Owens rolls to victory in Round One of CMH Diamond Nationals at Lucas Oil Speedway

Jimmy Owens picked up career win No. 8 at Lucas Oil Speedway on Saturday. (Kenny Shaw photo)

(WHEATLAND, MO - July 13, 2019) - Jimmy Owens returned to a familiar place Saturday night - victory lane at Lucas Oil Speedway.

Owens, of Newport, Tennessee, dominated on his way to an eighth career victory at the track as he captured Night One of the 13th annual CMH Diamond Nationals Presented by Super Clean in front of a big crowd.

Owens claimed $15,000 for his fourth CMH Diamond Nationals win and 63rd career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series triumph. He finished about a straightaway ahead of runner-up Earl Pearson Jr. in the 60-lap event with Mike Marlar passing Scott Bloomquist late in a battle for third. Series points leader Jonathan Davenport was fifth.

The night's other main event saw Chad Wheeler rally from deep in the field to capture the Pitts Homes USRA Modified feature and earn $2,000.

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will fire it up again Sunday for Night Two of the Diamond Nationals, a special doubleheader this year after the Show-Me 100 was canceled back in May after a severe storm damaged the facility. The O'Reilly Auto Parts Street Stocks will join the Late Models on Sunday's card.

Owens added to his Diamond Nationals wins in 2012, 2014 and 2017.

"We're rolling really good right now," said Owens, who also made Pearson a runner-up one night earlier at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Illinois. "We're glad to be here and get a win with Leon (car owner Leon Ramirez) and the guys here. I'm glad we can win in front of them.

"Hats off to the crowd and the fans. The crew has worked their butt off the last few days."

Owens opened a two-second lead while working lapped traffic when the race's lone caution came out on lap 20 when Logan Martin slowed coming off turn four. Just after the restart, Pearson caught and passed Owens - but his lead lasted only two laps as Owens went back in front on lap 26.

The race remained green the rest of the way with Owens expertly weaving his way through lapped traffic for the win. He said he was happy there were no more cautions.

"I didn't want to see cautions because we still struggle on takeoffs, getting our tires to fire back up," Owens said. "But we're getting a hold on that too."

Pearson praised the slick nature of the track, which made for multiple lanes but noted that his car couldn't handle the surface like Owens' did.

"Everybody knows that Jimmy is extremely good here," Pearson said. "We tried to run with him for 10 or 15 laps, but he could maneuver around a lot better than I could. But that's a good night for us and a good points night. We'll work on it and try again tomorrow."

Owens said he's eager to gun for a sweep on Sunday and keep his winning streak going.

"It's awesome. The team is pumped and we're pumped," Owens said. "It's a great feeling to be back in victory lane here."

Gates open at 3 p.m. Sunday with hot laps at 5:30 and racing at 6:05 p.m. The O'Reilly Auto Parts Street Stocks also will be in action running for a $1,000 first prize.

13th annual CMH Diamond Nationals results (July 13, 2019)

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series/Lucas Oil MLRA : 1, Jimmy Owens. 2, Earl Pearson Jr. 3, Mike Marlar. 4, Scott Bloomquist. 5, Jonathan Davenport. 6, Shannon Buckingham. 7, Billy Moyer. 8, Jesse Stovall. 9, Rick Eckert. 10, Hudson O'Neal. 11, Tony Jackson Jr. 12, Tim McCreadie. 13, Kyle Bronson. 14, Shannon Babb. 15, Josh Richards. 16, Tyler Erb. 17, Billy Moyer Jr. 18, Devin Morgan. 19, Stormy Scott. 20, Mason Oberkramer. 21, Gavin Landers. 22, Mitch McGrath. 23, Jake Neal. 24, Logan Martin. 25, Payton Looney. 26, Terry Phillips. 27, Will Vaught. 28, Michael Norris.

CONTACT: Danny Lorton - Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager -Office: (417) 282-5984 -DLorton@lucasoilspeedway.com

                                               # # #

Edited from Press Release from Lucas Oil Speedway