville. … Devin Moran kept Max Blair at bay to top Heat 4 and land the outside pole for the feature. … Garrett Alberson slipped underneath Hudson O’Neal for the lead on lap seven en route to winning the fifth heat. … The sixth heat began with an immediate caution after Cory Lawler spun in turn one and Daniel Hilsabeck — driving his backup car after flipping during qualifying — slid to a stop on the inside berm amid the chain-reaction jam up. … Mike Marlar cruised to victory in Heat 6, beating Carson Ferguson to the finish line by 1.220 seconds. … The heats ended at 8:58 p.m.

Heat results

(Eight laps; top three transfer)

First heat finish: Ricky Thornton Jr., Brandon Overton, Dan Ebert, Ross Robinson, Clay Harris, Logan Zarin, Justin Kann, Dan Angelicchio, Ethan Thompson.

Second heat finish: Jonathan Davenport, Colton Flinner, Gregg Satterlee, Dan Stone, Daulton Wilson, Dan Stone, Wil Herrington, Ron Fink, Brock Pinkerous, Alex Ferree.

Third heat finish: Michael Norris, Brandon Sheppard, Josh Rice, Spencer Hughes, Michael Lake, Gary Stuhler, Trevor Collins, Danny Snyder.

Fourth heat finish: Devin Moran, Max Blair, Donald McIntosh, Breyton Santee, Ryan Montgomery, Charlie Sandercock, Bump Hedman, Matt Sponaugle, Matt Martin.

Fifth heat finish: Garrett Alberson, Hudson O’Neal, Mason Zeigler, Chub Frank, Ken Schaltenbrand, Levi Yetter, Matt Gladden, Gary Lyle, Ryan Christoff.

Sixth heat finish: Mike Marlar, Carson Ferguson, Jared Miley, Tyler Dietz, Cory Lawler, John Garvin Jr., Daniel Hilsabeck, Rich Wicker, Chris Schneider. 

Qualifying

First group
1. Ricky Thornton Jr. (20RT), Chandler, Ariz., 17.017
2. Brock Pinkerous (555), Ellenville, N.Y., 17.200
3. Michael Norris (72), Sarver, Pa., 17.230
4. Dan Ebert (60), Lake Shore, Minn., 17.284
5. Gregg Satterlee (22), Indiana, Pa., 17.376
6. Brandon Sheppard (1), New Berlin, Ill., 17.446
7. Clay Harris (6), Jupiter, Fla., 17.503
8. Daulton Wilson (18D), Fayetteville, N.C., 17.515
9. Josh Rice (11), Verona, Ky., 17.562
10. Brandon Overton (76), Evans, Ga., 17.619
11. Wil Herrington (15K), Hawkinsville, Ga., 17.814
12. Ross Robinson (7R), Georgetown, Del., 17.856
13.Jonathan Davenport (49), Blairsville, Ga., 17.908
14.Spencer Hughes (19M), Meridian, Miss., 17.962
15. Michael Lake (27), Uniontown, Pa., 18.013
16. Justin Kann (66), Huntingdon, Pa., 18.063
17. Alex Ferree (1c), Saxonburg, Pa., 18.251
18. Gary Stuhler (4), Greencastle, Pa., 18.427
19. Logan Zarin (1z), Moon Township, Pa., 18.472
20. Colton Flinner (48), Allison Park, Pa., 18.546
21. Trevor Collins (11), Seaford, Del., 18.586
22. Dan Angelicchio (14), Mt. Pleasant, Pa., 18.829
23. Dan Stone (2), Thompson, Pa., 18.832
24. Danny Snyder (4S), Green Lane, Pa., 18.998
25. Ethan Thompson (22T), Butler, Pa., 19.198
26. Ron Fink (EZ1), Cumberland, Md., 19.813
Second group    
1. Devin Moran (99), Dresden, Ohio, 17.182
2. Hudson O’Neal (71), Martinsville, Ind., 17.319
3. Mike Marlar (157), Winfield, Tenn., 17.323
4. Max Blair (111), Centerville, Pa., 17.415
5. Garrett Alberson (58), Las Cruces, N.M., 17.584
6. Carson Ferguson (93), Concord, N.C., 17.628
7. Breyton Santee (9), Conneaut, Ohio, 17.628
8. Levi Yetter (9), Cabot, Pa., 17.958
9. Cory Lawler (93), Hanover, Pa., 18.092
10. Donald McIntosh (79), Dawsonville, Ga., 18.118
11.Chub Frank (1*), Bear Lake, Pa., 18.135
12. Jared Miley (10M), Pittsburgh, Pa., 18.252
13. Ryan Montgomery (12), Fairmont, W.Va., 18.284
14. Mason Zeigler (25z), Chalk Hill, Pa., 18.323
15. Chris Schneider (55c), Lower Burrell, Pa., 18.692
16. Matt Sponaugle (8), Wiley Fork, W.Va., 18.763
17. Ken Schaltenbrand (29S), Sarver, Pa., 18.802
18. Tyler Dietz (77), Pittsburgh, Pa., 18.828
19. Charlie Sandercock (57), Belleville, Ontario, 18.887
20. Gary Lyle (10L), Leechburg, Pa., 19.021
21. John Garvin Jr. (J4), Sarver, Pa., 19.042
22. Bump Hedman (B22), Sugar Grove, Pa., 19.283
23. Matt Glanden (01), Denton, Md., 19.321
24. Rick Wicker (2T), Mahaffey, Pa., 19.492
25. Matt Martin (6), Indiana, Pa., 19.887
26. Ryan Christoff (10), Canonsburg, Pa., 20.785
27. Daniel Hilsabeck (22H), Adel, Iowa, no time

Saturday’s schedule

(All times local)
2 p.m. - Pits open
2 p.m. - Dirt Racing Outreach service
3 p.m. - Grandstands open
4:30-5:15 p.m. - Driver autograph session
6 p.m. - On-track activity
- Late Model hot laps
- 604 Crate hot laps
- Late Model time trials (2 laps)
- 604 Crate time trials (2 laps)
Opening ceremonies
- Late Model heats (8 laps)
- 604 Crate heats (10 laps)
- Late Model consolations (10 laps)
- 604 Crate dash (6 laps)
- 604 Crate consolations (12 laps)
Intermission/driver introductions
- Late Model Firecracker 100 feature
- 604 Crate Bill Emig Memorial (50 laps)
- 604 Crate Non-Qualifiers’ Race (15 laps)