PORTSMOUTH, OH (July 2, 2011) – Scott Bloomquist returned to Lucas Oil Victory lane tonight, at the Independence 50. Shaking off a month of frustrating finishes on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series tour, 2-time series champion, Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN dominated all 50-laps at Portsmouth Raceway Park in front of the largest crowd of spectators recorded at the famed speed plant. Bloomquist sped away from series points’ leader, Jimmy Owens in a four-lap dash to the finish after a late race caution. Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL finished third followed by Tim Dohm of Cross Lanes, WV and John Blankenship of Williamson, WV.

“It sure feels good to get back to victory lane! W have torn up more stuff in the last month than I think I have in the last five years,” said the 47-year-old Hall of Famer, whose victory was his sixth of the season on the series tour, but his first since late April.

“I saw Jimmy’s number on the scoreboard running in second before that last restart, I knew I had a better car than him tonight, he’s been pretty strong here lately, but our car was solid here tonight. We’ve always liked coming here to Portsmouth to race, and to win in front of this giant crowd is very satisfying.” Said Bloomquist who still trails Owens in the championship point’s standings.

Bloomquist grabbed the lead from the drop of the green and built a sizable lead up until the first caution of the race on lap ten. On the restart Bloomquist led Pearson and Owens as Pearson stayed close to Bloomquist for a couple of circuits until Bloomquist pulled away.

Bloomquist was in control of the race until a caution with four laps to go allowed Owens and Pearson to take a shot at beating Bloomquist. Owens had regained the second spot from Pearson a lap before the caution flag. In the end, Bloomquist bolted away from Owens to pick up the $10,000 victory.

Bloomqsuit was behind the wheel of his Base Racing Fuels, Ohlins Shocks, Miller Brothers Construction, Roush-Yates, Bloomquist Race Cars Ford. It was his 32nd Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win, which is first all-time.

Owens took second in the Mike Reece,Reece Monument Company, Bloomquist Ford, followed by Pearson in the Bobby Labonte, Lucas Oil, Longhorn Dodge.

A great battle for fourth had Tim Dohm taking the spot in his Dohm Cycle Sales, Rocket Chevrolet, who just edged out John Blankenship in the Coal: Amerca’s Energy, Rocket Chevrolet.

Completing the top ten were Bub McCool of Vicksburg, MS; Steve Shaver of Vienna, WV; Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN; Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA; and PBM Erson Cams Hard Charger, Brad Neat of Dunnville, KY.

In preliminary action Scott Bloomquist was the Red Buck Cigars Fast Qualifier among the 49 entrants. Heat race winners were Bloomquist, Jason Montgomery, Steve Shaver, and Jimmy Owens. The B-mains went to Mike Marlar and Doug Drown.

Coming up on Sunday Night, July 3rd the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will be in action at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, OH for a $10,000 to win event. For more information log onto www.themuskingcumcountyspeedway.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, July 2nd, 2011
Independence 50
Portsmouth Raceway Park – Portsmouth, OH

Red Buck Cigars Fast Time:
Scott Bloomquist / 15.454 seconds (Group A and Overall)
Dale McDowell / 15.553 seconds (Group B)

Wiles Driveshafts First Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Scott Bloomquist, Tim Dohm, Don O’Neal, Jared Landers, Mike Marlar, Rod Conley, Ray Cook, Greg Johnson, Delmas Conley, Brad Neat, Ross Nicastri, Ben Adkins

Wiles Driveshafts Second Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Jason Montgomery, Josh McGuire, Bub McCool, Chris Wall, Donnie Moran, Tyler Reddick, RJ Conley, Mark Frazier, Harold Redman Jr., Kenneth Howell, Paul Harris, Kevin Wagner

Sweet Manufacturing Third Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Steve Shaver, Dale McDowell, John Blankenship, Eddie Carrier Jr., Doug Drown, Frank Heckenast Jr., Josh Bocook, Eric Wells, Clint Keenan, Brett Kennard, Paul Davis, Devin Moran

HAWK Brakes Fourth Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Jimmy Owens, Earl Pearson Jr., Steve Casebolt, Chris Wilson, Nick Bocook, Chad Smith, John Mason, Michael Howard, Matt Jobe, Craig Vosbergen, Jamie Ferguson, Josh Bivens

