FONDA, NY (July 27, 2011)- Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN debuted a new Bloomquist Race Car as he captured the $10,000 to win Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event on Wednesday Night at Fonda Speedway. Owens took the lead on lap ten from Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN and then went on to dominate most of the race. John Blankenship of Williamson, WV had his second straight series runner-up finish, followed by Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL; Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN; and Jared Landers of Batesville, AR. “I can’t thank the crew enough, we took last weekend off to get this car ready, we have worked day and night and it sure paid off! I really like this track, to come here two years in a row and win is just fantastic, there are a lot of fans who don’t get to see us race much. The car was good right from the start, once we got by Scott, I knew it would be tough for him to get back by us,” said the 39-year-old Owens, who regained the Lucas Oil Championship Points lead by five points over Bloomquist. Bloomquist led the first nine laps of the race, until Owens, who had fallen back to third early on regained his momentum and blasted by Bloomquist on lap ten for the race lead. Bloomquist was unable to challenge Owens even as they battled with lapped traffic on the fast track. Owens was able to move all over the track and sailed through traffic, steadily building himself an increasing large lead over Bloomquist. “They reworked the top before the feature, and it helped a lot, it was a little bumpy out there, but the car was just so fast and really pretty racy. I just felt good the entire race, I saw Blankenship pull up beside under caution there at the end, those guys are running real well, and it’s just a matter of time before they get a win!” said Owens who’s win was his fourth with the LOLMDS in 2011. Bloomquist, who came into the race with a 60-point lead over Owens, was running second on lap 44 when his left rear wheel came off as he exited turn four. Bloomquist went spinning down the front stretch and came to a stop as several drivers avoided hitting him. Bloomquist went pit side for a new tire, he then came back out and finished in ninth. “I have to thank Mike Reece, my car owner, Reece Monument Company, Gantte Appraisals, Red Line Oil, Ohlins, Hoosier Tire South and Cornett Racing Engines,” said Owens. He recorded the 25th win of his series career, and celebrated the milestone in victory lane with his son, Nathan at his side. Blankenship equaled the best finish of his LOLMDS career with a second in the XCoal Resources, Cornett Racing Engines, Rocket Chassis. Blankenship was also the PBM/Erson Cams Hard Charger of the Race after starting 13th. Pearson was third in the Bobby Labonte Racing, Lucas Oil Products, Longhorn Dodge. O’Neal came home fourth in the Magnaflow Exhaust, Jay Dickens Racing Engines, MasterSbilt Chevrolet. Landers, who continues to the lead the Quarter Master Rookie of the Year chase, placed a solid fifth in the Lance Landers, Crawford Supply, Rocket Chevrolet. Completing the top ten were: Steve Francis of Ashland, KY; Ray Cook of Brasstown, NC; Dale Planck of Cortland, NY; Bloomquist; and Bub McCool of Vicksburg, MS. In preliminary action Jimmy Owens was the Red Buck Cigars Fast Qualifier among the 28 entrants. Heat race winners were Bloomquist, McCool, Owens, and Billy Decker. The B-mains went to D.J. Myers and Jim Bernheisel. Coming up on Thursday Night, July 28th, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will continue their Northeast Tour with a visit to Utica-Rome Speedway in Vernon, NY for a $10,000 to win event. For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, log onto www.lucasdirt.com or call the series’ office at (951) 532-2503. