KNOXVILLE, IA (July 21, 2006)- Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, IA always seems to shine the brightest on his home turf and Friday Night at the Knoxville (IA) Raceway he stole the spotlight again in winning the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Iowa Telecom Summer Classic. Birkhofer became the 13th different winner with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series in 2006 pocketing $10,000 for the win. The 34-year-old Birkhofer went to winners circle at Knoxville driving his J&J Steel/Daufeldt Transport/TB and Company/Simon Trucking Driver Recruitment/Bryant Roofing/S&S Concrete/Pratt Motorsports/ASI Racewear/Community Bank of Muscatine/JC Dubil Race Parts/McDonald’s of the Quad Cities/Pro Power Engines/Rocket Chevrolet. Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, WI who led the most laps during the race finished second in his Deppe Enterprises/T.L. Sinz Plumbing/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo followed by Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN in his Miller Brothers Coal/Hawkeye Trucking/Bloomquist Race Cars Chevrolet. Fourth place went to pole sitter Matt Miller of Waterville, OH in the Dirt Shop, Inc/McCullough Industries/MasterSbilt Grand Prix with 20th starting Darren Miller claiming fifth in the Ideal Ready Mix/Pro Power/Rocket Ford Taurus.

On the opening lap Matt Miller and Jimmy Mars came across the start-finish line side by side to score lap one even. Miller then would clear Mars for the lead on the second circuit to take over the point. Miller one show the way another time around the speedy half-mile oval until Mars would forge ahead on lap three. Mars would then pull out to an eight-car length lead over Miller with Scott Bloomquist running in third followed by Brian Birkhofer and Don O’Neal.

Mars would then see Miller cut his lead down to three car lengths by the eighth lap with impending traffic in front of the leaders. The first caution of the race came out for Matt Furman on lap 12 after he stalled in turn number two. On the restart Mars would again show the way with Miller in second, Birkhofer now up to third followed by Bloomquist and O’Neal. The second caution flag of the race came out for Chris Spieker on lap 17 which slowed the field again.

On the restart Mars who had built a seven car length advantage would see his lead disappear on the ensuing restart with Birkhofer and Miller lined up right behind him. With 20 laps scored Mars was still out in front with a torrid battle for second between Birkhofer and Miller taking place. Birkhofer would then start to challenge Mars for the lead as he riding the high groove on the racetrack and Mars was protecting the middle line.

The fourth caution of the 50-lap event was for debris with 24 laps scored. On the restart the crossed flags indicating half way would see Mars with a slim lead over Birkhofer with Miller and Bloomquist trailing. The fifth yellow of the event was for Scott James on lap 28 as he slowed on the back straight. With 22 laps to go Mars would maintain his lead on the restart with Miller back into second place with Birkhofer in hot pursuit. Darren Miller who started 20th on the grid was now up to fifth and challenging Bloomquist for fourth place. With ten laps to go Mars was looking good out in front with Birkhofer running the high side in his attempt to overtake him.

Traffic would enter the picture with 12 laps to go as Mars was back to a six-car length lead over Birkhofer. The sixth and final caution of the race came out on lap 39 for debris on the racetrack. That would set up an 11-lap shootout with Mars on the point followed by Birkhofer and Bloomquist. On the restart it would take Birkhofer just two laps to take over the lead for the first time in the race. Birkhofer then would quickly build a six car length lead over Mars in the last five laps as he would take his car through some traffic obstacles near the end of the race, but still maintain a comfortable margin at the end. Mars would then have to hold off Bloomquist to take second. Matt Miller would come home in fourth followed by the hard charger of the race, Darren Miller.

“Wow it always great to win here in my home state and especially here a Knoxville.” “It’s close to home and it was a great race to watch I’m sure for the fans.” “Jimmy raced me clean like I knew he would and Scott Bloomquist, he’s my idol and what can I say it was a good clean race.”

Completing the top ten were Don O’Neal, Earl Pearson, Jr., Chris Wall, Freddy Smith and Brady Smith.

In preliminary action Brian Birkhofer was the fastest qualifier for the 33-car field at 18.505 seconds. Jimmy Mars, Scott Bloomquist and Matt Miller won the PBM Performance Products Heat Races. The Mason Racin’ Rebel Shock Dyno B-Main was won by Freddy Smith. The K&N Engineering “Clean Pass of the Race” went to Brian Birkhofer for his winning pass on Jimmy Mars to take over the lead. The K&N Engineering “Clean Pass of the Race” is awarded at each Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event and can be awarded during a heat race, B-main or A-main.

Race Summary
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Friday Night, July 21, 2006
Knoxville Raceway-Knoxville, IA

Comp Cams Fast Time: Brian Birkhofer 18.505 seconds

PBM Performance Products First Heat: (10 Laps-Top 5 Advance): Jimmy Mars, Don O'Neal, Brian Birkhofer, Steve Casebolt, Kerry Hansen, Freddy Smith, Todd Shute, Andrew McKay, Johnny Johnson, Michael England, Jill George

PBM Performance Products Second Heat: (10 Laps-Top 5 Advance): Scott Bloomquist, Donnie Moran, Earl Pearson, Jr., Matt Furman, Steve Ihm, Jay Johnson, Chris Spieker, Paul Glendenning, Ryan Vicker, Justin Fegers, Darren Miller

PBM Performance Products Third Heat: (10 Laps-Top 5 Advance): Matt Miller, Brady Smith, Chris Wall, Ronny Lee Hollingsworth, Scott James, Chris Smyser, Denny Woodworth, Boone McLaughlin, Johnny Bone, Jr., Jeff French, Alonzo Grosse

Mason Racin' Rebel Shock Dyno B-Main: (12 Laps-Top 7 Advance): Freddy Smith, Chris Spieker, Boone McLaughlin, Todd Shute, Darren Miller, Justin Fegers, Denny Woodworth, Chris Smyser, Michael England, Paul Glendenning, Johnny Bone, Jr., Andrew McKay, Johnny Johnson, Ryan Vicker, Jeff French, Jill George, Jay Johnson

Iowa Telecom Summer Classic A-Main: (50 Laps): Brian Birkhofer, Jimmy Mars, Scott Bloomquist, Matt Miller, Darren Miller, Don O'Neal, Earl Pearson, Jr., Chris Wall, Freddy Smith, Brady Smith, Justin Fegers, Boone McLaughlin, Todd Shute, Michael England, Steve Ihm, Jay Johnson, Scott James, Steve Casebolt, Ronny Lee Hollingsworth, Donnie Moran, Chris Spieker, Matt Furman, Denny Woodworth, Kerry Hansen

Race Statistics:
Entries: 33
Yellow Flags: 6
Red Flags: 0
Lap Leaders: Jimmy Mars-1, Matt Miller 2-3, Mars 4-41, Brian Birkhofer 42-50
Allstar Performance Performer of the Race: Darren Miller (Started 20th and finished 5th, advanced 15 positions)
K&N Engineering Clean Pass of the Race: Brian Birkhofer
Hawk Brake Tough Brake Award: Donnie Moran
Quarter Master Move of the Race: Jimmy Mars
On the Edge Graphics Fastest Non Qualifier: Johnny Bone, Jr.
Weld Wheels Award: Freddy Smith
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Rookie of the Race: Brady Smith
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Michael England and Jay Johnson