Photo Courtesy of Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models
KNOXVILLE, IOWA (September 15, 2016) – Billy Moyer ran away from the field on night one of the 13th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals on Thursday Night at Knoxville Raceway. In the waning months of the final year of his racing career, Billy Moyer led all 25 laps of the event to claim his 815th career victory.
Brandon Sheppard tried to track down Moyer late in the race, but had to settle for second place in the Best Performance Motorsports/Dargie-powered/Rocket. Josh Richards’ Valvoline/Mark Richards Racing/Rocket crossed the line in third. Completing the top five were: Shane Clanton and Jimmy Mars.
Moyer started on the outside of the front row and got the jump at the start of the race and never trailed. “I wasn’t pleased with the car during the heat race, so we made some adjustments and it really took off well in the feature.”
“I didn’t know how close those guys were. It’s a fine line up top here. One mistake here and you could wind up in the wall. I have always enjoyed coming here to race and maybe it will turn out like 2010.” Moyer was speaking of the Knoxville weekend where he won all three main events. It was Moyer’s ninth career win at Knoxville.
Sheppard ran second for the entire distance, but the pole-sitter couldn’t get close enough to take over the lead. “We tried our best to get up there. We drove hard, but Billy was just better than everyone tonight. I thought when he jumped that cushion that we had a shot, but I just wasn’t close enough. We will take this second place finish and build on it for tomorrow. Tonight was a good point night.”
Richards had a hard-fought battle with Clanton for most of the race. The two raced side-by-side several times before the third spot was settled. “We love coming here to race. Tonight we had a good car and we learned a lot, so maybe tomorrow night we can come back even better.”
Completing the top ten were: Bobby Pierce, Chris Simpson, Don O’Neal, Jonathan Davenport, and Tim McCreadie.
In preliminary action, Mike Marlar set the overall Miller Welders Fast Time (Group A) amongst the 69 entrants, with a lap of 17.596 seconds. Kyle Bronson set the fastest time in Group B with a time of 17.644 seconds. Jimmy Owens, Steve Francis, Darrell Lanigan, Billy Moyer, Gregg Satterlee, and Jason Rauen won their respective heat races. Spencer Diercks won the D-Main. Jake O’Neal won the C-Main. Mike Marlar won the B-Main.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Thursday, September 15th, 2016
13th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals – Presented by Casey’s General Store
Knoxville Raceway – Knoxville, IA
Miller Welders Fast Time Group A: Mike Marlar / 17.596 seconds
Miller Welders Fast Time Group B: Kyle Bronson / 17.644 seconds
Eibach Springs Heat Race #1 Finish (15 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Jimmy Owens, Rodney Sanders, Don O’Neal, Mike Marlar, RC Whitwell, Frank Heckenast, Jr., Ryan Unzicker, Morgan Bagley, Mason Zeigler, Rob Moss, Doug Sanders, Jared Hawkins
FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Finish (15 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Steve Francis, Brent Larson, Bobby Pierce, Billy Moyer, Jr., Chad Simpson, Vic Hill, Rob Toland, Ricky Thornton Jr., Joel Callahan, Spencer Diercks, Brian Ledbetter, Ryan Gustin
Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish (15 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Darrell Lanigan, Brandon Sheppard, Jimmy Mars, Dennis Erb, Jr., Shannon Babb, Ray Guss, Jr., Chad Holladay, Matt Furman, Justin Duty, Jay Johnson, Mitch McGrath
QA1 Heat Race #4 Finish (15 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Billy Moyer, Shane Clanton, Jonathan Davenport, Tim McCreadie, Kyle Bronson, Tim Lance, Dave Eckrich, Nick Marolf, Jason Utter, Jesse Sobbing, Colton Flinner
