UNION, KY (August 13, 2011) – Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN has won the Sunoco Race Fuels North/South 100 Presented by Lucas Oil on Saturday Night at Florence Speedway. Owens took the lead on lap 75 from Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN as he went on to score his third career victory in the annual $50,000 to win event. Bloomquist had to hold off a hard-charging Brad Neat of Dunnville, KY to finish second. Neat started 15th and finished third, followed by Ray Cook of Brasstown, NC. Mike Marlar of Winfield, TN rounded out the top five.

“It feels great to win this race again,” said the 39-year-old Owens who joins the late Jack Boggs as the only 3-time winner of the race. “I never got the chance to race with Jack Boggs, I know all about what he did in Late Model Racing and to be mentioned in the same breath as him, it’s just a tremendous accomplishment, I have to my car owner, Mike Reece, he’s here tonight and all the crew, they did a great job all weekend long.”

Don O’Neal has led more laps than any other driver the last two years in this race. He grabbed the lead at the start of the race with Bloomquist running second. Bloomquist shadowed O’Neal for 22 laps of the race before taking over the top spot on lap 23. Bloomquist then pulled away from O’Neal and the rest of the field as he stretched his lead out to several car lengths.

As the race reached the halfway mark, it was Bloomquist, Owens, Marlar, O’Neal, and Lanigan all outpacing the field. Owens then started to close the gap on Bloomquist ever so slightly as Bloomquist was having to deal with lapped traffic. Owens cut the deficit to half a straightaway when a caution for John Blankenship, who slowed on the front-stretch with a flat tire.

This time on the restart Owens was bound and determined to pass Bloomquist as he went to the top of the race track and passed him on lap 75 to take over the point. Over the last 25 laps of the race, Owens had to hold off Bloomquist, who was having his position threatened by Neat.

But Owens was able to put enough distance between the Bloomquist-Neat battle to go on and capture his fifth Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win of 2011 and he expanded his points’ lead over Bloomquist.

“I didn’t now if could do anything with Scott once I caught him, the cautions sure helped us, and it looked like his left rear tire sealed over, I just got tired of running there on the bottom, so I decided to go up top and that was the way to go around him. I was worried there for a while that the track was going to become one-groove but it held up nicely, the car worked so well on it at the end. Scott builds a great race car and to beat him is always tough,” said Owens.

Owens’ Cornett Racing Engines powered Bloomquist Race Cars Ford is sponsored by Reece Monument Company, Gantte Appraisals, Red Line Oil, Hoosier Tires, Ohlins, Midwest Sheet Metal and VP Racing Fuels.

Bloomquist in his Hawkeye Tricking, Roush-Yates Racing Engines, Bloomquist Race Cars Ford just edged out the Red Buck Cigars, Cornett=powered Longhorn Chassis of Neat. Cook, in one of his best runs at Florence was fourth in the D&R Racing, Rockstar Energy, MasterSbilt. Marlar debuted a new ride in the Billy Ward Rocket Chassis came home fifth.

Completing the top ten were Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, GA; Steve Francis of Ashland, KY, who was PPB Erson Cams Hard Charger of Race. Darrell Lanigan of Union, KY; Clint Smith of Senoia, GA; and John Blankenship of Williamson, WV.

The next Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event will be on August 19th and 20th with the $40,000 to win COMP Cams Topless 100 at Batesville Motor Speedway in Batesville, AR.

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, August 12th, 2011
Sunoco Race Fuels “North/South 100” Presented by Lucas Oil Products, Inc.
Florence Speedway – Union, KY

Red Buck Cigars Fast Time:
Steve Shaver / 16.742 seconds (Group A and Overall)
Chris Madden / 17.193 seconds (Group B)

Wiles Driveshafts First Heat (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Vic Hill, Joe Janowski, Clint Smith, Chip Brindle, Dustin Neat, Tim Breeding, Steve Shaver, Danny Erskine, Josh Richards, Dale McDowell, Bub McCool, Greg Martin-DNS, David Webb-DNS

Wiles Driveshafts Second Heat (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Mike Marlar, Jacob Grizzle, Brad Neat, Kent Robinson, Eddie Carrier Jr., Brandon Sheppard, Brian Shirley, Tim Tungate, Jason Barrett, Rob Starkey, Jason Montgomery, James Rice