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary Wednesday Night, July 27th, 2011 Fonda Speedway – Fonda, NY Red Buck Cigars Fast Time: Scott Bloomquist / 18.557 seconds (Group A) Jimmy Owens / 18.367 seconds (Group B and Overall) Wiles Driveshafts First Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Scott Bloomquist, Steve Francis, Dale Planck, John Blankenship, DJ Myers, Brent Rhebergen, Dale Caswell Wiles Driveshafts Second Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Bub McCool, Frank Heckenast Jr., Dylan Yoder, Earl Pearson Jr., Aaron Jacobs, David Zona, Bodie Bellinger-DNS Sweet Manufacturing Third Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Jimmy Owens, Tyler Reddick, Ray Cook, Jared Landers, Jim Bernheisel, Larry Wight, Alan Fink HAWK Brakes Fourth Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Billy Decker, Eric Wells, Don O’Neal, Daniel Stone, Brad Neat, Jon Rohacevich, Carey Terrance JRi Shocks First B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): DJ Myers, David Zona, Brent Rhebergen, Dale Caswell, Aaron Jacobs, Bodie Bellinger-DNS Wrisco Aluminum Second B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Jim Bernheisel, Brad Neat, Larry Wight, Alan Fink, Jon Rohacevich, Carey Terrance-DNS Feature Finish – 50 Laps: Jimmy Owens, John Blankenship, Earl Pearson, Jr., Don O’Neal, Jared Landers, Steve Francis, Ray Cook, Dale Planck, Scott Bloomquist, Bub McCool, Brad Neat, Jim Bernheisel, Daniel Stone, Frank Heckenast, Jr., Brent Rhebergen, Aaron Jacobs, Billy Decker, Tyler Reddick, Eric Wells, Dylan Yoder, Larry Wight, David Zona, Alan Fink, DJ Myers Feature Finish – 50 Laps
FINISH | START | CAR # | DRIVER NAME | HOMETOWN |
1 | 2 | 20 | Jimmy Owens | Newport, TN |
2 | 13 | 23 | John Blankenship | Williamson, WV |
3 | 7 | 44 | Earl Pearson, Jr. | Jacksonville, FL |
4 | 12 | 71 | Don O’Neal | Martinsville, IN |
5 | 14 | 777 | Jared Landers | Batesville, AR |
6 | 5 | 15 | Steve Francis | Ashland, KY |
7 | 10 | 53 | Ray Cook | Brasstown, NC |
8 | 9 | 19 | Dale Planck | Cortland, NY |
9 | 1 | 0 | Scott Bloomquist | Mooresburg, TN |
10 | 3 | 57J | Bub McCool | Vicksburg, MS |
11 | 20 | 41n | Brad Neat | Dunnville, KY |
12 | 18 | 119 | Jim Bernheisel | Lebanon, PA |
13 | 16 | 2 | Daniel Stone | Thompson, PA |
14 | 11 | 99jr | Frank Heckenast, Jr. | Frankfort, IL |
15 | 21 | 07R | Brent Rhebergen | Clymer, NY |
16 | 23 | 16 | Aaron Jacobs | Frankfort, NY |
17 | 4 | 91 | Billy Decker | Unadilla, NY |
18 | 6 | 11t | Tyler Reddick | Corning, CA |
19 | 8 | 18e | Eric Wells | Hazard, KY |
20 | 15 | 32 | Dylan Yoder | Selinsgrove, PA |
21 | 22 | 99L | Larry Wight | Phoenix, NY |
22 | 19 | 99z | David Zona | Montrose, PA |
23 | 24 | 15F | Alan Fink | Central Square, NY |
24 | 17 | 70J | DJ Myers | Greencastle, PA |
Race Statistics Entrants: 28 Lap Leaders: Scott Bloomquist (Laps 1- 9); Jimmy Owens (Laps 10 – 50) Caution Flags: DJ Myers (Lap 1); Eric Wells (Lap 21); Aaron Jacobs (Lap 40); Bub McCool (Lap 41); Billy Decker (Lap 44); Scott Bloomquist (Lap 44) Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: none Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: none Red Buck Cigars Fast Time Provisionals: Aaron Jacobs, Alan Fink PBM/Erson Cams Hard Charger of the Race: John Blankenship (Started 13th; Finished 2nd; Advanced 11 positions) Allstar Performer of the Race: Jared Landers K&N Filters Clean Pass of the Race: John Blankenship Quarter Master Rookie of the Race: Jared Landers COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Cornett Racing Engines Janowski Insurance Feature Winner: Jimmy Owens Outerwears Challenger of the Race: Brad Neat Dominator Race Products Hard Luck Award: Tyler Reddick DirtonDirt.com Crew Chief of the Race: Chris Fox (Jimmy Owens) Time of Race: 43 minutes 51 seconds Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:
POS | CAR # | DRIVER NAME | HOMETOWN | POINTS |
1 | 20 | Jimmy Owens | Newport, TN | 3880 |
2 | 0 | Scott Bloomquist | Mooresburg, TN | 3875 |
3 | 71 | Don O’Neal | Martinsville, IN | 3530 |
4 | 15 | Steve Francis | Ashland, KY | 3205 |
5 | 44 | Earl Pearson, Jr. | Jacksonville, FL | 3150 |
6 | 777 | Jared Landers | Batesville, AR | 3040 |
7 | 41n | Brad Neat | Dunnville, KY | 2980 |
8 | 53 | Ray Cook | Brasstown, NC | 2945 |
9 | 23 | John Blankenship | Williamson, WV | 2930 |
10 | 57J | Bub McCool | Vicksburg, MS | 2895 |
11 | 11t | Tyler Reddick | Corning, CA | 2830 |
12 | 17m | Dale McDowell | Chickamauga, GA | 2790 |
13 | 18e | Eric Wells | Hazard, KY | 2530 |
14 | 99jr | Frank Heckenast, Jr. | Frankfort, IL | 2415 |