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James Essex
COLUMBUS, Miss. (July 10) - In front of the largest crowd in the history of Magnolia Motor Speedway, Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL won his third consecutive Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series main event. He earned $20,000 by winning the "Clash at the Mag" Presented by the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, on Saturday Night. Pearson took the lead on lap 30 and held off defending series champion, Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN for the win. July 10 Race Photos
"I want to first thank all these fans for coming out here tonight, it was hot and I'm sure they saw a good show," said the 38-year-old Pearson whose win was his 23rd in series history. The win tonight broke a tie atop the all-time win list; Pearson now leads Bloomquist by one victory. " I have to thank Lucas Oil Products, Red Buck Cigars, MasterSbilt Race Cars and Larry Wallace Racing Engines for all of their support. I also want to thank my car owner, Bobby Labonte, my crew Jason, Matt, and everybody back at the shop. The car was fast from the time we unloaded it on Friday."
Rookie, Eric Wells, bolted out to the early lead and looked strong early on as he led the first 19 laps of the race. Bloomquist took over the lead on lap 20. He held the lead until Pearson made a smooth move on the inside of Bloomquist coming off of turn four on lap 30 to get by the reigning champion.
Pearson built a healthy lead over what turned out to be torrid battle for second between Bloomquist, Ray Cook, and Billy Moyer. The trio brutally fought for the second spot for most of the main event. Moyer then managed to clear both Cook and Bloomquist to solidly claim the second spot on lap 71. Moyer then started to close on the almost insurmountable lead that Pearson had built.
After to getting within five car lengths of the leader, Moyer suddenly slowed on the frontstretch and pulled to the infield as he entered turn one on lap 79. After the final restart, Bloomquist consistently challenged Pearson for the lead until the final three laps. In the waning laps Pearson was able to maneuver through traffic to maintain his lead ahead of Bloomquist.
"I want to thank Johnny Stokes for the great race track he gave us tonight," exclaimed Pearson, "you could run anywhere on the track. Eric [Wells] ran well in the beginning of the race; when Scott got around us, I knew it was going to be a tough race for the lead."
Cook finished third in the D&R Racing, #53 MasterSbilt. Dale McDowell in the Clint Bowyer Racing, Dollar General, Warrior Race Car passed the Mike Reece owned number 20 of Jimmy Owens on the final lap to claim fourth.
Rounding out the top ten were Stacy Taylor, Don O'Neal, Dan Schlieper, Terry Phillips and Chris Wall.
The event was taped by SPEED and will air on Saturday July 31st, for more information on the broadcast go to the TV Schedule section of www.lucasdirt.com.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will be in action at Tri-City (IL) Speedway in Pontoon Beach, IL on Friday Night, July 16th for the "Budweiser 50." The stars of the LOLMDS will make their second appearance of the season at the "Diamond of the Dirt Tracks," Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO for the "CMH Diamond Nationals," on Saturday Night, July 17th. Both events will pay $10,000 to win.
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
Friday Night, July 9th, 2010
"Clash at the Mag" Presented by the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau
Magnolia Motor Speedway - Columbus, MS
Red Buck Cigars Fast Time: Eric Wells / 14.364 seconds (Overall and Group B) Earl Pearson Jr. / 14.381 (Group A)
Wiles Driveshaft's First Heat (10 Laps-Top 3 Advance): Earl Pearson Jr., Ray Cook, Dan Schlieper, Tim Isenberg, John Blankenship, Dane Dacus, Chad Winkles, Chis Hoomes, Scott Dedwylder, Daniel Moore
AFCO Racing Products Second Heat (10 Laps-Top 3 Advance): Billy Moyer, Don O'Neal, Ronny Lee Hollingsworth, Wendell Wallace, Rick Rickman, Jim McDuffie, Robbie Stuart, Leon Henderson, Tony Shelton
