Owens Overtakes Bloomquist to Win Toyota Knoxville 50

TAZEWELL, TN (May 30, 2014) - In a classic battle between two Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Champions, Jimmy Owens and Scott Bloomquist, Owens emerged victorious over Bloomquist Friday night at Tazewell Speedway. Owens passed Bloomquist on the 36th lap and then sailed away for his second series win of the season in front of a huge crowd at the Toyota Knoxville 50.

Bloomquist led the first 36 laps of the event until he got trapped behind a lapped car and Owens swept by him on the outside coming off of turn number four. Bloomquist then had to hold off hard-charging Chris Madden to finish second. Current series point's leader, Don O'Neal came home fourth, followed by 2-time track champion, Billy Ogle, Jr.

"The car was just great all night," said the driver of the Club 29 Chassis owned by Mike Reece. ""The race got off to a rough start; I think it was a little bit slimy down low there in one and two, and when I saw Scott catch the traffic, I figured I might as well go in harder in turns three and four up top. It worked out for us! It has been a long day, my mom had surgery this morning, and they may have to re-do it again tomorrow, so my thoughts are with her."

"I have to thank Mike Reece for making my dream come true to race full-time! We have a great crew. Many thanks to all my sponsors: Reece Monument Company, Midwest Sheet Metal, Edge Services, Sunoco, Ohlins, Keyser, C&C Trucking, Cornett Engines, and FORD. It's always great to come here and race close to home in front of the fans. We don't get to do it often, but it's really nice when we win," said Owens after recording his 46th career LOLMDS win.

Bloomquist was happy with his performance, despite losing the lead late in the race. "Yes the car was really fast; we had a good lead there for a while. That long green flag run we had, plus the lap traffic, our car tightened up a little bit. Congratulations to Jimmy on the win, he ran a good race. On the move he made for the lead when you are the trailing you have the advantage of seeing ahead better. He made the right move. I went down low and it cost me. But still we are satisfied with our run," said the driver of the Ole Smoky Moonshine, Penske Shocks, Lucas Oil, Sweet-Bloomquist car.

Madden nearly took the runner-up spot in the closing laps as he pulled alongside Bloomquist. "We had a good run on Scott; I thought maybe I could get by. It's tough to pass here sometimes. This is our first race in May, so it felt good to get back behind the wheel. We are looking forward to the rest of the season."

Completing the top ten were Jared Landers, Eddie Carrier Jr., Jason Hughes, Earl Pearson Jr. and Jason Papich.

In preliminary action, Scott Bloomquist set the overall Miller Welders Fast Time amongst the 21 entrants, with a lap of 11.150 seconds. Scott Bloomquist, Jimmy Owens, and Don O'Neal won their respective heat races.

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Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary

Friday Night, May 30th, 2014
Toyota Knoxville 50
Tazewell Speedway - Tazewell, TN

Miller Welders Fast Time: Scott Bloomquist / 11.150 seconds
Fast Shafts Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 7 Transfer): Scott Bloomquist, Earl Pearson, Jr., Eric Jacobsen, Chris Madden, Dennis Erb, Jr., Jason Papich, Wade Howerton

Eibach Springs Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 7 Transfer): Jimmy Owens, John Blankenship, Jared Landers, Jeff Wolfenbarger, Jason Hughes, Cody King, Matthew Holt

Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, Top 7 Transfer): Don O'Neal, Steve Francis, Billy Ogle Jr., Eddie Carrier, Jr., Josh Henry, Bobby Mays, Chad Ogle-DNS

Feature Finish (50 Laps):

FINISH

Race Statistics
Entrants: 21

Lap Leaders: Scott Bloomquist (Laps 1 - 36); Jimmy Owens (Laps 37 - 50) Caution Flags: Dennis Erb Jr., Jeff Wolfenbarger, Josh Henry (Lap 2); Steve Francis, Bobby Mays, Cody King, Matthew Holt, Jason Hughes, Jason Papich (Lap 2); Bobby Mays (Lap 4); Bobby Mays, Earl Pearson Jr. (Lap 15) Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: n/a
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: n/a
Wrisco Feature Winner: Jimmy Owens
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Chris Madden (Started: 10th; Finished: 3rd; Advanced 7 Positions)
Keyser Mfg Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Don O'Neal
Allstar Performer of the Race: Jared Landers
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Jimmy Owens
Dunn Benson Ford Rookie of the Race: Jason Hughes
Midwest Sheet Metal Highest Finishing Rookie: Jason Hughes
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Cornett Racing Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Club 29 / Black Diamond Race Cars
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Chris Fox (Jimmy Owens)
HAWK Performance Fastest Lap of the Race: Don O'Neal (Lap #3 - 11.592 seconds)
Time of Race: 40 minutes 43 seconds

Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings: