TAZEWELL, TN (May 7, 2017) – Jimmy Owens used his outside front row starting spot for the Toyota Knoxville 50 to his full advantage – winning the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned event on Sunday night at Tazewell Speedway.
In front of the record-breaking crowd that was on hand, Owens led all 50 circuits for his first LOLMDS win of the season and became the tenth different winner this season on the tour. Don O’Neal finished in second place – followed by Earl Pearson Jr., Shanon Buckingham, and Tim McCreadie, who started 12th.
Driving the Ramirez Motorsports, Rocket Chassis powered by a Durham Racing Engine, Owens went to victory lane for the fourth time in the annual event. “It’s Tazewell,” said Owens in relation to the caution flags that dotted the event and seemed to be the only thing that would slow Owens all night. “The track’s a little different, but considering the weather it was a great race track. I especially want to thank my crew. They have worked their butts off and I feel I have let them down at times this year. I am glad to finally get to victory lane. “
Owens won the second of the three heat races and earned the outside front row starting spot for the main event. Owens started alongside fast qualifier and heat race one winner, Darrell Lanigan. Owens got the jump on Lanigan heading out of the turn two and was never seriously challenged throughout the rest of the race.
“The crowd they had here tonight is awesome, this place is absolutely packed! These are some of the best fans in the country and it’s good to see all here to support us. We have had a lot of ups and downs. We have a good car here, but I haven’t shown it any justice. Once we get our ducks in a row, maybe we can come home with a few more wins,” said the 43-year-old racer.
Owens’ car is sponsored by E3 Spark Plugs, Red Bone Fishing and Rental, Power Rig LLC, Red Line Oil, and Boomtest Well Service.
After a lap 36 restart, O’Neal moved by Lanigan to take over second place. A few laps later Lanigan slowed with a cut right rear tire. O’Neal continued his strong finishes in LOLMDS competition this season with his runner-up finish in the Peak Antifreeze and Coolant, Crawford Outdoor, Club 29 Race Car.
“It was good solid weekend for us. We had top five’s both nights. The car is good and has been for a while now. Anthony Burroughs and everybody is working hard and now we have the finishes to show for it.”
Pearson had a solid finish with his third place showing in the Dunn-Benson Ford, Lucas Oi lRacing TV, Longhorn entry. He was pleased with his run: “With all the rain they had, it turned out to be a pretty good race. Congrats to Jimmy on the win. We had a good run going with Lanigan and Josh [Richards] until he had a flat. I had to get by Lanigan when I saw his tire was going down. It’s a good run for us here. This place can bite you in a hurry.”
Completing the top ten were Steve Francis, Gregg Satterlee, Josh Richards, Darrell Lanigan, and Scott Bloomquist.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Sunday, May 7th, 2017
Toyota Knoxville 50
Tazewell Speedway – Tazewell, TN
Miller Welders Fast Time Group A: Darrell Lanigan / 11.281 seconds
Miller Welders Fast Time Group B: Jimmy Owens / 11.327 seconds
Eibach Springs Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, All Transfer): Darrell Lanigan, Don O’Neal, Scott Bloomquist, Chris Barton, Billy Ogle Jr., Steve Smith, Dakotah Knuckles
FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, All Transfer): Jimmy Owens, Earl Pearson, Jr., Hudson O’Neal, Boom Briggs, Gregg Satterlee, Robby Moses, Chad Ogle, Michael Chilton
Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, All Transfer): Josh Richards, Shanon Buckingham, Dennis Erb, Jr., Tim McCreadie, Brian Smith, Colton Flinner, Steve Francis, Ethan Burgess
Feature Finish (50 Laps):
| FINISH | START | CAR # | DRIVER NAME | HOMETOWN | EARNINGS |
| 1 | 2 | 20 | Jimmy Owens | Newport, TN | $10,900 |
| 2 | 4 | 5 | Don O’Neal | Martinsville, IN | $6,300 |
| 3 | 5 | 1 | Earl Pearson, Jr. | Jacksonville, FL | $4,300 |
| 4 | 6 | 50 | Shanon Buckingham | Morristown, TN | $2,750 |
| 5 | 12 | 39 | Tim McCreadie | Watertown, NY | $2,950 |
| 6 | 21 | 15 | Steve Francis | Bowling Green, KY | $2,500 |
| 7 | 14 | 22 | Gregg Satterlee ® | Rochester Mills, PA | $2,300 |
| 8 | 3 | 1R | Josh Richards | Shinnston, WV | $2,000 |
| 9 | 1 | 14 | Darrell Lanigan | Union, KY | $1,900 |
| 10 | 7 | 0 | Scott Bloomquist | Mooresburg, TN | $2,100 |
| 11 | 15 | 7b | Brian Smith | Barbourville, KY | $1,075 |
| 12 | 8 | 71 | Hudson O’Neal ® | Martinsville, IN | $1,750 |
| 13 | 11 | 99B | Boom Briggs ® | Bear Lake, PA | $1,725 |
| 14 | 17 | 21 | Robby Moses | Maryville, TN | $1,000 |
| 15 | 10 | 144 | Chris Barton | Middlesboro, KY | $950 |
| 16 | 19 | 21K | Dakotah Knuckles | Ewing, VA | $925 |
| 17 | 13 | 201 | Billy Ogle Jr. | Knoxville, TN | $900 |
| 18 | 23 | 99BX | Ethan Burgess | Sharonville, OH | $875 |
| 19 | 9 | 28E | Dennis Erb, Jr. | Carpentersville, IL | $1,550 |
| 20 | 22 | 97 | Michael Chilton | Salvisa, KY | $825 |
| 21 | 18 | 75 | Colton Flinner | Allison Park, PA | $800 |
| 22 | 16 | 3s | Steve Smith | Powell, TN | $800 |
| 23 | 20 | 10 | Chad Ogle | Sevierville, TN | $800 |
Race Statistics
Entrants: 23
Lap Leaders: Jimmy Owens (Laps 1 – 50)
Cautions: Steve Francis, Dakotah Knuckles, Steve Smith, Brian Smith, Michael Chilton, Colton Flinner, Robby Moses (Lap 3); Dennis Erb (Lap 8); Josh Richards (Lap 35); Scott Bloomquist (Lap 39); Hudson O’Neal (Lap 44)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: n/a
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: n/a
Wrisco Feature Winner: Jimmy Owens
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Steve Francis (Started: 23rd; Finished: 6th; Advanced 15 Positions)
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Scott Bloomquist
Allstar Performance Power Move of the Race: Darrell Lanigan
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Jimmy Owens
Hot Rod Processing Rookie of the Race: Gregg Satterlee
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Durham Racing Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket Chassis
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Jeff Strope (Jimmy Owens)
Fastest Lap of the Race: Jimmy Owens (Lap #4 – 11.4497 seconds)
Safecraft Most Laps Led: Jimmy Owens (50 Laps)
PFC Brakes Pole Award: Darrell Lanigan
Time of Race: 33 minutes 16 seconds