WAYCROSS, GA (June 27, 2012) – The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series kicks off the month of July with a pair of show in the Buckeye State of Ohio on Sunday, July 1st at Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, OH and Tuesday, July 3rd at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, OH.
There will be a complete show at both tracks with Red Buck Cigar Time Trials, Heat Races, B-Mains and a $10,000 to win feature event.
Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN, the defending Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion and current point’s leader heads the list of series regulars that will be on hand for both shows. Owens holds a 295-pont lead over 2-time LOLMDS Titleist and Hall-of-Famer Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN. Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN, who leads the series with eight wins in 2012 is currently third in points followed by Steve Francis of Ashland, KY, and Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, GA.
Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL, the 4-time series champion is sixth in points followed by John Blankenship of Williamson, WV, Tyler Reddick of Corning, CA, Jared Landers of Batesville, AR, Eric Wells of Hazard, KY, and Austin Hubbard of Seaford, DE. Davenport leads Hubbard in the chase for the 2012 LOLMDS Quarter Master Rookie-of-the-Year honors.
The visit to Portsmouth on July 1st will mark the seventh appearance at the Donna Rayburn-promoted facility located along the Ohio River. Scott Bloomquist has won the last two stops at PRP for the series as he captured both events held at the track in 2011. Other drivers who have notched wins at the track in LOLMDS competition include; Steve Francis, Josh McGuire of Grayson, KY, Jimmy Owens, Earl Pearson Jr. and Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA. For more information on the Grover Motorsports and Engines-sponsored event at Portsmouth Raceway Park go to www.portsraceway.com.
After a day-off on Monday, the series will head to the Ronnie Moran-promoted Muskingum County Speedway. The track has been on the LOLMDS schedule since 2005 and has produced an amazing seven different winners in seven races. Those that have been in Lucas Oil Victory Lane at Musky are Don O’Neal, Steve Shaver of Vienna, WV, Steve Casebolt of Richmond, IN, Dan Schlieper of Oak Creek, WI, Jason Covert of York Haven, PA, Earl Pearson Jr. and last year winner, Scott Bloomquist. For more information on the Budweiser 50 at Muskingum County Speedway visit www.themuskingumcountyspedway.com.
Current Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Championship Points Standings
1. Jimmy Owens (Newport, TN) – 3725
2. Scott Bloomquist (Mooresburg, TN) – 3430
3. Don O’Neal (Martinsville, IN) – 3375
4. Steve Francis (Ashland, KY) – 3320
5. Jonathan Davenport (Blairsville, GA) – 3225
6. Earl Pearson Jr. (Jacksonville, FL) – 3155
7. John Blankenship (Williamson, WV) – 3090
8. Tyler Reddick (Corning, CA) – 2975
9. Jared Landers (Batesville, AR) – 2900
10. Eric Wells (Hazard, KY) – 2870
Current Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Quarter Master Rookie of the Year Points Standings
1. Jonathan Davenport (Blairsville, GA) – 3225
2. Austin Hubbard (Seaford, DE) – 2845