Jimmy Owens Regains Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Points Lead After Win at Rome

| Oct 09, 2011 | Comments 0

ROME, GA (October 9, 2011) – Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN inherited the lead on lap 37 when smoke began heavily barreling out race leader, Scott Bloomquist’s, car. Owens then led the rest of the way for his first ever win at Rome. More importantly for him, he re-took the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series championship points by 50 heading into the season ending U.S. Steel Dirt Track World Championship presented by Sunoco at KC Raceway next weekend. Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA finished second, followed by Clint Smith of Senoia, GA; Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN; and Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL.
 
Bloomquist started on the outside of the front row, alongside 15-year-old Tyler Reddick, who was the polesitter.   Bloomquist bolted to a quick early lead with McDowell, Smith, and Owens trailing. Bloomquist built a good-sized lead with just ten laps into the 50 lap event. The first caution of the race came out on lap 25 for Eric Wells. On the restart Bloomquist opened up a healthy advantage over McDowell. Owens took over the second slot on lap 26. With 20 to go in the race Bloomquist had built nearly a straightaway lead over Owens as a torrid battle for third was going on between McDowell, Smith, and O’Neal.
 
Bloomquist continued to be solid as he was looking to sweep the LOLMDS weekend in Georgia. He captured the Lucas Oil Dixie Shootout last night. Bloomquist’ car started to smoke as he was just about to enter heavy lapped traffic again. Bloomquist then started to slow as heavy smoke was pouring from his car. Bloomquist eventually stopped on the track, bringing out the next caution.
 
Bloomquist headed pitside and as his crew took a close look at the car. It was apparent that there was a terminal problem. Owens inherited the top spot with 13 laps to go. He then pulled away from a terrific finish for second between three drivers.
 
In Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the 29th time in his career, Owens set himself up for his first LOLMDS title. “Scott had a good car, you know we hate to see that happen to anybody, but we’ll take it anyway we can get it,” said the 39-year old driver of the Mike Reece owned number 20.
 
“You have got to be there at the end to make it count, hats off to my crew, Chris (Fox) made a good decision on tires tonight. We were pretty good there at the end, and we look forward to heading into next weekend in Ohio, both of us have had a great year. It’s going to come down to one race, he’s been plagued by things that normally get us, it’s all good. I’m glad to have all these fans here to cheer for us.”
 
Owens’ Bloomquist Race Cars Ford is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and sponsored by Reece Monument Company, Gantte Appraisals, Red Line Oil, Midwest Sheet Metal, Ohlins, Hoosier and C&C Trucking.
 
McDowell finished second, barely edging out two other drivers for the spot. McDowell’s Crawford Supply, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, Clint Bowyer Rocket Chevrolet. Smith was third in the JP Drilling, Racetek Race Engines, Rocket Chevrolet as he had a near-photo finish with O’Neal in the Magnaflow Exhaust, Jay Dickens Racing Engines, MasterSbilt Chevy.
 
Completing the top ten were Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, GA; Steve Francis of Ashland, KY, Chris Madden of Gaffney, SC; Chip Brindle of Chatsworth, GA; and Tyler Reddick of Corning, CA.
 
In preliminary action Scott Bloomquist was the Red Buck Cigar Fast Qualifier among the 39 entrants on hand. Heat race winners were Tyler Reddick, Dale McDowell, Scott Bloomquist and Steve Francis. The B-mains went to Tommy Kerr and Chris Brown.
 
The final Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will take place next Friday and Saturday, October 14th and 15th at KC Raceway in Chillicothe, OH for the U. S. Steel Dirt Track World Championship Presented by Sunoco paying $50,000 to win. For more information on tickets, visit www.kc-raceway.com.
 
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
Sunday Night, October 9th, 2011
“Lucas Oil Rome Showdown”
Rome International Speedway – Rome, GA

Red Buck Cigars Fast Time: Tyler Reddick / 13.655 seconds (Group A)
                                          Scott Bloomquist / 13.382 seconds (Group B and Overall)
 
Wiles Driveshafts First Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Tyler Reddick, Clint Smith, Jared Landers, Chip Brindle, John Blankenship, Eric Jacobsen, Todd Morrow, Chris Ferguson, Luther Jenkins, Buster Goss
 
Wiles Driveshafts Second Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Dale McDowell, Shane Clanton, Don O’Neal, Earl Pearson Jr., Tommy Kerr, Eric Wells, David Payne, Lee Sutton, Scott Hall, Aaron Ridley
 
Sweet Manufacturing Third Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Scott Bloomquist, Jimmy Owens, Brad Neat, Tyler Millwood, Chris Brown, Mike Marlar, Tony Knowles, Jake Knowles, Eddie Blackmon, Teddy Snow
 
HAWK Brakes Fourth Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Steve Francis, Steve Casebolt, Jonathan Davenport, Billy Ogle, Casey Roberts, Ray Cook, Chris Madden, Frank Ingram, Matt Helbing
 
