GAFFNEY, SC (June 17, 2011) – Steve Shaver of Vienna, WV edged out Ray Cook of Brasstown, NC to win the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series sanctioned 13th Grassy Smith Memorial on Friday Night at Cherokee Speedway. Shaver, who started fifth, took over the lead on lap 44 when race leader Jonathan Davenport pitted for a flat tire. Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN finished third; followed by 23rd starting Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN and Steve Casebolt of Richmond, IN.

Chris Ferguson led the first six laps until Davenport took over the top spot on lap seven. Rookie contender Jared Landers then used the high-side to his advantage as he moved into second on lap nine. Landers and Bloomquist then ran side-by-side for several laps and Ferguson fell to fourth.

Davenport was holding the lead through heavy traffic until the red flag came out on lap 23. Bloomquist and Landers went door-to-door in turn three and Bloomquist flipped in turn four, bringing out the red. Bloomquist went pitside and returned to the race, staying on the lead lap.

Davenport then held off Shaver for several laps until a caution came out on lap 43. During the caution flag, Davenport’s right rear tire went flat and he went pitside for a tire change. Shaver then took over the lead as Owens and Cook battled it out for second place.

Cook went by Owens on the top shelf with two laps to go. Cook then tracked down Shaver in a hurry and pulled even with Shaver in the final two circuits. Shaver slammed the door on Cook as he went on to become the tenth different winner in LOLMDS action this season.

In Lucas Oil Victory Lane, the 47-year-old Shaver said he didn’t know if he had enough left at the end. “There’s probably not any tread left on either rear tire, I tried to baby them there at the end, but to hold Ray off, he’s a clean racer and a great driver and to win this race means a lot to me and my race team,” said Shaver, who drives for the Greensboro, NC based K&L Rumley Team.

Shaver’s Rocket Chassis is sponsored by GPS Supply Company, CV Products, Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Racing Tires, and is powered by a Rumley Racing Engine.

Cook finished second by a car length in the Rockstar Energy Drink, MasterSbilt entry. Owens maintained his points lead with a third place finish in the Reece Monument Company, Bloomquist Race Cars Ford. O’Neal, who started in 23rd, finished fourth in the Magnaflow Exhaust Products, MasterSbilt Chevy, with Casebolt placing fifth in his Rockstar Energy Drink, MasterSbilt Car.

Completing the top ten were Dennis Franklin of Gaffney, SC; John Blankenship of Williamson, WV; Steve Francis of Ashland, KY; Brad Neat of Dunnville, KY; and Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, GA.

Chris Ferguson was the Red Buck Cigars Fast Qualifier among the 37 entries on hand. Heat race winners were Ferguson, Davenport, Johnny Pursley, and Dale McDowell. The B-Mains went to Frank Heckenast Jr. and Eric Jacobsen.

Coming up on Saturday Night, June 18th the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will be in action at Fred Brown’s Wythe Raceway in Rural Retreat, VA for a $10,000 to win event. For more info log on to www.wytheraceway.com.

For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, log onto www.lucasdirt.com or call the series’ office at (951) 532-2503.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Friday Night, June 17th, 2011
13th Annual Grassy Smith Memorial
Cherokee Speedway – Gaffney, SC

Red Buck Cigars Fast Time:
Chris Ferguson / 15.413 seconds (Group A and Overall)
Jared Landers / 15.530 seconds (Group B)

Wiles Driveshafts First Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Chris Ferguson, Steve Shaver, Ray Cook, Jeff Smith, Frank Heckenast Jr., Chris Wall, Zack Mitchell, Dennis Franklin, Furman Parton-DNS, Ross Bailes

Wiles Driveshafts Second Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Jonathan Davenport, Mike Marlar, Eric Wells, Jimmy Owens, Steve Casebolt, John Blankenship, Tyler Reddick, Casey Roberts-DNS, Danny Breuer-DNS

Sweet Manufacturing Third Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Johnny Pursley, Jared landers, Mike Gault, John Henderson, Eric Jacobsen, Steve Francis, Daniel Baggerly, Brent Dixon, Don O’Neal

HAWK Brakes Fourth Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Dale McDowell, Scott Bloomquist, Chris Madden, Brad Neat, Bub McCool, Clint Smith, Chip Brindle, Earl Peasrson Jr., Brandon Russell

