2013-09-28



Richards Goes Back-to-Back in Winning Friday Night at Knoxville

KNOXVILLE, IA (September 27, 2013) – Josh Richards showed his speed at Knoxville Raceway, winning the $7,000-to-win feature event on Friday Night. Richards also captured Thursday Nights’ preliminary feature. On Saturday Night, Richards can become the second driver in the history of the Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals to sweep all three nights. Billy Moyer completed the feat in 2010.

 

Jimmy Owens came home in second followed by A.J. Diemel, Earl Pearson Jr., and 21st starting, Tim McCreadie.

 

The 25 lap main event got off to a rocky start with a pair of caution flags during the first five laps of the race. Jimmy Owens led the first four laps, until A.J. Diemel took over the point. Diemel held the lead for four circuits until Richards powered by him on lap nine.

 

“It was a crazy start to the race,” said Richards, who is racing at Knoxville for the first time in three years. “Our car was real good again tonight. This track suits our driving style, and we go into the turns wide-open and let the car rotate through the turns. As I said last night, this is one of my favorite tracks. I certainly have missed coming here the last three years, and to win the first two nights, it’s just unbelievable.”

 

Richards held a sizable lead over Diemel and Owens with ten laps to go. Owens tried several times to get around Diemel. Finally, with seven to go, Owens made the pass on Diemel for second, coming out of turn number two. A caution with five laps to go set-up a dash between Richards and Owens, but Richards would prevail, holding off Owens for the victory.

 

“I have to thank Valvoline, Seubert Calf Ranches, Ernie D’s Enterprises, Ace Metal Works and Sunoco Race Fuels. This Roush-Yates Ford engine has been solid all-year long,” said the driver of the Mark Richards Racing Rocket Chassis house-car.

 

Owens, the 2-time LOLMDS National Champion, commented, “We were having electrical problems on the restarts, it was cracking and popping, I thought it was going to die on us, and then finally it ran like it should towards the end. We got around him (Diemel), but Josh was already so far out in front, we weren’t going to catch him. We got that caution with five to go, and I was going to try a move going into one, but if I couldn’t clear him, I wasn’t going to take a chance of tearing us both up”.

 

Diemel had his best career finish at Knoxville, earning a podium finish. “We are extremely happy to come home third against these Lucas guys. I thought maybe early on we had a real good chance to win tonight. We learned so much here the last two nights. It builds our confidence heading into Saturday Night’s big race.”

 

Completing the top ten were Steve Francis, Jimmy Mars, Jason Feger, Ryan Gustin, John Blankenship.

In preliminary action Ryan Gustin set the RED BUCK Fast Time (Group A) with a lap of 17.941 seconds. John Blankenship set the RED BUCK Fast Time (Group B) with a lap of 18.021 seconds. Brady Smith, Steve Francis, Chris Simpson, Ryan Unzicker, Darrell Lanigan, and Shannon Babb won their respective heat races. Denny Eckrich won the D-Main. Jason Rauen won the C-Main. Ryan Gustin won the B-Main.

 

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will return to action tomorrow night, Saturday, September 28th, with a D-Main, C-Main, B-Main, and the $40,000-to-win 100-Lap main event. For more information, log on to www.knoxvilleraceway.com.

For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, log onto www.lucasdirt.com and follow the series on www.facebook.com/lucasdirt and www.twitter.com/#!/lucasdirt.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Race Summary

Friday Night, September 27th, 2013

Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Stores

Knoxville Raceway – Knoxville, IA

 

RED BUCK Fast Time Group A: Ryan Gustin / 17.941 seconds

RED BUCK Fast Time Group B: John Blankenship / 18.021 seconds

Wiles Drive Shafts Heat Race #1 (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Brady Smith, Jason Feger, Jimmy Mars, Ricky Weiss, Ryan Gustin, Chase Junghans, Bub McCool, Jason Rauen, Charlie McKenna, Jonathan Brauns, Michael Smith, Frank Heckenast, Jr.

