HomeDirt Late Model NewsO’Neal Outduels Owens Again in Lucas Oil Series Event at Jackson

O’Neal Outduels Owens Again in Lucas Oil Series Event at Jackson

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Lucas Oil Late Model SeriesBYRAM, MS (March 30, 2012) – For the second Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event in a row, Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN passed defending series champion, Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN to deny Owens his first win of the season. O’Neal took the lead on lap 38 from Owens and then went on for the $10,000 victory in the “Southern 50” at Jackson Motor Speedway before the biggest crowd in track history.

Owens finished second followed by Tyler Reddick of Corning, CA who passed Jared Landers of Batesville, AR on the final lap to take third. Wendell Wallace of Batesville, AR completed the top five.

Last week at Brownstown (IN) Speedway Owens held a commanding lead until O’Neal tracked him down and passed him for the win. At Jackson, Owens led the first 38 circuits of the race, despite several laps running in heavy lapped traffic. O’Neal grabbed the lead with 12 laps left to take his fourth LOLMDS win of 2012.

“Wow this is just unbelievable,” said the 47-year-old veteran gunning for his first career series title. He has finished runner-up twice before. “Jimmy was solid again, tonight I really didn’t think I could catch him like I did at Brownstown, but he started coming back to me after a couple of cautions and I knew if I stayed right with him, I could make a run for the lead.”

This win is the 23rd of his career in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series competition. O’Neal has now climbed to second in points, just behind Owens. “Ever since we started running this series full-time, we have come up just short in winning the points title. The way last year was, I didn’t think we could run any better than we did. To win championships, you have to be consistent and this has just been an awesome start for 2012,” said the winner in Lucas Oil Victory Lane.

“I have to thank all the crew: Tader Masters, Cody Mahoney, everybody at the shop. We are just clicking on all cylinders and it’s still only March,” said the veteran wheelman. O’Neal drives the MasterSbilt Chassis House Car sponsored by Optima Batteries, Independence lumber, Jones Core, Seubert Calf Ranches, Tarpy Trucking, Superior Cleaning Services, O’Neal Mulch, and Budda Bert Transmissions.
“It’s also great to win here in the home-state of my engine builder Jay Dickens, there’s not another motor better.”

Owens drove the Mike Reece-owned, Reece Monument Company, Bloomquist Race Cars Ford. Reddick had an impressive run from seventh and nabbed third in the Broken Bow records, Stoney Creek Records, Bloomquist Race Cars entry to equal his best finish of the year.

Completing the top ten were Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, GA; Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL; Steve Francis of Ashland, KY; Bubba Mullins of West Monroe, LA; and Timothy Culp also of West Monroe, LA.

In preliminary events Jared Landers was the Red Buck Cigars Fast Qualifier among the 45 entrants with a lap of 15.376 seconds. Heat races were won by Landers, Don O’Neal, Jimmy Owens, and Jimmy Cliburn. Steve Francis and Chris Wall captured the B-Mains.

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series now moves to the state of Texas on Saturday Night, March 31st for a visit to Lonestar Speedway in Kilgore, TX for the $10,000 to win “High Banks Havoc” to conclude the month of March.

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, March 30, 2012
Southern 50
Jackson Motor Speedway – Jackson, MS

Red Buck Cigars Fast Time:
Jared Landers / 15.376 seconds (Group A and Overall)
Jimmy Owens / 15.589 seconds (Group B)

Wiles Driveshafts First Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Jared Landers, Wendell Wallace, Timothy Culp, John Blankenship, Rob Litton, Ray Moore, Chris McElhenney, Steve Francis, Morgan Bagley, Henry Cooper, Edmond Jenkins

U. S. Steel Second Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Don O’Neal, Tyler Reddick, Jonathan Davenport, Dennis Erb, Jr., Eric Wells, Brooks Strength, BJ Robinson, Kody Barber, Scott Creel, Dewayne Lott, Brian Rickman

Simpson Performance Products Third Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Jimmy Owens, Klint Byars, Bubba Mullins, Jeremy Broadus, Chris Wall, Scott Bloomquist, Hunter Rasdon, Jeff Chanler, Chad Thrash, Dwight Falcon, Joseph Joiner, Rodney Wing