DirtOnDirt.com Heat Race #5 Finish (15 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Gregg Satterlee, Chris Simpson, Tyler Erb, Chase Junghans, Rich Bell, Kent Robinson, Jake O’Neil, Chad Mahder, John Duty, Donny Schatz, Al Humphrey
ASi Racewear Heat Race #6 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Jason Rauen, Josh Richards, Jason Feger, Earl Pearson, Jr., Joey Moriarty, Nick Hoffman, Ricky Weiss, Mike Fryer, Kerry King, Sr., Dale McDowell, Charlie McKenna
Keyser MFG D-Main Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer to C-Main): Spencer Diercks, Colton Flinner, Mitch McGrath, Jay Johnson, Rob Moss, Doug Sanders, Brian Ledbetter, Charlie McKenna, Jared Hawkins-DNS, Dale McDowell-DNS, Donny Schatz-DNS, Jesse Sobbing-DNS, Ryan Gustin-DNS, Al Humphrey-DNS
Hoosier Racing Tire C-Main Finish (12 Laps, Top 4 Transfer to B-Main): Jake O’Neil ,Ricky Thornton Jr., Ricky Weiss, Morgan Bagley, Rob Toland, Matt Furman, Ryan Unzicker, Nick Marolf, Justin Duty, Mike Fryer, Jay Johnson, Joel Callahan, Kerry King, Sr., Mason Zeigler, Chad Holladay, Mitch McGrath, Colton Flinner, Spencer Diercks, John Duty, Chad Mahder, Dave Eckrich, Jason Utter-DNS
Fast Shafts B-Main Finish (15 Laps, Top 6 Transfer to A-Main): Mike Marlar, Tim McCreadie, Shannon Babb, Earl Pearson, Jr., Kyle Bronson, Dennis Erb, Jr., Chase Junghans, Ricky Weiss, Chad Simpson, Nick Hoffman, Billy Moyer, Jr., Frank Heckenast, Jr., Kent Robinson, Morgan Bagley, Joey Moriarty, Tim Lance, Ricky Thornton Jr., Ray Guss, Jr., Jake O’Neil, Vic Hill, RC Whitwell, Rich Bell
Feature Finish (25 Laps):
| FINISH | START | CAR # | DRIVER NAME | HOMETOWN | EARNINGS |
| 1 | 2 | 21 | Billy Moyer | Batesville, AR | $7,000 |
| 2 | 1 | B5 | Brandon Sheppard | New Berlin, IL | $4,000 |
| 3 | 6 | 1R | Josh Richards | Shinnston, WV | $3,000 |
| 4 | 4 | 25c | Shane Clanton | Zabulon, GA | $2,000 |
| 5 | 3 | 28m | Jimmy Mars | Menomonie, WI | $1,500 |
| 6 | 5 | 32P | Bobby Pierce | Oakwood, IL | $1,000 |
| 7 | 8 | 32X | Chris Simpson | Oxford, IA | $900 |
| 8 | 7 | 5 | Don O’Neal | Martinsville, IN | $800 |
| 9 | 12 | 6 | Jonathan Davenport | Mount Airy, NC | $700 |
| 10 | 20 | 39m | Tim McCreadie | Watertown, NY | $800 |
| 11 | 11 | 20 | Jimmy Owens | Newport, TN | $580 |
| 12 | 10 | 91 | Tyler Erb | New Waverly, TX | $560 |
| 13 | 13 | 15L | Darrell Lanigan | Union, KY | $540 |
| 14 | 22 | 1 | Earl Pearson, Jr. | Jacksonville, FL | $720 |
| 15 | 9 | 15F | Steve Francis | Bowling Green, KY | $500 |
| 16 | 14 | 22 | Gregg Satterlee | Rochester Mills, PA | $490 |
| 17 | 24 | 28E | Dennis Erb, Jr. | Carpentersville, IL | $680 |
| 18 | 16 | 98 | Jason Rauen | Farley, IA | $470 |
| 19 | 21 | 18b | Shannon Babb | Mowequa, IL | $460 |
| 20 | 18 | 25F | Jason Feger | Bloomington, IL | $450 |
| 21 | 19 | 157 | Mike Marlar | Winfield, TN | $440 |
| 22 | 15 | 20x | Rodney Sanders | Happy, TX | $430 |
| 23 | 17 | B1 | Brent Larson | Lake Elmo, MN | $410 |
| 24 | 23 | 40B | Kyle Bronson | Brandon, FL | $400 |
Race Statistics
Entrants: 69
Lap Leaders: Billy Moyer (Laps 1 – 25)
Cautions: none
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: n/a
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: n/a
Wrisco Feature Winner: Billy Moyer
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Tim McCreadie (Started: 20th; Finished: 10th; Advanced 10 Positions)
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Scott Bloomquist
Allstar Performance Power Move of the Race: Tim McCreadie
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Billy Moyer
Hot Rod Processing Rookie of the Race: n/a
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Racing Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket Chassis