 

Eibach Springs Heat Race #2 (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Steve Francis, AJ Diemel, Earl Pearson Jr., Morgan Bagley, Jason Utter, Tony Jackson, Jr., Tim Lance, Travis Dickes, Darrel DeFrance, Greg Kimmons, Tim Isenberg, Stewart Hayward

 

Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Chris Simpson, Scott Bloomquist, Rodney Sanders, Rich Bell, Justin Kay, Austin Hubbard, Mike Fryer, Skip Frey, Dave Eckrich, Curt Schroeder, Denny Eckrich

FK Rod Ends Heat Race #4 (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Ryan Unzicker, Billy Moyer, Matt Furman, Tim McCreadie, John Blankenship, Mike Marlar, Dennis Erb Jr., Terry Phillips, Jason McBride, Tyler Bruening, Dustin Walker, Joel Callahan

DirtonDirt.com Heat Race #5 (12 Laps – Top 3 Transfer): Darrell Lanigan, Eddie Carrier Jr., Dale McDowell, Chad Simpson, Brandon Sheppard, Brian Birkhofer, Jared Landers, Jason Jaggers, Ray Guss, Jr., Steve Lance, Brian Shirley, Dennis Vandermeersch

RED BUCK Heat #6 (12 Laps – Top 3 Transfer): Shannon Babb, Jimmy Owens, Josh Richards, Don O’Neal, Andy Eckrich, Billy Moyer Jr., Jay Johnson, Spencer Diercks, Ray Sveeggen, Kent Robinson, Chris Spieker

CV Products D-Main (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer to C-Main): Denny Eckrich, Steve Lance, Tyler Bruening, Michael Smith, Kent Robinson, Greg Kimmons, Tim Isenberg, Curt Schroeder, Dustin Walker, Joel Callahan, Dennis Vandermeersch, Stewart Hayward, Brian Shirley, Frank Heckenast, Jr., Jonathan Brauns, Chris Spieker

 

Wrisco Aluminum C-Main (12 Laps, Top 4 Transfer to B-Main): Jason Rauen, Jared Landers, Terry Phillips, Jason McBride, Bub McCool, Tim Lance, Mike Fryer, Dennis Erb Jr., Jason Jaggers, Ray Guss, Jr., Spencer Diercks, Dave Eckrich, Denny Eckrich, Travis Dickes, Jay Johnson, Tyler Bruening, Darrel DeFrance, Michael Smith, Charlie McKenna, Steve Lance, Ray Sveeggen, Skip Frey

CV Products B-Main (15 Laps, Top 6 Transfer to A-Main): Ryan Gustin, John Blankenship, Tim McCreadie, Jason Utter, Chad Simpson, Don O’Neal, Brandon Sheppard, Ricky Weiss, Justin Kay, Morgan Bagley, Brian Birkhofer, Andy Eckrich, Tony Jackson, Jr., Terry Phillips, Jason McBride, Billy Moyer Jr., Mike Marlar, Jason Rauen, Chase Junghans, Rich Bell, Austin Hubbard, Jared Landers

Feature Finish (25 Laps):

FINISH

START

CAR #

DRIVER NAME

HOMETOWN

1

6

1

Josh Richards

Shinnston, WV

2

2

20

Jimmy Owens

Newport, TN

3

3

58d

AJ Diemel

Elk Mound, WI

4

1

44

Earl Pearson Jr.

Jacksonville, FL

5

21

39

Tim McCreadie

Watertown, NY

6

17

15

Steve Francis

Ashland, KY

7

5

28m

Jimmy Mars

Menomonie, WI

8

15

25F

Jason Feger

Bloomington, IL

9

19

19R

Ryan Gustin

Marshalltown, IA

10

20

23

John Blankenship

Williamson, WV

11

7

0

Scott Bloomquist

Mooresburg, TN

12

11

2

Brady Smith

Solon Springs, WI

13

22

31u

Jason Utter

Columbus Junction, IA

14

18

28

Eddie Carrier Jr.

Salt Rock, WV

15

9

32x

Chris Simpson

Oxford, IA

16

16

51

Matt Furman

Columbus, OH

17

14

24x

Ryan Unzicker

El Paso, IL

18

13

20x

Rodney Sanders

Happy, TX

19

8

29

Darrell Lanigan

Union, KY

20

10

21

Billy Moyer

Batesville, AR

21

12

18

Shannon Babb

Mowequa, IL

22

24

71

Don O’Neal

Martinsville, IN

23

23

25c

Chad Simpson

Mt. Vernon, IA

24

4

17m

Dale McDowell

Chickamauga, GA

 

 

Race Statistics

 

