9/27/2014
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Birkhofer Battles Hard to Win Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals
KNOXVILLE, IA (September 27, 2014) – In an incredible finish, Brian Birkhofer passed Scott Bloomquist coming off of turn number four on the final lap to win the 11th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals Presented by Casey’s General Stores. Birkhofer; in possibly the last race of his career; earned $40,000 for the win as the huge grandstand crowd came to its feet to cheer on the home-state driver to victory.
Mike Marlar made a late-race charge to finish third, followed by Jimmy Mars, and 31st starting Don O’Neal, who finished fifth to maintain his Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points lead.
“What a way to go out if this is my last race! Who knows I may be back, but this one here will be hard to top. I got a run out of two on that last lap and I might have lifted for a split second I don’t remember. The car stuck on the cushion and I was fortunate enough to get by him. I don’t know what happened to him [Bloomquist]. Something might have gone wrong or broke, I’m not sure. In any case, we put our car in victory lane and I couldn’t be happier!”
“I want to Mark Richards at Rocket Chassis, and Vic Hill for the help on the engine this weekend. I am sure the crowd really loved that finish! That might be the race of the year, I don’t know. The track was so good all night long. We could run anywhere on the track tonight. I hit that berm a few times in turn four and it upset the car a little bit. We had a terrific race there early on with Lanigan. He and I went back-and-forth a few times for the lead there.”
Birkhofer led the first 30 laps of the 100-lapper until Lanigan forged ahead. Birkhofer then regained the top spot ten circuits later. Birkhofer stayed in front until Bloomquist took over the point on lap 62. Bloomquist then held a solid lead until Birkhofer and Marlar started to reel him in. Marlar was clocked as the fastest car on the track as he used the top groove of the race track. Just as Birkhofer and Marlar closed to within a few car lengths of Bloomquist, a caution came out with 14 laps to go.
On the restart Bloomquist fired off extremely well as Birkhofer and Marlar lost touch with him. As the laps wound down, Birkhofer started to close the gap. As the two drivers took the white flag, Birkhofer was about 3-4 car lengths behind Bloomquist. As the duo headed down the backstretch, Bloomquist took the low route into turns three and four as Birkhofer stormed to the outside of the track. As the pair came off of turn number four, Birkhofer had the momentum to get by Bloomquist to score the coveted win.
“I have to thank all the fans for their support over the years and thank all of my sponsors, without them I wouldn’t be here. I want to thank ASi Racewear, Cheap Cars, Zens Flooring, Ideal Ready Mix, Keyser MFG, Moore Wireline, Holsteen Brothers, Quality Construction Service, and everybody else who helps with the car.”
Bloomquist was disappointed at being denied a third victory in the crown jewel event. “Something broke about two laps from the end. I’m not sure if it was a yoke or something. We could hardly get off the scales because something was dragging underneath the car. We had a great car tonight. It’s just disappointing to come up that short of winning. I would like to thank Ole Smoky Moonshine, Randy Sweet, Durham Racing Engines, Hawkeye Trucking, and all of my great sponsors for their assistance.”
Marlar was happy with his third place run. “We were flying out there, and I was catching the leaders there at the end. The cushion kind of threw me a few times. Our car was free and easy to drive, man I wish that caution hadn’t come out. Congratulations to Brian, it’s a great win for him. We can’t wait to get back here next year,” said the driver of the Ronnie Delk, Delk Equipment Sales, Rocket Chassis.
Completing the top ten in the event were Steve Francis, Jimmy Owens, Frank Heckenast Jr., Chase Junghans, and Chad Simpson.
In preliminary action, Ryan Gustin won the D-Main; Billy Moyer Jr. won the C-Main and Wendell Wallace won the B-Main.