HAWK Brakes Fourth Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Jimmy Cliburn, Earl Pearson, Jr., Austin Hubbard, Jason Cliburn, Ronny Lee Hollingsworth, Cliff Williams, Duke Whiseant, Ray Cook, Rick Rickman, Leon Henderson, Clint Logan

JRi Shocks First B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Steve Francis, Brooks Strength, BJ Robinson, Chris McElhenney, Ray Moore, Scott Creel, Eric Wells, Henry Cooper, Rob Litton, Kody Barber, Morgan Bagley, Dewayne Lott-NR, Edmond Jenkins-NR, Brian Rickman-NR

PAC Racing Springs Second B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Chris Wall, Ronny Lee Hollingsworth, Cliff Williams, Rodney Wing, Ray Cook, Duke Whiseant, Leon Henderson, Rick Rickman, Jeff Chanler, Hunter Rasdon, Chad Thrash, Dwight Falcon, Scott Bloomquist-NR, Joseph Joiner-NR, Clint Logan-NR

Feature Finish – 50 Laps:

FINISH START CAR # DRIVER NAME HOMETOWN
1 3 71 Don O’Neal Martinsville, IN
2 2 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN
3 7 11T Tyler Reddick Corning, CA
4 1 5 Jared Landers Batesville, AR
5 5 6m Wendell Wallace Batesville, AR
6 11 15d Jonathan Davenport Blairsville, GA
7 8 44 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL
8 17 15 Steve Francis Ashland, KY
9 10 C11 Bubba Mullins West Monroe, LA
10 9 C8 Timothy Culp West Monroe, LA
11 22 4 Cliff Williams Star, MS
12 21 F5 BJ Robinson Shreveport, LA
13 4 88c Jimmy Cliburn Star, MS
14 15 28e Dennis Erb, Jr. Carpentersville, IL
15 24 53 Ray Cook Brasstown, NC
16 25 18e Eric Wells Hazard, KY
17 18 71w Chris Wall Springfield, LA
18 6 5b Klint Byars Calhoun City, MS
19 12 11h Austin Hubbard Seaford, DE
20 13 187th John Blankenship Williamson, WV
21 14 88b Jeremy Broadus Biloxi, MS
22 20 18H Ronny Lee Hollingsworth Northport, AL
23 16 888 Jason Cliburn Star, MS
24 19 444 Brooks Strength Byram, MS
25 23 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN

 

 

 

 

Race Statistics

Entrants: 45

Lap Leaders: Jimmy Owens (Laps 1 – 38); Don O’Neal (Laps 39 – 50)

Caution Flags: Brooks Strength (Lap 24); Steve Francis (Lap 30); Austin Hubbard (Lap 30); John Blankenship (Lap 35); Austin Hubbard (Lap 43); Klint Byars (Lap 44)

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Scott Bloomquist, Ray Cook

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisional: Eric Wells

Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Cliff Williams (Started 22nd; Finished 11th; Advanced 11 positions)

Allstar Performer of the Race: Jimmy Owens

Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Jimmy Owens

ASi Racewear Challenge Finisher: Don O’Neal

Quarter Master Rookie of the Race: Jonathan Davenport

COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Jay Dickens Racing Engines

Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: MasterSbilt Race Cars

Sweet Mfg Crew Chief of the Race: Chris Fox (Jimmy Owens)

Time of Race: 32 minutes 17 seconds

 

Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:

POS CAR # DRIVER NAME HOMETOWN POINTS
1 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN 890
2 71 Don O’Neal Martinsville, IN 845
3 15 Steve Francis Ashland, KY 825
4 28e Dennis Erb, Jr. Carpentersville, IL 815
5 15d Jonathan Davenport Blairsville, GA 795
6 11T Tyler Reddick Corning, CA 785
7 44 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL 735
8 11h Austin Hubbard Seaford, DE 670
9 5 Jared Landers Batesville, AR 660
10 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN 650
11 53 Ray Cook Brasstown, NC 625
12 187th John Blankenship Williamson, WV 620
13 18e Eric Wells Hazard, KY 595

 

*Points are unofficial until Close of Business on the Tuesday following Race Day*
2012 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Schedule 