Entrants: 70

Lap Leaders: Jimmy Owens (Laps 1 – 4); AJ Diemel (Laps 5 – 8); Josh Richards (Laps 9 – 25)

Caution Flags: Dale McDowell (Lap 4); Darrell Lanigan (Lap 5); Chris Simpson (Lap 20)

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: none

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: none

RED BUCK Fast Time Provisionals: none

Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals Points:

Rank

Car#

Name

Hometown

Thursday

Friday

Total

Best

1

17m

Dale McDowell

Chickamauga, GA

491

428

919

491

2

1

Josh Richards

Shinnston, WV

483

487

970

487

3

29

Darrell Lanigan

Union, KY

485

462

947

485

4

58d

AJ Diemel

Elk Mound, WI

295

485

780

485

5

25F

Jason Feger

Bloomington, IL

484

447

931

484

6

39

Tim McCreadie

Watertown, NY

282

477

759

477

7

28m

Jimmy Mars

Menomonie, WI

411

476

887

476

8

44

Earl Pearson Jr.

Jacksonville, FL

452

474

926

474

9

0

Scott Bloomquist

Mooresburg, TN

446

473

919

473

10

19R

Ryan Gustin

Marshalltown, IA

357

472

829

472

11

71

Don O’Neal

Martinsville, IN

471

433

904

471

12

23

John Blankenship

Williamson, WV

469

470

939

470

13

20

Jimmy Owens

Newport, TN

434

470

907

470

14

21

Billy Moyer

Batesville, AR

466

435

901

466

15

31u

Jason Utter

Columbus Junction, IA

442

462

904

462

16

57J

Bub McCool

Vicksburg, MS

460

326

786

460

17

28

Eddie Carrier Jr.

Salt Rock, WV

459

427

886

459

18

B5

Brandon Sheppard

Berlin, IL

459

394

853

459

19

25c

Chad Simpson

Mt. Vernon, IA

456

421

877

456

20

5

Jared Landers

Batesville, AR

455

382

837

455

21

2

Brady Smith

Solon Springs, WI

385

454

839

454

22

15

Steve Francis

Ashland, KY

450

452

902

452

23

32x

Chris Simpson

Oxford, IA

322

450

772

450

24

99JR

Frank Heckenast, Jr.

Frankfort, IL

448

261

709

448

25

14m

Morgan Bagley

Tyler, TX

438

397

835

438

26

24x

Ryan Unzicker

El Paso, IL

425

432

857

432

27

56

Tony Jackson, Jr.

Lebanon, MO

432

379

811

432

28

18

Shannon Babb

Mowequa, IL

370

432

802

432

29

20x

Rodney Sanders

Happy, TX

309

432

741

432

30

11h

Austin Hubbard

Seaford, DE

428

361

789

428

31

51

Matt Furman

Columbus, OH

304

422

726

422

32

40

Joel Callahan

Dubuque, IA

418

239

657

418

33

15K

Justin Kay

Wheatland, IA

388

412

800

412

34

50

Denny Eckrich

Tiffin, IA

411

330

741

411

35

7w

Ricky Weiss

Headingley, MB

296

409

705

409

36

18J

Chase Junghans

Manhattan, KS

405

357

762

405

37

28e

Dennis Erb Jr.

Carpentersville, IL

404

314

718

404

38

98

Jason Rauen

Farley, IA

400

383

783

400

39

77m

Jason McBride

Carbondale, IL

397

368

765

397

40

5b

Mike Marlar

Winfield, TN

394

355

749

394

41

75

Terry Phillips

Springfield, MO

339

391

730

391

42

3s

Brian Shirley

Chatham, IL

388

282

670

388

43

56e

Andy Eckrich

Oxford, IA

213

382

595

382

44

21JR

Billy Moyer Jr.

Batesville, AR

375

359

734

375

45

7R

Kent Robinson

Bloomington, IN

365

311

676

365

46

58e

Dave Eckrich

Oxford, IA

365

296

661

365

47

21b

Rich Bell

Sheffield, IL

259

363

622

363

48

15b

Brian Birkhofer

Muscatine, IA

348

353

701

353

49

48

Tim Lance

Brimfield, IL

328

352

680

352

50

22m

Charlie McKenna

Clear Lake, IA

349

280

629

349

51

16b

Tyler Bruening

Decorah, IA

336

325

661

336

52

32J

Jason Jaggers

Wyanet, IL

219

325

544

325

53

5m

Mike Fryer

Freeport, IL

237

324

561

324

54

56x

Chris Spieker

Massena, IA

321

238

559

321

55

29d

Spencer Diercks

Davenport, IA

272

319

591

319

56

58x

Ray Guss, Jr.

