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James Essex
TAMPA, Fla. (February 2) - Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN put on a clinic Tuesday Night at East Bay Raceway Park. It was the second night of the 34th Annual DART Winternationals and he led from flag-to-flag for his third win of his career at East Bay and his 18th career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory. Bloomquist, the defending series champion, dominated the main event earning $5,000. Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, IL finished second followed by Matt Miller of Waterville, OH; Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, WI; and Ray Cook of Brasstown, NC.
Bloomquist started on the front row alongside of 12-time East Bay winner, Don O'Neal. Bloomquist jumped to the point, with O'Neal running second, followed by Eric Jacobsen, and Tim Isenberg. By the fourth lap, Bloomquist was already up to a six-car length advantage over the field as he made quick work of the field early on. Jacobsen maintained his second spot until lap eight when he and O'Neal go together after both had slowed.
Jacobsen was forced to leave the race with a damaged car; O'Neal continued in the second spot. O'Neal managed only one green flag until he drifted up the race track in turn two, ultimately ending his night. On the restart Bloomquist remained strong as he now had Erb behind him in second followed by Isenberg who was enjoying a solid performance.
Miller started to make his way towards the front, gaining the third spot on lap ten as he brought Josh Richards and Austin Hubbard with him into the top five. Richards stayed in front until he had problems in turn two, forcing him to slow. Richards restarted on the tail of the field.
Again Bloomquist flexed his muscle on the restart, pulling away from Erb when the final caution flew for Tim McCreadie on lap 20. With ten green flag laps awaiting the field, there would be no more cautions the remainder of the way. Bloomquist continued to dominate just as he had done the entire race.
Erb finished second in his Thomason Express LLC/Vic Hill Racing Engines/Rayburn Impala SS; followed by Miller in the Moring Motorsports/Freeport Recycling/MasterSbilt. Completing the top five were 18th starting Dan Schlieper in the Rockstar Energy Drink/Pro Power Engines/Bloomquist Race Cars Ford Fusion; and Ray Cook in the Hicks and Ingle Co. General Contracting/Race Engine Design/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo SS.
In the Lucas Oil Victory Lane, Bloomquist talked about his dominating performance on Tuesday Night. "We just kicked everybody's butt tonight, we are on top of our game right now, and we are looking forward to a big year, we ran well at Golden Isles and to come here a track we have struggled at in the past it feels real good to out there and do what we did tonight," said the 46 year old Bloomquist who owns seven national touring titles in his career including last years' Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Championship.
"I wish my family was here to see this, Bob and Barb Miller they will be down later in the week, the car was outstanding and we had no problems," said Bloomquist who set fast time in the Red Buck Cigar Time Trials despite being the final qualifier.
Bloomquist drives his own self-designed Bloomquist Race Cars Monte Carlo SS powered by a Vic Hill Racing Engine. His sponsors include Miller Brothers Construction/Hawkeye Trucking/Sweet Manufacturing/Hoosier Tires/VP Racing Fuels/Lane Automotive and Arizona Sport Shirts.
For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, log on to www.lucasdirt.com or call the series office at (951) 532-2503.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Tuesday Night, February 2nd, 2010
"34th Annual DART Winternationals"
East Bay Raceway Park - Tampa, FL
Red Buck Cigars Fast Time: Scott Bloomquist / 14.875 seconds
