KNOXVILLE, IA (September 25, 2015) – Home state driver Chad Simpson came from the sixth starting spot to win Friday Night at Knoxville Raceway. Simpson took the lead from Mike Marlar on the 23rd lap of the 25 lap main event to earn his first win at Knoxville and his first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series career victory.

The 31-year-old driver is the defending Lucas Oil Midwest Latemodel Racing Association Champion. He led Marlar, Scott Bloomquist, Jimmy Owens, and Kent Robinson across the finish line.

“What a win, what a race. I kept sticking with those two [Marlar and Bloomquist]. As the race went on, with no more cautions after that first one, I knew I had a chance. Scott kind of squeezed me once. The traffic was really heavy. I got by Marlar once, and then he got me back in one. I just let it all hang out down the backstretch and we were able to get back around him.”

“It’s a great honor to be able to run with these guys. They are the best in the business! We are just weekend warrior types, so to beat them at Knoxville in front of all of these fans is truly special. We put in a new Jay Dickens engine for this race and it ran flawless. ”

“I want to thank all my sponsors: Liebe Trucking, Gatr Truck Center, Dierks Limited, Simpson Farms, Graves Oil, Wehrs Machine, CR Feeds and Fiber, and the Brinkman family for all of their support. This Victory Circle Chassis has been on a rail so far this week.”

Marlar was looking for his second career preliminary night win at Knoxville and led the first 22 laps until Simpson went by him. “Congratulations to those guys. He [Simpson] was a little better than us tonight. That traffic was pretty tough. When he passed us, I got into him a little bit. I hope he forgives me for that. We slid back in front of him going into one, but he drove a great race and got back by us again.”

“I would like to thank Ronnie Delk, Delk Equipment, RS Trading Company, Cornett Engines, and Capital Race Cars. Ever since we have been in this car in early August we have been good. We will come back here tomorrow night and try our best to finally win the big one.”

Bloomquist trailed Marlar up until the 19th lap when Simpson passed him for second. “We had a really good car tonight. The car has felt really good the last two nights as well. We passed a lot of cars last night. We should be ready for the 100 laps here on Saturday Night. I want to thank Reece Monument Company, Mark Martin Automotive, Crop Production Service, Dyna-Gro, and everybody else associated with our team.”

Completing the top ten were Jared Landers, Don O’Neal, Tim McCreadie, Darrell Lanigan, and Shannon Babb.

In preliminary action, Jimmy Owens set the overall Miller Welders Fast Time (Group A) amongst the 58 entrants, with a lap of 17.490 seconds. Darrell Lanigan set the fastest time in Group B with a time of 18.212 seconds. Scott Bloomquist, Brandon Sheppard, Earl Pearson Jr., Jimmy Owens, Don O’Neal, and Chad Simpson won their respective heat races. Jason Papich won the C-Main, and Jason Feger won the B-Main.

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Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Race Summary
Friday, September 25, 2015
12th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals
Knoxville Raceway – Knoxville, IA

Miller Welders Fast Time Group A: Jimmy Owens / 17.490 seconds

Miller Welders Fast Time Group B: Darrell Lanigan / 18.212 seconds

Eibach Springs Heat Race #1 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Scott Bloomquist, Mike Marlar, Jimmy Owens, Mason Zeigler, Brian Harris, Morgan Bagley, Dave Eckrich, Frank Heckenast, Jr., Ray Sveeggen, Steve Francis

FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Brandon Sheppard, Billy Moyer, Jr., Chase Junghans, Matt Westfall, Eddie Carrier, Jr., Jason Rauen, Jason Papich, Rich Bell, Justin Kay, Chris Spieker-DNS
Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Earl Pearson, Jr., Jared Landers, Shannon Babb, Jason Utter, Denny Eckrich, Jason Feger, Ray Guss, Jr., Rob Moss, Chris Simpson-DNS
QA1 Heat Race #4 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Jimmy Mars, Darrell Lanigan, Kent Robinson, Dennis Erb, Jr., Skip Frey, Charlie McKenna, Wendell Wallace, Mitch McGrath, Tim Lance, RC Whitwell

Eibach Springs Heat Race #5 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Don O’Neal, Tim McCreadie, Chris Brown, Jonathan Davenport, Billy Moyer, Brian Shirley, Josh Richards, Jim Shereck, Sonny Findling, Jay Johnson-DNS

FK Rod Ends Heat Race #6 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Chad Simpson, AJ Diemel, Spencer Diercks, Dale McDowell, Ryan Gustin, Ricky Weiss, Joel Callahan, Mike Fryer, Kerry King, Sr.

Keyser MFG C-Main Finish (12 Laps, Top 4 Transfer to B-Main): Jason Papich, Frank Heckenast, Jr., Josh Richards, Rich Bell, Justin Kay, Mitch McGrath, Tim Lance, Rob Moss, Chris Spieker, Dave Eckrich, Jim Shereck, Mike Fryer, Joel Callahan, Ray Sveeggen, Ray Guss, Jr., Wendell Wallace-DNS, RC Whitwell-DNS, Chris Simpson-DNS, Steve Francis-DNS, Kerry King, Sr.-DNS, Sonny Findling-DNS, Jay Johnson-DNS

Fast Shafts B-Main Finish (15 Laps, Top 6 Transfer to Feature): Jason Feger, Matt Westfall, Mason Zeigler, Dale McDowell, Billy Moyer, Ricky Weiss, Jason Rauen, Morgan Bagley, Frank Heckenast, Jr., Dennis Erb, Jr., Eddie Carrier, Jr., Ryan Gustin, Rich Bell, Jason Utter, Josh Richards, Jason Papich, Brian Harris, Skip Frey, Charlie McKenna, Brian Shirley, Jonathan Davenport, Denny Eckrich

Feature Finish (25 Laps):

Race Statistics

Entrants: 58

Lap Leaders: Mike Marlar (Laps 1 – 22); Chad Simpson (Laps 23 – 25)
Cautions: Earl Pearson Jr. (Lap 3)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: n/a
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: n/a
Miller Welders Fast Time Provisionals: n/a
Wrisco Feature Winner: Chad Simpson
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Mason Zeigler (Started: 25th; Finished: 13th; Advanced 8 Positions)
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Jonathan Davenport
Allstar Performer of the Race: Chad Simpson

Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Jimmy Owens

Rookie of the Race: Brandon Sheppard
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Jay Dickens Race Engines

Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Sweet-Bloomquist Race Cars

Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Josh Davis (Mike Marlar)
CV Products Fastest Lap of the Race: Mike Marlar (Lap #5 – 19.608 seconds)
Hot Rod Processing Most Laps Led: Mike Marlar (22 Laps)
PFC Brakes Tough Break Award: Earl Pearson Jr.

Time of Race: 18 minutes 14 seconds

LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL KNOXVILLE NATIONALS POINTS BREAKDOWN:

Fast Shafts C-Main Line-Up (15 Laps – Top 4 Transfer to B-Main):

Keyser MFG B-Main Line-Up (20 Laps – Top 6 Transfer to A-Main):

Lucas Oil Products A-Main Line-Up (100 Laps):