National | Karnac Racing News

Larson Parks It at Eagle Raceway

Stenhouse Jr. Wood Racing Picks up First Outlaws Win

EAGLE, NE — June 14, 2017— After leading 29 of the 30-lap Feature, Daryn Pittman couldn’t withstand the late-race charge from Kyle Larson and Shane Stewart. Larson whipped around the top-side of the high-banked third-mile track to go by Pittman en route to win the return of the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series at Eagle Raceway.When Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series superstars Kyle Larson and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. team up, you get one potent team. During an off day from NASCAR, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. co-owner of Stenhouse Jr. Wood Racing decided to put Monster Energy Cup Series standout, Kyle Larson in a second entry for the Eagle Nationals at Eagle Raceway.Good friends away from the track, Larson and Stenhouse Jr. also share a special bond, having been really close friends with the late-Bryan Clauson.Stenhouse Jr. during the off season teamed up with Matt Wood to form Stenhouse Jr. Wood Racing — the team that Clauson raced with before his tragic death in 2016.When the 24-car field got the green flag, it was Daryn Pittman that got the jump and rocketed out to the lead — a lead that he had to relinquish because of a yellow flag for a spinning Paul McMahan and Jason Johnson. The field would have a complete restart with the yellow coming out before a lap could be completed.Once the field got back going again, Pittman once again found himself out front, holding off eight-time and defending World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion, Donny Schatz.Having worked his way up from the sixth starting-spot to inside the top-five at the time of a red flag on Lap 12. It was the No. 2KS and No. 82 who got upside-down in Turn 3; both drivers were able to walk away unscathed.Back under green, Larson Marks Racing’s Shane Stewart and Kyle Larson put the pressure on second place Donny Schatz. With under 10-laps remaining, both Stewart and Larson were able to get by and set their sights on the leader, Pittman.“I got racing Shane [Stewart] pretty hard — I have fun racing him,” said Kyle Larson.Navigating their way through lap traffic through Turns 3 and 4 with less than three laps to go, Stewart stuck to the bottom of the track while Larson went to the top. As the two entered Turn 1, they banged wheels; Larson was able to gain the second position.With his sights clearly set on the leader, Larson kept his No. 17K wound up on the top-side of the Eagle Raceway to get by Pittman to lead the white flag lap. Larson would go on to win“We are there [close to a win], unfortunately we just need to finish it out,” said Daryn Pittman. “Second sucks. We haven’t been in the position all year and here we were. [Kyle] ran a good race and we just got beat.”Clearly a special win for Larson and the Stenhouse Jr. Wood Racing team as Larson paid homage to an old friend, Bryan Clauson in Victory Lane.“I can’t believe I parked it here, it’s pretty cool. I think this is this team’s first win, so happy to be a part of that.”Larson joked in Victory Lane that he had three crew chief’s at Eagle, Ricky Stehouse Jr., Tyler Swank and David Fero, a crew member on his No. 42 NASCAR entry.This win marks the first Outlaws win for the newly formed Stenhouse Jr. Wood Racing. This is Larson’s firth overall World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win; first since 2013 and his first Outlaws win outside of his home state of California.The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series is back in action on Friday, June 16 when the Series visits River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D. The Series will then continue onto Red River Valley Speedway on Saturday, June 17. For tickets, visit WorldofOutlaws.com/tickets.

Source: World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series – Kyle Larson Wins at Eagle Raceway

By Scott|2017-06-21T14:17:31-04:00June 21st, 2017|Front Page News, Message Board, National, Sprint Cars|Comments Off

COLUMBUS, MS (June 17, 2017) – Mike Marlar made a clean sweep of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series racing action on Saturday night at Magnolia Motor Speedway. The Tennessee native set Miller Welders overall fast time, won his heat race, and took the top spot in the Country Pleasin’ “Clash at the Mag.” With the win, he became the thirteenth different winner this season on the LOLMDS tour.

Dennis Erb Jr. charged from his ninth starting spot to finish second, followed closely by Brandon Overton, who led the first 13 laps of the 60-lap main event. Defending race winner Darrell Lanigan took fourth and Florida driver, Kyle Bronson came from the outside of row number eight to finish fifth.