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Steve Norris (Billy Moyer)
Fastest Lap of the Race: Billy Moyer (Lap #3 – 19.1030 seconds)
Most Laps Led: Billy Moyer (25 Laps)
PFC Brakes Tough Brake Award: Dale McDowell
Time of Race: 8 minutes 22 seconds
Lucas Oil Knoxville Nationals Night One Point Standings:
| Overall Pos | CAR # | DRIVER NAME | HOMETOWN | Night #1 POINTS |
| 1 | 1R | Josh Richards | Shinnston, WV | 489 |
| 2 | 32X | Chris Simpson | Oxford, IA | 483 |
| 3 | 21 | Billy Moyer | Batesville, AR | 482 |
| 4 | 25c | Shane Clanton | Zabulon, GA | 479 |
| 5 | 32P | Bobby Pierce | Oakwood, IL | 476 |
| 6 | 5 | Don O’Neal | Martinsville, IN | 474 |
| 7 | B5 | Brandon Sheppard | New Berlin, IL | 469 |
| 8 | 39m | Tim McCreadie | Watertown, NY | 467 |
| 9 | 28m | Jimmy Mars | Menomonie, WI | 466 |
| 10 | 1 | Earl Pearson, Jr. | Jacksonville, FL | 455 |
| 11 | 91 | Tyler Erb | New Waverly, TX | 452 |
| 12 | 157 | Mike Marlar | Winfield, TN | 451 |
| 13 | 28E | Dennis Erb, Jr. | Carpentersville, IL | 449 |
| 14 | 6 | Jonathan Davenport | Mount Airy, NC | 448 |
| 15 | 18b | Shannon Babb | Mowequa, IL | 448 |
| 16 | 20 | Jimmy Owens | Newport, TN | 446 |
| 17 | 15F | Steve Francis | Bowling Green, KY | 442 |
| 18 | 40B | Kyle Bronson | Brandon, FL | 442 |
| 19 | 15L | Darrell Lanigan | Union, KY | 438 |
| 20 | 22 | Gregg Satterlee | Rochester Mills, PA | 432 |
| 21 | 98 | Jason Rauen | Farley, IA | 426 |
| 22 | 25 | Chad Simpson | Mt. Vernon, IA | 420 |
| 23 | 20x | Rodney Sanders | Happy, TX | 415 |
| 24 | B1 | Brent Larson | Lake Elmo, MN | 411 |
| 25 | 25F | Jason Feger | Bloomington, IL | 410 |
| 26 | 21jr | Billy Moyer, Jr. | Batesville, AR | 403 |
| 27 | 18 | Chase Junghans | Manhattan, KS | 397 |
| 28 | 7w | Ricky Weiss | Headingley, MB | 396 |
| 29 | 99JR | Frank Heckenast, Jr. | Frankfort, IL | 391 |
| 30 | J0 | Jake O’Neil | Tucson, AZ | 388 |
| 31 | 2h | Nick Hoffman | Mooresville, NC | 383 |
| 32 | 51M | Joey Moriarty | Glendale, AZ | 382 |
| 33 | 33x | Ricky Thornton Jr. | Chandler, AZ | 373 |
| 34 | 96T | RC Whitwell | Tucson, AZ | 370 |
| 35 | 48L | Tim Lance | Brimfield, IL | 363 |
| 36 | 7R | Kent Robinson | Bloomington, IN | 361 |
| 37 | 39 | Rob Toland | Davenport, IA | 360 |
| 38 | 12 | Ray Guss, Jr. | Milan, IL | 357 |
| 39 | 51 | Matt Furman | Portland, OR | 353 |
| 40 | 21B | Rich Bell | Sheffield, IL | 352 |
| 41 | 14m | Morgan Bagley | Gladewater, TX | 351 |
| 42 | 1V | Vic Hill | Mosheim, TN | 337 |
| 43 | 33xc | Chad Mahder | Eau Claire, WI | 327 |
| 44 | 32c | Chad Holladay | Muscatine, IA | 322 |
| 45 | 33 | Nick Marolf | Moscow, IA | 311 |
| 46 | 15x | Justin Duty | Portland, OR | 310 |
| 47 | 31U | Jason Utter | Columbus Junction, IA | 310 |
| 48 | 54 | Mike Fryer | Freeport, IL | 309 |
| 49 | 29d | Spencer Diercks | Davenport, IA | 303 |
| 50 | 24x | Ryan Unzicker | El Paso, IL | 302 |
| 51 | 40 | Joel Callahan | Dubuque, iA | 300 |
| 52 | 93 | Jay Johnson | W. Burlington, IA | 297 |
| 53 | 0KB | Kerry King, Sr. | Delmar, DE | 294 |
| 54 | 58E | Dave Eckrich | Oxford, IA | 294 |
| 55 | 25Z | Mason Zeigler | Chalk Hill, PA | 292 |
| 56 | 1H | Jared Hawkins | Fairmont, WV | 289 |
| 57 | 17m | Dale McDowell | Chickamauga, GA | 289 |
| 58 | 74m | Mitch McGrath | Waukesha, WI | 278 |
| 59 | 75 | Colton Flinner | Allison Park, PA | 278 |
| 60 | 5d | John Duty | Portland, OR | 278 |
| 61 | 15D | Donny Schatz | Fargo, ND | 277 |
| 62 | 1m | Rob Moss | Iowa City, IA | 269 |
| 63 | 99 | Jesse Sobbing | Malvern, IA | 265 |
| 64 | 42 | Doug Sanders | McAdenville, NC | 246 |
| 65 | 19R | Ryan Gustin | Marshalltown, IA | 245 |
| 66 | 7 | Brian Ledbetter | Dallas, NC | 242 |
| 67 | 22C | Charlie McKenna | Clear Lake, IA | 242 |
| 68 | 6H | Al Humphrey | Giltner, NE | 238 |
| 69 | 0 | Scott Bloomquist | Mooresburg, TN | 0 |
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.