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James Essex
ZANESVILLE, Ohio (July 3) - Leaving little doubt that he is the hottest dirt late model driver in the nation, Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, WI, took the lead on lap 30 from fellow Wisconsin driver Terry Casey. After which, he went on to claim his third Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event in the last four races as he captured the Creno's 50 on Thursday Night at Muskingum County Speedway. Casey from New London, WI finished second after starting 14th. Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL who had to take a series provisional came from the 23rd starting position to finish third as he passed Bart Hartman of Zanesville, Oh with two laps to go. Hartman finished fourth followed by Jason Covert of York Haven, PA.
Wayne Chinn and Josh Richards would start on the front row of the 50 lapper with Chinn grabbing the point right from the start of the race. Chinn would lead the first four circuits until he suddenly slowed coming out of turn number two on lap five. Chinn would bring out the first caution of the race as he made a pit stop, relegating him to the tail of the restart.
Richards then became the new leader, as he led lap five, but upon entering turn number two he rode the top burm of the track causing him to nearly flip the Ernie Davis car as he came to a halt. There were two other drivers that became involved as well,all three of whom would start at the back of the field.
With Richards going to the back, Schlieper then picked up the lead of the race with Covert, Donnie Moran, Bart Hartman and Casey running in the top five. Casey then started to put the pressure on Hartman for fourth as he got around the veteran driver on lap eight. Casey didn't stop there, as he would overhaul Moran a lap later to takeover third place.
Casey then quickly tracked down Covert, going underneath the two-time MACS Series Champion for second time on the 13th lap. But Casey was not done yet, as he would complete his climb to the top spot as he passed Schlieper for the lead on lap 15.
Casey then built a commanding lead over the field as Schlieper, Covert, Moran and Hartman were the top five with 24 laps to go. Casey swiftly worked his way through lapped traffic and was the first car to take the half-way mark of the race. Casey's lead however, would evaporate with 29 laps in the books as a caution came out.
On the restart, Schlieper would stay with Casey until another caution for a spun car just a lap later. This time Schlieper would get a great restart as he hounded Casey for a lap until whipping past him with 20 laps to go. The final caution of the race would come out on lap 32 as Steve Casebolt who entered the event as the series points leader slowed on the frontstretch as he went pitside ending his night.
The final restart would see Schlieper maintain his lead as he powered his way to a three-car length lead over Casey. In the waning laps, Casey would try to make up ground on Schlieper as the former World 100 winner was encountering some lapped traffic, but Schlieper would go on to pick up his third LOLMDS victory in the last four events. Casey, who came into the race leading the Quarter Master Rookie of the Year chase finished second in the Arnie Ranta Motorsports/Pro Power Engines/C.J. Rayburn Monte Carlo. Pearson who's valiant effort in coming from 23rd to third at the finish regained the series points lead in the Bobby Labonte Racing/Larry Wallace Racing Engines/MasterSbilt Dodge Charger. Hartman's Imler Poultry/Cornett Racing Engines/Rocket Monte Carlo taking fourth followed by Covert in the Barry Klinedinst Motorsports/Red Wing Shoes/Rocket Chassis.
In the Lucas Oil victory lane once again Schlieper thanked a multitude of people. "Man I can't say enough about this Wild Chassis, we've been on a roll, I've got to thank my crew chief Jason Palubicki, my brothers John and Bill Schlieper with Pro Power Engines, Uncle Buck who's here tonight, Bob and Barb Miller and all my great sponsors Miller Brothers Coal, Hawkeye Trucking, VP Race Fuels, Integra Shocks, Hoosier Tires I can't thank them enough," said Schlieper.
Completing the top ten were Tim Dohm, Donnie Moran, Eddie Carrier Jr., Wayne Chinn and Steve Shaver.
In preliminary action Earl Pearson Jr. was the PRC Fast Time Award winner with a fast lap of 15.608 seconds among the 37 cars on hand.
Heat race winners were: Wayne Chinn, Dan Schlieper, Jason Covert, and Josh Richards.
You can find out more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series by logging on to www.lucasdirt.com or call the series office at (951) 532-2503.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Thursday Night, July 3, 2008
Muskingum County Speedway - Dresden, OH
PRC Fast Time: Earl Pearson Jr./15.608 seconds
Hawk Brake First Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): Wayne Chinn, Bart Hartman, Steve Casebolt, Tim Dohm, Andy Bond, Cortney Clewell, Kyle Bates, Shane McLoughlin, Earl Pearson Jr.
