Salt Rock, West Virginia (08/12/14) – After a much needed two-week break from the grueling Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (LOLMDS) tour, Eddie Carrier Jr. and the Grover Motorsports team resumed competition over the weekend at Florence Speedway (Union, Kentucky). Little did he know that his return to the seat of the #28 Grover Motorsports/Optima Batteries/Rocket/Grover Racing Engine Super Late Model would soon become the most memorable weekend of his 24-year racing career.

With a new format in place for the 32nd running of the North/South 100, fifty-three entries put their name in that hat for a chance at the $50,000 top prize. Friday night’s program was highlighted by double heat races, which used passing points to determine the line-up for Saturday’s events. Eddie finished fourth in Round #1 and second in Round #2, which positioned him sixth in the overall standings.

As a result he would line-up third in the Outside Row Feature Line-Up Dash, and went on to finish third to lock into the sixth starting spot for the finale. Carrier Jr. dropped back early in 100 lap main event, but worked his back into the top five later on as the laps were quickly winding down. Scott Bloomquist and Mike Marlar made contact in turn four on lap 89, which got Bloomquist out of shape and allowed Carrier Jr. to drive underneath them both for second. The caution waved the next time around as Tim McCreadie slowed in turn four with a flat tire.

Jimmy Owens led the field back to green with Carrier Jr. looking to make a bid for the top spot. The duo raced side-by-side for several laps, rubbing several times as they battled for the lead. Carrier Jr. was scored the leader on lap 94, but Owens re-gained control one circuit later.

With 97 laps complete the two went door-to-door into turn one, and Owens drifted up the track and made contact with the wall as Carrier pulled ahead. Owens fought back down the back straightaway and retook the lead briefly into turn three before slowing at the exit of turn four to bring out the caution with flat right rear tire. Owens had to pit, and was able to rejoin the tail of the field, but his chances at victory were extinguished.

Carrier Jr. pulled away on the restart and avoided any late race charges from Bloomquist to earn the richest payday of his career. Jimmy Mars finished third, followed by John Blankenship and Jared Landers rounding out the top five competitors.

“I can’t believe I just won the North South 100,” exclaimed Carrier. “I have been coming to this race for years. I’ve watched my dad run pretty good in this race and one day I wanted to say I was a North/South 100 Champion, and now I can,” said Carrier, who was given a standing ovation in victory lane from the huge crowd on hand.

Eddie’s victory moved him up to fifth in the series’ standings. Full results from the events and the latest standings are available at www.LucasDirt.com .

Eddie now turns his focus to this weekend’s 22nd Annual COMP Cams Topless 100 at Batesville Motor Speedway (Locust Grove, Arkansas). The $50,000-to-win, LOLMDS event will include time trials and heat races on Friday night with consolation action and the 100 lap finale on Saturday night. For more information on the event please visit www.LucasDirt.com and www.BatesvilleMotorSpeedway.net .

Eddie Carrier Jr. would like to thank his sponsors and marketing partners including Carl Grover Motorsports, OPTIMA® Batteries, Engines Inc, Grover Racing Engines, Cox Wrecker Service, Hess Stewart and Campbell PLLC, Blue Ridge Machinery and Tools, Integra Shocks and Springs, Port City Racing, Hoosier, Rocket, VP Racing Fuels, CV Products, Poske’s Performance Parts, Dyers Top Rods, Octane Racing Products, Race Tec Pistons, COMP Cams, Wiles Racing Drive Shafts, Pro Fabrication, PRO FABrication Racing Exhaust Systems, Rapture Carburetors, Cizmar Racing, All Star Performance, Frankland Rear Ends, Jones Racing Products, Brinn Transmissions, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil, Real Racing Wheels, Hinchman Racewear, ASi Racewear, Impact Sign & Apparel, The Joie of Seating, Powers Performance Starters, B&D Trucking, Shain Custom Signs & Graphics, and MSRMafia.com Marketing Services.

For the latest information on Eddie Carrier Jr., please visit www.EddieCarrierJr.com .

Thanks!
Ben Shelton, Owner
MSR Mafia – www.MSRMafia.com
The Midsouth Racing Scene – www.MidSouthRacing.com