Marlar made it to Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the seventh time in his career. His last series victory came in 2016 at the Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals last September. Marlar was elated with his win before the large crowd on hand for the event. “It takes a lot of hard work to do this. I work a full-time job; and these guys that work on the car, they are like family to me. We always enjoy coming down here to race. Johnny Stokes does a great job with the track. It is always raceable. We love racing at such racy tracks like this one,” said the 39-year-old, second generation driver.

“I would like to thank Ronnie Delk for giving me this chance to drive his equipment. This Rocket Chassis has been good all year. We set fast time and won our heat to start on the pole. Overton was good early on. This is such a momentum track, right before that last caution, I thought I had messed up and let him [Overton] back by me, but we held on.”

A caution with three laps to go bunched the field up for a single file restart. Overton took one last shot at Marlar, but brushed the wall, which ended his hopes for the win. Erb got by Overton to take the second spot, but Marlar had pulled away for the win.

“After that last restart, I tried to make the car as wide as I could. You must keep the speed up here. They went out and worked the track on the bottom and on the top before the feature. I think it paid off because the fans got to see a heck of race,” said the driver of the Delk Equipment Sales, RS Trading Company, Sunoco Race Fuels, Modern Images, GW Performance, Cornett Racing Engines, Rocket Chassis.

Erb started on the inside of row number five and was pleased with his podium finish. “The car was good all night. From where we started, we are pleased. The car was better on the bottom, there were some anxious moments at the end though. Everybody wanted that second spot. I saw him [Overton] get out of the groove. I just stayed on the bottom and brought it home in second.

Overton; who won the first LOLMDS event of the season at Golden Isles Speedway; brought the Chip Stone, Randy Weaver-owned, Longhorn Chassis home in third. “I have to thank all the guys with the team. I made it exciting at the end, I was going for it, no doubt about that! I just got into the wall and that ended our chances. Mikey [Marlar] gave me plenty of room. He drove a good race, so congratulations to him and his team.”

Completing the top ten Josh Richards, Earl Pearson Jr., Don O’Neal, Jack Sullivan, and Scott Bloomquist.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Saturday, June 17, 2017
Clash at the Mag
Magnolia Motor Speedway – Columbus, MS

Miller Welders Fast Time Group A: Mike Marlar / 13.923 seconds
Miller Welders Fast Time Group B: Scott Bloomquist / 14.188 seconds

Eibach Springs Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Mike Marlar, Brian Rickman, Dennis Erb, Jr., Garrett Alberson, Nick Thrash, Ross Camponovo, Michael Arnold, Austin Arnold, Timothy Culp, Jake O’Neil

FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Brandon Overton, Jimmy Owens, Darrell Lanigan, Steve Francis, Chad Thrash, Robbie Stuart, Shay Knight, Dane Dacus, Justin McRee, Kayne Hickman

Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Gregg Satterlee, Josh Richards, Hudson O’Neal, Earl Pearson, Jr., Joey Moriarty, Rick Rickman, Chandler Petty, BJ Robinson, Billy Franklin, Scott Bloomquist

QA1 Heat Race #4 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Don O’Neal, Tim McCreadie, Jack Sullivan, Kyle Bronson, David Breazeale, Eric Cooley, Boom Briggs, Zachary McMillan, Blake Spencer, Jeff Young

Penske Racing Shocks B-Main #1 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Chad Thrash, Ross Camponovo, Dane Dacus, Nick Thrash, Shay Knight, Kayne Hickman, Austin Arnold, Timothy Culp, Robbie Stuart, Michael Arnold, Justin McRee

Fast Shafts B-Main #2 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Joey Moriarty, David Breazeale, Eric Cooley, Rick Rickman, Chandler Petty, Scott Bloomquist, Zachary McMillan, BJ Robinson, Jake O’Neil, Blake Spencer, Billy Franklin, Boom Briggs-DNS, Jeff Young-DNS

Feature Finish (60 Laps):

