From Doc Lehman
BARBERVILLE, FL.....Scott Bloomquist's push for a unified national touring late model series became a reality over the past week and his concept turned full circle on the final night of competition as the five-time national champion triumphed in the 50-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main at Volusia Speedway Park on Sunday.
"I don't think you can race anywhere around the country like this, from the drivers to the staff we've got a great thing going right now," said Bloomquist, 40, after collecting the $12,000 winner's share for his 418th career victory. "A win out here is pretty special with the best guys following this new Outlaws Series. Every race is something big, hopefully this (Florida) test run will get the fans primed for the rest of the season."
A chance meeting with current Boundless Motor Sports Racing, Inc. (OTCBB: BMSR) Chief Operating Officer Bobby Hartslief in December resurrected an idea that Bloomquist originally conceived in 1997. Hartslief offered immediate support for the format and in less than two months the dream turned into reality.
"I put together a talented group of drivers but the idea just never took off," said Bloomquist, who today joins Mike Balzano, Rick Aukland, Steve Francis, Rick Eckert, Chub Frank, Bart Hartman, Darrell Lanigan, Dale McDowell, Billy Moyer, Dan Schlieper and Wendell Wallace on the list of charter contract members that comprise the inaugural WoO LM Series 'Dirty Dozen.'
"Back then I think the drivers figured I was using them to get ahead. They all know me better today and can now see how running together will raise up our whole program to another level."
The final night of full-fender competition continued to showcase the World of Outlaws LM Series 'Dirty Dozen' as the 25-mile main event produced plenty of multi-groove racing and four lead changes. Bloomquist put an exclamation point on the 33rd Annual Winter Nationals with a lap 37 pass of Dale McDowell to ice his second career victory at Dick Murphy's popular half-mile clay oval.
The top-six in Florida Tour points after the opening three events dueled in a special dash to determine the front three rows to start the 26-car A-Main. McDowell dominated the five-lap affair to earn the pole while Bloomquist settled for fifth in the all-star shootout.
McDowell easily out-dragged front row partner Bart Hartman when the initial green flag waved with Rick Eckert and Steve Francis in close pursuit. The order remained intact over the initial 10 laps with only Bloomquist and Francis swapping spots.
Hartman took advantage in traffic to slip under McDowell as the frontrunners exited turn four on lap 12, but the lead was short-lived as Eckert nosed ahead across the line just two laps later to keep the scorers reeling.
The first yellow flag slowed the action on lap 20 when Scott James dropped off the pace and on the restart Jackie Boggs rode the front stretch wall before coming to a halt in turn one to incur a second caution period. Yellow lights were triggered just two laps later when Rick Aukland, Wendell Wallace, Darrell Lanigan and R.J. Conley pile up in turn four.
McDowell regained his lead around Eckert on lap 23 and at the halfway mark his no. 17m Larry Shaw Race Cars/Rocket entry was chased by Eckert, Bloomquist, big-block DIRT Modified star Tim McCreadie and 1988-89 WoO LM champion Billy Moyer.
Bloomquist moved into second on lap 29 and set his sights on McDowell but just as he pulled alongside the leader another yellow flag flew when Wallace suffered a flat left front tire on lap 33. McCreadie slowed when he cut a right front tread three laps later to force the final caution period.
Back under green flag conditions Bloomquist wasted little time, shadowing McDowell before blasting by low in turn four on lap 37 to forge the final lead change. The Custom-powered no. 0 Miller Brothers Coal-Hawkeye Trucking mount had no challenges the remainder of the way as Bloomquist opened up a 10 car-length margin under the checkers.
"I missed on the set-up and had some motor trouble the last time out so it feels good to finally pick up a win," said Bloomquist, who finished sixth in Tuesday's opener, chased winner Hartman across the stripe on Wednesday and held on for ninth Friday before swapping engines.
Through the first four events in the inaugural World of Outlaws Late Model season points championship, 'Bloomer' (256) stands atop the chart followed closely by McDowell (253), Eckert (246), Hartman (245) and Moyer (235). Celebrating his 25th racing anniversary this season, the Mooresburg, Tenn. veteran (1708) also finished third in the final 33rd Winter Nationals WoO LM point standings behind McDowell (1719) and Eckert (1716) while Hartman (1707) and opening night winner Francis (1706) filled out the top-five.
"The car was a little bit loose in the dash so we made some adjustments. I tried to take care of the tires early on and at the end I knew I could get to the front. The track conditions were unbelievable tonight and depending on the set-up you could really get around using any line," Bloomquist added.
With Florida Tour 2004 in the recordbook, full-fender teams packed up and headed home to prepare for the next event on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series which is tentatively slated for early March in the South. A complete WoO LM schedule is expected to be announced in the coming week and will be posted on the world wide web upon confirmation.
