JIMMY OWENS TAKES LUCAS OIL ROME SHOWDOWN WIN
ROME, GA (October 9, 2011) €“ Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN inherited the lead on lap 37 when smoke began heavily barreling out race leader, Scott Bloomquist€™s, car. Owens then led the rest of the way for his first ever win at Rome. More importantly for him, he re-took the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series championship points by 50 heading into the season ending U.S. Steel Dirt Track World Championship presented by Sunoco at KC Raceway next weekend. Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA finished second, followed by Clint Smith of Senoia, GA; Don O€™Neal of Martinsville, IN; and Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL.
Bloomquist started on the outside of the front row, alongside 15-year-old Tyler Reddick, who was the polesitter. Bloomquist bolted to a quick early lead with McDowell, Smith, and Owens trailing. Bloomquist built a good-sized lead with just ten laps into the 50 lap event. The first caution of the race came out on lap 25 for Eric Wells. On the restart Bloomquist opened up a healthy advantage over McDowell. Owens took over the second slot on lap 26. With 20 to go in the race Bloomquist had built nearly a straightaway lead over Owens as a torrid battle for third was going on between McDowell, Smith, and O€™Neal.
Bloomquist continued to be solid as he was looking to sweep the LOLMDS weekend in Georgia. He captured the Lucas Oil Dixie Shootout last night. Bloomquist€™ car started to smoke as he was just about to enter heavy lapped traffic again. Bloomquist then started to slow as heavy smoke was pouring from his car. Bloomquist eventually stopped on the track, bringing out the next caution.
Bloomquist headed pitside and as his crew took a close look at the car. It was apparent that there was a terminal problem. Owens inherited the top spot with 13 laps to go. He then pulled away from a terrific finish for second between three drivers.
In Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the 29th time in his career, Owens set himself up for his first LOLMDS title. €œScott had a good car, you know we hate to see that happen to anybody, but we€™ll take it anyway we can get it,€ said the 39-year old driver of the Mike Reece owned number 20.
€œYou have got to be there at the end to make it count, hats off to my crew, Chris (Fox) made a good decision on tires tonight. We were pretty good there at the end, and we look forward to heading into next weekend in Ohio, both of us have had a great year. It€™s going to come down to one race, he€™s been plagued by things that normally get us, it€™s all good. I€™m glad to have all these fans here to cheer for us.€
Owens€™ Bloomquist Race Cars Ford is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and sponsored by Reece Monument Company, Gantte Appraisals, Red Line Oil, Midwest Sheet Metal, Ohlins, Hoosier and C&C Trucking.
McDowell finished second, barely edging out two other drivers for the spot. McDowell€™s Crawford Supply, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, Clint Bowyer Rocket Chevrolet. Smith was third in the JP Drilling, Racetek Race Engines, Rocket Chevrolet as he had a near-photo finish with O€™Neal in the Magnaflow Exhaust, Jay Dickens Racing Engines, MasterSbilt Chevy.
Completing the top ten were Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, GA; Steve Francis of Ashland, KY, Chris Madden of Gaffney, SC; Chip Brindle of Chatsworth, GA; and Tyler Reddick of Corning, CA.
In other Rome Speedway action Don Jenkins won the twenty-lap Limited Latemodel feature event over Oliver Gentry who finished second and Scott Duffey in third.
Shane Smith won the Econo Bomber feature over Dan Meadows who finished in the runner-up spot and Seth Lacey who was third.
Jeremy Millsaps won the fifteen lap Pony Stock feature event over Brandon Knight who was second and Travis Smith in third.
Anthony Pittman won the Cruiser feature event over George Wilson and Randy Womack who finished second and third respectively.
OFFICIAL FINISH
LUCAS OIL ROME SHOWDOWN
1) Jimmy Owens
2) Dale McDowell
3) Clint Smith
4) Don O€™Neal
5) Earl Pearson Jr
6) Shane Clanton
7) Steve Francis
8) Chris Madden
9) Chip Brindle
10) Tyler Reddick
11) Billy Ogle
12) Jonathan Davenport
13) Tommy Kerr
14) Eric Jacobson
15) Jared Landers
16) Ray Cook
17) David Payne
18) Chris Brown
19) John Blakenship
20) Tyler Millwood
21) Brad Neat
22) Scott Bloomquist
23) Steve Casebolt
24) Casey Roberts
25) Eric Wells
