OSHKOSH, WI (May 20, 2016) Home-state driver A.J. Diemel scored his first-ever Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory tonight at Oshkosh Speedzone Raceway. In front of a packed grandstand, Diemel led all 50 laps and took the biggest win of his career.
Chris Simpson drove his Cheap Cars/Longhorn Chassis to a second place finish, followed by Jared Landers in the Crop Production Services/Sweet-Bloomquist. Tim McCreadie wheeled the Sweeteners Plus/Longhorn into fourth, and last year’s LOLMDS Rookie of the Year; Brandon Sheppard; in the Best Performance Motorsports/Rocket was fifth.
“I don’t know if we will make it to LaSalle tomorrow night. We may party too hard,” said the 34-year-old Wisconsin native. “We did what we had to do tonight. We qualified well, won our heat, and started up front in the feature. It was great to see this crowd again for the second year in a row. Everyone needs to write in and keep this place open!”
Diemel started alongside pole-sitter Tim McCreadie as he jumped to the lead at the onset of the race. Diemel’s early race dominance was evident when he lapped the hottest driver on the LOLMDS tour, Scott Bloomquist, 18 laps into the race.
Diemel’s winning MB Customs Chassis is powered by a Pro Power Racing Engine and sponsored by Beltline Body Shop, Prestige Custom Cabinetry, Joe Provo RaceWear, and BobCat.
Simpson was gaining on Diemel as the leader was running in heavy traffic. The only caution of the race appeared on lap 34 for Brian Shirley, who had a flat tire. On the restart, Diemel again stayed ahead of Simpson and Landers as he went on to the win.
“I would like to thank Jimmy and Chris Mars and everyone for this MB Customs. My biggest win before tonight was $9,200 for winning the John Seitz Memorial in Grand Forks, North Dakota. We will try to go back-to-back tomorrow night at LaSalle.”
Simpson commented, “I sure didn’t need that yellow. On the restart he [Diemel] took off and Jared was all over me. He tried several times to get by me. It’s all good. We have had a really good car lately, so this is something to build on. We are really pleased with this Longhorn Chassis. To finish second against these guys is awesome.”
Landers recorded another podium finish this year by taking third. “We have had some bad luck in the last few races. We broke two J-bars last weekend. Jason [Durham] and the crew have worked their tails off this week and it paid off tonight.”
Completing the top ten were current LOLMDS points leader Jonathan Davenport, Don O’Neal, Darrell Lanigan, Billy Moyer, and Chad Simpson.
In preliminary action, Tim McCreadie set the overall Miller Welders Fast Time (Group A) amongst the 38 entrants, with a lap of 15.942 seconds. AJ Diemel set the fastest time in Group B with a time of 16.603 seconds. Tim McCreadie, Chris Simpson, AJ Diemel, and Brian Shirley won their respective heat races. Earl Pearson Jr. and RC Whitwell won their respective B-Mains.
For the latest breaking news on 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.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Friday, May 20th, 2016
Spring Shootout
Oshkosh Speedzone Raceway – Oshkosh, WI
Miller Welders Fast Time Group A: Tim McCreadie / 15.942 seconds
Miller Welders Fast Time Group B: AJ Diemel / 16.603 seconds
Eibach Springs Heat Race #1 Finish (12 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Tim McCreadie, Jared Landers, Chad Simpson, Dennis Erb, Jr., Earl Pearson, Jr., Jimmy Owens, Scott Bloomquist, Turk Letizia, Jason Feger, Kolby Vandenbergh
FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Finish (12 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Chris Simpson, Billy Moyer, Mitch McGrath, Billy Moyer, Jr., Nick Anvelink, Doug Blashe, Mike Fryer, James Letizia, Jimmy Mars
Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish (12 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): AJ Diemel, Jonathan Davenport, Shannon Babb, Darrell Lanigan, RC Whitwell, Russ Scheffler, Ron Berna, Mike Mataragas, David Fieber, Bill Rezutek
QA1 Heat Race #4 Finish (12 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Brian Shirley, Brandon Sheppard, Don O’Neal, Mike Mullen, Brent Larson, Brett Swedberg, Spencer Diercks, Paul Parker, Colton Flinner