JRi Shocks First B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Mike Marlar, Donnie Moran, Ray Cook, Rod Conley, Steve Francis, Tyler Reddick, Kenneth Howell, RJ Conley, Mark Frazier, Greg Johnson, Paul Harris, Ross Nicastri, Kevin Wagner, Delmas Conley, Brad Neat, Harold Redman Jr.-DNS, Ben Adkins-DNS

Wrisco Aluminum Second B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Doug Drown, Chad Smith, Frank Heckenast Jr., Nick Bocook, Eric Wells, Paul Davis, Devin Moran, Matt Jobe, Josh Bivens, Brett Kennard, Clint Keenan, Craig Vosbergen-DNS, Jamie Ferguson-DNS

“Independence 50” Feature Finish – 50 Laps

FINISH START CAR # DRIVER NAME HOMETOWN
1 1 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN
2 4 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN
3 8 44 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL
4 5 6T Tim Dohm Cross Lanes, WV
5 10 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV
6 11 57J Bub McCool Vicksburg, MS
7 2 6 Steve Shaver Vienna, WV
8 9 71 Don O’Neal Martinsville, IN
9 6 17m Dale McDowell Chickamauga, GA
10 24 41n Brad Neat Dunnville, KY
11 13 777 Jared Landers Batesville, AR
12 17 1G Mike Marlar Winfield, TN
13 14 28 Eddie Carrier, Jr. Salt Rock, WV
14 23 15 Steve Francis Ashland, KY
15 27 11t Tyler Reddick Corning, CA
16 3 21 Jason Montgomery Jackson, OH
17 21 53 Ray Cook Brasstown, NC
18 16 17c Chris Wilson Louisa, KY
19 22 99jr Frank Heckenast, Jr. Frankfort, IL
20 19 99 Donnie Moran Dresden, OH
21 15 71w Chris Wall Springfield, LA
22 25 71c RJ Conley Wheelersburg, OH
23 20 19c Chad Smith Centerville, OH
24 26 18e Eric Wells Hazard, KY
25 12 c9 Steve Casebolt Richmond, IN
26 7 41 Josh McGuire Grayson, KY
27 18 12 Doug Drown Wooster, OH

Race Statistics
Entrants: 48
Lap Leaders: Scott Bloomquist (Laps 1 – 50)
Caution Flags: Tyler Reddick (Lap 10); Debris (Lap 16); Josh McGuire (Lap 17); Eric Wells (Lap 46)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Steve Francis, Brad Neat
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: Eric Wells, Tyler Reddick
Portsmouth Raceway Park Track Provisional: RJ Conley
PBM/Erson Cams Hard Charger of the Race: Brad Neat (Started 24th; Finished 10th; Advanced 10 positions)
Allstar Performer of the Race: John Blankenship
K&N Filters Clean Pass of the Race: Jimmy Owens
Quarter Master Rookie of the Race: Bub McCool
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Roush-Yates Race Engines
Janowski Insurance Feature Winner: Scott Bloomquist
Outerwears Challenger of the Race: Mike Marlar
Dominator Race Products Hard Luck Award: Steve Casebolt
DirtonDirt.com Crew Chief of the Race: Jason Fitzgerald (Earl Pearson Jr.)
Time of Race: 28 minutes 19 seconds

Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:

POS CAR # DRIVER NAME HOMETOWN POINTS
1 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN 2760
2 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN 2670
3 71 Don O’Neal Martinsville, IN 2550
4 15 Steve Francis Ashland, KY 2280
5 777 Jared Landers Batesville, AR 2205
6 44 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL 2160
7 41n Brad Neat Dunnville, KY 2145
8 53 Ray Cook Brasstown, NC 2085
9 17m Dale McDowell Chickamauga, GA 2065
10 1G Mike Marlar Winfield, TN 2055
11 57J Bub McCool Vicksburg, MS 2040
12 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV 1995
13 11t Tyler Reddick Corning, CA 1965
14 71w Chris Wall Springfield, LA 1850
15 18e Eric Wells Hazard, KY 1835
16 c9 Steve Casebolt Richmond, IN 1790
17 99jr Frank Heckenast, Jr. Frankfort, IL 1715

NETWORK AIR DATE AIR TIME VENUE EVENT NAME LOCATION EVENT DATE
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