BROWNSTOWN, IN (April 9, 2011) – Scott Bloomquist passed Steve Francis on lap eight and went on to lead the rest of the way in capturing the 14th Annual Indiana Icebreaker for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series on Saturday Night at Brownstown Speedway. Bloomquist, who won his 500th career feature race last September at Brownstown, earned $10,000 for the win. Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN finished second as he held off 18th starting Earl Pearson Jr. for the runner-up spot. Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, IA finished fourth followed by 15th place starter, Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN.
In victory lane Bloomquist gave thanks and to his pit crew and the track preparers at Brownstown, after the event was held despite nearly two inches of rain which fell earlier in the day. “The car was superb out there tonight, you could run anywhere, we went with the Chevrolet powered Roush-Yates engine tonight and it didn’t miss a beat, this was a brand new car, we’ve always enjoyed coming up here to race, and with all the rain they had I didn’t know how it would turn out, but it was racy all night, we had a good race there with Francis for a while, and I was hoping there wouldn’t be any cautions the way we were running, we handled traffic pretty well, and everybody gave each other plenty of room,” said Bloomquist.
Bub McCool started on the pole and led the first two laps until Steve Francis took over the point. Francis held the lead for five circuits, until Bloomquist, who started third grabbed the lead using the inside line of the race track. Francis ran second just ahead of Mike Marlar for several laps until Marlar took second on lap 18. O’Neal then charged to the front passing both Francis and Marlar as he grabbed the second slot on lap 20.
Bloomquist had built a sizable lead over O’Neal and Marlar. With twenty laps to go, he was firmly in command of the race. Bloomquist then started to pick-up heavy traffic, allowing both O’Neal and Earl Pearson Jr., who was on the move after starting on the outside of the ninth row.
O’Neal and Pearson had quite a battle for second for the remainder of the race. O’Neal was able to edge Pearson at the finish line for second place.
Completing the top ten were Mike Marlar of Winfield, TN; Bub McCool of Vicksburg, MS; Brad Neat of Dunnville, KY; Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA; and Chris Wall of Springfield, LA.
In preliminary action Rohn Moon was the red Buck Cigars Fast Qualifier with a lap of 14.264 seconds among the 49 entrants. Heat race winners were Bub McCool, Scott Bloomquist, Steve Francis, and Don O’Neal. The B-Mains were taken by John Blankenship and Earl Pearson Jr.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
April 9th, 2011 – 14th Annual “Indiana Icebreaker”
Red Buck Cigars Fast Time: Rohn Moon / 14.264 seconds
Wiles Driveshafts First Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Bub McCool, Mike Marlar, Scott James, Eric Wells, John Blankenship, Tim Isenberg, Dan Schlieper, Joe Janowski, Brian Gray, Rohn Moon, Jeep VanWormer, Matt Miller, Brian Wilhite-DNS
Wiles Driveshafts Second Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Scott Bloomquist, Brad Neat, Jimmy Owens, Steve Casebolt, Justin Rattliff, Kent Robinson, Frank Heckenast Jr., Sammy Stile, Chris Streeval, Keaton Streeval, Josh McGuire
Sweet Manufacturing Third Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Steve Francis, Shannon Babb, Brian Birkhofer, Ray Cook, Dennis Erb Jr., Kevin Claycomb, Tyler Reddick, Chris Brown, Chad Stapleton, Michael Chilton, Tim Rivers, Alan Magner
HAWK Brakes Fourth Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Don O’Neal, Dale McDowell, Jared Landers, Dustin Neat, Earl Pearson Jr., Greg Johnson, Dillan White, Jeremy Hines, Jason Smith, Greg Kendall, James Griffith, Steve Godsey
JRi Shocks First B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): John Blankenship, Joe Janowski, Kent Robinson, Dan Schlieper, Steve Casebolt, Frank Heckenast Jr., Sammy Stile, Justin Rattliff, Rohn Moon, Keaton Streeval, Chris Streeval, Jeep VanWormer, Brian Gray, Tim Isenberg, Matt Miller-DNS, Josh McGuire-DNS
Wrisco Aluminum Second B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Earl Pearson Jr., Dennis Erb Jr., Greg Johnson, Chad Stapleton, Jeremy Hines, Kevin Claycomb, Chris Brown, Tyler Reddick, Tim Rivers, Michael Chilton, Greg Kendall, Jason Smith, Alan Magner, Brian WIlhite, Steve Godsey, Dillan White, James Griffith
LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL DIRT SERIES FEATURE (50 Laps): Scott Bloomquist, Don O’Neal, Earl Pearson Jr, Brian Birkhofer, Jimmy Owens, Mike Marlar, Bub McCool, Brad Neat, Dale McDowell, Chris Wall, Ray Cook, Dennis Erb Jr, Steve Francis, Shannon Babb, John Blankenship, Jared Landers, Scott James, Tim Isenberg, Steve Casebolt, Dillan White, Greg Johnson, Dan Schlieper, Tyler Reddick, Eric Wells, Joe Janowski, Kent Robinson, Dustin Neat
Race Statistics
Entrants: 49
Lap Leaders: Bub McCool (Laps 1-2); Steve Francis (Laps 3-7); Laps (8-50) Scott Bloomquist
Caution Flags: Lap 7 (Tyler Reddick); Lap 17 (Steve Casebolt)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Steve Casebolt; Dan Schlieper
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: Tim Isenberg; Tyler Reddick
PBM/Erson Cams Hard Charger of the Race: Earl Pearson Jr. (Started 18th; Finished 3rd; Advanced 15 positions)
Allstar Performer of the Race: Earl Pearson Jr.