FINISH	START	CAR #	DRIVER NAME	HOMETOWN	EARNINGS
1	1	157	Mike Marlar	Winfield, TN	$12,000
2	9	28E	Dennis Erb, Jr.	Carpentersville, IL	$6,200
3	3	116	Brandon Overton	Evans, GA	$3,500
4	11	14	Darrell Lanigan	Union, KY	$3,450
5	16	40B	Kyle Bronson	Brandon, FL	$2,250
6	6	1R	Josh Richards	Shinnston, WV	$2,500
7	14	1	Earl Pearson, Jr.	Jacksonville, FL	$2,300
8	4	5	Don O’Neal	Martinsville, IN	$2,100
9	12	18X	Jack Sullivan	Greenbrier, AR	$1,200
10	23	0	Scott Bloomquist	Mooresburg, TN	$2,100
11	10	71	Hudson O’Neal	Martinsville, IN	$1,875
12	17	1C	Chad Thrash	Meridian, MS	$1,050
13	15	15	Steve Francis	Bowling Green, KY	$1,725
14	13	F5	Garrett Alberson	Las Cruces, NM	$1,000
15	8	39	Tim McCreadie	Watertown, NY	$1,700
16	2	22	Gregg Satterlee	Rochester Mills, PA	$1,700
17	18	51M	Joey Moriarty	Phoenix, AZ	$1,000
18	19	18c	Ross Camponovo	Shelby, MS	$1,000
19	20	54	David Breazeale	Starkville, MS	$1,000
20	22	33B	Eric Cooley	Fulton, MS	$1,000
21	5	90	Brian Rickman	Columbus, MS	$1,000
22	7	20	Jimmy Owens	Newport, TN	$1,800
23	21	54x	Dane Dacus	Lakeland, TN	$1,000
24	24	99B	Boom Briggs	Bear Lake, PA	$1,700

Race Statistics

Entrants: 42
Lap Leaders: Mike Marlar (Laps 1 – 13); Mike Marlar (Laps 14 – 60)
Cautions: Boom Briggs (Lap 4); Jimmy Owens (Lap 19); Brian Rickman (Lap 25); Eric Cooley (Lap 26); Gregg Satterlee (Lap 30); Ross Camponovo, David Breazeale (Lap 38); Joey Moriarty (Lap 57)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Scott Bloomquist, Boom Briggs
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: n/a
Wrisco Feature Winner: Mike Marlar
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Scott Bloomquist (Started: 23rd; Finished: 10th; Advanced 13 Positions)
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Scott Bloomquist
Allstar Performance Power Move of the Race: Dennis Erb Jr.
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Mike Marlar
Hot Rod Processing Rookie of the Race: Hudson O’Neal
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Cornett Racing Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket Chassis
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Heather Lyne (Dennis Erb Jr.)
Fastest Lap of the Race: Mike Marlar (Lap #3 – 14.9983 seconds)
Safecraft Most Laps Led: Mike Marlar
PFC Brakes Pole Award: Mike Marlar
Time of Race: 34 minutes 27 seconds

Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:

POS	CAR #	DRIVER NAME	HOMETOWN	POINTS	EARNINGS
1	0	Scott Bloomquist	Mooresburg, TN	3745	$124,525
2	39	Tim McCreadie	Watertown, NY	3575	$97,500
3	1R	Josh Richards	Shinnston, WV	3520	$86,800
4	5	Don O’Neal	Martinsville, IN	3365	$69,875
5	1	Earl Pearson, Jr.	Jacksonville, FL	3330	$79,950
6	14	Darrell Lanigan	Union, KY	3205	$52,825
7	20	Jimmy Owens	Newport, TN	3170	$63,975
8	28E	Dennis Erb, Jr.	Carpentersville, IL	3155	$50,750
9	22	Gregg Satterlee	Rochester Mills, PA	2925	$44,725
10	15	Steve Francis	Bowling Green, KY	2895	$38,375
11	71	Hudson O’Neal	Martinsville, IN	2695	$32,125
12	99B	Boom Briggs	Bear Lake, PA	2650	$30,800

By Scott|2017-06-20T16:49:50-04:00June 20th, 2017|Front Page News, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, National|Comments Off

Schatz Fires Off His Big Guns at Knoxville to Join the Winningest Drivers

KNOXVILLE, IA — June 10, 2017 — Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing driver and eight-time World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Champion Donny Schatz officially joined the ranks of the top-10 winningest drivers at Knoxville Raceway, leading all 25 laps of the Brownells Big Guns Bash night two Feature. The win marks his 25th career win at the 1/2-mile oval, tying him with two-time Track Champion Skip Jackson. It also marks the 10th win of the season for the No. 15 Arctic Cat car.

