ATTICA, OH (September 2, 2016) Defending Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion Jonathan Davenport returned to his winning form by taking the feature event on Friday night at Attica Raceway Park. Davenport took the lead on lap 14 from Doug Drown, who had led the first 13 circuits.
Dennis Erb Jr. charged from his 12th starting spot to finish second. Doug Drown, the defending track champion at Attica, had the home track fans on their feet for the first part of the race. He eventually came home in third. New track record holder Darrell Lanigan was fourth, and Jimmy Owens; who won the first time the series raced at Attica finished fifth.
Davenport, who is currently second in the series points standings, had not finished the last three LOLMDS events, and was relieved to be back in Lucas Oil Victory Lane. “It feels good to be here again! I have to thank Kevin [Rumley] and my guys. They have worked their tails off the last two weeks. Everybody knows we haven’t been running well lately. We aren’t dead, and we are not done yet! We are just going to keep on working to find an edge,” said the 32-year-old racer.
“Man what a race track this is! I just want to thank Troy Baird of Baird Transport, Elite Concrete, Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas, the Labontes back home at the shop and I also want to say we miss Lee Roy Rumley. He is not here tonight; he is back home building us a new motor.”
Drown bolted from his fourth starting spot to take the lead on the very first lap and held the top spot through the first 13 laps that was peppered with two cautions and a red flag during the first three circuits.
Davenport took advantage of lap-traffic to close the gap on Drown, making the pass for the lead on lap 14. Drown stayed close for a while, but eventually Davenport pulled away. Erb then charged from the outside of the sixth row, challenging Drown for second. The two went side-by-side for several laps as Erb was finally able to forge ahead of Drown on lap 41.
Erb; in his Vomac Truck Sales/J.R. McBride Leasing/Black Diamond Chassis; was happy with his performance. “It was a good run. To start where we did, the cautions helped us a lot tonight. The car was working very well on the bottom. To come up through there like we did was good for us, no doubt. The track was really racy and there were two grooves.”
Drown had the car that nearly pulled off the upset. “There was moisture coming up on the track. I thought I had picked the right tire early on. I was looking like a genius for the first part of the race, and then it went away a little bit. Once JD [Davenport] got out in front, it was hard to stay with him. He stayed up top and my car just couldn’t stick there. Dennis [Erb] came along and we had a good race as well. To run third with these guys makes us extremely happy,” said the driver of the Leroy Hall/Hall’s Auto Sales/Swartz.
Completing the top ten were Don O’Neal, Brandon Sheppard, Earl Pearson Jr., Matt Irey, and Devin Moran.
In preliminary action, Darrell Lanigan set the overall Miller Welders Fast Time (Group B) amongst the 28 entrants, with a lap of 14.187 seconds. Jonathan Davenport set the fastest time in Group A with a time of 14.209 seconds. Jonathan Davenport, Devin Moran, Darrell Lanigan, and Doug Drown won their respective heat races. Craig Vosbergen won the B-Main.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Friday, September 2nd, 2016
Attica Raceway Park – Attica, OH
Miller Welders Fast Time Group A: Jonathan Davenport / 14.209 seconds
Miller Welders Fast Time Group B: Darrell Lanigan / 14.187 seconds ***NEW TRACK RECORD***
Eibach Springs Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Jonathan Davenport, Don O’Neal, Steve Francis, Dave Hornikel, Craig Vosbergen, Mike Bores, Paul Stubber
FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Devin Moran, Jon Henry, Kyle Hardy, Casey Noonan, Scott Smith, Mathew Chapman, Matt Irey
Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Darrell Lanigan, Jimmy Owens, Tim McCreadie, Ryan Markham, Timothy Culp, Cody Scott, Devin Shiels-DNS
QA1 Heat Race #4 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Doug Drown, Earl Pearson, Jr., Dennis Erb, Jr., Scott Bloomquist, Brad Malcuit, Colton Flinner, Brandon Sheppard
Fast Shafts B-Main #1 Finish (12 Laps, Top 6 Transfer): Craig Vosbergen, Mike Bores, Matt Irey, Timothy Culp, Brad Malcuit, Mathew Chapman, Scott Smith, Colton Flinner, Paul Stubber-DNS, Cody Scott-DNS, Devin Shiels-DNS, Brandon Sheppard-DNS
Feature Finish (50 Laps):
| FINISH | START | CAR # | DRIVER NAME | HOMETOWN | EARNINGS |
| 1 | 1 | 6 | Jonathan Davenport | Mount Airy, NC | $11,000 |
| 2 | 12 | 28E | Dennis Erb, Jr. | Carpentersville, IL | $6,200 |
| 3 | 4 | 240 | Doug Drown | Wooster, OH | $3,500 |
| 4 | 2 | 15L | Darrell Lanigan | Union, KY | $3,550 |
| 5 | 6 | 20 | Jimmy Owens | Newport, TN | $3,050 |
| 6 | 5 | 5 | Don O’Neal | Martinsville, IN | $2,600 |
| 7 | 23 | B5 | Brandon Sheppard | New Berlin, IL | $2,200 |
| 8 | 8 | 1 | Earl Pearson, Jr. | Jacksonville, FL | $2,100 |
| 9 | 19 | 36 | Matt Irey | Mansfield, OH | $1,200 |
| 10 | 3 | 99m | Devin Moran | Dresden, OH | $1,100 |
| 11 | 18 | 15b | Mike Bores | Bellevue, OH | $1,075 |
| 12 | 14 | 5m | Ryan Markham | Ashland, OH | $1,050 |
| 13 | 9 | 15F | Steve Francis | Bowling Green, KY | $1,725 |
| 14 | 15 | 1N | Casey Noonan | Sylvania, OH | $1,000 |
| 15 | 17 | 8 | Craig Vosbergen | Perth, W. Australia | $950 |
| 16 | 24 | 75 | Colton Flinner | Allison Park, PA | $1,025 |
| 17 | 16 | 0 | Scott Bloomquist | Mooresburg, TN | $1,800 |
| 18 | 11 | 21* | Kyle Hardy | Stephens City, VA | $875 |
| 19 | 10 | 39 | Tim McCreadie | Watertown, NY | $1,550 |
| 20 | 21 | 79 | Brad Malcuit | Strasburg, OH | $825 |
| 21 | 22 | 0 | Mathew Chapman | Tecumseh, MI | $800 |
| 22 | 13 | 71 | Dave Hornikel | Mansfield, OH | $800 |
| 23 | 20 | C8 | Timothy Culp | Prattsville, AR | $800 |
| 24 | 7 | 15H | Jon Henry | Ada, OH | $800 |
Race Statistics
Entrants: 28
Lap Leaders: Doug Drown (Laps 1 – 13); Jonathan Davenport (Laps 14 – 50)
Cautions: Jon Henry (Lap 1); Scott Bloomquist and Kyle Hardy (Lap 2); Timothy Culp (Lap 3); Tim McCreadie (Lap 20); Scott Bloomquist (Lap 41)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Brandon Sheppard, Colton Flinner
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: n/a
Wrisco Feature Winner: Jonathan Davenport
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Brandon Sheppard (Started: 23rd; Finished: 7th; Advanced 16 Positions)
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Scott Bloomquist
Allstar Performance Power Move of the Race: Matt Irey
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Jonathan Davenport
Hot Rod Processing Rookie of the Race: Colton Flinner
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Racing Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn Chassis
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Kevin Rumley (Jonathan Davenport)
Fastest Lap of the Race: Doug Drown (Lap #3 – 14.6425 seconds)
Most Laps Led: Jonathan Davenport (37 Laps)
PFC Brakes Tough Brake Award: Timothy Culp
Time of Race: 31 minutes 50 seconds
Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:
| POS | CAR # | DRIVER NAME | HOMETOWN | POINTS | EARNINGS |
| 1 | 0 | Scott Bloomquist | Mooresburg, TN | 6625 | $296,575 |
| 2 | 6 | Jonathan Davenport | Mount Airy, NC | 6075 | $219,350 |
| 3 | B5 | Brandon Sheppard | New Berlin, IL | 5890 | $110,750 |
| 4 | 39 | Tim McCreadie | Watertown, NY | 5725 | $94,775 |
| 5 | 28E | Dennis Erb, Jr. | Carpentersville, IL | 5720 | $90,000 |
| 6 | 5 | Don O’Neal | Martinsville, IN | 5635 | $96,800 |
| 7 | 777 | Jared Landers | Batesville, AR | 5595 | $114,275 |
| 8 | 15L | Darrell Lanigan | Union, KY | 5445 | $87,675 |