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Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Saturday Night, September 27th, 2014
"Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals"
Knoxville Raceway – Knoxville, IA
JRi Shocks D-Main (12 Laps, Top 7 Transfer): Ryan Gustin, Jordan Yaggy, Mike Fryer, Skip Frey, John Duty, Greg Kimmons, Charlie McKenna, Lyle Zanker, Steve Lance, Roger Brickler, Rob Moss, Matt Furman-DNS, Andy Eckrich-DNS, Spencer Diercks-DNS, Dustin Walker-DNS, Jordan Heiman-DNS, Curt Schroeder-DNS, Al Humphrey-DNS, Junior Coover-DNS
CV Products C-Main (15 Laps, Top 7 Transfer): Billy Moyer, Jr., Scott James, Chris Simpson, Tim Lance, Rich Bell, Jason Utter, Chris Spieker, Jason Hughes, Jordan Yaggy, Jay Johnson, Jake Meier, John Duty, Justin Duty, Charlie McKenna, Ray Guss, Jr., Mike Fryer, Todd Frank, Ryan Gustin, Brian Harris, Greg Kimmons, Dave Eckrich, Donny Schatz-DNS, Mason Zeigler-DNS, Jonathan Brauns-DNS, Skip Frey-DNS
JRi Shocks B-Main (20 Laps, Top 6 Transfer): Wendell Wallace, Rick Eckert, Chase Junghans, Morgan Bagley, Terry Phillips, Denny Eckrich, Jason Papich, Scott James, Jason Rauen, Vic Coffey, Gregg Satterlee, Tim Lance, Chris Simpson, Rich Bell, Mark Dotson, Jason Feger, Tim McCreadie, Will Vaught, Jimmy Owens, Jason Utter, Don O’Neal, Billy Moyer, Jr., Chris Spieker, Tyler Bruening, Jesse Stovall-DNS
Feature Finish (100 Laps): 1. 15B-Brian Birkhofer; 2. 0-Scott Bloomquist; 3. 157-Mike Marlar; 4. 28M-Jimmy Mars; 5. 5-Don O'Neal; 6. 15-Steve Francis; 7. 20-Jimmy Owens; 8. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr; 9. 18C-Chase Junghans; 10. 25-Chad Simpson; 11. 1W-Wendell Wallace; 12. 12-Jason Hughes; 13. 91P-Jason Papich; 14. 50-Denny Eckrich; 15. 28E-Dennis Erb Jr; 16. 777-Jared Landers; 17. 28-Eddie Carrier Jr; 18. 6-Jonathan Davenport; 19. 29-Darrell Lanigan; 20. 23-John Blankenship; 21. B5-Brandon Sheppard; 22. 44-Earl Pearson Jr; 23. 1-Rick Eckert; 24. 14M-Morgan Bagley; 25. 17M-Dale McDowell; 26. 2-Brady Smith; 27. 7R-Kent Robinson; 28. 21-Todd Frank; 29. 5X-Brandon Overton; 30. 81-Brian Shirley; 31. 18-Shannon Babb; 32. 58-AJ Diemel; 33. 20S-Rodney Sanders; 34. 75P-Terry Phillips
Race Statistics
Entrants: 79
Lap Leaders:
Cautions:
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Don O’Neal, Jimmy Owens
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: Jason Hughes, Jason Papich
Miller Welders Fast Time Provisionals: n/a
Wrisco Feature Winner: Brian Birkhofer
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Don O’Neal (Started: 31st; Finished: 5th; Advanced 26 Positions)
Keyser Mfg Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Don O’Neal
Allstar Performer of the Race: Mike Marlar
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Don O’Neal
Dunn Benson Ford Rookie of the Race: Jason Hughes
Midwest Sheet Metal Highest Finishing Rookie: Jason Hughes
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Vic Hill Racing Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket Chassis
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Zach Frields
HAWK Performance Fastest Lap of the Race: Brian Birkhofer (Lap # 2 – 19.123 seconds)
Time of Race: 58 minutes 57 seconds
Submitted By: Jeremy Shields