Much like the previous night, in which Brad Sweet led flag-to-flag, an exciting battle took place behind the leader, resulting in the same three Outlaws to the podium, only slightly rearranged this time with Schatz on top. And he was unusually happy about it.

“We haven’t been on pace the last couple months,” said Schatz. “You keep looking for little things that aren’t right. One thing here. But we found three things. And so, that’s why I’m smiling. I’m a happy guy. I got my feel back. I can feel all four corners again, and that’s important. These guys have put up with me through some not so good moods the last few months, but it feels good to be back in Victory Lane, especially here at Knoxville, and get that win.”

Behind Schatz, David Gravel, Brad Sweet and Ian Madsen fought a tough battled for second and third. A caution on Dakota Hendrickson four laps in gave Madsen the chance he needed to jump past Logan Schuchart, then Daryn Pittman. A second caution — from Jason Sides spinning into the wall in turn one — allowed Gravel to slide inside Sweet, leaving Sweet momentarily at Madsen’s mercy as the two exchanged positions a couple of times almost halfway through the Feature. But Sweet prevailed, and with only eight laps to go pressed on Gravel for second as he got caught in lap traffic.

“It hurt me there,” said Gravel. “I tried to go under Sides, and he slipped off and kind of caught me up a little bit. I thought that was my only chance to even get close to Donny, but I lost ten car lengths in that corner and never really had a shot at him. We’re really happy with how the car is. The track was super super fast tonight. That was a hell of a workout for 25 laps.”

Despite the heat and strong winds, the track was in great condition on night two and did not rubber up at all like the previous night.

“Last night the race track was a little bit different,” said Schatz. “It got abrasive. It was really slick early. It was hard to get a hold of, so yeah, you try things. You don’t get too far away from baseline, but these guys did an incredible job with the race track today. It’s miserable and hard to do this in the heat and the wind, and they did an incredible job, got us two grooves, so hats off to the Duncans for that and just a great night.”

Unfortunately, Sweet was unable to comment after his win, as the heat and the tough workout left him dehydrated and worn out enough to warrant medical attention.

The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Tuesday for the Eagle Nationals in Eagle, NE. Tickets are available online. The Series will then continue to Schatz’s home state of North Dakota on Friday and Saturday.

Feature (25 Laps) – 1. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$10,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [4][$5,000]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [1][$3,000]; 4. 18-Ian Madsen [5][$2,700]; 5. 21-Brian Brown [10][$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [16][$2,200]; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6][$2,000]; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman [3][$1,800]; 9. 1M-Danny Lasoski [13][$1,600]; 10. 41-Jason Johnson [11][$1,450]; 11. 17-Joey Saldana [9][$1,300]; 12. 55-Brooke Tatnell [21][$1,200]; 13. 56N-David Heskin [19][$1,100]; 14. 4-Paul McMahan [12][$1,000]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [18][$950]; 16. 19-Brent Marks [24][$900]; 17. 2KS-Austin McCarl [15][$850]; 18. 22-Rager Phillips [17][$750]; 19. 12-Lynton Jeffrey [8][$725]; 20. 49J-Josh Schneiderman [22][$700]; 21. 7S-Jason Sides [7][$700]; 22. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [25][$]; 23. O9-Matt Juhl [23][$700]; 24. 4X-Dakota Hendrickson [14][$700]; 25. 24-Terry McCarl [20][$700]; Lap Leader: Donny Schatz 1-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 2-Shane Stewart[+10]

Qualifying Flight-A – 1. 5-David Gravel, 15.281; 2. 12-Lynton Jeffrey, 15.359; 3. 18-Ian Madsen, 15.363; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman, 15.365; 5. 17-Joey Saldana, 15.558; 6. 56N-David Heskin, 15.573; 7. 22-Rager Phillips, 15.586; 8. 41-Jason Johnson, 15.615; 9. 1M-Danny Lasoski, 15.681; 10. 20-A.J. Moeller, 15.695; 11. O9-Matt Juhl, 15.723; 12. 2KS-Austin McCarl, 15.77; 13. 49J-Josh Schneiderman, 15.78; 14. 19-Brent Marks, 15.841; 15. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 15.928; 16. 7W-Tasker Phillips, 15.953; 17. 71A-R.J. Johnson, 15.997; 18. 9Z-Jared Goerges, 16.292; 19. 13-Clyde Knipp, 16.683; 20. 19W-Bobby Weuve, 16.702

