Here is what drivers had to say following the inaugural Halloween Nationals at Portsmouth Raceway Park with the American Late Model Iron-Man Series:

Ricky Thornton Jr. — Winner: “I felt like on the start Josh [Rice] was in a way better spot, and I was able to kind of roll him through the middle. And I was like, ‘Man, if I can get going here and I get to these lap cars, I know I can at least move out and pass a few of them.’ I was able to do that the first few laps cars and then kinda just get in line. 

I felt like the 100 lappers are always long here, but I felt like that 60 lapper was about as long as a 100 lapper. 

Hats off to my boys. Obviously with running the Mod and the Late Model, they took on a lot more work this week. Me and Evan actually start on the front row of the Mod feature. Hopefully, if Evan can’t get it done, I can get it done. Got to thank Capital Waste, Elite Ready Mix, Hoker Trucking, Cornett, Knight’s Companies, Coltman Farms, Bilstein Shocks, Longhorn Chassis.

We’ve ran this thing six nights now and I’ve won all six. Kind of shows how good our program is. Tharp, Seth, Bryce, Jordan, KP, Evan, Bobby and Jessica like always for giving me this opportunity. Kind of wish I was at home hanging out with my kids on Halloween, but at least they got to watch dad on TV. Say hey to my mom and dad. I know they’re back in Arizona watching.”

Tyler Erb — Finished 2nd: “That’s all we can do there. Wish everybody could’ve definitely got a little bit—. Obviously, we’ve seen this place when it’s got a cushion and stuff.

A lot of cars. I hope everything went really well for them. We need big events like this in our area. Thank you to Jamie and everybody here for putting this race on. It’s a lot of money being paid out this weekend. And every fan that came out and supported us all weekend. Last night, obviously had the flat, just run something over. It’s just part of it. 

Got to thank my guys: Cody, Gunnar’s here this weekend, Caleb’s at the house doing whatever he’s doing. My mom, everybody at First Class Septic. Steven Roberts at RBC, JRR Super Trucker, Chris, they worked on our truck this week. Josh run third. You know, maybe he should’ve won. Who knows? Somebody should’ve won. Ricky did a good job. Just each and every one of our sponsors: Anthony’s Pizza, the entire Langenfelder family, Best Performance Motorsports, Midwest Sheet Metal, Chris Davis, Keyser and Integra Shocks. DJ and Scott Keyser, they do so much for my racing program. Couldn’t do it without them. Rocket Race Cars, obviously. Sammy, just doing whatever Sammy does, texting, talking [crap]. 

Just want to thank Emma. She’s watching at home. I’ll see her tomorrow. And we’ll see everybody at Charlotte.”

Josh Rice — Finished 3rd: “Ricky’s stuff is really good right now. I was just really free getting into 1. And then I was having to back my corner up so much to hit the bottom and let Terbo by me. Yeah, good weekend for us.

I just want to thank everybody. James Rattliff, obvioulsy, for everything. Super Trucker Chris with JRR Trucking, JRR Auto Sales, Big Al’s Guns, Keltner Contracting, Rice Excavating, my brother for doing all the decals with Rapid Fire and everything, KAG.

Mark with Rocket Chassis, obviously. He helped me a lot tonight. Got to where I could qualify really good here anyway. Hot lapping I was really good and just didn’t tighten up enough. I’m still learning these cars. They’re a little bit different than the XR1 stuff. Just can’t thank him enough for everything. 

Berea Collision, Cheap Chevrolet, BC Fluid Power, Lonkard Construction, Jessie’s Insurance, C&K, Kleinholz Electric, Midwest Sheet Metal, Sunoco, MGL, IMC. I think that’s everybody. Just thanks everybody.

I am heading to the deer stand.”

NEXT: Earl Pearson Jr. Shares How Different Dirt Late Model Racing Is From Just 2 Years Ago