LaSalle, IL (May 18, 2017) – Defending Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion, Scott Bloomquist inherited the lead with five laps to go when race leader Josh Richards spun in turn number two, bringing out a caution flag. Bloomquist then led the rest of the way for his 81st career LOLMDS victory.
Bloomquist started on the outside front row and led the first 35 laps of the race until Richards worked his way around him in heavy lapped traffic. Richards began pulling away from the pack when he hooked the berm in turn number two causing him to spin sideways in front of the field. The caution came out and Richards had to restart on the tail end of the lead lap.
Bloomquist then held off pole sitter Mike Marlar for his fourth series win of the season. Marlar came home in second, with Dennis Erb Jr. charging from the 10th starting spot to finish third. Don O’Neal and Tim McCreadie completed the top-five.
“I would like to thank my crew; they have worked their butts off the last few weeks building a new car after we wrecked one in Ohio. The top line was fast tonight, but it was also treacherous in spots. A little below that there were some slick spots and I think maybe that’s what caused him [Richards] to spin.”
“I would like to thank Ed Petroff of Petroff Towing – he was here tonight – also CPS Crop Production Services, Reece Monument Company, Base Race Fuels, Mark Martin Automotive, Sorbera Chiropractic, Horton Coal, Crossfit by Overton, Sweet-Bloomquist Race Cars, and Andy Durham Racing Engines.”
Marlar was primed to become the 11th different winner this year in series competition, but on the last restart Bloomquist lengthened his lead out which carried him to victory lane.
“It was a good night for us, we set fast time and won our heat race. We had a good car for the feature and were in the hunt all race. Congrats to Scott on the win. It was a tough break for Josh, I hated to see that. He had a good car. I started running the top and it was fast, the track was not too bad at all. They kept working on it throughout the night and it helped it. Hopefully it was a good race for the fans to watch, “said the driver of the Ronnie Delk, Delk Equipment, RS Trading Company, Rocket entry.
Erb came home in third after starting on the outside of the fifth row. “We started deep in the field and to finish where we did we are very happy. The last two races were tough on us, but we had Heather [crew chief Lyne] back with us tonight. We just tried to keep it low enough away from that berm, overall it was good clean race among the frontrunners,” said the driver of the McBride Mack, Vomac Truck Sales, M&S Concrete, M&M Painting, Black Diamond Chassis.
Completing the top-ten were 20th place starter, Shannon Babb, Jimmy Owens, Chris Simpson, Darrell Lanigan, and Steve Casebolt.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Thursday, May 18th, 2017
Spring Shootout
LaSalle Speedway – LaSalle, IL
Miller Welders Fast Time Group A: Mike Marlar / 12.732 seconds
Miller Welders Fast Time Group B: Chris Simpson / 12.875 seconds
Eibach Springs Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 6 Transfer): Mike Marlar, Don O’Neal, Hudson O’Neal, Dennis Erb, Jr., Chris Simpson, Darrell Lanigan, Gregg Satterlee, Mitch McGrath, Jason Feger, Brent Larson
FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 6 Transfer): Scott Bloomquist, Josh Richards, Steve Francis, Jimmy Owens, Frank Heckenast, Jr., Taylor Scheffler, Scott Schmitt, Kolby Vandenbergh, Jeff Riddell, Earl Pearson, Jr.
Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, Top 6 Transfer): Bobby Pierce, Tim McCreadie, Steve Casebolt , Mike Mataragas, Spencer Diercks, Boom Briggs, Kevin Weaver, Rich Bell, Shannon Babb
Penske Racing Shocks B-Main #1 Finish (12 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Gregg Satterlee, Shannon Babb, Kevin Weaver, Jason Feger, Scott Schmitt, Rich Bell, Brent Larson, Mitch McGrath, Kolby Vandenbergh, Jeff Riddell, Earl Pearson Jr.-DNS
Feature Finish (50 Laps):
| FINISH | START | CAR # | DRIVER NAME | HOMETOWN | EARNINGS |
| 1 | 2 | 0 | Scott Bloomquist | Mooresburg, TN | $11,100 |
| 2 | 1 | 157 | Mike Marlar | Winfield, TN | $5,500 |
| 3 | 10 | 28E | Dennis Erb, Jr. | Carpentersville, IL | $4,200 |
| 4 | 4 | 5 | Don O’Neal | Martinsville, IN | $3,550 |
| 5 | 6 | 39 | Tim McCreadie | Watertown, NY | $2,950 |
| 6 | 20 | 18 | Shannon Babb | Mowequa, IL | $1,800 |
| 7 | 11 | 20 | Jimmy Owens | Newport, TN | $2,300 |
| 8 | 13 | 32C | Chris Simpson | Oxford, IA | $1,300 |
| 9 | 16 | 14 | Darrell Lanigan | Union, KY | $1,900 |
| 10 | 9 | C9 | Steve Casebolt | Richmond, IN | $1,100 |
| 11 | 5 | 1R | Josh Richards | Shinnston, WV | $1,775 |
| 12 | 14 | 99JR | Frank Heckenast, Jr. | Frankfort, IL | $1,050 |
| 13 | 19 | 22 | Gregg Satterlee ® | Rochester Mills, PA | $1,825 |
| 14 | 8 | 15 | Steve Francis | Bowling Green, KY | $1,700 |
| 15 | 12 | 1m | Mike Mataragas | DeKalb, IL | $950 |
| 16 | 15 | 29d | Spencer Diercks | Davenport, IA | $925 |
| 17 | 3 | 32 | Bobby Pierce | Oakwood, IL | $900 |
| 18 | 17 | 10S | Taylor Scheffler | Waukesha, WI | $875 |
| 19 | 18 | 99B | Boom Briggs ® | Bear Lake, PA | $1,550 |
| 20 | 24 | 15V | Kolby Vandenbergh | Ashland, IL | $825 |
| 21 | 22 | 25F | Jason Feger | Bloomington, IL | $800 |
| 22 | 21 | B12 | Kevin Weaver | Gibson City, IL | $800 |
| 23 | 7 | 71 | Hudson O’Neal ® | Martinsville, IN | $1,500 |
| 24 | 23 | 1 | Earl Pearson, Jr. | Jacksonville, FL | $1,600 |
Race Statistics
Entrants: 29
Lap Leaders: Scott Bloomquist (Laps 1 – 36); Josh Richards (Laps 36 – 45); Scott Bloomquist (Laps 46 – 50)
Cautions: Hudson O’Neal (Lap 11); Josh Richards (Lap 45); Spencer Diercks, Taylor Scheffler (Lap 45)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Earl Pearson Jr.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: n/a
Miller Welders Fast Time Provisional: Kolby Vandenbergh
Wrisco Feature Winner: Scott Bloomquist
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Shannon Babb (Started: 20th; Finished: 6th; Advanced 14 Positions)
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Scott Bloomquist
Allstar Performance Power Move of the Race: Shannon Babb
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Don O’Neal
Hot Rod Processing Rookie of the Race: Gregg Satterlee
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Durham Racing Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Sweet-Bloomquist Race Cars
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Heather Lyne (Dennis Erb Jr.)
Fastest Lap of the Race: Scott Bloomquist (Lap #1 – 12.9181 seconds)
Safecraft Most Laps Led: Scott Bloomquist (40 Laps)
PFC Brakes Pole Award: Mike Marlar
Time of Race: 24 minutes 34 seconds
Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:
| POS | CAR # | DRIVER NAME | HOMETOWN | POINTS | EARNINGS |
| 1 | 0 | Scott Bloomquist | Mooresburg, TN | 2950 | $94,425 |
| 2 | 39 | Tim McCreadie | Watertown, NY | 2780 | $70,100 |
| 3 | 1R | Josh Richards | Shinnston, WV | 2695 | $69,300 |
| 4 | 5 | Don O’Neal | Martinsville, IN | 2630 | $55,775 |
| 5 | 20 | Jimmy Owens | Newport, TN | 2585 | $49,025 |
| 6 | 1 | Earl Pearson, Jr. | Jacksonville, FL | 2495 | $46,900 |
| 7 | 14 | Darrell Lanigan | Union, KY | 2455 | $37,175 |
| 8 | 28E | Dennis Erb, Jr. | Carpentersville, IL | 2370 | $33,250 |
| 9 | 15 | Steve Francis | Bowling Green, KY | 2225 | $27,125 |
| 10 | 22 | Gregg Satterlee ® | Rochester Mills, PA | 2155 | $27,125 |
| 11 | 71 | Hudson O’Neal ® | Martinsville, IN | 2120 | $22,475 |
| 12 | 99B | Boom Briggs ® | Bear Lake, PA | 2020 | $20,750 |