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*