Owens Prevails in Lucas Oil Win at Smoky Mountain

(MARYVILLE, TN  -  July 8, 2017)   For the second time in 2017, Jimmy Owens dominated the competition at one of his home-state tracks by winning the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Mountain Moonshine Classic on Saturday Night at Smoky Mountain Speedway.

Owens grabbed the lead at the start of the 60-lap main event and led all the way before a packed grandstand. Brandon Overton was looking for his second straight LOLMDS win and charged from the eighth starting spot to finish second. Scott Bloomquist overtook Series point-leader, Josh Richards late in the race to finish third. Richards came home in fourth and Darrell Lanigan rounded out the top five.

Owens wrestled the lead away from pole-sitter Ray Cook at the start of the race and Owens bolted away from the field. The only thing that slowed Owens was the only caution of the race, which came out on lap six. Owens held more than a straightaway lead over the field for the remainder of the race.

"Man, I can't thank my crew enough, they have worked their tails off on this car. We have been away from home the last week or two and we needed to get things sorted out. It's good to know a lot of hard work has paid off. Thanks to Shannon and Jeff for making this car go."

With a multitude of Owens' supporters on hand, the three-time LOLMDS National Champion responded to their support. "Without the fans we are nothing, they are what makes this sport great. We love them all and appreciate their support over the years."

"The track was in great shape; the pits, those I am not so sure of, and we may have the hauler stuck out there. But after the rain they had this afternoon it was good to see the sunshine and the great crowd on hand. I didn't want to see a caution after that first one they had.   I am glad I didn't have to contend with the 116 [Overton] car at the end."

The Ramirez Motorsports, Rocket Chassis entry is powered by an Andy Durham engine and sponsored by: E3 Spark Plugs, Red Bone Fishing and Rental, Power Rig LLC, Red Line Oil, and Boomtest Well Service.

Overton; the previous night's LOLMDS winner at Cherokee Speedway; made another late race charge, but this time came one spot short of victory. "Yes, I would have like to have had a caution there at the end, but that's the way it goes sometimes. Congrats to Jimmy on the win. We just got it going too late tonight to win it. But to run second with these guys, it's all well worth it."

Bloomquist rebounded for a third-place finish - passing Richards to gain valuable championship points. "Overton was really good at the end. We got a little bit tight at the end, we just had to hang in there. It looked like one time we were coming on, but then we picked up a push. I am sure if we would have had a caution, we might have had something for them. Everything is running good again so hopefully we will be back up front again."

Completing the top ten were Dale McDowell, Ray Cook, Casey Roberts. Dennis Erb Jr, and Shanon Buckingham.