by John Berti, Editor
Karnac.com Southern Short Track News
Gibsonton, FL - February 6, 2007 - Earl Pearson, Jr. let one get away last night, but he was not to be denied a victory in night #2 of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park, Tuesday night.
For the second night in a row Pearson, the two time and reigning Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series national champion, started from the pole. Unlike last night he led from green to checker in the 30 lap, $5000 to win A-Main feature to take down his first win ever at East Bay Raceway Park.
Steve Francis was runner up almost a full straightaway behind Pearson. Ricky Arms finishing third. Don O'Neal was fourth with Shannon Babb fifth.
After several cautions in the early laps of the race the drivers settled in to run eleven laps of uninterrupted racing action. Dan Schlieper got by O’Neal to move into the top five on lap eleven.
With the crossed flags in the air (half way) Pearson was shown as the leader followed by Francis, Terry Casey, Arms and Schlieper running in the top five.
O’Neal took fifth back from Schlieper on lap sixteen. The final caution of the event came out four laps later when third place runner Casey drifted up high while negotiating turns three and four. Casey damaged the left front suspension on his car sometime during the running of the race and was doing a fine job running competitively up until that point. He was done for the night.
When the field went back to green Pearson was able to pull away from Francis once again. Francis’ steadiness earned him the fine second place finish. Ricky Arms was impressive for the second night in a row taking down third. He finished sixth the night before. O’Neal and Shannon Babb rounding out the top five finishers.
Completing the top ten were Dan Schlieper, Matt Miller, Josh Richards, Anthony White and Donnie Moran.
Pearson thanked his crew during victory lane ceremonies. "These fellas worked their butts off changing this car over for Bobby Labonte." said Pearson. "It’s been a heck of a week so far. We led a little bit last night and we got it done tonight."
Race Night Summary
Fastest time trial: Billy Drake-14.894
First Heat (10 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Shannon Babb, Donnie Moran, Josh Richards, Jimmy Mars, Billy Drake, Eddie Carrier Jr., Jason McBride, Jeff Beyers, John Blankenship, Roger Crouse, Tim Fuller, Frank Shickel Jr.
Second Heat (10 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Terry Casey, Anthony White, Jeep VanWormer, Davey Johnson, Mike Mataragas, Justin Rattliff, Rick Rogers, Eric Wells, Sherri Heckenast, Mark Andersen, Mike Marlar, J. R. Prather
Third Heat (10 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Matt Miller, Steve Casebolt, Bryan Collins, Joe Morris, Wendell Wallace, Tim McCreadie, Bub McCool, Scott Riggs, Joe Denby, Eric Jacobsen, Jordan Bland DNS: Shawn Reed
Fourth Heat (10 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Earl Pearson Jr., Dennis Erb Jr., Terry English, Michael England, Scott James, John Mason, Ray Cook, D Jay Miller, Mike Petersak, Jeff Fortner, Rohn Moon
Fifth Heat: (10 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Dan Schlieper, Billy Moyer, Steve Shaver, Tim Dohm, Darrell Lanigan, Freddy Smith, Brad Neat, Kevin Cole, Don Mihelich, Bob Geiger, Wayne Chinn
Sixth Heat (10 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Steve Francis, Damon Eller, Rick Eckert, Jason Flory, Rick Aukland, Adam Hensel, Ivedent Lloyd, Daniel Stone, Garrett Durrett, Vic Coffey, DNS: Robert Kleinschmidt
Seventh Heat (10 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Don O’Neal, Josh McGuire, Marshall Austin, Chuck Harper, CJ Rayburn, Randy Korte, Steve Sheppard, Darren Miller, Kristin Flory, Jeff Gress, Brady Smith
Eighth Heat (10 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Ricky Arms, Dean Carpenter, Doug Horton, Patrick Sheltra, Shane Clanton, Victor Lee, Richard Hedrick, Christian Rayburn, Gerald Davis, DJ Wells, Jackie Boggs, Randy Lucas
First B-Main (12 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Josh Richards, Jimmy Mars, Billy Drake, Jeep VanWormer, Justin Rattliff, Mike Mataragas, Eddie Carrier Jr., John Blankenship, Frank Shickel Jr., Roger Crouse, Tim Fuller, Jason McBride, Rick Rogers, Mark Andersen, Jeff Beyers, Eric Wells, J. R. Prather, Sherri Heckenast, Davey Johnson, DNS: Mike Marlar
Second B-Main (12 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Terry English, Scott James, Bryan Collins, Wendell Wallace, Joe Morris, Bub McCool, Tim McCreadie, John Mason, Mike Petersak, Eric Jacobsen, Scott Riggs, D Jay Miller, Michael England, Jordan Bland, Ray Cook, DNS: Joe Denby, Jeff Fortner, Rohn Moon, and Shawn Reed
Third B-Main (12 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Steve Shaver, Tim Dohm, Darrell Lanigan, Rick Eckert, Daniel Stone, Ivendent Lloyd, Wayne Chinn, Vic Coffey, Don Mihelich, Adam Hensel, Garrett Durrett, Jason Flory, Kevin Cole, Freddy Smith, Brad Neat, Rick Aukland, DNS: Bob Geiger and Robert Kleinschmidt
Fourth B-Main (12 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Patrick Sheltra, Chuck Harper, Shane Clanton, Darren Miller, Doug Horton, Marshall Austin, DJ Wells, Richard Hedrick, CJ Rayburn, Steve Sheppard, Christian Rayburn, Gerald Davis, Victor Lee, Jeff Gress, Kristin Flory, Randy Korte, Randy Lucas, Brady Smith, DNS: Jackie Boggs
Strawberry Dash (9 Laps-Winner advances): Rick Eckert, Tim McCreadie, Richard Hedrick, Garrett Durrett, Ivendent Lloyd, Justin Rattliff, Mark Anderson, J. R. Prather, Victor Lee
A-Main (30 laps): Earl Pearson Jr., Steve Francis, Ricky Arms, Don O’Neal, Shannon Babb, Dan Schlieper, Matt Miller, Josh Richards, Anthony White, Donnie Moran, Terry English, Rick Eckert, Josh McGuire, Steve Shaver, Chuck Harper, Patrick Sheltra, Damon Eller, Dean Carpenter, Tim Dohm, Terry Casey, Steve Casebolt, Scott James, Billy Moyer, Dennis Erb Jr., Jimmy Mars
Race Statistics:
Lap leaders: Earl Pearson, Jr. 1-30
Cautions: 6
Red Flags: 1
Race Awards:
Hard Charger Award: Rick Eckert (Started 25th and Finished 12-Advanced 13 Positions)
Performer of the Race: Earl Pearson, Jr.
Rookie of the Race: Ricky Arms
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