Classic McDowell at Smoky Mountain Speedway

McDowell Masters Mountain Moonshine Classic at Smoky Mountain Speedway  

Story By: TRAVIS BRANCH / LUCAS LM SERIES MEDIA                                                                                                            Photos By:RICK SCHWALLIE / RACERSGUIDE.COM

MARYVILLE, TN -July 10, 2016 – Dale McDowell debuted a new Sweet-Bloomquist Chassis on Saturday night at Smoky Mountain Speedway, and put it in victory lane by winning the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned Mountain Moonshine Classic.

McDowell’s seventh career LOLMDS win came before a record-setting crowd at the famed 4/10-mile, speed-plant. He led a Sweet-Bloomquist Chassis sweep of the top three finishers. Jared Landers came from sixth to finish second, followed by LOLMDS point-leader Scott Bloomquist in third. Tim McCreadie and Steve Francis completed the top five.

McDowell started on the pole and quickly bolted to the lead at the start of the main event. He was already into lapped traffic by the tenth circuit.

“First off, I need to thank my brother Shane, and Scott [Bloomquist], we have been talking about this since Knoxville last year over a beer,” said the 50-year-old driver, who picked up his first LOLMDS win of the season, ending Bloomquist’s three-race win streak.

“I have been looking forward to working with Scott. We were both on slightly different set-ups tonight. Our driving styles are a lot alike. Coming to this track and not knowing what to change on this new car; I didn’t change anything. I hope he can learn from that, and I hope that I can learn as well. A big thanks to all of the fans, our sponsors, and to Lucas Oil for putting on this show.”

“Since we are working with Scott and Jared [Landers], and they are already familiar with these cars, we will put our heads together and go from here. I am sure that I am going to be on the other end at times, but if you can get a top five with this bunch, that’s a great night! Scott has worked his tail off to build what he has,” said the driver of the Bad Boy Off-Road, Klotz, Cometic Gasket, University of Northwestern Ohio, Clements-powered entry.

Bloomquist held the second spot behind McDowell for most of the race. He stayed there until a lap 50 restart when Landers passed him for second. Landers then tried to track down McDowell, but McDowell opened his lead up as he headed to the checkers.

Landers dedicated his second place finish to his crew chief Jason Durham who has been battling kidney stones all weekend. “We had a good car. Dale was tough tonight. This track is extremely fast and wide-open. I want to thank Crop Production Services, Mark Martin Automotive. Bad Boy Mowers, Big Dog Motorsports and ASC Warranty.”

Bloomquist maintains the series points lead with his finish tonight and was pleased with the efforts of his Sweet-Bloomquist counterparts. “It feels good to see our cars run so well. Dale is a very experienced driver, and with him and his brother, I thought it was good choice to get him in one of our cars. I wish we could have won tonight, but great job to Dale and Jared.”

Completing the top ten were Brandon Sheppard, Earl Pearson Jr., Derek Ellis, Donald McIntosh and Darrell Lanigan.

In preliminary action, Scott Bloomquist set the overall Miller Welders Fast Time (Group B) amongst the 30 entrants, with a lap of 15.679 seconds. Casey Roberts set the fastest time in Group B with a time of 15.874 seconds. Dale McDowell, Don O’Neal, Scott Bloomquist, and Jimmy Owens won their respective heat races. Derek Ellis and Skip Arp won their respective B-Mains.

For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, including the latest series standings, 2016 tour schedule, driver information, and more visit the official website at: www.lucasdirt.com.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Race Summary
 Saturday, July 9th, 2016

Lucas Oil Mountain Moonshine Classic

Smoky Mountain Speedway – Maryville, TN

Miller Welders Fast Time Group A: Casey Roberts / 15.874 seconds

Miller Welders Fast Time Group B: Scott Bloomquist / 15.679 seconds

Eibach Springs Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Dale McDowell, Casey Roberts, Brandon Sheppard, Dennis Erb, Jr., Derek Ellis, Robby Moses, Tommy Kerr, Colton Flinner

FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Don O’Neal, Tim McCreadie, Mike Marlar, Darrell Lanigan, Craig Vosbergen, Ryan King, Chad Ogle

Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Scott Bloomquist, Jared Landers, Jonathan Davenport, Earl Pearson, Jr., Skip Arp., Donald McIntosh, Mark Vineyard, Shanon Buckingham-DNS

QA1 Heat Race #4 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Jimmy Owens, Chris Madden, Steve Francis, Billy Ogle Jr., Skylar Marlar, Kayne Hickman, Bobby Giffin

Fast Shafts B-Main #1 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Derek Ellis, Craig Vosbergen, Chad Ogle, Robby Moses, Colton Flinner, Ryan King, Tommy Kerr

Keyser MFG B-Main #2 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Skip Arp, Donald McIntosh, Skylar Marlar, Mark Vineyard, Kayne Hickman, Bobby Giffin, Shanon Buckingham-DNS

Race Statistics

Entrants: 30

Lap Leaders: Dale McDowell (Laps 1 – 60)
Cautions: Darrell Lanigan (Lap 30); Chris Madden (Lap 49); Jonathan Davenport, Casey Roberts (Lap 50); Dennis Erb Jr. (Lap 52)

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Colton Flinner
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: n/a

Miller Welders Fast Time Provisional: Kayne Hickman
Wrisco Feature Winner: Dale McDowell
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Donald McIntosh (Started: 20th; Finished: 9th; Advanced 11 Positions)
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Scott Bloomquist
Allstar Performance Power Move of the Race: Brandon Sheppard

Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Jared Landers

Hot Rod Processing Rookie of the Race: Colton Flinner
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Racing Engines

Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Sweet-Bloomquist Race Cars

Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Shane McDowell (Dale McDowell)
Fastest Lap of the Race: Dale McDowell (Lap #3 – 16.6763 seconds)
Most Laps Led: Dale McDowell
PFC Brakes Tough Break Award: Jimmy Owens

Time of Race: 34 minutes 35 seconds

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