Milan, IL

315

302

617

315

57

21T

Travis Dickes

Madison, NE

311

297

608

311

58

9t

Tim Isenberg

Marshfield, WI

302

264

566

302

59

93J

Jay Johnson

W. Burlington, IA

298

296

594

298

60

99D

Darrel DeFrance

Marshalltown, IA

287

294

581

294

61

00s

Jesse Stovall

Billing, MO

290

0

290

290

62

s1

Michael Smith

Vienna, WV

286

270

556

286

63

3x

Skip Frey

Swisher, IA

257

285

542

285

64

48x

Steve Lance

Brimfield, IL

247

285

532

285

65

22B

Jonathan Brauns

Muscatine, IA

280

241

521

280

66

77A

Dustin Walker

Peculiar, MO

274

238

512

274

67

R21

Ray Sveeggen

Beresford, SD

241

272

513

272

68

27

Greg Kimmons

Pleasant Plains, IL

223

251

474

251

69

15R

Brian Harris

Davenport, IA

251

0

251

251

70

15c

Curt Schroeder

Ames, IA

234

245

479

245

71

83

Dennis Vandermeersch

Springfield, IL

240

229

469

240

72

51E

Stewart Hayward

Calgary, Alberta Canada

233

227

460

233

Saturday: CV Products D-Main Line Up (12 Laps, Top 4 Transfer to C-Main):

Ryan Gustin

19R

00s

Jesse Stovall

Rodney Sanders

20X

29D

Spencer Diercks

Brian Harris

15R

51

Matt Furman

Tim McCreadie

39

48x

Steve Lance

Skip Frey

3x

21B

Rich Bell

Dennis Vandermeersch

83

r21

Ray Sveeggen

Curt Schroeder

15C

32J

Jason Jaggers

Stewart Hayward

51E

5M

Mike Fryer

Greg Kimmons

27

56E

Andy Eckrich

 

Saturday: Wrisco Aluminum C-Main (15 Laps, Top 6 Transfer to B-Main):

Mike Marlar

5B

3s

Brian Shirley

Chris Simpson

32x

18

Shannon Babb

Tyler Bruening

16B

48

Tim Lance

Ray Guss Jr

58x

75

Terry Phillips

Chris Spieker

56x

21T

Travis Dickes

Ricky Weiss

7w

9T

Tim Isenberg

AJ Diemel

58

93J

Jay Johnson

Dustin Walker

77a

22B

Jonathan Brauns

Michael Smith

s1

99D

Darrell Defrance

Saturday: CV Products B-Main (20 Laps, Top 20 Transfer to A-Main):

Don O’Neal

71

28

Eddie Carrier Jr

Scott Bloomquist

0

20

Jimmy Owens

John Blankenship

23

50

Denny Eckrich

Chase Junghans

18J

28m

Jimmy Mars

Jason Rauen

98

44

Earl Pearson Jr

Dave Eckrich

58E

77m

Jason McBride

Kent Robinson

7R

15K

Justin Kay

Charlie McKenna

22M

2

Brady Smith

Brian Birkhofer

15B

21JR

Billy Moyer Jr

 

Saturday: Feature Line Up (Top 24):

 

Dale McDowell

17M

1

Josh Richards

Darrell Lanigan

29

58D

AJ Diemel

Jason Feger

25F

39

Tim McCreadie

Jimmy Mars

28M

44

Earl Pearson Jr.

Scott Bloomquist

0

19R

Ryan Gustin

Don O’Neal

71

23

John Blankenship

Jimmy Owens

20

21

Billy Moyer

Jason Utter

31u

57J

Bub McCool

Eddie Carrier Jr

28

B5

Brandon Sheppard

Chad Simpson

25c

5

Jared Landers

Brady Smith

2

15

Steve Francis

Chris Simpson

32x

99JR

Frank Heckenast Jr.

 

 

 

*Series Points are unofficial until Close of Business on the Tuesday following Race Day*

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