Fast Shafts B-Main #1 Finish (15 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Earl Pearson, Jr., Nick Anvelink, Scott Bloomquist, Jimmy Owens, Jason Feger, Kolby Vandenbergh, Turk Letizia, Doug Blashe, Mike Fryer, James Letizia, Jimmy Mars-DNS
Keyser MFG B-Main #2 Finish (15 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): RC Whitwell, Russ Scheffler, Brent Larson, Brett Swedberg, Mike Mataragas, David Fieber, Spencer Diercks, Colton Flinner, Ron Berna, Bill Rezutek, Paul Parker
Feature Finish (50 Laps):
| FINISH | START | CAR # | DRIVER NAME | HOMETOWN | MONEY EARNED |
| 1 | 2 | 58D | AJ Diemel | Elk Mound, WI | $10,000 |
| 2 | 3 | 32X | Chris Simpson | Oxford, IA | $5,500 |
| 3 | 5 | 777 | Jared Landers | Batesville, AR | $4,200 |
| 4 | 1 | 39 | Tim McCreadie | Watertown, NY | $3,550 |
| 5 | 8 | B5 | Brandon Sheppard | New Berlin, IL | $2,950 |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | Jonathan Davenport | Mount Airy, NC | $2,900 |
| 7 | 12 | 5 | Don O’Neal | Martinsville, IN | $2,300 |
| 8 | 14 | 15L | Darrell Lanigan | Union, KY | $2,000 |
| 9 | 7 | 21 | Billy Moyer | Batesville, AR | $1,200 |
| 10 | 9 | 25 | Chad Simpson | Mt. Vernon, IA | $1,100 |
| 11 | 19 | 15A | Nick Anvelink | Bonduel, WI | $1,075 |
| 12 | 11 | 74m | Mitch McGrath | Waukesha, WI | $1,050 |
| 13 | 13 | 28e | Dennis Erb, Jr. | Carpentersville, IL | $1,725 |
| 14 | 17 | 1 | Earl Pearson, Jr. | Jacksonville, FL | $1,800 |
| 15 | 25 | 25F | Jason Feger | Bloomington, IL | $950 |
| 16 | 21 | 0 | Scott Bloomquist | Mooresburg, TN | $1,725 |
| 17 | 23 | 20 | Jimmy Owens | Newport, TN | $1,700 |
| 18 | 4 | 3s | Brian Shirley | Chatham, IL | $875 |
| 19 | 24 | 75 | Colton Flinner | Allison Park, PA | $950 |
| 20 | 18 | 96T | RC Whitwell | Tucson, AZ | $825 |
| 21 | 22 | B1 | Brent Larson | Lake Elmo, MN | $800 |
| 22 | 16 | 99 | Mike Mullen | Suamico, WI | $800 |
| 23 | 20 | 74 | Russ Scheffler | Waukesha,WI | $800 |
| 24 | 15 | 21jr | Billy Moyer, Jr. | Batesville, AR | $800 |
| 25 | 10 | 18 | Shannon Babb | Mowequa, IL | $800 |
Race Statistics
Entrants: 38
Lap Leaders: AJ Diemel (Laps 1 – 50)
Cautions: Brian Shirley
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Jimmy Owens, Colton Flinner
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: n/a
Miller Welders Fast Time Provisional: n/a
Track Provisional: Jason Feger
Wrisco Feature Winner: AJ Diemel
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Jason Feger (Started: 25th; Finished: 15th; Advanced 10 Positions)
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Jonathan Davenport
Allstar Performance Power Move of the Race: Scott Bloomquist
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Jared Landers
Hot Rod Processing Rookie of the Race: Colton Flinner
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Pro Power Race Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Sweet-Bloomquist Race Cars
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Jason Durham (Jared Landers)
Fastest Lap of the Race: AJ Diemel (Lap #1 – 17.202 seconds)
Most Laps Led: AJ Diemel (50 Laps)
PFC Brakes Tough Break Award: Brian Shirley
Time of Race: 18 minutes 29 seconds
Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:
| POS | CAR # | DRIVER NAME | HOMETOWN | POINTS | SEASON MONEY |
| 1 | 6 | Jonathan Davenport | Mount Airy, NC | 2885 | $112,450 |
| 2 | 0 | Scott Bloomquist | Mooresburg, TN | 2755 | $130,575 |
| 3 | 777 | Jared Landers | Batesville, AR | 2555 | $50,250 |
| 4 | 15L | Darrell Lanigan | Union, KY | 2505 | $36,150 |
| 5 | B5 | Brandon Sheppard | New Berlin, IL | 2465 | $39,675 |
| 6 | 39 | Tim McCreadie | Watertown, NY | 2445 | $36,750 |
| 7 | 28e | Dennis Erb, Jr. | Carpentersville, IL | 2375 | $34,775 |
| 8 | 5 | Don O’Neal | Martinsville, IN | 2300 | $38,225 |
| 9 | 20 | Jimmy Owens | Newport, TN | 2280 | $35,575 |
| 10 | 1 | Earl Pearson, Jr. | Jacksonville, FL | 2270 | $38,025 |
| 11 | 15F | Steve Francis | Bowling Green, KY | 1990 | $22,650 |
| 12 | 75 | Colton Flinner | Allison Park, PA | 1450 | $7,025 |
*Points are unofficial until Close of Business on the Tuesday following Race Day*