JRi Shocks First B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Frank Heckenast Jr., Steve Casebolt, Dennis Franklin, John Blankenship, Chris Wall, Zack Mitchell, Tyler Reddick-DNS, Furman Parton-DNS, Ross Bailes-DNS, Danny Breuer-DNS, Casey Roberts-DNS

Wrisco Aluminum Second B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Eric Jacobsen, Bub McCool, Steve Francis, Clint Smith, Earl Pearson Jr., Chip Brindle, Daniel Baggerly, Don O’Neal-DNS, Brent Dixon-DNS, Brandon Russell-DNS

“13th Annual Grassy Smith Memorial” Feature Finish – 50 Laps

FINISH START CAR # DRIVER NAME HOMETOWN
1 5 6 Steve Shaver Vienna, WV
2 9 53 Ray Cook Brasstown, NC
3 15 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN
4 23 71 Don O’Neal Martinsville, IN
5 19 c9 Steve Casebolt Richmond, IN
6 21 2f Dennis Franklin Gaffney, SC
7 25 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV
8 22 15 Steve Francis Ashland, KY
9 16 41n Brad Neat Dunnville, KY
10 3 49 Jonathan Davenport Blairsville, GA
11 2 09 Johnny Pursley Clover, SC
12 26 11t Tyler Reddick Corning, CA
13 17 99jr Frank Heckenast, Jr. Frankfort, IL
14 8 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN
15 12 44m Chris Madden Gaffney, SC
16 7 1G Mike Marlar Winfield, TN
17 10 17 Mike Gault Gaffney, SC
18 20 57J Bub McCool Vicksburg, MS
19 24 44 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL
20 1 22 Chris Ferguson Mount Holly, NC
21 11 18e Eric Wells Hazard, KY
22 6 777 Jared Landers Batesville, AR
23 4 17m Dale McDowell Chickamauga, GA
24 18 5 Eric Jacobsen Watsonville, CA
25 13 18m Jeff Smith Gastonia, NC
26 14 2x John Henderson Aiken, SC

Race Statistics
Entrants: 37
Lap Leaders: Chris Ferguson (Laps 1 – 5); Jonathan Davenport (Laps 6 – 43); Steve Shaver (Laps 44 – 50)
Caution Flags: John Henderson (Lap 21); Dale McDowell, Johnny Pursley, Scott Bloomquist (Lap 24); Chris Madden (Lap 27); Eric Jacobsen, Jeff Smith (Lap 36); Jared Landers (Lap 41); Eric Wells (Lap 43); Chris Ferguson (Lap 43); Tyler Reddick (Lap 46); Mike Marlar, Mike Gault, Scott Bloomquist (Lap 47)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Don O’Neal, Earl Pearson Jr.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: John Blankenship, Tyler Reddick
PBM/Erson Cams Hard Charger of the Race: Don O’Neal (Started 23rd; Finished 4th; Advanced 19 positions)
Allstar Performer of the Race: Ray Cook
K&N Filters Clean Pass of the Race: Steve Casebolt
Quarter Master Rookie of the Race: Tyler Reddick
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: K&L Rumley Race Engines
Outerwears Challenger of the Race: Steve Casebolt
Dominator Race Products Hard Luck Award: Eric Jacobsen
DirtonDirt.com Crew Chief of the Race: Kevin Rumley (Steve Shaver)
Time of Race: 53 minutes 15 seconds

Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:

POS CAR # DRIVER NAME HOMETOWN POINTS
1 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN 2530
2 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN 2410
3 71 Don O’Neal Martinsville, IN 2360
4 15 Steve Francis Ashland, KY 2120
5 777 Jared Landers Batesville, AR 2030
6 41n Brad Neat Dunnville, KY 1965
7 53 Ray Cook Brasstown, NC 1940
7 44 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL 1940
9 1G Mike Marlar Winfield, TN 1885
10 17m Dale McDowell Chickamauga, GA 1870
11 57J Bub McCool Vicksburg, MS 1840
12 11t Tyler Reddick Corning, CA 1810
13 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV 1790
14 71w Chris Wall Springfield, LA 1725
15 18e Eric Wells Hazard, KY 1710
16 c9 Steve Casebolt Richmond, IN 1665
17 99jr Frank Heckenast, Jr. Frankfort, IL 1580