WORLD OF OUTLAWS LATE MODEL SERIES
SUMMARY EVENT NO. 4
FEATURE(50 LAPS): SCOTT BLOOMQUIST, Rick Eckert, Terry English, Clint Smith, Dale McDowell, Billy Moyer, Robbie Blair, Dennis Erb,Jr., Chub Frank, Bart Hartman, Shannon Babb, Mike Balzano, Scott James, Steve Francis, Kenny Schrader, Tim McCreadie, Wendell Wallace, Dan Schlieper, Mike Marlar, Tim Dohm, Greg Johnson, R.J. Conley, Rick Aukland, Darrell Lanigan, Jackie Boggs, Freddy Smith.
FAST TIME TRIAL: Kenny Schrader (16.458 sec./109.369 mph).
HEAT 1: Schrader, Frank.
HEAT 2: Boggs, C.Smith.
HEAT 3: English, Moyer.
HEAT 4: McCreadie, Marlar.
HEAT 5: Johnson, Wallace.
HEAT 6: Balzano, James.
LAST CHANCE 1: Blair, Aukland.
LAST CHANCE 2: Erb, Schlieper.
LAST CHANCE 3: Lanigan, F.Smith.
DASH: McDowell, Hartman, Eckert, Francis, Bloomquist, Babb.
FINAL FLORIDA TOUR WoO LM POINT STANDINGS (Top-25): 1719-Dale McDowell, 1716-Rick Eckert, 1708-Scott Bloomquist, 1707-Bart Hartman, 1706-Steve Francis, 1658-Shannon Babb, 1604-Wendell Wallace, 1601-Dan Schlieper, 1599-Billy Moyer, 1581-R.J. Conley, 1566-Clint Smith, 1565-Chub Frank, 1532-Mike Balzano, 1524-Jackie Boggs, 1500-Robbie Blair, 1446-Greg Johnson, 1413-Tim McCreadie, 1410-Mike Marlar, 1397-Anthony Rushing, 1386-Chuck Harper, 1373-Darrell Lanigan, 1371-Tim Dohm, 1370-Rick Aukland, 1351-Dennis Erb,Jr., 1347-John Blankenship.
WoO LATE MODEL SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS (Top 25): 256-Scott Bloomquist, 253-Dale McDowell, 246-Rick Eckert, 245-Bart Hartman, 235-Billy Moyer, 229-Steve Francis, 225-Shannon Babb, 222-Chub Frank, 217-Clint Smith, 216-Robbie Blair, 214-Dan Schlieper, 210-Wendell Wallace, 210-Mike Balzano, 191-Rick Aukland, 186-Jackie Boggs, 185-Dennis Erb,Jr., 184-R.J. Conley, 179-Tim McCreadie, 173-Mike Marlar, 172-Kenny Schrader, 170-Tim Dohm, 166-Greg Johnson, 164-Terry English, 154-Scott James, 151-Darrell Lanigan.
BARBERVILLE, FL.....Scott Bloomquist's push for a unified national touring late model series became a reality over the past week and his concept turned full circle on the final night of competition as the five-time national champion triumphed in the 50-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main at Volusia Speedway Park on Sunday.
"I don't think you can race anywhere around the country like this, from the drivers to the staff we've got a great thing going right now," said Bloomquist, 40, after collecting the $12,000 winner's share for his 418th career victory. "A win out here is pretty special with the best guys following this new Outlaws Series. Every race is something big, hopefully this (Florida) test run will get the fans primed for the rest of the season."
A chance meeting with current Boundless Motor Sports Racing, Inc. (OTCBB: BMSR) Chief Operating Officer Bobby Hartslief in December resurrected an idea that Bloomquist originally conceived in 1997. Hartslief offered immediate support for the format and in less than two months the dream turned into reality.
"I put together a talented group of drivers but the idea just never took off," said Bloomquist, who today joins Mike Balzano, Rick Aukland, Steve Francis, Rick Eckert, Chub Frank, Bart Hartman, Darrell Lanigan, Dale McDowell, Billy Moyer, Dan Schlieper and Wendell Wallace on the list of charter contract members that comprise the inaugural WoO LM Series 'Dirty Dozen.'
"Back then I think the drivers figured I was using them to get ahead. They all know me better today and can now see how running together will raise up our whole program to another level."
The final night of full-fender competition continued to showcase the World of Outlaws LM Series 'Dirty Dozen' as the 25-mile main event produced plenty of multi-groove racing and four lead changes. Bloomquist put an exclamation point on the 33rd Annual Winter Nationals with a lap 37 pass of Dale McDowell to ice his second career victory at Dick Murphy's popular half-mile clay oval.
The top-six in Florida Tour points after the opening three events dueled in a special dash to determine the front three rows to start the 26-car A-Main. McDowell dominated the five-lap affair to earn the pole while Bloomquist settled for fifth in the all-star shootout.
McDowell easily out-dragged front row partner Bart Hartman when the initial green flag waved with Rick Eckert and Steve Francis in close pursuit. The order remained intact over the initial 10 laps with only Bloomquist and Francis swapping spots.
Hartman took advantage in traffic to slip under McDowell as the frontrunners exited turn four on lap 12, but the lead was short-lived as Eckert nosed ahead across the line just two laps later to keep the scorers reeling.
The first yellow flag slowed the action on lap 20 when Scott James dropped off the pace and on the restart Jackie Boggs rode the front stretch wall before coming to a halt in turn one to incur a second caution period. Yellow lights were triggered just two laps later when Rick Aukland, Wendell Wallace, Darrell Lanigan and R.J. Conley pile up in turn four.
