Marlar Magnificent in Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals
Story By: TRAVIS BRANCH /LUCAS LM SERIES MEDIA
Photos By: THE SPORTSWIRE/ RACERSGUIDE.COM
KNOXVILLE, IA- September 18, 2016- Mike Marlar led the final 60 laps of the 100 lap Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals – capturing the biggest win of his career. Marlar earned $40,000 for the victory in Saturday Night’s 13th Annual Event in the Ronnie Delk Racing/Delk Equipment Sales/Cornett Racing Engines/Capital Race Car.
The current Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points leader, Scott Bloomquist finished in second. Bobby Pierce came home in third; Shane Clanton and Billy Moyer completed the top five.
Jimmy Owens led the first ten laps of the race until Josh Richards took over the top spot. Richards then lead until lap 39 when Marlar powered to the point from his fourth starting position. Marlar held off Bloomquist and Richards the rest of the way for the win. Richards slowed with five laps to go and headed pitside, giving up a podium finish.
“It’s a good life, it’s awesome to win here,” said the 38-year-old Marlar in Lucas Oil Victory Lane. Knoxville [Raceway] is one of my favorite tracks, if not my favorite to race at. It can scare you to death, but it’s awesome! I knew Bloomquist was on me. When he pulled alongside me a few times and got by I just let the car go up top and it stuck.”
“We had an awesome car. We are not a full-time race team, but we put it on them tonight. I said on Wednesday when I left the house, I am confident going into this event. You don’t drive 14 hours to one of the biggest races in the country when you aren’t. We’ve got the equipment and the team. We’ve got the stuff to do this,” said Marlar after posting his sixth career LOLMDS victory.
Bloomquist drove his Reece Monument Company/Crop Production Services/Sweet-Bloomquist Chassis to finish second, solidifying his series points lead. “Maybe some long runs would have helped us. I just had to get some heat in the front tires. He [Marlar] had a great run tonight. He ran a good-line all night. You can’t help but have fun at this place. If you’re not having fun at this place, then you need to quit.”
In his first appearance at Knoxville since 2012, Bobby Pierce battled to the third spot when Billy Moyer ran out of fuel on the final lap. “I can’t say enough about the car. We started to get tight there at the end. It was really fun out there. I fell way back for a while. We got lucky here and there. Some guys fell out with fuel issues. I don’t think I have any fuel left in the car right now. I would like to thank Berger Marina for coming on board this weekend helping us with a motor.”
Completing the top ten were Jimmy Mars, Tim McCreadie, Kyle Bronson, Dennis Erb Jr., and Darrell Lanigan.
In preliminary action, Morgan Bagley won the C-Main and Gregg Satterlee won the B-Main.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Saturday, September 17th, 2016
13th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals – Presented by Casey’s General Store
Knoxville Raceway – Knoxville, IA
Keyser MFG. C-Main Finish (15 Laps, Top 5 Transfer to B-Main): Morgan Bagley, Matt Furman, Mason Zeigler, Ray Guss, Jr., Rich Bell, Dave Eckrich, Mike Fryer, Charlie McKenna, Jay Johnson, Joel Callahan, Mitch McGrath, John Duty, Justin Duty, Nick Marolf, Rob Toland, Brian Ledbetter, Rob Moss, Doug Sanders, Colton Flinner, Vic Hill-DNS, Chad Holladay-DNS, Kerry King, Sr.-DNS
Fast Shafts B-Main Finish (20 Laps, Top 6 Transfer to A-Main): Gregg Satterlee, Chad Simpson, Chad Mahder, Tim Lance, Kent Robinson, Jason Rauen, Frank Heckenast, Jr., RC Whitwell, Ricky Weiss, Ryan Unzicker, Mason Zeigler, Brent Larson, Morgan Bagley, Nick Hoffman, Rich Bell, Matt Furman, Spencer Diercks, Ricky Thornton Jr., Jason Utter, Jason Feger, Billy Moyer, Jr., Ray Guss, Jr., Jake O’Neil-DNS