Qualifying Flight-B – 1. 15-Donny Schatz, 15.379; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 15.491; 3. 4X-Dakota Hendrickson, 15.575; 4. 49-Brad Sweet, 15.577; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 15.584; 6. 4-Paul McMahan, 15.66; 7. 7S-Jason Sides, 15.678; 8. 24-Terry McCarl, 15.684; 9. 55-Brooke Tatnell, 15.687; 10. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 15.694; 11. 21-Brian Brown, 15.742; 12. 1A-Jacob Allen, 15.789; 13. 1B-Dustin Selvage, 15.813; 14. 2-Shane Stewart, 15.817; 15. 82-Cap Henry, 15.943; 16. W20-Greg Wilson, 15.962; 17. 19P-Paige Polyak, 16.03; 18. 3-Tim Kaeding, 16.099; 19. 15X-Bobby Mincer, 16.392; 20. 2M-Kerry Madsen, NT

By Scott|2017-06-13T15:45:51-04:00June 13th, 2017|Front Page News, National, Sprint Cars|Comments Off

Brad Sweet Wins The War Scores $25,000 With Victory at the 39th annual AGCO Jackson Nationals

By Tony Veneziano

JACKSON, MN. – June 3, 2017 – Brad Sweet looked at the first two nights of the 39th annual AGCO Jackson Nationals for the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series at Jackson Motorplex as battles that would ultimately put him in position to win the war. He did exactly that on Saturday night to the tune of $25,000, adding his name to the illustrious list of past winners of the tradition-laden event.

For Sweet, it was his third win of the season and second on a half-mile. Sweet now has 23 career World of Outlaws Feature wins, which ties him for 19th on the Series’ all-time win list with fellow competitors David Gravel and Shane Stewart, who also both finished in the top-five on Saturday night.

“It feels awesome to win the Jackson Nationals,” said Sweet. “We’re just ecstatic. I can’t thank Tod Quiring and all the guys enough for taking a chance and putting on a three-day show that pays big money like this. It’s a breath of fresh air and great to race for that kind of money. Hopefully the fans saw a good show.”

Sweet lined up second for the 30-lap main event and challenged pole sitter Kerry Madsen in the early going. Sweet hung with Madsen for a number of laps, especially in lapped traffic, mainly while working the bottom lane of the track.

Just before the halfway point of the race, Donny Schatz got by Sweet for second, with the latter getting back by a couple of laps later. Sweet took the lead from Kerry Madsen on the back straightaway on lap 18 and led the remainder of the race. He did have to withstand a pair of restarts with 11 laps remaining. The first was a double-file restart and the second single-file. Strong restarts each time propelled him to a solid lead over Madsen.

“I was in attack mode the whole time,” noted Sweet. “I was a little frustrated with myself. When I got behind Kerry (Madsen) I made a few mistakes and let Donny (Schatz) get by me. Usually you don’t get that back. Then I was able to get by both of them. Once I was able to get in control of the race, I knew I was in good shape and just tried not to screw it up. I almost messed up a few times and didn’t know how big of a lead we had, but I drove as hard I could those last 11 laps.” (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:14:13-04:00June 5th, 2017|Front Page News, National, Sprint Cars|Comments Off

Second to None: Kerry Madsen Wins Night 2 of AGCO Jackson Nationals

JACKSON, Minn. — June 2, 2017 — Kerry Madsen was part of a historic finish on the opening night of the 39^th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals for the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series at Jackson Motorplex, finishing second to his brother Ian, which made them the first-ever Australian-born brothers to finish 1-2 in an Outlaws race. K. Madsen felt as if he didn’t get the job done, though on Thursday night. He made up for the near-miss on Friday night, leading flag-to-flag in the 25-lap main event to earn his first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win of the season and the 20^th of his career.

Madsen withstood a trio of yellow flags and one red flag period en route to the win. For the native of St. Marys, NSW, Australia, who now calls Knoxville, Iowa home, it was his second win of the season at Jackson Motorplex, which is owned by his car owner, Tod Quiring.