Hawk Brake Second Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): Dan Schlieper, Donnie Moran, Steve Shaver, Terry Casey, Mark Banal, Matt Lux, Charlie Maloney, Tony Fritter, Brad Malcuit - DNS
AFCO Racing Products Third Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): Jason Covert, Eddie Carrier Jr., Justin Rattliff, John Mason, John Mallett, Jeff Esbenshade, Jeremy Canada, Weston Hutchison, Ryan Markham
Tiger Rear Ends Fourth Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): Josh Richards, Robbie Blair, Billy Drake, Scott James, Dave Hess Jr., Cody Parker, Freddy Smith, Ryan Twarog, Mike Knight - DNS
Mason Racin' Rebel Shock Dyno First B-Main (12 Laps-Top 3 Advance): Matt Lux, Mark Banal, Cortney Clewell, Charlie Maloney, Andy Bond, Kyle Bates, Tracy Fritter, Shane McLoughlin - DNS, Earl Pearson Jr., - DNS, Brad Malcuit - DNS
Quarter Master Second B-Main (12 Laps-Top 3 Advance): Dave Hess Jr., Ryan Markham, John Mallett, Cody Parker, Weston Hutchison, Jeremy Canada, Jeff Esbenshade, Ryan Twarog, Freddy Smith - DNS, Mike Knight - DNS
Crenos 50 Feature Finish (50 Laps): Dan Schlieper, Terry Casey, Earl Pearson Jr., Bart Hartman, Jason Covert, Tim Dohm, Donnie Moran, Eddie Carrier Jr., Wayne Chinn, Steve Shaver, Josh Richards, Ryan Markham, Freddy Smith, Bily Drake, John Mason, Justin Rattliff, Cortney Clewell, Mark Banal, Shane McLoughlin, Steve Casebolt, Robbie Blair, Scott James, Dave Hess Jr., Matt Lux, John Mallett
Race Statistics
Entries: 36
Caution Flags: 7
Lap Leaders: Wayne Chinn 1-4, Josh Richards 5, Dan Schlieper 6-15, Terry Casey 16-30, Schlieper 31-50
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Earl Pearson Jr., Freddy Smith
Muskingum County Speedway Track Provisional: Shane McLoughlin
PBM/Erson Cams Hard Charger of the Race: Earl Pearson Jr. (Started 23rd and finished 3rd-advanced 20 positions)
Allstar Performance Performer of the Race: Tim Dohm
K&N Filters Clean Pass of the Race: Bart Hartman
Quarter Master Rookie of the Race: Terry Casey
ASI Racewear Lucky 7 Award: Donnie Moran
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Randall Edwards
Comp Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Pro Power Racing Engines
Time of the Race: 38 minutes
Current Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Championship Points Standings
1) Earl Pearson Jr. (Jacksonville, FL) 3365
2) Steve Casebolt (Richmond, IN) 3275
3) Bart Hartman (Zanesville, OH) 3115
4) Dan Schlieper (Sullivan, WI) 3055
5) Justin Rattliff (Campbellsville, KY) 3020
6) Billy Drake (Bloomington, IL) 2850
7) Scott James (Lawrenceburg, IN) 2845
8) Terry Casey (New London, WI) 2750
9) Freddy Smith (Seymour, TN) 2460
10) Wayne Chinn (Bradford, OH) 2260
Quarter Master Rookie of the Year Points Standings
1) Terry Casey (New London, WI) 2750
2) Wayne Chinn (Bradford, OH) 2260
3) John Blankenship (Williamson, WV) 745
4) Tony Knowles (Tyrone, GA) 425
5) Eric Jacobsen (Seacliffe Beach, CA) 245
2008 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Sponsors
Arizona Sport Shirts - "The Official Merchandise Vendor" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Dixie Chopper - "The Official Mower" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
E3 Spark Plugs - "The Official Spark Plug" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Fatheadz Sunglasses - "The Official Eyewear" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
General Tire - "The Official Tire" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Hoosier Tire - "The Official Race Tire" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Jasper Engines - "The Official Engine" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Jim Beam - Drink Smart - "The Official Beverage" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
K&N Filters - "The Official Filter" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Lucas Oil Products - "The Official Oil" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
R&L Carrier - "The Official Carrier" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Sunoco Race Fuels - "The Official Fuel" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
SuperClean - "The Official Degreaser" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
2008 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Supporters Include: 5150 Race Trailers, Afco Racing Products, Allstar Performance, American Racer Tire, ARC Engines, ASI Racewear, Banshee Graphics, Bloomquist Race Cars, CJ Rayburn Race Cars, Comp Cams, Cornett Racing Engines, Cruise with the Champions, Dart Machinery, Duralite Racing Wheels, Dyers Top Rods, Erson Cams, GRT Race Cars, Hawk Performance Brake Pads, Hyperco, Integra Shocks, Jay Dickens Racing Engines, Malcuit Racing Engines, Mason Racin', Mullvain Motorsports, Ohlins, On the Edge Graphics, PBM, Penske Shocks, Performance Bodies, Performance Rod & Customs, Pro Power Racing, Quarter Master, Rick Schwallie Photography, Rocket Chassis, Tiger Rearends, Vic Hill Racing Engines, Victory Circle Chassis, WD Enterprises, Wiles Driveshafts, and Wrisco Aluminum.
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