Sweet Manufacturing Third Heat (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Don O’Neal, John Blankenship, Earl Pearson Jr., Jared Landers, Eric Wells, Jimmy Mars, Chad Smith, Dustin Linville, Billy Guillion, Justin Rattliff, Jim Price, Jarrod Breeding
HAWK Brakes Fourth Heat (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Jimmy Owens, Chris Madden, Jonathan Davenport, Steve Francis, Chris Brown, Zack Dohm, Shave Clanton, Josh McGuire, Rod Conley, Chris Combs, Steve Landrum, Jeff Watson, Dan Deaton

Wiles Driveshafts Fifth Heat (12 Laps – Top 3 Advance): Scott Bloomquist, Steve Casebolt, Tyler Reddick, Greg Johnson, Mike Jewell, Josh Williams, Scott James, John Gill, Jesse Lay, Jeff Raisor, Tim Prince, Kenneth Howell-DNS

Sweet Manufacturing Sixth Heat (12 Laps – Top 3 Advance): Darrell Lanigan, Chris Wall, Ray Cook, dan Schlieper, Jeep VanWormer, Jeff Aslip, Brian Gray, Frank Heckenast Jr., Chris Wilson, Jason Riggs, Robby Hensley, Chub Frank-DNS

JRi Shocks First B-Main (15 Laps- Top 2 Advance): JARED Landers, Kent Robinson, Steve Shaver, Eddie Carrier Jr., Dustin Neat, Dustin Linville, Chad Smith, Eric Wells, Tim Breeding, Tim Tungate, James Rice, Rob Starkey, Jim Price, Jarrod Breeding, Bub McCool, Jason Barrett, Billy Guillion, Josh Richards, Brandon Sheppard, Chip Brindle, Brian Shirley, Danny Erskine, Dale McDowell-DNS, Jason Montgomery-DNS, Justin Rattliff-DNS, Jimmy Mars-DNS, Greg Martin-DNS, David Webb-DNS

Wrisco Aluminum Second B-Main (15 Laps- Top 2 Advance): Greg Johnson, Steve Francis, Chris Brown, Shane Clanton, Jeep VanWormer, Zack Dohm, Dan Schlieper, Mike Jewell, Frank Heckenast Jr., John Gill, Chris Combs, Chris Wilson, Brian Gray, Jeff Aslip, Jesse Lay, Rod Conley, Steve Landrum, Jason Riggs, Jeff Raisor, Josh McGuire, Josh Williams, Scott James-DNS, Kenneth Howell-DNS, Robby Hensley-DNS, Jeff Watson-DNS, Dan Deaton-DNS, Chub Frank-DNS

Feature Finish – 100 Laps

FINISH START CAR # DRIVER NAME HOMETOWN
1 6 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN
2 2 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN
3 15 41n Brad Neat Dunnville, KY
4 18 53 Ray Cook Brasstown, NC
5 5 16m Mike Marlar Winfield, TN
6 14 49 Jonathan Davenport Blairsville, GA
7 22 15 Steve Francis Ashland, KY
8 4 28 Darrell Lanigan Union, KY
9 13 44c Clint Smith Senoia, GA
10 11 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV
11 1 71 Don O’Neal Martinsville, IN
12 19 777 Jared Landers Batesville, AR
13 16 11t Tyler Reddick Corning, CA
14 25 JJ2 Josh Williams W. Harrison, IN
15 27 18e Eric Wells Hazard, KY
16 23 57J Bub McCool Vicksburg, MS
17 7 6J Joe Janowski Carmel, IN
18 9 99G Jacob Grizzle Blairsville, GA
19 26 99jr Frank Heckenast, Jr. Frankfort, IL
20 3 1v Vic Hill Mosheim, TN
21 8 44m Chris Madden Gaffney, SC
22 21 7R Kent Robinson Bloomington, IN
23 24 17m Dale McDowell Chickamauga, GA
24 20 24h Greg Johnson Bedford, IN
25 17 44 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL
26 12 71w Chris Wall Springfield, LA
27 10 c9 Steve Casebolt Richmond, IN

Race Statistics
Entrants: 74
Lap Leaders: Don O’Neal (Laps 1 – 22); Scott Bloomquist (Laps 23 – 74); Jimmy Owens (Laps 75 – 100)
Caution Flags: Steve Casebolt (Lap 9); John Blankenship (Lap 67); Chris Madden, Jared Landers (Lap 70); Frank Heckenast Jr. (Lap 76)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Bub McCool, Dale McDowell
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: Frank Heckenast Jr., Eric Wells
Florence Speedway Track Provisional: Josh Williams
PBM/Erson Cams Hard Charger of the Race: Steve Francis (Started 22nd; Finished 7th; Advanced 15 positions)
Allstar Performer of the Race: Brad Neat
K&N Filters Clean Pass of the Race: Jimmy Owens
Quarter Master Rookie of the Race: Jared Landers
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Cornett Racing Engines
Janowski Insurance Feature Winner: Jimmy Owens
Outerwears Challenger of the Race: Steve Francis
Dominator Race Products Hard Luck Award: Steve Casebolt
DirtonDirt.com Crew Chief of the Race: Chris Fox (Jimmy Owens)
Time of Race: 63 minutes 14 seconds

Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:

POS CAR # DRIVER NAME HOMETOWN POINTS
1 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN 4600
2 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN 4440
3 71 Don O’Neal Martinsville, IN 4060
4 15 Steve Francis Ashland, KY 3785
5 44 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL 3705
6 777 Jared Landers Batesville, AR 3545
7 41n Brad Neat Dunnville, KY 3520
8 53 Ray Cook Brasstown, NC 3510
9 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV 3485
10 57J Bub McCool Vicksburg, MS 3325
11 11t Tyler Reddick Corning, CA 3285
12 17m Dale McDowell Chickamauga, GA 3065
13 18e Eric Wells Hazard, KY 2965
14 99jr Frank Heckenast, Jr. Frankfort, IL 2830

NETWORK AIR DATE AIR TIME VENUE EVENT NAME LOCATION EVENT DATE

SPEED 8/7/11 5:00 PM Tri-City Speedway Budweiser Battle at the Beach Pontoon Beach, IL 7/15/11
VERSUS 8/27/11 2:30 PM Batesville Motor Speedway Bad Boy 98 Batesville, AR 5/21/11
SPEED 9/4/11 11:00 AM Florence Speedway 29th Annual Sunoco Race Fuels North/South 100 Presented by Lucas Oil Florence, KY 8/13/11
MavTV 9/8/11 9:00PM Batesville Motor Speedway Bad Boy 98 Batesville, AR 5/21/11
SPEED 9/17/11 2:00 PM Lawrenceburg Speedway Lawrenceburg, IN 8/26/11
SPEED 10/2/11 1:00 PM Portsmouth Raceway Park River Days Rumble Portsmouth, OH 9/3/11
SPEED 10/9/11 1:00 PM Virginia Motor Speedway ASi Racewear USA 100 Saluda, VA 9/17/11
SPEED 10/23/11 6:00 PM Brownstown Speedway 32nd Annual Jackson 100 Brownstown, IN 9/24/11
SPEED 10/30/11 3:00 PM Dixie Speedway Lucas Oil Dixie Shootout Woodstock, GA 10/8/11
VERSUS 12/18/11 6:00 PM Florence Speedway 29th Annual Sunoco Race Fuels North/South 100 Presented by Lucas Oil Florence, KY 8/13/11
MavTV 12/29/11 9:00PM Florence Speedway 29th Annual Sunoco Race Fuels North/South 100 Presented by Lucas Oil Florence, KY 8/13/11
SPEED TBA TBA Lucas Oil Speedway Diamond Nationals Wheatland, MO 7/16/11
SPEED TBA TBA Knoxville Raceway 8th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals Knoxville, IA 10/1/11
MavTV TBA TBA Dixie Speedway Lucas Oil Dixie Shootout Woodstock, GA 10/8/11
VERSUS TBA TBA Dixie Speedway Lucas Oil Dixie Shootout Woodstock, GA 10/8/11

2011 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 Power Sports – “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

K&N Filters – “The Official Filter” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Lucas Oil Products – “The Official Oil” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Magnaflow Exhaust – “The Official Exhaust” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

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

R&L Carrier – “The Official Carrier” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Rockstar Energy Drink – “The Official Drink” 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

2011 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Supporters Include:

Allstar Performance, American Racer, Banshee Graphics, Bloomquist Race Cars, COMP Cams, Cornett Racing Engines, Cruise with the Champions, CV Products, DirtonDirt.com, Dominator Race Products, Dyers Top Rods, ECR Race Engines, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, Gaerte Engines, GRT Race Cars, Hawk Performance, Hypercoil, Janowski Insurance, Jay Dickens Racing Engines, JE Pistons, JRi Shocks, Keyser MFG, Longhorn Chassis, MasterSbilt Chassis, Öhlins, Outerwears, PBM/Erson Cams, Performance Bodies, Pierce Racecars, 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, Safety Solutions, Sweet Manufactuing, Vic Hill Race Engines, Warrior Race Cars, Weld Racing Wheels, Wiles Drive Shafts, Wrisco, 5150 Race Trailers.

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