ROME, GA (October 9, 2011) – Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN inherited the lead on lap 37 when smoke began heavily barreling out race leader, Scott Bloomquist’s, car. Owens then led the rest of the way for his first ever win at Rome. More importantly for him, he re-took the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series championship points by 50 heading into the season ending U.S. Steel Dirt Track World Championship presented by Sunoco at KC Raceway next weekend. Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA finished second, followed by Clint Smith of Senoia, GA; Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN; and Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL.

Bloomquist started on the outside of the front row, alongside 15-year-old Tyler Reddick, who was the polesitter. Bloomquist bolted to a quick early lead with McDowell, Smith, and Owens trailing. Bloomquist built a good-sized lead with just ten laps into the 50 lap event. The first caution of the race came out on lap 25 for Eric Wells. On the restart Bloomquist opened up a healthy advantage over McDowell. Owens took over the second slot on lap 26. With 20 to go in the race Bloomquist had built nearly a straightaway lead over Owens as a torrid battle for third was going on between McDowell, Smith, and O’Neal.

Bloomquist continued to be solid as he was looking to sweep the LOLMDS weekend in Georgia. He captured the Lucas Oil Dixie Shootout last night. Bloomquist’ car started to smoke as he was just about to enter heavy lapped traffic again. Bloomquist then started to slow as heavy smoke was pouring from his car. Bloomquist eventually stopped on the track, bringing out the next caution.

Bloomquist headed pitside and as his crew took a close look at the car. It was apparent that there was a terminal problem. Owens inherited the top spot with 13 laps to go. He then pulled away from a terrific finish for second between three drivers.

In Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the 29th time in his career, Owens set himself up for his first LOLMDS title. “Scott had a good car, you know we hate to see that happen to anybody, but we’ll take it anyway we can get it,” said the 39-year old driver of the Mike Reece owned number 20.

“You have got to be there at the end to make it count, hats off to my crew, Chris (Fox) made a good decision on tires tonight. We were pretty good there at the end, and we look forward to heading into next weekend in Ohio, both of us have had a great year. It’s going to come down to one race, he’s been plagued by things that normally get us, it’s all good. I’m glad to have all these fans here to cheer for us.”

Owens’ Bloomquist Race Cars Ford is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and sponsored by Reece Monument Company, Gantte Appraisals, Red Line Oil, Midwest Sheet Metal, Ohlins, Hoosier and C&C Trucking.

McDowell finished second, barely edging out two other drivers for the spot. McDowell’s Crawford Supply, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, Clint Bowyer Rocket Chevrolet. Smith was third in the JP Drilling, Racetek Race Engines, Rocket Chevrolet as he had a near-photo finish with O’Neal in the Magnaflow Exhaust, Jay Dickens Racing Engines, MasterSbilt Chevy.

Completing the top ten were Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, GA; Steve Francis of Ashland, KY, Chris Madden of Gaffney, SC; Chip Brindle of Chatsworth, GA; and Tyler Reddick of Corning, CA.

In preliminary action Scott Bloomquist was the Red Buck Cigar Fast Qualifier among the 39 entrants on hand. Heat race winners were Tyler Reddick, Dale McDowell, Scott Bloomquist and Steve Francis. The B-mains went to Tommy Kerr and Chris Brown.

The final Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will take place next Friday and Saturday, October 14th and 15th at KC Raceway in Chillicothe, OH for the U. S. Steel Dirt Track World Championship Presented by Sunoco paying $50,000 to win. For more information on tickets, visit www.kc-raceway.com.

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
Sunday Night, October 9th, 2011
“Lucas Oil Rome Showdown”
Rome International Speedway – Rome, GA

Red Buck Cigars Fast Time:
Tyler Reddick / 13.655 seconds (Group A)
Scott Bloomquist / 13.382 seconds (Group B and Overall)

Wiles Driveshafts First Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Tyler Reddick, Clint Smith, Jared Landers, Chip Brindle, John Blankenship, Eric Jacobsen, Todd Morrow, Chris Ferguson, Luther Jenkins, Buster Goss

Wiles Driveshafts Second Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Dale McDowell, Shane Clanton, Don O’Neal, Earl Pearson Jr., Tommy Kerr, Eric Wells, David Payne, Lee Sutton, Scott Hall, Aaron Ridley

