Ryan Gustin and the No. 19R Gressel Racing team ventured to the famed Knoxville Raceway this past weekend for the 11th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey's General Stores. With high hopes for a successful weekend, mechanical troubles throughout the weekend dashed all hopes of a shot at victory lane. Engine failures and run-ins with other drivers kept 'The Reaper' out of Saturday's main event after a strong run through the "D" and "C" Mains.
Birkhofer battles hard to win Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals
KNOXVILLE, Iowa -- In an incredible finish, Brian Birkhofer passed Scott Bloomquist coming off of turn 4 on the final lap to win the 11th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey's General Stores Saturday night at the Knoxville Raceway. In possibly the last race of his career, Birkhofer earned $40,000 for the win as the huge grandstand crowd came to its feet to cheer on the home-state driver to victory.
Mike Marlar made a late-race charge to finish third, followed by Jimmy Mars and 31st-starting Don O'Neal, who finished fifth to maintain his Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points lead.
"What a way to go out if this is my last race," Birkhofer said. "Who knows, I may be back, but this one here will be hard to top. I got a run out of (turn) two on that last lap and I might have lifted for a split second, I don't remember. The car stuck on the cushion and I was fortunate enough to get by him. I don't know what happened to (Bloomquist); Something might have gone wrong or broke, I'm not sure. In any case, we put our car in victory lane and I couldn't be happier.
"I want to Mark Richards at Rocket Chassis and Vic Hill for the help on the engine this weekend. I am sure the crowd really loved that finish. That might be the race of the year, I don't know. The track was so good all night long. We could run anywhere on the track tonight. I hit that berm a few times in turn four and it upset the car a little bit. We had a terrific race there early on with Lanigan. He and I went back and forth a few times for the lead there."
Birkhofer led the first 30 laps of the 100-lapper until Lanigan forged ahead. Birkhofer then regained the top spot ten circuits later. Birkhofer stayed in front until Bloomquist took over the point on lap 62. Bloomquist then held a solid lead until Birkhofer and Marlar started to reel him in. Marlar was clocked as the fastest car on the track as he used the top groove of the race track. Just as Birkhofer and Marlar closed to within a few car lengths of Bloomquist, a caution came out with 14 laps to go.
On the restart, Bloomquist fired off extremely well as Birkhofer and Marlar lost touch with him. As the laps wound down, Birkhofer started to close the gap. As the two drivers took the white flag, Birkhofer was about three to four car-lengths behind Bloomquist. As the duo headed down the backstretch, Bloomquist took the low route into turn 3 as Birkhofer stormed to the outside of the track. As the pair came off of turn 4, Birkhofer had the momentum to get by Bloomquist to score the coveted win.
"I have to thank all the fans for their support over the years and thank all of my sponsors. Without them I wouldn't be here. I want to thank ASi Racewear, Cheap Cars, Zens Flooring, Ideal Ready Mix, Keyser Manufacturing, Moore Wireline, Holsteen Brothers, Quality Construction Service and everybody else who helps with the car."
Bloomquist was disappointed at being denied a third victory in the crown jewel event.
"Something broke about two laps from the end," he said. "I'm not sure if it was a yoke or something. We could hardly get off the scales because something was dragging underneath the car. We had a great car tonight. It's just disappointing to come up that short of winning. I would like to thank Ole Smoky Moonshine, Randy Sweet, Durham Racing Engines, Hawkeye Trucking and all of my great sponsors for their assistance."
Marlar was happy with his third place run.
"We were flying out there, and I was catching the leaders there at the end," Marlar said. "The cushion kind of threw me a few times. Our car was free and easy to drive, man I wish that caution hadn't come out. Congratulations to Brian, it's a great win for him. We can't wait to get back here next year."
Completing the top ten in the event were Steve Francis, Jimmy Owens, Frank Heckenast Jr., Chase Junghans and Chad Simpson.
