Hudson O’Neal Captures Ralph Latham Memorial Victory at Florence

UNION, KY (May 2, 2026) – Hudson O’Neal of Martinsville, Indiana took the lead on lap three from Jason Jameson and held off Devin Moran to win the 40th Annual Ralph Latham Memorial on Saturday night at Florence Speedway.

O’Neal and Moran entered the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned event tied atop the championship standings. With the victory, O’Neal now holds a 30-point advantage over Moran heading into next weekend’s events at Farmer City Raceway and Fairbury Speedway.

The win marked O’Neal’s fourth LOLMDS victory of the season and his 12th overall triumph of 2026, earning him $25,000. Moran finished second, 1.060 seconds behind at the finish, while Ricky Thornton Jr., fresh off his win at Circle City on Friday, rounded out the Big River Steel podium in third.

Brandon Sheppard and Garrett Alberson completed the top five.

In his 38th career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory, the 2023 Series Champion is now tied for seventh on the all-time wins list with Tim McCreadie and Brandon Sheppard.

O’Neal survived a tense finish, brushing the turn four wall multiple times in the closing laps, to secure his first Ralph Latham Memorial victory since 2018. The event had not been contested since 2023 due to weather interruptions in recent years.

“I’ve got to tip my hat to Riley (Sheedy), my body guy,” O’Neal said. “With a couple laps to go, I was just trying to get everything I could. I got a little loose and backed it into the fence - I knew it wasn’t too bad, but I hate that for him, especially with a short turnaround. We’ll get it fixed.”

“I felt like the track was widening out in turns three and four, and I was just waiting for someone to show me their nose.”

Moran, still seeking his first win in the event that began in 1987, finished second.

“I was really good until that one restart,” Moran said. “I thought the top would be better, but Thornton got the bottom. Then on another restart, I got a good run and slid him, but I ended up messing both of us up. I apologized - I should have committed to the fence and given him a chance to cross over. I didn’t want to race him like that.”

Thornton, who won the event the last time it was held in 2023, finished third and commented on the late-race contact.

“It was just racing - I told him we’re not going golfing together anymore,” Thornton joked. “Nothing to be mad about. The track was pretty good. When we come back in August, I think they’ll widen turns one and two a bit so the top can keep up. Three and four were really good all night. Honestly, these conditions are where I struggle, so to be close to those guys up front, I’m happy.”

O’Neal’s winning SSI Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and backed by Big River Steel, Wheeler Metals, Merrill Bonding, Professional Concrete Cutting and Drilling, O’Neal’s Salvage and Recycling, Lineal Contracting, Beeman Lumber, Sunoco Race Fuels, Dicky’s Doghouse, Seven Spurs Ranch, Penske Racing Shocks, Lucas Oil, and Indiana USSSA Fast Pitch Softball.

Completing the top ten were Max Blair, Jason Jameson, Brian Shirley, Kyle Bronson, and Dan Ebert.