Sweet Manufacturing Third Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Scott Bloomquist, Jimmy Owens, Brad Neat, Tyler Millwood, Chris Brown, Mike Marlar, Tony Knowles, Jake Knowles, Eddie Blackmon, Teddy Snow
HAWK Brakes Fourth Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Steve Francis, Steve Casebolt, Jonathan Davenport, Billy Ogle, Casey Roberts, Ray Cook, Chris Madden, Frank Ingram, Matt Helbing

JRi Shocks First B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Tommy Kerr, Eric Jacobsen, David Payne, Todd Morrow, Eric Wells, Aaron Ridley, Buster Goss, John Blankenship, Chris Ferguson, Scott Hall, Lee Sutton-DNS, Luther Jenkins-DNS
Wrisco Aluminum Second B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Chris Brown, Chris Madden, Casey Roberts, Ray Cook, Jake Knowles, Tony Knowles, Eddie Blackmon, Teddy Snow, Matt Helbing, Mike Marlar-DNS, Frank Ingram-DNS

Feature Finish – 50 Laps:
FINISH START CAR # DRIVER NAME HOMETOWN
1 6 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN
2 3 17m Dale McDowell Chickamauga, GA
3 5 44c Clint Smith Senoia, GA
4 11 71 Don O’Neal Martinsville, IN
5 15 44 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL
6 7 25c Shane Clanton Fayetteville, GA
7 4 15 Steve Francis Ashland, KY
8 20 44m Chris Madden Gaffney, SC
9 13 21B Chip Brindle Chatsworth, GA
10 1 11t Tyler Reddick Corning, CA
11 16 201 Billy Ogle Knoxville, TN
12 12 49 Jonathan Davenport Blairsville, GA
13 17 4T Tommy Kerr Maryville, TN
14 19 5 Eric Jacobsen Watsonville, CA
15 9 777 Jared Landers Batesville, AR
16 24 53 Ray Cook Brasstown, NC
17 21 8 David Payne Murphy, NC
18 18 21CB Chris Brown Cleveland, TX
19 23 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV
20 14 X Tyler Millwood Kingston, GA
21 10 41n Brad Neat Dunnville, KY
22 2 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN
23 8 c9 Steve Casebolt Richmond, IN
24 22 101 Casey Roberts Toccoa, GA
25 25 18e Eric Wells Hazard, KY

Race Statistics
Entrants: 39
Lap Leaders: Scott Bloomquist (Laps 1 – 36); Jimmy Owens (Laps 37 – 50)
Caution Flags: Eric Wells (Lap 25); Scott Bloomquist (Lap 36); Brad Neat (Lap 39)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: John Blankenship, Ray Cook
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: Eric Wells
Rome International Speedway Track Provisional: none
PBM/Erson Cams Hard Charger of the Race: Chris Madden (Started 20th; Finished 8th; Advanced 12 positions)
Allstar Performer of the Race: Dale McDowell
K&N Filters Clean Pass of the Race: Earl Pearson Jr.
Quarter Master Rookie of the Race: Tyler Reddick
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Cornett Racing Engines
Janowski Insurance Feature Winner: Jimmy Owens
Outerwears Challenger of the Race: Chris Madden
Dominator Race Products Hard Luck Award: Scott Bloomquist
DirtonDirt.com Crew Chief of the Race: Chris Fox (Jimmy Owens)
Time of Race: 34 minutes 00 seconds

Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:

POS CAR # DRIVER NAME HOMETOWN POINTS
1 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN 6975
2 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN 6925
3 71 Don O’Neal Martinsville, IN 6290
4 15 Steve Francis Ashland, KY 5965
5 777 Jared Landers Batesville, AR 5550
6 44 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL 5440
7 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV 5370
7 41n Brad Neat Dunnville, KY 5370
9 11t Tyler Reddick Corning, CA 5285
10 53 Ray Cook Brasstown, NC 5250
11 17m Dale McDowell Chickamauga, GA 5070
12 18e Eric Wells Hazard, KY 4635
13 57J Bub McCool Vicksburg, MS 4175
14 c9 Steve Casebolt Richmond, IN 3875
15 99jr Frank Heckenast, Jr. Frankfort, IL 3765

NETWORK AIR DATE AIR TIME VENUE EVENT NAME LOCATION EVENT DATE

SPEED 10/9/11 1:00 PM Virginia Motor Speedway 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 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