Venue

Track City, State To Win

13-Feb

East Bay Raceway Park Tampa, FL

$5,000

14-Feb

East Bay Raceway Park Tampa, FL

$5,000

15-Feb

East Bay Raceway Park Tampa, FL

$7,000

16-Feb

East Bay Raceway Park Tampa, FL

$7,000

17-Feb

East Bay Raceway Park Tampa, FL

$10,000

18-Feb

East Bay Raceway Park Tampa, FL

$10,000

24-Mar

Brownstown Speedway Brownstown, IN

$10,000

30-Mar

Jackson Motor Speedway Jackson, MS

$10,000

31-Mar

Lonestar Speedway Kilgore, TX

$10,000

13,14-Apr

Virginia Motor Speedway Saluda, VA

$25,000

20-Apr

Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex Markleysburg, PA

$10,000

21-Apr

Hagerstown Speedway Hagerstown, MD

$10,000

4-May

Tri-City Speedway Pontoon Beach, IL

$10,000

5-May

Paducah International Raceway Paducah, KY

$10,000

11-May

Hartford Motor Speedway Hartford, MI

$10,000

12-May

La Salle Speedway La Salle, IL

$10,000

18,19-May

Batesville Motor Speedway Batesville, AR

$20,000

25,26-May

Lucas Oil Speedway Wheatland, MO

$30,000

1-Jun

Tazewell Speedway Tazewell, TN

$10,000

2-Jun

Florence Speedway Florence, KY

$10,000

22-Jun

Cherokee Speedway Gaffney, SC

$10,000

23-Jun

Wythe Raceway Rural Retreat, VA

$10,000

1-Jul

Portsmouth Raceway Park Portsmouth, OH

$10,000

3-Jul

Muskingum County Speedway Zanesville, OH

$10,000

6,7-Jul

Magnolia Motor Speedway Columbus, MS

$20,000

13-Jul

Tri-City Speedway Pontoon Beach, IL

$10,000

14-Jul

Lucas Oil Speedway Wheatland, MO

$10,000

20,21-Jul

I-80 Speedway Greenwood, NE

$25,000

24-Jul

Stateline Speedway Busti, NY

$10,000

25-Jul

Utica Rome Speedway Vernon, NY

$10,000

26-Jul

Fonda Speedway Fonda, NY

$10,000

28-Jul

Hagerstown Speedway Hagerstown, MD

$10,000

10,11-Aug

Florence Speedway Florence, KY

$50,000

17,18-Aug

Batesville Motor Speedway Batesville, AR

$40,000

23-Aug

Volunteer Speedway Bulls Gap, TN

$10,000

25-Aug

Lawrenceburg Speedway Lawrenceburg, IN

$10,000

31-Aug, 1-Sep

Portsmouth Raceway Park Portsmouth, OH

$20,000

2-Sep

I-77 Raceway Park Ripley, WV

$25,000

14,15-Sep

Virginia Motor Speedway Saluda, VA

$20,000

21,22-Sep

Brownstown Speedway Brownstown, IN

$20,000

27-Sep

Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, IA

$7,000

28-Sep

Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, IA

$7,000

29-Sep

Knoxville Raceway Knoxville, IA

$40,000

6-Oct

Dixie Speedway Woodstock, GA

$10,000

7-Oct

Rome International Speedway Rome, GA

$10,000

19,20-Oct

Portsmouth Raceway Park Portsmouth, OH

$50,000

2012 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Sponsors

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 – “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

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

U. S. Steel – “The Official Steel Manufacturer” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

2012 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Supporters Include:

Allstar Performance, American Racer, Banshee Graphics, Barry Wright Race Cars, Bloomquist Race Cars, COMP Cams, Chizmark Larson Insurance, Cornett Racing Engines, Cruise with the Champions, CV Products, DirtonDirt.com, Dyers Top Rods, Edlebrock, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, FK Rod Ends, Gaerte Engines, Hawk Performance, Jay Dickens Racing Engines, JE Pistons, JRi Shocks, Keyser MFG, Longhorn Chassis, MasterSbilt Chassis, Öhlins, Outerwears, PBM/Erson Cams, PAC Racing Springs, Performance Bodies, Pierce Racecars, PRC, 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 Parts, Simpson Performance Products, Sweet Mfg, Vic Hill Race Engines, Weld Racing Wheels, Wiles Drive Shafts, Wrisco, 5150 Race Trailers.

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

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