K&N Filters Clean Pass of the Race: Jimmy Owens
Quarter Master Rookie of the Race: Bub McCool
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Roush-Yates Race Engines
Outerwears Challenger of the Race: Earl Pearson Jr.
Dominator Race Products Hard Luck Award: Steve Francis
DirtonDirt.com Crew Chief of the Race: Jason Fitzgerald (Earl Pearson Jr.)
Time of Race: 33 minutes 19 seconds
By: Chris Nunn
Derek Groomer and Doug Adkins made up the front row for the $1,000 to win UMP Modified feature event with Groomer leading lap one over Adkins. Matt Boknecht took the second spot away from Adkins on lap two, only to see Adkins fight back to the outside on lap three. A multi-car pileup in turns one and two brought out the caution on lap four. On the restart, Groomer took off to the lead with Boknecht and Adkins in tow. Devin Gilpin moved low to battle Adkins for the third spot before the caution flew for the spun machine of Dennis Boknecht on lap six. When racing resumed, Gilpin moved around Boknecht for the second spot on lap seven. Behind them, tenth starting Nick Allen had moved into the third position, getting around Michael England and Matt Boknecht on lap nine. The caution flew for the third time on lap 11 for the spun car of Greg Amick in turn four. On the restart, Allen moved around Gilpin for the second spot as the caution flew again, this time for Richie Lex in turn four. When the green flew on the restart, Groomer led a two wide battle for second between Allen and GIlpin. At the halfway point it was Groomer, Allen, GIlpin, Ryan Thomas, and Boknecht rounding out the top five. With nine laps to go, Groomer held a ten car length advantage over Allen. Another yellow flew on lap 16, as Mark Andersen spun in turn two. Groomer led the field to the green on the restart, and pulled out to a four car advantage over Allen and Gilpin. WIth five laps to go, Groomer held a comfortable advantage over Allen, who himself held a half straight advantage over Thomas who was in third. Groomer was able to parlay his advantage over the field to the victory, crossing the finish line ahead of Allen, Thomas, Clint Demoss, and Boknecht
Jason Hehman and Tim Clark led the UMP Super Stock feature to the green flag with Hehman leading the first lap over Clark and Randy Petro. Jason Combs moved to the fourth spot, just before the caution flew for John Trowbridge in turn four. Hehman led Clark and Petro to the restart on lap four. Hehman opened up an immediate three car advantage over the field as the caution flew for James Ruddick in turn three on lap five. On the restart, a three way battle for second between Petro, Clark, and David Brewer took place, with Clark holding second, and Brewer taking third from Petro on lap seven. The top three remained the same as the field clicked off lap ten, with Hehman holding just a carlength advantage over Clark. With ten to go, the top three ran nose to tail, with Clark and Brewer on the tailtank of Hehmans car. Brewer and Clark ran side by side for second on lap 17, with Clark holding the advantage. The caution flew for the spun car of Brad Ray on lap 18 in turn four. On the restart, Clark and Brewer ran door to door for the second spot as they came around to complete lap 19. Brewer took the second spot from Clark with five to go. Clark fought back to the low side and took second back from Brewer on lap 21. Brewer, however, took the second spot back as the three fought for the lead. Hehman was able to hold off the hornets nest behind him to pick up the $1,000 payday.
