OWENS WINS TOYOTA KNOXVILLE 50

OWENS WINS TOYOTA KNOXVILLE 50

(TAZEWELL, TN May 30, 2014) - In a classic battle between two Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Champions, Jimmy Owens and Scott Bloomquist, Owens emerged victorious over Bloomquist Friday night at Tazewell Speedway. Owens passed Bloomquist on the 36th lap and then sailed away for his second series win of the season in front of a huge crowd at the Toyota Knoxville 50.

 Bloomquist led the first 36 laps of the event until he got trapped behind a lapped car and Owens swept by him on the outside coming off of turn number four. Bloomquist then had to hold off hard-charging Chris Madden to finish second. Current series point's leader, Don O'Neal came home fourth, followed by 2-time track champion, Billy Ogle, Jr.

 "The car was just great all night," said the driver of the Club 29 Chassis owned by Mike Reece. ""The race got off to a rough start; I think it was a little bit slimy down low there in one and two, and when I saw Scott catch the traffic, I figured I might as well go in harder in turns three and four up top. It worked out for us! It has been a long day, my mom had surgery this morning, and they may have to re-do it again tomorrow, so my thoughts are with her."

 "I have to thank Mike Reece for making my dream come true to race full-time! We have a great crew. Many thanks to all my sponsors: Reece Monument Company, Midwest Sheet Metal, Edge Services, Sunoco, Ohlins, Keyser, C&C Trucking, Cornett Engines, and FORD. It's always great to come here and race close to home in front of the fans. We don't get to do it often, but it's really nice when we win," said Owens after recording his 46th career LOLMDS win.

 Bloomquist was happy with his performance, despite losing the lead late in the race. "Yes the car was really fast; we had a good lead there for a while. That long green flag run we had, plus the lap traffic, our car tightened up a little bit. Congratulations to Jimmy on the win, he ran a good race. On the move he made for the lead when you are the trailing you have the advantage of seeing ahead better. He made the right move. I went down low and it cost me. But still we are satisfied with our run," said the driver of the Ole Smoky Moonshine, Penske Shocks, Lucas Oil, Sweet-Bloomquist car.

 Madden nearly took the runner-up spot in the closing laps as he pulled alongside Bloomquist. "We had a good run on Scott; I thought maybe I could get by. It's tough to pass here sometimes. This is our first race in May, so it felt good to get back behind the wheel. We are looking forward to the rest of the season."

 Completing the top ten were Jared Landers, Eddie Carrier Jr., Jason Hughes, Earl Pearson Jr. and Jason Papich.

In preliminary action, Scott Bloomquist set the overall Miller Welders Fast Time amongst the 21 entrants, with a lap of 11.150 seconds. Scott Bloomquist, Jimmy Owens, and Don O'Neal won their respective heat races.

For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, log onto www.lucasdirt.com and follow the series on www.facebook.com/lucasdirt and www.twitter.com/lucasdirt.

 

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary:  Friday Night, May 30th, 2014 - Toyota Knoxville 50 - Tazewell Speedway - Tazewell, TN

Feature Finish (50 Laps):

FINISH   START   CAR #    DRIVER NAME   HOMETOWN

1             2             20           Jimmy Owens     Newport, TN

2             1             0             Scott Bloomquist   Mooresburg, TN

3             10           44m       Chris Madden     Gaffney, SC

4             3             5             Don O'Neal         Martinsville, IN

5             9             201        Billy Ogle Jr.        Knoxville, TN

6             8             777        Jared Landers     Batesville, AR

7             12           28           Eddie Carrier, Jr.  Salt Rock, WV

8             14           12           Jason Hughes     Watts, OK

9             4             44           Earl Pearson, Jr.   Jacksonville, FL

10           16           91p        Jason Papich       Nipomo, CA

11           17           62           Cody King            McDonough, GA

12           15           B00        Josh Henry          Newport, TN

13           13           28e        Dennis Erb, Jr.    Carpentersville, IL

14           20           22           Matthew Holt     Thorn Hill, TN

15           18           25           Bobby Mays        Limestone, TN

16           5             23           John Blankenship  Williamson, WV

17           19           15H        Wade Howerton  Tazewell, TN

18           7             5J           Eric Jacobsen      Watsonville, CA

19           6             15           Steve Francis      Ashland, KY

20           11           28w       Jeff Wolfenbarger  Clinton, TN

NR          21           10           Chad Ogle           Sevierville, TN

 

POS       CAR #    DRIVER NAME                  HOMETOWN                     POINTS

1             5             Don O'Neal                        Martinsville, IN                 2590

2             20           Jimmy Owens                    Newport, TN                     2550

3             44           Earl Pearson, Jr.                Jacksonville, FL               2420

4             0             Scott Bloomquist              Mooresburg, TN                 2415

5             28           Eddie Carrier, Jr.               Salt Rock, WV                   2385

6             15           Steve Francis                     Ashland, KY                      2355

7             23           John Blankenship              Williamson, WV                 2140

8             777        Jared Landers                    Batesville, AR                    2100

9             28e        Dennis Erb, Jr.                   Carpentersville, IL             1980

10           12           Jason Hughes                    Watts, OK                         1865

10           81           Brian Shirley                       Chatham, IL                      1865

12           91p        Jason Papich                      Nipomo, CA                       1735

 *Points are unofficial until Close of Business on the Tuesday following Race Day*