Wiles Driveshafts First Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): Don O'Neal, Jason Feger, Austin Hubbard, Billy Moyer, Steve Shaver, Brandon Thirlby, Steve Casebolt, Travis Varnadore, Mike Collins, Danny Mitchell, Tim Dohm
AFCO Racing Products Second Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): Eric Jacobson, Dennis Erb, Jr, Josh Richards, Jason McBride, Ray Cook, Tyler Reddick, Shannon Babb, Chad Stapleton, Shan Smith, Doug Blashe, Robert Geiger
Allstar Performance Third Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): Scott Bloomquist, Matt Miller, John Blankenship, Terry Casey, Dan Schlieper, Eric Wells, Mark Andersen, Dillan White, James O'Hara, Dale McDowell, Chad Hollenbeck
Wrisco Aluminum Fourth Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): Tim Isenberg, Chris Wall, Kyle Berck, Tim McCreadie, Daniel Stone, Justin Rattliff, Bub McCool, John Kellum, Leon Henderson, DNS Mike Marlar
Hawk Brake First B-Main (12 Laps- Top 4 Transfers): Ray Cook, Steve Shaver, Brandon Thirlby, Steve Casebolt, Tyler Reddick, Travis Varnadore, Mike Collins, Chad Stapleton, Shan Smith, Doug Blashe, Danny Mitchell, Shannon Babb, Tim Dohm, Bob Geiger
Performance Rod and Custom (PRC) Second B-Main (12 Laps- Top 4 Transfers): Dan Schlieper, Daniel Stone, Dillan White, Eric Wells, Mark Andersen, Bub McCool, John Kellum, James O'Hara, Chad Hollenbeck, Leon Henderson, Dale McDowell, Mike Marlar, Justin Rattliff
PRC Strawberry Dash (8 Laps - Winner Transfers): Danny Mitchell, Chad Hollenbeck, Shannon Babb, Chad Stapleton, Robert Geiger, Mike Collins, James O'Hara, Mike Marlar
34th Annual DART Winternationals Tuesday Night Feature Finish (30 Laps):
Finish (Start) Car Number Driver Name
1. (2) 0 Scott Bloomquist - Mooresburg, TN
2. (7) 28e Dennis Erb, Jr. - Carpentersville, IL
3. (6) 7 Matt Miller - Waterville, OH
4. (16) s9 Dan Schlieper - Sullivan, WI
5. (17) 53 Ray Cook - Brasstown, NC
6. (8) 71w Chris Wall - Holden, LA
7. (4) 9t Tim Isenberg - Marshfield, WI
8. (11) 25 Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV
9. (10) 14 Kyle Berck - Marquette, NE
10. (5) 25f Jason Feger - Bloomington, IL
11. (15) 77m Jason McBride - Carbondale, IL
12. (23) c9 Steve Casebolt - Richmond, IN
13. (14) 39 Tim McCreadie - Watertown, NY
14. (9) 11 Austin Hubbard - Laurel, DE
15. (21) m14 Brandon Thirlby - Traverse City, MI
16. (26) 23 John Blankenship - Williamson, WV
17. (19) 30 Steve Shaver - Vienna, WV
18. (20) 54w Dillon White - Crofton, KY
19. (3) 5 Eric Jacobsen - Sea Cliff Beach, CA
20. (1) 71 Don O'Neal - Martinsville, IN
21. (22) 18e Eric Wells - Hazard, KY
22. (13) 21 Billy Moyer - Batesville, AK
23. (25) 16 Justin Rattliff - Campbellsville, KY
24. (18) 21d Daniel Stone - Thompson, PA
25. (12) 42 Terry Casey - New London, WI
26. (24) 18d Danny Mitchell - Clarksburg, WV
Race Statistics
Entrants: 43
Lap Leaders: 1-30 Scott Bloomquist
Caution Flags: (Lap 1) Terry Casey, (Lap 2) Danny Mitchell, (Lap 7) Eric Jacobsen, (Lap 7 ) Don O'Neal, (Lap 8) Jason Feger, (Lap 9) Chris Wall, (Lap 14) Steve Shaver, (Lap 15) Josh Richards, (Lap 16) Austin Hubbard, (Lap 20) Tim McCreadie
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: None
DART Fast Pass Provisional: Justin Rattliff
PBM/Erson Cams Hard Charger of the Race: Dan Schlieper (Started 16th , Finished 4th , Advanced 12 positions)
Ohlins Shocks Performer of the Race: Dennis Erb, Jr.
K&N Filters Clean Pass of the Race: Ray Cook
Quarter Master Rookie of the Race: None
Comp Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Vic Hill Racing Engines
Dominator Race Products Hard Luck Award: Eric Jacobson
DirtonDirt.com Crew Chief of the Race: Tommy Hicks (Scott Bloomquist)
Time of Race: 39 minutes, 10 seconds
34th Annual DART Winternationals Championship Points:
1. 53 Ray Cook 425
2. 28e Dennis Erb, Jr. 415
3. 7 Matt Miller 410
4. 39 Tim McCreadie 395
4. 25 Josh Richards 395
6. 14 Kyle Berck 355
7. 9t Tim Isenberg 350
7. 9 Dan Schlieper 350
9. c9 Steve Casebolt 345
10. 5 Eric Jacobson 335
10. 34 Mike Marlar 335
10. 71w Chris Wall 335
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