McDowell regained his lead around Eckert on lap 23 and at the halfway mark his no. 17m Larry Shaw Race Cars/Rocket entry was chased by Eckert, Bloomquist, big-block DIRT Modified star Tim McCreadie and 1988-89 WoO LM champion Billy Moyer.
Bloomquist moved into second on lap 29 and set his sights on McDowell but just as he pulled alongside the leader another yellow flag flew when Wallace suffered a flat left front tire on lap 33. McCreadie slowed when he cut a right front tread three laps later to force the final caution period.
Back under green flag conditions Bloomquist wasted little time, shadowing McDowell before blasting by low in turn four on lap 37 to forge the final lead change. The Custom-powered no. 0 Miller Brothers Coal-Hawkeye Trucking mount had no challenges the remainder of the way as Bloomquist opened up a 10 car-length margin under the checkers.
"I missed on the set-up and had some motor trouble the last time out so it feels good to finally pick up a win," said Bloomquist, who finished sixth in Tuesday's opener, chased winner Hartman across the stripe on Wednesday and held on for ninth Friday before swapping engines.
Through the first four events in the inaugural World of Outlaws Late Model season points championship, 'Bloomer' (256) stands atop the chart followed closely by McDowell (253), Eckert (246), Hartman (245) and Moyer (235). Celebrating his 25th racing anniversary this season, the Mooresburg, Tenn. veteran (1708) also finished third in the final 33rd Winter Nationals WoO LM point standings behind McDowell (1719) and Eckert (1716) while Hartman (1707) and opening night winner Francis (1706) filled out the top-five.
"The car was a little bit loose in the dash so we made some adjustments. I tried to take care of the tires early on and at the end I knew I could get to the front. The track conditions were unbelievable tonight and depending on the set-up you could really get around using any line," Bloomquist added.
With Florida Tour 2004 in the recordbook, full-fender teams packed up and headed home to prepare for the next event on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series which is tentatively slated for early March in the South. A complete WoO LM schedule is expected to be announced in the coming week and will be posted on the world wide web upon confirmation.
WORLD OF OUTLAWS LATE MODEL SERIES
SUMMARY EVENT NO. 4
FEATURE(50 LAPS): SCOTT BLOOMQUIST, Rick Eckert, Terry English, Clint Smith, Dale McDowell, Billy Moyer, Robbie Blair, Dennis Erb,Jr., Chub Frank, Bart Hartman, Shannon Babb, Mike Balzano, Scott James, Steve Francis, Kenny Schrader, Tim McCreadie, Wendell Wallace, Dan Schlieper, Mike Marlar, Tim Dohm, Greg Johnson, R.J. Conley, Rick Aukland, Darrell Lanigan, Jackie Boggs, Freddy Smith.
FAST TIME TRIAL: Kenny Schrader (16.458 sec./109.369 mph).
HEAT 1: Schrader, Frank.
HEAT 2: Boggs, C.Smith.
HEAT 3: English, Moyer.
HEAT 4: McCreadie, Marlar.
HEAT 5: Johnson, Wallace.
HEAT 6: Balzano, James.
LAST CHANCE 1: Blair, Aukland.
LAST CHANCE 2: Erb, Schlieper.
LAST CHANCE 3: Lanigan, F.Smith.
DASH: McDowell, Hartman, Eckert, Francis, Bloomquist, Babb.
FINAL FLORIDA TOUR WoO LM POINT STANDINGS (Top-25): 1719-Dale McDowell, 1716-Rick Eckert, 1708-Scott Bloomquist, 1707-Bart Hartman, 1706-Steve Francis, 1658-Shannon Babb, 1604-Wendell Wallace, 1601-Dan Schlieper, 1599-Billy Moyer, 1581-R.J. Conley, 1566-Clint Smith, 1565-Chub Frank, 1532-Mike Balzano, 1524-Jackie Boggs, 1500-Robbie Blair, 1446-Greg Johnson, 1413-Tim McCreadie, 1410-Mike Marlar, 1397-Anthony Rushing, 1386-Chuck Harper, 1373-Darrell Lanigan, 1371-Tim Dohm, 1370-Rick Aukland, 1351-Dennis Erb,Jr., 1347-John Blankenship.
WoO LATE MODEL SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS (Top 25): 256-Scott Bloomquist, 253-Dale McDowell, 246-Rick Eckert, 245-Bart Hartman, 235-Billy Moyer, 229-Steve Francis, 225-Shannon Babb, 222-Chub Frank, 217-Clint Smith, 216-Robbie Blair, 214-Dan Schlieper, 210-Wendell Wallace, 210-Mike Balzano, 191-Rick Aukland, 186-Jackie Boggs, 185-Dennis Erb,Jr., 184-R.J. Conley, 179-Tim McCreadie, 173-Mike Marlar, 172-Kenny Schrader, 170-Tim Dohm, 166-Greg Johnson, 164-Terry English, 154-Scott James, 151-Darrell Lanigan.