| 9 | 1 | Earl Pearson, Jr. | Jacksonville, FL | 5345 | $90,175 |
| 10 | 20 | Jimmy Owens | Newport, TN | 5295 | $119,525 |
| 11 | 15F | Steve Francis | Bowling Green, KY | 4875 | $55,950 |
| 12 | 75 | Colton Flinner | Allison Park, PA | 3955 | $26,725 |
*Points are unofficial until Close of Business on the Tuesday following Race Day*
For the latest breaking news concerning the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, including the latest series standings, 2016 tour schedule, driver information, and more visit the official website at: www.lucasdirt.com.
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LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL DIRT SERIES OFFICIAL SPONSORS INCLUDE:
ASi Racewear – “The Official Merchandise Vendor” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Bad Boy Mowers – “The Official Mower” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Carlyle Tools by NAPA – “Official Sponsor” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Dunn Benson Ford – “The Official Pace Truck” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
E3 Spark Plugs – “The Official Spark Plug” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Fast Orange – “The Official Hand Cleaner” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
GEICO – “The Official Insurance” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
General Tire – “The Official Tire” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Hoosier Tire – “The Official Race Tire” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
K&N Engineering – “Official Sponsor” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Lucas Oil Products – “The Official Oil” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Lucas Oil Racing TV – “Official Sponsor” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
MAVTV Motorsports Network – “The Official TV Network” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Miller Welders – “The Official Welder” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Optima Batteries – “The Official Battery” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
ProtectTheHarvest.com – “Official Sponsor” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
RhinoAg – “Official Sponsor” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Sunoco Race Fuels – “The Official Fuel” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Super Clean – “Official Sponsor” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL DIRT SERIES MARKETING PARTNERS INCLUDE:
Allstar Performance, Andy Durham Race Engines, AR Bodies, Barry Wright Race Cars, Black Diamond Chassis, Sweet-Bloomquist Race Cars, BRODIX, Clements Race Engines, COMP Cams, C&R Racing Inc., CV Products, DirtonDirt.com, Edelbrock, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, FK Rod Ends, Georgia Boot, Heath Lawson Photography, Hot Rod Processing, Hot Rod Tracker, JRi Shocks, Keyser MFG, Longhorn Chassis, Midwest Sheet Metal, Öhlins Shocks, Outerwears, Performance Bodies, Penske Shocks, PFC Brakes, Pierce Race Cars, Pro Power Racing Engines, QA1, Rocket Chassis, Simpson Race Products, WELD Racing, Wrisco Aluminum, 5150 Race Trailers
ABOUT LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL DIRT SERIES
Founded in 2005, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is the nation’s premier dirt late model sanctioning organization. In 2016, the LOLMDS will sanction 53 events in 19 states. The series is owned by the parent company Lucas Oil Products Inc. and receives national exposure through a TV package filmed, produced and edited by Lucas Oil Production Studios. LOLMDS events will be broadcast on four TV Networks including CBS, NBC Sports, CBS Sports Network and the MAVTV Motorsports Network. For more information about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series visit the official website at: www.LucasDirt.com.