With some unfinished business from last year's event where Ryan Gustin nearly pulled off the biggest win of his career, the #19r Gressel Racing team returned to the I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Neb., on Friday and Saturday, July 18-19, for the 4th Annual Silver Dollar Nationals. With a non-traditional qualifying format on Friday, two heat races were run with drivers inverting their starting positions in each. Gustin had two great runs and earned a sixth-place starting spot for Saturday's 80-lap, $30,000-to-win main event. On lap 38, while running fifth, a flat right rear tire sent 'The Reaper' into the turn 2 wall, ending his night and again ending his run at a win at the 4/10-mile clay oval.
Bloomquist blisters field in Silver Dollar Nationals at I-80 Speedway
GREENWOOD, Neb. -- Scott Bloomquist led all 80 laps to win the Fourth Annual Silver Dollar Nationals on Saturday Night at I-80 Speedway. Bloomquist, in his Ole Smoky Moonshine, Sweet-Bloomquist Ford earned $30,000 for his first-ever victory in the event. Brian Birkhofer finished second, followed Jimmy Owens, Billy Moyer, and Jason Feger. The event was sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the Lucas Oil Midwest Racing Association.
"We have run well all year long, but it has been frustrating the last month with all the second place finishes. Finally all the testing we've done has paid off. We had timing issues with the car yesterday, and seriously considered running the back-up, but the crew worked their tails off and got us out there. We were fortunate enough to start on the pole. The track was just tremendous. We could run anywhere on it. I didn't want to see those last cautions," said the winner, who recorded his 50th career LOLMDS win.
Bloomquist darted out to the lead with Jaosn Feger running in second. Bloomquist held the lead through traffic which was developing quickly after only 14 laps. The first caution came out on lap 38 when fifth-place running Ryan Gustin ended his night with a blown tire, putting him up against the turn two wall. Bloomquist then battled heavy traffic with less than 20 laps to go. Bloomquist's lead started to shrink as both Birkhofer and Owens closed the gap on Bloomquist.
Birkhofer was closing in on the leader when back-to-back cautions came out with 14 laps to go. On the final restart Bloomquist pulled away from Birkhofer and headed to the finish line for his fourth series win of the year.
"Like I said before, we didn't want those last couple of cautions. But the car restarted brilliantly and that was the difference. I have to thank Penske Shocks, Hawkeye Trucking, Base Fuels, Lucas Oil Products, and Andy Durham Racing Engines."
Birkhofer, in his ASi Racewear, Cheap Cars, Rocket Chevrolet came up short in trying to become the first 2-time winner of the event. "No, I didn't want to see those last cautions, because our car was better on the long runs. After those restarts, there was no way we could keep up with him [Bloomquist]. I was just trying to hold off Jimmy [Owens] for second. Once he [Bloomquist] cleared those three cars he had in front of him, it was pretty much over. I had fun racing these guys tonight and in front of this huge crowd! It was great to put on a show for the fans."
Owens maintains the LOLMDS points lead and was in the hunt to win back-to-back Silver Dollar Nationals, but he had to settle for third. "We had a good car all night long. We were able to roll through the corners better than almost anybody. Birky and I raced hard, and it seemed like we were out there forever. He was up top and I was in the bottom to the middle. I really like this track. We could run anywhere on it and I am sure the fans saw a good show these last few nights."
With his third place finish, and his recent wins at Lakeside Speedway Lucas Oil Speedway, Owens won the $1,000 Crawford Supply/Traeger Grills bonus for the most points earned in those three races.
Completing the top ten were Don O'Neal, Brandon Overton, Chad Simpson, Steve Francis, and Dennis Erb, Jr.
Amongst the 54 entrants, Steve Francis, Brandon Overton, Chad Simpson, Tommy Weder, and Billy Moyer won their respective first-round heat races. Jared Landers, Ryan Gustin, Jason Feger, Scott Bloomquist, and Jimmy Owens won their respective second-round heat races. Jeremy and John Anderson won their respective B-Mains. Tony Jackson Jr. won the Belt Bash Non-Qualifiers Race and elected not to take the $3,000 first prize, and start last in the main event.
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
Saturday Night, July 19th, 2014
4th Annual "Silver Dollar Nationals"
I-80 Speedway - Greenwood, NE
Round 1 Fast Shafts Heat Race #1 Finish: Steve Francis, Eddie Carrier, Jr., Kyle Berck, Jimmy Owens, Chris Brown, Stormy Scott, Ben Schaller, Austin Siebert, Jason Papich, Junior Coover, Justin Gregg
Round 1 Eibach Springs Heat Race #2 Finish: Brandon Overton, Jason Hughes, Jason Feger, Rodney Sanders, Dave Eckrich, Craig Vosbergen, Andrew Kosiski, JC Wyman, Scott Lewis, Steven Kempt, Dennis Erb, Jr.