“The car was working everywhere until we lost the front wing, then we lost our front downforce,” said Madsen. “I had to run not as hard as I wanted to going into (turn) one and gave up a lot of speed there. I just kept watching the front wing and it was still on so, I kept trying harder. I saw Kraig and thought, ‘Oh no,’ but I saw the lapped traffic and knew if I could get to the outside of the lapped traffic it would block the lane and I would be okay. I was just hanging on at the end and it was a handful in (turn) one and two. It was great to get the job done tonight.”

Madsen, who entered the night as the overall event point leader, put himself in a very solid position to go for a repeat in the AGCO Jackson Nationals, which he won for the first time last season.

“This track is all about being in the right place and being in the right line,” explained Madsen. “You can’t just stick to a line. You have to constantly search and keeping your eye out. It’s going to take 30 good laps to be in contention again tomorrow.” (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:14:13-04:00June 5th, 2017|Front Page News, National, Sprint Cars|Comments Off

Grooving on the Gumbo

SENOIA, G.A.— June 3, 2017— The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series took the track at Senoia Raceway for the first time ever for the third annual Billy Clanton Classic. Despite this race being many of the drivers first time on the unique gray gumbo surface, everyone seemed to enjoy how racy the track was all night long. It was ultimately Brandon Sheppard who was able to hold off the field to land his fifth Series win of the season.

“We got the win and it was tough racing out there,” said Sheppard. “Lap traffic was tricky and if you hit the top just right it was awesome and you couldn’t hardly move off of it and be fast. Congratulations to Terbo. He raced me hard and we had a lot of fun out there.”

Tyler Erb left everything he had on the track come the checker flag but he came up just a little short. The young gun was putting Sheppard to work throughout all 50-laps as he was trying find the line to his first Series win. With the help of lap traffic, Erb was able to cut down Sheppard’s lead to only .6 seconds but unfortunately a few cautions would throw away the ground he had gained on the leader and eliminated the obstacles for Sheppard.

“I hated to see all of those cautions,” said Erb. “Every time I would catch lap cars was when Brandon would start having to move off of that top. I might have had a shot but we gave it everything that I had so we will just have to try to come back next year and try again.” (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:14:13-04:00June 5th, 2017|Front Page News, Late Models, National|Comments Off

Clanton Tames Tazwell

Tazewell, TN—June 2, 2017— Shane Clanton proved he is bad fast and fearless as the 31-degree banking at Tazewell Speedway didn’t hold him back from leading all 50-laps of the Ray Varner 50 in order to land his third Series win of the season.

“We were just buying our time waiting for the checker flag to come out,” said Clanton. “Our car has been working real good the past month and that just shows what hard work that Penske and Ronny Crooks, Aaron and Nick and all of them guys have done to get me back on top here.”

Clanton’s win broke the two-year streak of Tennessee top-guns overtaking the Outlaws at the third-mile but Jimmy Owens was looking to carry on the tradition. Owens landed fast-time and a heat win before unfortunately drawing a sixth place start in the feature. After steadily passing three cars, Owens passed Ricky Weiss on lap 40 for the second position. After an unsuccessful effort to reel in the lap-leader, Owens finished in second and Weiss rounded out the podium

“We had an awesome race car tonight the track just kind of locked down a little quicker than we needed it to,” said Owens. “I would’ve liked to see what we had for Shane there if we could’ve gotten to race a little more but he had a good car. He’s been good for a while so congratulations to Shane and his crew and I’m glad that we get to come home with a good second place finish.” (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:14:14-04:00June 5th, 2017|Front Page News, Late Models, National|Comments Off

Pierce Charges to Show-Me 100 Victory at Lucas Oil Speedway

WHEATLAND, MO (May 28, 2017) Bobby Pierce came from the 14th starting spot to win 25th Annual Lucas Oil Show-Me 100 – Presented by Protect the Harvest.com on Sunday Night at Lucas Oil Speedway.

Pierce took the lead from Earl Pearson Jr. on lap 87 and then pulled away for his third crown-jewel victory in less than a year. The 20-year-old became the 12th different driver to win the Show-Me 100, a race his father, Bob, finished in the top-five on four different occasions.