In preliminary action, Ryan Gustin won the D-Main, Billy Moyer Jr. won the C-Main and Wendell Wallace won the B-Main.
For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, log onto www.lucasdirt.com, like the series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lucasdirt and follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/lucasdirt.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Knoxville Raceway, Knoxville, Iowa
11th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey's General Stores
Saturday, September 27th, 2014
A-Main (100 laps):
1. (1) 15b Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa.
2. (6) 0 Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
3. (23) 157 Mike Marlar, Winfield, Tenn.
4. (18) 28m Jimmy Mars, Menomonie, Wis.
5. (31) 5 Don O'Neal, Martinsville, Ind.
6. (10) 15 Steve Francis, Ashland, Ky.
7. (32) 20 Jimmy Owens, Newport, Tenn.
8. (13) 99jr Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, Ill.
9. (27) 18c Chase Junghans, Manhattan, Kan.
10. (21) 25 Chad Simpson, Mt. Vernon, Iowa.
11. (25) 1w Wendell Wallace, Batesville, Ark.
12. (33) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla.
13. (34) 91p Jason Papich, Nipomo, Calif.
14. (30) 50 Denny Eckrich, Tiffin, Iowa.
15. (24) 28e Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, Ill.
16. (17) 777 Jared Landers, Batesville, Ark.
17. (7) 28 Eddie Carrier Jr., Salt Rock, W. Va.
18. (3) 6 Jonathan Davenport, Mount Airy, N.C.
19. (2) 29 Darrell Lanigan, Union, Ky.
20. (15) 23 John Blankenship, Williamson, W. Va.
21. (8) B5 Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, Ill.
22. (4) 44 Earl Pearson Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.
23. (26) 1 Rick Eckert, York, Pa.
24. (28) 14m Morgan Bagley, Tyler, Texas.
25. (5) 17m Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, Ga.
26. (20) 2 Brady Smith, Solon Springs, Wis.
27. (9) 7r Kent Robinson, Bloomington, Ind.
28. (12) 21 Billy Moyer, Batesville, Ark.
29. (19) 5x Brandon Overton, Appling, Ga.
30. (22) 81 Brian Shirley, Chatham, Ill.
31. (14) 18 Shannon Babb, Mowequa, Ill.
32. (16) 58d A.J. Diemel, Elk Mound, Wis.
33. (11) 20s Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas.
34. (29) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
JRi Shocks D-Main (12 laps, top 7 transfer): Ryan Gustin, Jordan Yaggy, Mike Fryer, Skip Frey, John Duty, Greg Kimmons, Charlie McKenna, Lyle Zanker, Steve Lance, Roger Brickler, Rob Moss; DNS - Matt Furman, Andy Eckrich, Spencer Diercks, Dustin Walker, Jordan Heiman, Curt Schroeder, Al Humphrey, Junior Coover.
CV Products C-Main (15 laps, top 7 transfer): Billy Moyer Jr., Scott James, Chris Simpson, Tim Lance, Rich Bell, Jason Utter, Chris Spieker, Jason Hughes, Jordan Yaggy, Jay Johnson, Jake Meier, John Duty, Justin Duty, Charlie McKenna, Ray Guss Jr., Mike Fryer, Todd Frank, Ryan Gustin, Brian Harris, Greg Kimmons, Dave Eckrich; DNS - Donny Schatz, Mason Zeigler, Jonathan Brauns, Skip Frey.
JRi Shocks B-Main (20 laps, top 6 transfer): Wendell Wallace, Rick Eckert, Chase Junghans, Morgan Bagley, Terry Phillips, Denny Eckrich, Jason Papich, Scott James, Jason Rauen, Vic Coffey, Gregg Satterlee, Tim Lance, Chris Simpson, Rich Bell, Mark Dotson, Jason Feger, Tim McCreadie, Will Vaught, Jimmy Owens, Jason Utter, Don O'Neal, Billy Moyer Jr., Chris Spieker, Tyler Bruening; DNS - Jesse Stovall.
(1).jpeg)