Steven Watson and Bubba Woods led the Bomber field to the green in their 25 lap feature event with Woods leading the first lap by a car length over Watson. Aaron Fields and Josh Turner battled for third on lap three, with Turner taking the spot coming out of turn four. Turner then took moved in to battle Watson for the second spot just as the caution flew for an accident in turn three on lap five. On the restart, Turner took second from Watson. Watson then spun in turn three, causing a pileup in turn three. On the restart, Woods took a three car advantage over Turner to complete lap six. Fields moved under Turner to take second on lap seven, with Mike Burch and Nathan Baker battling for fourth. The caution flew again on lap nine, but as the field slowed, a lapped car caused issues with the leaders, ending Woods night with a broken rear end. This gave Fields the lead on the restart. As the field took the halfway signal it was Fields, Baker, Turner, Jim Pfeiffer, and Burch rounding out the top five. Fields began to open up a large lead over Baker, only to have the yellow fly on lap 15. On the restart, Turner officially took the lead on lap 16, only to see Fields take the spot back on the following circuit. The caution flew on lap 18 as Brent Lee spun in turn four, collecting Dave Robinson in the process. After numerous cautions, Fields was able to take the win over Turner, Baker, Pardue, and Watson
UMP MODIFIEDS (34 ENTRIES)
HEAT ONE: Derek Groomer, Michael England, Clint Demoss, Jacoby Hines, Larry Booher, Rocky Wilson, Josh Harris, Bryan Barber, Matt Bex
HEAT TWO: Doug Adkins, Billy Cooper, Nick Allen, Jamie Lomax, Brent Londeree, Bryan Fiscus, Jack Young, Tony Blair, Mark Lamont
HEAT THREE: Matt Boknecht, Greg Amick, Ryan Thomas, Mark Anderson, Derek Bunning, Jeff Bland Jr, Randy Moore, Mike Bechelli
HEAT FOUR: Devin Gilpin, Rob Penny, Jerry Davis, Richie Lex, Dennis Boknecht, Kyle Schornick, Nathan Voorhies, Jeremy Owens
CONSI ONE: Dennis Boknecht, Kyle Schornick, Nathan Voorhies, Derek Bunning, Jeremy Owens, Mike Bechelli
CONSI TWO: Jack Young, Brent Londeree, Bryan Fiscus, Rocky Wilson, Larry Booher, Tony Blair, Josh Harries
FEATURE: Derek Groomer, Nick Allen, Ryan Thomas, Clint Demoss, Matt Boknecht, Devin Gilpin, Jamie Lomax, Jack Young, Greg Amick, Jerry Davis, Jacoby Hines, Kyle Schornick, Dennis Boknecht, Rob Penny, Mark Anderson, Michael England, Richie Lex, Doug Adkins, Billy Cooper, Brent Londeree
SUPER STOCKS (24 ENTRIES)
HEAT ONE: Jason Hehman, Randy Petro, Brad Ray, Jamey Wilson, John Trowbridge, Jeremy Hines, Bobby Davis, Tom Ault
HEAT TWO: Tim Clark, Dave Brewer, Tim Schumpe, Troy Clark, Josh Phelps, Greg Roberts, Duane Brown, Chris Hillman
HEAT THREE: Rusty Smiley, Jason Combs, Justin Hammond, Brad Cummings, Steve Peeden, Jamie Ruddick, Mark Vanwinkle, Rick Gumm
CONSI: Greg Roberts , Duane Brown, Tom Ault, Jamie Ruddick, Mark Vanwinkle
FEATURE: Jason Hehman, David Brewer, Tim Clark, Tim Schumpe, Troy Clark, Randy Petro, Brad Cummings, Tom Ault, Steve Peeden, Greg Roberts, Duane Brown, Josh Phelps, Brad Ray, Rusty Smiley, John Trowbridge, Jamie Ruddick, Jason Combs, Justin Hammond, Jamie Wilson, Mark Vanwinkle
BOMBERS (23 ENTRIES)
HEAT ONE: Steven Watson, Jim Pfeiffer, Mike Burch, Josh Hayes, Brent Lee, Dave Robinson, Clay Ellison, Jason Combs
HEAT TWO: Bubba Woods, Levi Lokey, Davey Waggoner Jr, Ron Denson, Mark Bruce, Darren Crawhorn, Shane Batman, Breezy Pardue
HEAT THREE: Aaron Fields, Josh Turner, Nathan Baker, Todd McDonald, Ronnie Pardue, Matt McGinnis, Jack Turner
FEATURE: Aaron Fields, Josh Turner, Nathan Baker, Ronnie Pardue, Steven Watson, Jim Pfeiffer, Mark Bruce, Josh Hayes, Todd McDonald, Davey Waggoner Jr, Ron Denson, Levi Lokey, Jack Turner, Brent Lee, Dave Robinson, Mike Burch, Matt McGinnis, Bubba Woods, Clay Ellison