NETWORK AIR DATE AIR TIME VENUE EVENT NAME LOCATION EVENT DATE
MavTV 6/2/11 9:00PM East Bay Raceway Park 35th Annual DART Winternationals Presented by Magnaflow (Fri) Tampa, FL 2/11/11
SPEED 6/12/11 12:00 PM Batesville Motor Speedway Bad Boy 98 Batesville, AR 5/21/11
CBS 6/19/11 5:00 PM Lucas Oil Speedway 19th Annual DART Show-Me 100 Wheatland, MO 5/28/11
SPEED 7/31/11 1:00 PM Magnolia Motor Speedway Clash at the Mag Columbus, MS 7/9/11
SPEED 8/7/11 1:00 PM Tri-City Speedway Budweiser Battle at the Beach Pontoon Beach, IL 7/15/11
VERSUS 8/27/11 2:30 PM Batesville Motor Speedway Bad Boy 98 Batesville, AR 5/21/11
SPEED 9/4/11 11:00 AM Florence Speedway 29th Annual Sunoco Race Fuels North/South 100 Presented by Lucas Oil Florence, KY 8/13/11
MavTV 9/8/11 9:00PM Batesville Motor Speedway Bad Boy 98 Batesville, AR 5/21/11
SPEED 9/17/11 2:00 PM Lawrenceburg Speedway Lawrenceburg, IN 8/26/11
SPEED 10/2/11 1:00 PM Portsmouth Raceway Park River Days Rumble Portsmouth, OH 9/3/11
SPEED 10/9/11 1:00 PM Virginia Motor Speedway ASi Racewear USA 100 Saluda, VA 9/17/11
SPEED 10/23/11 6:00 PM Brownstown Speedway 32nd Annual Jackson 100 Brownstown, IN 9/24/11
SPEED 10/30/11 3:00 PM Dixie Speedway Lucas Oil Dixie Shootout Woodstock, GA 10/8/11
VERSUS 12/18/11 6:00 PM Florence Speedway 29th Annual Sunoco Race Fuels North/South 100 Presented by Lucas Oil Florence, KY 8/13/11
MavTV 12/29/11 9:00PM Florence Speedway 29th Annual Sunoco Race Fuels North/South 100 Presented by Lucas Oil Florence, KY 8/13/11
SPEED TBA TBA Lucas Oil Speedway Diamond Nationals Wheatland, MO 7/16/11
SPEED TBA TBA Knoxville Raceway 8th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals Knoxville, IA 10/1/11
MavTV TBA TBA Dixie Speedway Lucas Oil Dixie Shootout Woodstock, GA 10/8/11
VERSUS TBA TBA Dixie Speedway Lucas Oil Dixie Shootout Woodstock, GA 10/8/11

2011 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Sponsors

ApplianceZone.com- “The Official Appliance Parts Retailer” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

ASI Racewear – “The Official Merchandise Vendor” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Canidae Pet Foods – “The Official Pet Foods” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

DART Machinery – “The Official Engine Components” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

E3 Spark Plugs – “The Official Spark Plug” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Geico Power Sports – “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 Filters – “The Official Filter” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Lucas Oil Products – “The Official Oil” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Magnaflow Exhaust – “The Official Exhaust” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

MavTV – “The Official Men’s Network” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

R&L Carrier – “The Official Carrier” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Rockstar Energy Drink – “The Official Drink” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Speedco – “The Official Truck Lube and Tire Center” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Sunoco Race Fuels – “The Official Fuel” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

2011 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Supporters Include:

Allstar Performance, American Racer, Banshee Graphics, Bloomquist Race Cars, COMP Cams, Cornett Racing Engines, Cruise with the Champions, CV Products, DirtonDirt.com, Dominator Race Products, Dyers Top Rods, ECR Race Engines, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, Gaerte Engines, GRT Race Cars, Hawk Performance, Hypercoil, Janowski Insurance, Jay Dickens Racing Engines, JE Pistons, JRi Shocks, Keyser MFG, Longhorn Chassis, MasterSbilt Chassis, Öhlins, Outerwears, PBM/Erson Cams, Performance Bodies, Pierce Racecars, Pro Power Racing, Quarter Master, Race Engine Design, Red Buck Cigars, Rhyne Race Engines, Rick Schwallie Photography, Ringers Gloves, Rocket Chassis, Roush Yates Engines, Roush Yates Performance, Safety Solutions, Sweet Manufactuing, Vic Hill Race Engines, Warrior Race Cars, Weld Racing Wheels, Wiles Drive Shafts, Wrisco, 5150 Race Trailers.

James Essex, Public Relations Coordinator, jessex@lucasdirt.com