JRi Shocks First B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Tommy Kerr, Eric Jacobsen, David Payne, Todd Morrow, Eric Wells, Aaron Ridley, Buster Goss, John Blankenship, Chris Ferguson, Scott Hall, Lee Sutton-DNS, Luther Jenkins-DNS
 
Wrisco Aluminum Second B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Chris Brown, Chris Madden, Casey Roberts, Ray Cook, Jake Knowles, Tony Knowles, Eddie Blackmon, Teddy Snow, Matt Helbing, Mike Marlar-DNS, Frank Ingram-DNS

Lucas Oil Rome Showdown Feature Finish – 50 Laps: Jimmy Owens, Dale McDowell, Clint Smith, Don O'Neal, Earl Pearson, Jr., Shane Clanton, Steve Francis, Chris Madden, Chip Brindle, Tyler Reddick, Billy Ogle, Jonathan Davenport, Tommy Kerr, Eric Jacobsen, Jared Landers, Ray Cook, David Payne, Chris Brown, John Blankenship, Tyler Millwood, Brad Neat, Scott Bloomquist, Steve Casebolt, Casey Roberts, Eric Wells

Lucas Oil Rome Showdown Feature Finish – 50 Laps:

FINISH
START
CAR #
DRIVER NAME
HOMETOWN
1
6
20
Jimmy Owens
Newport, TN
2
3
17m
Dale McDowell
Chickamauga, GA
3
5
44c
Clint Smith
Senoia, GA
4
11
71
Don O'Neal
Martinsville, IN
5
15
44
Earl Pearson, Jr.
Jacksonville, FL
6
7
25c
Shane Clanton
Fayetteville, GA
7
4
15
Steve Francis
Ashland, KY
8
20
44m
Chris Madden
Gaffney, SC
9
13
21B
Chip Brindle
Chatsworth, GA
10
1
11t
Tyler Reddick
Corning, CA
11
16
201
Billy Ogle
Knoxville, TN
12
12
49
Jonathan Davenport
Blairsville, GA
13
17
4T
Tommy Kerr
Maryville, TN
14
19
5
Eric Jacobsen
Watsonville, CA
15
9
777
Jared Landers
Batesville, AR
16
24
53
Ray Cook
Brasstown, NC
17
21
8
David Payne
Murphy, NC
18
18
21CB
Chris Brown
Cleveland, TX
19
23
23
John Blankenship
Williamson, WV
20
14
X
Tyler Millwood
Kingston, GA
21
10
41n
Brad Neat
Dunnville, KY
22
2
0
Scott Bloomquist
Mooresburg, TN
23
8
c9
Steve Casebolt
Richmond, IN
24
22
101
Casey Roberts
Toccoa, GA
25
25
18e
Eric Wells
Hazard, KY
 
Race Statistics

Entrants: 39

Lap Leaders: Scott Bloomquist (Laps 1 – 36); Jimmy Owens (Laps 37 – 50)

Caution Flags: Eric Wells (Lap 25); Scott Bloomquist (Lap 36); Brad Neat (Lap 39)

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: John Blankenship, Ray Cook

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: Eric Wells

Rome International Speedway Track Provisional: none

PBM/Erson Cams Hard Charger of the Race: Chris Madden (Started 20th; Finished 8th; Advanced 12 positions)

Allstar Performer of the Race: Dale McDowell

K&N Filters Clean Pass of the Race: Earl Pearson Jr.

Quarter Master Rookie of the Race: Tyler Reddick

COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Cornett Racing Engines

Janowski Insurance Feature Winner: Jimmy Owens

Outerwears Challenger of the Race: Chris Madden

Dominator Race Products Hard Luck Award: Scott Bloomquist

DirtonDirt.com Crew Chief of the Race: Chris Fox (Jimmy Owens)

Time of Race: 34 minutes 00 seconds
 
Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:
 
POS
CAR #
DRIVER NAME
HOMETOWN
POINTS
1
20
Jimmy Owens
Newport, TN
6975
2
0
Scott Bloomquist
Mooresburg, TN
6925
3
71
Don O'Neal
Martinsville, IN
6290
4
15
Steve Francis
Ashland, KY
5965
5
777
Jared Landers
Batesville, AR
5550
6
44
Earl Pearson, Jr.
Jacksonville, FL
5440
7
23
John Blankenship
Williamson, WV
5370
7
41n
Brad Neat
Dunnville, KY
5370
9
11t
Tyler Reddick
Corning, CA
5285
10
53
Ray Cook
Brasstown, NC
5250
11
17m
Dale McDowell
Chickamauga, GA
5070
12
18e
Eric Wells
Hazard, KY
4635
13
57J
Bub McCool
Vicksburg, MS
4175
14
c9
Steve Casebolt
Richmond, IN
3875
15
99jr
Frank Heckenast, Jr.
Frankfort, IL
3765
 
  

Filed Under: 2011 News • 2011 Results