Thornton Outduels Simpson in East Series Opener
Thornton Outduels Simpson in East Series Opener
By Anthony Ainslie
4/25/25
The Malvern Bank Super Late Model Racing Series kicked off their 2025 season Friday with an exciting East Series opener.
The new year saw the East Series make its first ever visit to the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Missouri. Drivers from Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, and Wisconsin made the trip for the first of 4 races in the Show-Me State.
2024 Rookie of the Year Dylan Thornton started the night off with being the top qualifier of the night. He clocked in at 17.628 seconds in the first group. The three heat races on the night were won by rookie Dallon Murty, Shane DeMay and Andrew Kosiski.
Jesse Sobbing was the Skyline Materials Lucky 6th Place Starter. The 2022 West Series Champion took the challenge to add a $500 bonus if he would win the main event.
Iowans Chad Simpson and CJ Horn started on the front row of the 30-lap feature, and early on, Simpson pulled out to an early race lead. Meanwhile, Dylan Thornton and Andrew Kosiski battled for the second spot with Thornton eventually taking the runner-up position.
Before long, it was Simpson vs. Thornton for the lead, and ultimately the race win. Thornton tracked down Simpson and threw the go-ahead slide job for the lead in turn three on lap 12. From there, Thornton extended his advantage until the two leaders got to lapped traffic.
The closing laps saw a close, strategic battle between Thornton and Simpson. At the end of 30 caution-free laps, Thornton kept ahead of Simpson just enough to secure the $3,000 win. It was his third career series victory and the second consecutive year that Thornton won the season opener for the East Series after he won at Stuart, Iowa one season ago.
Simpson would have to settle for second while Dallon Murty finished third in his first ever Malvern Bank Series start. Jesse Sobbing and Jake Neal rounded out the top five.
The West Series is next to start their season at the Off-Road Speedway in Norfolk, Nebraska. Meanwhile, the East Series gets a break before returning to action on May 10th at the Independence Motor Speedway in Independence, Iowa.