Round 1 Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish: Chad Simpson, Scott Bloomquist, John Blankenship, Jesse Stovall, Travis Dickes, Denny Eckrich, Jeremy Payne, Terry Phillips, Bill Leighton, Jr., John Hampel
Round 1 FK Rod Ends Heat Race #4 Finish: Tommy Weder, Don O'Neal, Chris Simpson, Earl Pearson, Jr., John Anderson, Chris Spieker, Tony Jackson, Jr., Jason Krohn, Bill Koons, Austin Rettig, Brad Perdue, Kent Robinson
Round 1 Miller Welders Heat Race #5 Finish: Billy Moyer, Brian Birkhofer, Ryan Gustin, Tad Pospisil, Justin Asplin, Jack Sullivan, Jason Utter, Jared Landers, Jase Kaser, Bumper Jones
Round 2 Fast Shafts Heat Race #1 Finish: Jared Landers, Terry Phillips, Kent Robinson, Dennis Erb, Jr., Denny Eckrich, John Anderson, Austin Rettig, Jase Kaser, Scott Lewis, Junior Coover, Jason Papich
Round 2 Eibach Springs Heat Race #2 Finish: Ryan Gustin, Chad Simpson, Travis Dickes, Chris Simpson, Craig Vosbergen, John Hampel, Ben Schaller, Andrew Kosiski, Tad Pospisil, Chris Spieker, Justin Gregg-DNS
Round 2 Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish: Jason Feger, Jesse Stovall, Rodney Sanders, Jason Krohn, Brandon Overton, Chris Brown, Tony Jackson, Jr., Justin Asplin, Stormy Scott, Bumper Jones, John Blankenship-DNS
Round 2 FK Rod Ends Heat Race #4 Finish: Scott Bloomquist, Brian Birkhofer, Eddie Carrier, Jr., Billy Moyer, Dave Eckrich, Earl Pearson, Jr., Jason Hughes, Steve Francis, Bill Leighton, Jr., Bill Koons, Austin Siebert
Round 2 Miller Welders Heat Race #5 Finish: Jimmy Owens, Jeremy Payne, Don O'Neal, Jason Utter, Jack Sullivan, Kyle Berck, Tommy Weder, JC Wyman, Brad Perdue, Steven Kempt
JRi Shocks B-Main #1 (Top 3 Transfer) Finish: Jeremy Payne, Terry Phillips, Jason Utter, Tony Jackson, Jr. ,Chris Brown, Craig Vosbergen, Stormy Scott, Tommy Weder, Kent Robinson, Bill Leighton, Jr., Ben Schaller, Andrew Kosiski, Dave Eckrich, JC Wyman, Junior Coover, Bill Koons, Brad Perdue, Bumper Jones-DNS
CV Products B-Main #2 (Top 3 Transfer) Finish: John Anderson, Jared Landers, Jason Krohn, Denny Eckrich, Dennis Erb, Jr., John Blankenship, Justin Asplin, Jack Sullivan, Jason Papich, Tad Pospisil, Jase Kase, Austin Rettig, John Hampel, Steven Kempt, Scott Lewis, Justin Gregg, Chris Spieker, Austin Siebert-DNS
Belt Bash Non-Qualifiers' Race Finish (20 Laps - $3,000-to-win): Tony Jackson, Jr., Chris Brown, Tommy Weder, Kent Robinson, Jase Kaser, Jack Sullivan, Denny Eckrich, Ben Schaller, Bill Koons, Steven Kempt, Brad Perdue, JC Wyman, Austin Rettig, Chris Spieker, Justin Asplin, Craig Vosbergen, John Hampel, Junior Coover, Stormy Scott-DNS
Feature Finish (80 Laps):
1 1 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN
2 4 15b Brian Birkhofer Muscatine, IA
3 8 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN
4 9 21 Billy Moyer Batesville, AR
5 3 25F Jason Feger Bloomington, IL
6 5 5 Don O'Neal Martinsville, IN
7 12 5e Brandon Overton Appling, GA
8 2 25c Chad Simpson Mt. Vernon, IA
9 16 15 Steve Francis Ashland, KY
10 26 28e Dennis Erb, Jr. Carpentersville, IL
11 7 28 Eddie Carrier, Jr. Salt Rock, WV
12 14 6T Travis Dickes Madison, NE
13 25 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV
14 23 31u Jason Utter Columbus Junction, IA
15 22 777 Jared Landers Batesville, AR
16 17 12 Jason Hughes Watts, OK
17 33 91p Jason Papich Nipomo, CA
18 18 44 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL
19 10 32x Chris Simpson Oxford, IA
20 34 56 Tony Jackson, Jr. Lebanon, MO
21 28 99L Scott Lewis Henderson, CO
22 11 00s Jesse Stovall Billing, MO
23 13 20x Rodney Sanders Happy, TX
24 21 75 Terry Phillips Springfield, MO
25 20 21X John Anderson Omaha, NE
26 6 19R Ryan Gustin Marshalltown, IA
27 19 186 Jeremy Payne Springfield, MO
28 29 04 Tad Pospisil Norfolk, NE
29 27 58e Dave Eckrich Oxford, IA
30 31 53 Andrew Kosiski Omaha, NE
31 30 24 Bill Leighton, Jr. LaVista, NE
32 15 14 Kyle Berck Marquette, NE
33 24 7k Jason Krohn Slayton, MN
Entrants: 54
Lap Leaders: Scott Bloomquist1-80.
