MARTINSVILLE, Ind. — Hudson O’Neal has confirmed on social media that he will replacing Ricky Thornton Jr. in the SSI Motorsports car beginning with tonight’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event at Iowa’s 34 Raceway.
The car, owned by Todd and Vickie Burns, will carry O’Neal’s No. 71 and blue colors.
“Sunday evening I received a phone call that I couldn’t pass up,” O’Neal said on Facebook. “Todd Burns called and stated he had let Ricky go that afternoon, and he would like to team up, moving forward. As this is exactly what me and my team needed, I had a lot of to-dos before accepting.
“I wanted to make sure my sponsors, team, and family were on-board as all of us has put a lot of time and effort into creating my own deal. As being an owner, it was really rewarding, but financially and equipment wise it was a no brainer to partner up with the SSI team,” O’Neal added. “I am very thankful and fortunate Todd and Vickie want me back wheeling a Blue SSI No. 71 car. They helped me start my career in 2015 in crates and have been nothing short of supportive through the years. I think a lot of them and their family, and I’m super excited to be back.
“Moving forward, we will be racing a blue car but with all my sponsors and SSI’s sponsors as we are pleased they have agreed to stay on board through the season.”
Thornton won 19 features in the SSI car this season, while O’Neal began the season driving Mark Richards’ Rocket Racing No. 1 before parting ways with that team and hitting the road in his own No. 71.