Allstar Performance Third Heat (10 Laps-Top 3 Advance): Scott Bloomquist, Brad Neat, Bub McCool, Chris Ragan, Chris Brown, Jeremy Glasgow, Steve Bryan, Jay Burchfield, Terry Atkins
SuperFlow Fourth Heat (10 Laps-Top 3 Advance): Eric Wells, Chris Wall, David Breazeale, Steve Casebolt, Tyler Reddick, Randy Boyd, Klint Byars, Clint Logan, Hunter Carroll
Wiles Driveshaft's Fifth Heat (10 Laps - Top 3 Advance): Stacy Taylor, Dale McDowell, Terry Phillips, Brian Rickman, Jimmy Cliburn, Jeremy Payne, Patrick Michel, Josh Putnam, Keith House
AFCO Racing Products Sixth Heat (10 laps - Top 3 Advance): Jimmy Owens, Jason Cliburn, Rodney Wing, Chad Thrash, Jeremy Shaw, Jason Brock, Wade Byars, Dewayne Estes, Mark Green
Hawk Brake First B-Main (12 Laps- Top 2 Advance): John Blankenship, Wendell Wallace, Dane Dacus, Chris Brown, Rick Rickman, Jim McDuffie, Tim Isenberg, Jeremy Glasgow, Robbie Stuart, Jay Burchfield, Scott Dedwylder, Chris Hoomes, Leon Henderson, Tony Shelton, Daniel Moore, Terry Atkins, Chris Ragan, Chad Winkles, Steve Bryan-DNS
Performance Rod and Custom (PRC) Second B-Main (12 Laps- Top 2 Advance): Brian Rickman, Steve Casebolt, Chad Thrash, Jeremy Payne, Jimmy Cliburn, Tyler Reddick, Jason Brock, Jeremy Shaw, Klint Byars, Wade Byars, Hunter Carroll, Josh Putnam, Patrick Michel, Clint Logan, Dewayne Estes, Mark green, Keith House, Randy Boyd-DNS
"Clash at the Mag" Presented by the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau Feature Finish:
1 1 44 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL
2 5 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN
3 7 53 Ray Cook Brasstown, NC
4 10 17m Dale McDowell Chickamauga, GA
5 6 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN
6 4 27 Stacy Taylor Jacksonville, AR
7 9 71 Don O'Neal Martinsville, IN
8 13 s9 Dan Schlieper Sullivan, WI
9 16 75 Terry Phillips Springfield, MO
10 8 71w Chris Wall Holden, LA
11 11 41n Brad Neat Dunnville, KY
12 2 18e Eric Wells Hazard, KY
13 15 18 Ronny Lee Hollingsworth Northport, AL
14 17 57J Bub McCool Vicksburg, MS
15 14 54 David Breazeale Four Corners, MS
16 12 888 Jason Cliburn Star, MS
17 24 11t Tyler Reddick Grayson, KY
18 23 9t Tim Isenberg Marshfield, WI
19 19 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV
20 18 21w Rodney Wing Meridian, MS
21 3 21 Billy Moyer Batesville, AR
22 25 86 Rick Rickman Columbus, MS
23 21 88 Wendell Wallace Batesville, AR
24 22 c9 Steve Casebolt Richmond, IN
25 20 68 Brian Rickman Columbus, MS
Race Statistics
Entrants: 55
Lap Leaders: Eric Wells (Laps 1- 19); Scott Bloomquist (Laps 20-29); Earl Pearson Jr. (Laps 30-100)
Caution Flags: Initial Start (Rick Rickman, Terry Phillips, John Blankenship, Bub McCool, Wendell Wallace, Tyler Reddick); Lap 7 (Brian Rickman); Lap 35 (Steve Casebolt); Lap 45 (Terry Phillips); Lap 55 (Debris); Lap 79 (Billy Moyer)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Tim Isenberg, Tyler Reddick
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisional: none
Magnolia Motor Speedway Track Provisional: Rick Rickman
PBM/Erson Cams Hard Charger of the Race: Terry Phillips (Started 16th; Finished 9th; Advanced 7 positions)
Ohlin's Shocks Performer of the Race: Scott Bloomquist
K&N Filters Clean Pass of the Race: Dale McDowell
Quarter Master Rookie of the Race: Chris Wall
Comp Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Larry Wallace Racing Engines
Dominator Race Products Hard Luck Award: Billy Moyer
DirtonDirt.com Crew Chief of the Race: Jason Fitzgerald (Earl Pearson Jr.)
Time of Race: 52 minutes, 59 seconds
Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings
1 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN 3980
2 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN 3785
3 44 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL 3705
4 53 Ray Cook Brasstown, NC 3545
5 71 Don O'Neal Martinsville, IN 3435
6 17m Dale McDowell Chickamauga, GA 3200
7 71w Chris Wall Holden, LA 3060
8 s9 Dan Schlieper Sullivan, WI 3035
8 c9 Steve Casebolt Richmond, IN 3035
10 18e Eric Wells Hazard, KY 2995
11 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV 2840
12 41n Brad Neat Dunnville, KY 2760
13 9t Tim Isenberg Marshfield, WI 2330
14 11t Tyler Reddick Corning, CA 2210
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