Pearson led 86 of the 100 laps to ultimately finish second in the Carlton and Kemp Lamm-owned Longhorn Chassis Ford with Tim McCreadie taking third in the Sweeteners Plus, Pro Power, Longhorn. Scott Bloomquist; the only 5-time winner of the annual Memorial Weekend event; finished in fourth and Jonathan Davenport, the 2015 champion of the race came from the 30th starting spot to finish fifth.

“Last year we started 29th and got up to the front and had the lead under caution when we suffered a flat tire. So yes, this feels like redemption from last year’s disappointment. We started 14th tonight, but it was a lot harder, once you get up there with those guys it got a little tougher.” (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:12:28-04:00May 30th, 2017|Front Page News, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, National|Comments Off

McCreadie Wins Tribute to Don and Billie Gibson

WHEATLAND, MO (May 27, 2017) – Tim McCreadie took the lead on lap 30 from race-leader Jimmy Owens and then went on to win the 40-lap, Tribute to Don and Billie Gibson on Friday night at Lucas Oil Speedway. The event was co-sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the Lucas Oil MLRA Series.

McCreadie’s second full-year of running the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series tour has been off to a fruitful start. He claimed his third win of the season in the Sweeteners Plus, Penske Racing Shocks, Pro Power Racing Engines, Longhorn Chassis No. 39; it was also McCreadie’s first ever win at Lucas Oil Speedway. Owens; who has eight career wins at the track; finished in second in his Ramirez Motorsports, E3 Spark Plugs, Boomtest Well Service, Durham Racing Engines, Rocket Chassis. Don O’Neal’s Clint Bowyer Dirt Motorsports, Peak Antifreeze and Coolant, Clements Racing Engines, Club 29 entry finished third, with Scott Bloomquist and Josh Richards completing the top-five.

Darrell Lanigan led the first 14 laps of the race until Owens charged to the lead. Owens then ran the top line as McCreadie came from the outside of row number five using the bottom groove and closed the gap on the leader. McCreadie then chased down Owens and passed him on lap 30 to take the top spot. McCreadie withstood two cautions late in the race to take his car to victory lane by several car lengths at the end.

“I want to thank the Labonte family for putting faith in me to drive their cars. A Longhorn Chassis won here last night with Earl [Pearson] and we brought home the win tonight. From where we started and as good as the track was, I thought it would be tougher than it was. The car rolled through the corners at the beginning of the race and I was passing cars low and high, it handled like a dream.” (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:12:29-04:00May 27th, 2017|Front Page News, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, National|Comments Off

Pearson Powers to Cowboy Classic Victory

WHEATLAND, MO (May 25, 2017) – Earl Pearson Jr. gained the lead on lap 15 from Jesse Stovall and then held off Scott Bloomquist in the final laps to win the Cowboy Classic – presented by Hot Rod Processing on Thursday night at Lucas Oil Speedway. The event was co-sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and Lucas Oil Midwest Late Model Racing Association (MLRA).

Pearson kicked off the 25th Annual Show-Me 100 weekend with his second LOLMDS win of the season over Bloomquist, Jimmy Owens, Tim McCreadie, and Mike Marlar.

It was a very competitive race from start to finish as Pearson withstood a lap 39 restart challenge from Bloomquist, who had pulled even with Pearson several times in the final six laps but could never clear him.

“That was a heck of a race,” said Pearson in Lucas Oil Victory Lane. “Stovall was good early on the top. We were trying to find a spot on the track to be consistent at. The car kept moving around. The traffic was tough, but everybody gave each other plenty of room to pass. I didn’t want to see that last caution. I saw on the scoreboard that Scott [Bloomquist] was behind us. I knew he wouldn’t try a slide job and take both of us out. He drove us clean. He got beside me there several times, but my car was better into three and four than his.”

“I knew Jimmy [Owens] was back there as well. They went out before the race and tilled the top and that made for some good racing. I don’t know if it would have held up for 100 laps, but it was good enough for 45 tonight. I want to thank my crew and all my sponsors. Thanks to Carlton and Kemp Lamm and the whole Dunn-Benson Ford Team – it’s always good to win here at Lucas Oil Speedway.” (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:12:29-04:00May 26th, 2017|Front Page News, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, National|Comments Off