Columbus, Mississippi (10/11/14) – From the time that Scott Bloomquist first took to the track at Magnolia Motor Speedway over the weekend for the annual running of the Magnolia State Cotton Pickin’ 100 many of his competitors took note that he would be the driver to beat for the $20,000 top prize. He proved them all right on Saturday night by leading all 100 laps in dominating fashion to claim the coveted win.
“We’ve just been working so hard on this car over the past several months, and it’s really paying off,” Bloomquist said with a smile in victory lane. “Whether it’s here, Eldora, Knoxville, Brownstown, or anywhere else this car is just incredible.”
Jack Sullivan and Scott Bloomquist led the field to the green, and it was Bloomquist, who paced the field for the first lap with Billy Moyer Jr., Sullivan, Chris Simpson, and Randy Weaver in tow. With a blistering paced at the front of the packthe Mooresburg, Tennessee driver found him in lapped traffic by the seventh circuit as Chris Simpson worked up to the third spot and began to pressure Moyer Jr. for the runner-up position.
Simpson disposed of Moyer Jr. on lap 27 for the second spot, and the Iowa competitor looked to catch Bloomquist, who held a straightaway lead. While Simpson tried to make up ground on Bloomquist, Mike Marlar, who started ninth found his way into the fourth position on lap 41.
The first caution flag of the event flew on lap 51, when Jared Landers spun in turn two after contact with Eric Jacobsen. At the time of the caution Bloomquist led the way with Simpson, Marlar, Moyer Jr., and Weaver completing the top five. If competitors hoped the caution would give them a shot at Bloomquist, they would soon be disappointed as the restart found the driver of the #0 Bloomquist-Sweet Race Car motoring away from his foes.
The second and final caution of the race was displayed on lap 80 as Brian Rickman drew a caution as he slowed on the front stretch. While Bloomquist again drove away from the competition on the restart, great battles waged throughout the pack as Simpson and Marlar went door-to-door before Simpson disposed of Marlar in the closing laps for the second spot.
Bloomquist crossed the finish line a full straight away ahead of Simpson and Marlar. Morgan Bagley surged to as high as the fourth position in the closing laps before settling into a fifth place finish behind Randy Weaver.
“This car would go absolutely anywhere that I wanted it to go in the feature,” commented Bloomquist. “I want to thank all of my sponsors and crew for their incredible support. They’ve stood behind me all year, and have never given up.”
Cotton Pickin’ Magnolia State 100 A-Main Finish
1)Scott Bloomquist 2)Chris Simpson 3)Mike Marlar 4)Randy Weaver 5)Morgan Bagley 6)Jimmy Owens 7)Billy Moyer Jr. 8)Steve Francis 9)Dennis Erb Jr. 10)Rick Eckert 11)Jack Sullivan 12)Shane Clanton 13)Bub McCool 14)Chase Junghans 15)Rodney Wing 16)Robert Baker 17)David Breazeale 18)Billy Moyer 19)Brian Rickman 20)Jared Landers 21)Eric Cooley 22)Eric Jacobsen 23)Neil Baggett 24)Anthony Burroughs.
The NeSmith Crate Late Models contested a 50 lap feature, which was led to the green by Jeremy Shaw and Michael Arnold. Shaw paced the way in the openings laps before Arnold jumped to the lead on lap 5. Shaw briefly retook the top spot on lap 11, but Arnold would soon surge back to the top spot in heavy lapped traffic. From there not event a late-race start could slow Arnold down as the Hattiesburg, Mississippi racer bolted to the $3,000 victory. Kyle Shaw, Riley Hickman, Daniel Bridgmon, and Jeremy Shaw rounded out the top five finishers.
The Mini Stock feature was wired by Bo Minor with John Tillman, Mike Minor, Donnie Andrews, and Logan Lux rounding out the top five finishers.
The Mississippi Street Stock Series (MSSS) brought the weekend to a close with a 20 lap, $2,000-to-win event. Jimmy Owens led the first sixteen laps from his front row starting spot before Stacy Robinson edged ahead on lap 17 as Owens, Jeremy Idom, and Calvin Cook all battled in close quarters for the lead. Owens returned to the lead on lap 18 before the caution flew to set up a green, white, and checkered finish. The Newport, Tennessee driver survived the restart to score the win over Idom, Jason Harrison, Calvin Cook, and Jeff Butler.
Full results from all divisions will be posted at www.MagnoliaDirt.com on Sunday morning.
For more information on Magnolia Motor Speedway please visit www.MagnoliaDirt.com .
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