Cautions: Jeremy Payne (Lap 29); Ryan Gustin (Lap 38); Jason Papich (Lap 66); Jason Papich (Lap 67)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: John Blankenship, Dennis Erb Jr.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: Jason Papich
Miller Welders Fast Time Provisionals: none
Wrisco Feature Winner: Scott Bloomquist
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Dennis Erb Jr. (Started: 26th; Finished: 10th; Advanced 16 Positions)
Keyser Mfg Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Jimmy Owens
Allstar Performer of the Race: Dennis Erb Jr.
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Jimmy Owens
Dunn Benson Ford Rookie of the Race: Jason Hughes
Midwest Sheet Metal Highest Finishing Rookie: Jason Hughes
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Durham Race Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Sweet Bloomquist Race Cars
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Matt Salmons (Scott Bloomquist)
HAWK Performance Fastest Lap of the Race: Scott Bloomquist (Lap # 3 - 19.524 seconds)
Time of Race: 41 minutes 02 seconds
Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:
1 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN 5305
2 5 Don O'Neal Martinsville, IN 5235
3 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN 4915
4 15 Steve Francis Ashland, KY 4615
5 44 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL 4605
6 28 Eddie Carrier, Jr. Salt Rock, WV 4530
7 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV 4185
8 777 Jared Landers Batesville, AR 4130
9 28e Dennis Erb, Jr. Carpentersville, IL 3880
10 12 Jason Hughes Watts, OK 3610
11 91p Jason Papich Nipomo, CA 3475
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Friday Night, July 17th, 2014
4th Annual "Silver Dollar Nationals"
I-80 Speedway - Greenwood, NE
Round 1 Fast Shafts Heat Race #1 Finish: Steve Francis, Eddie Carrier, Jr., Kyle Berck, Jimmy Owens, Chris Brown, Stormy Scott, Ben Schaller, Austin Siebert, Jason Papich, Junior Coover, Justin Gregg
Round 1 Eibach Springs Heat Race #2 Finish: Brandon Overton, Jason Hughes, Jason Feger, Rodney Sanders, Dave Eckrich, Craig Vosbergen, Andrew Kosiski, JC Wyman, Scott Lewis, Steven Kempt, Dennis Erb, Jr.
Round 1 Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish: Chad Simpson, Scott Bloomquist, John Blankenship, Jesse Stovall, Travis Dickes, Denny Eckrich, Jeremy Payne, Terry Phillips, Bill Leighton, Jr., John Hampel
Round 1 FK Rod Ends Heat Race #4 Finish: Tommy Weder, Don O'Neal, Chris Simpson, Earl Pearson, Jr., John Anderson, Chris Spieker, Tony Jackson, Jr., Jason Krohn, Bill Koons, Austin Rettig, Brad Perdue, Kent Robinson
Round 1 Miller Welders Heat Race #5 Finish: Billy Moyer, Brian Birkhofer, Ryan Gustin, Tad Pospisil, Justin Asplin, Jack Sullivan, Jason Utter, Jared Landers, Jase Kaser, Bumper Jones
Round 2 Fast Shafts Heat Race #1 Finish: Jared Landers, Terry Phillips, Kent Robinson, Dennis Erb, Jr., Denny Eckrich, John Anderson, Austin Rettig, Jase Kaser, Scott Lewis, Junior Coover, Jason Papich
Round 2 Eibach Springs Heat Race #2 Finish: Ryan Gustin, Chad Simpson, Travis Dickes, Chris Simpson, Craig Vosbergen, John Hampel, Ben Schaller, Andrew Kosiski, Tad Pospisil, Chris Spieker, Justin Gregg-DNS
Round 2 Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish: Jason Feger, Jesse Stovall, Rodney Sanders, Jason Krohn, Brandon Overton, Chris Brown, Tony Jackson, Jr., Justin Asplin, Stormy Scott, Bumper Jones, John Blankenship-DNS
Round 2 FK Rod Ends Heat Race #4 Finish: Scott Bloomquist, Brian Birkhofer, Eddie Carrier, Jr., Billy Moyer, Dave Eckrich, Earl Pearson, Jr., Jason Hughes, Steve Francis, Bill Leighton, Jr., Bill Koons, Austin Siebert
Round 2 Miller Welders Heat Race #5 Finish: Jimmy Owens, Jeremy Payne, Don O'Neal, Jason Utter, Jack Sullivan, Kyle Berck, Tommy Weder, JC Wyman, Brad Perdue, Steven Kempt
