6/2/2012
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Don O’Neal Takes Second Straight Ralph Latham Memorial at Florence Speedway
UNION, KY (June 2, 2012) – Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN took the lead at the start of the 26th Annual Ralph Latham Memorial and went unchallenged in taking the $10,000 victory. It was O’Neal’s second consecutive win in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned event at Florence Speedway. Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN came home second; followed by Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN; Eddie Carrier Jr. of Salt Rock, WV; and Steve Francis of Ashland, KY.
O’Neal dominated the event from start to finish. O’Neal had little difficulty, effortlessly racing though traffic as he went on for his eighth LOLMDS triumph of 2012.
“You know, we always seem to run well here. This MasterSbilt Race Car was solid all-night long. I could drive it anywhere on the track! I have to thank all of my crew and sponsors for making this possible. Thanks to the fans for coming out tonight as well,” said O’Neal.
O’Neal’s Keith and Tader Masters-owned car is sponsored by Optima Batteries, Independence Lumber, Seubert Calf Ranches, Superior Cleaning Services, Jones Core, Budda Bert Transmissions, Dragon Race Fuel, Ohlins, Tarpy Trucking, and O’Neal Mulch. A Jay Dickens Racing Engine powers the car.
Ray Cook of Brasstown, NC had a solid run going, running second for the first 29 laps of the race until he broke something, causing a caution flag. Owens picked up the second spot, but could never muster enough of a challenge to make it close at the finish in his Reece Monument Company, Cornett Racing Engines, Bloomquist Race Cars, Ford.
Bloomquist and Carrier had a good battle for third over the last half of race with Bloomquist edging out Carrier at the finish line. Francis followed closely in fifth. Completing the top ten were: Steve Casebolt of Richmond, IN; John Blankenship of Williamson, WV; Brad Neat of Dunnville, KY; Tyler Reddick of Corning, CA; and Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, IA.
In preliminary action, Don O’Neal set the Red Buck Cigars Fast Time amongst the 41 entrants with a lap of 17.308 seconds. Heat races were taken by: Don O’Neal, Scott Bloomquist, Ray Cook, and Jimmy Owens. Darrel Lanigan and Josh Williams won their respective B-Mains.
The series will make its way back to the hills of Tennessee tomorrow night as the stars of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series converge on Tazewell Speedway in Tazewell, TN tomorrow night, June 3rd. The Toyota Knoxville 50 will pay $10,000-to-win, with Red Buck Cigars Time Trials, Full Heat Races, B-Mains, and the 50-Lap main event. For more information, log onto www.tazewellspeedway.com.
For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, log onto www.lucasdirt.com and be sure to follow the series at www.facebook.com/lucasdirt and www.twitter.com/#!/lucasdirt.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Saturday Night, June 2nd, 2012
Ralph Latham Memorial
Florence Speedway – Union, KY
Red Buck Cigars Fast Time: Don O’Neal / 17.308 seconds (Group A and Overall) Ray Cook / 17.384 seconds (Group B)
Wiles Driveshafts First Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Don O'Neal, Joe Janowski, John Blankenship, Jonathan Davenport, Darrell Lanigan, Dennis Erb, Jr., Chad Stapleton, Rod Conley, Dennis Roberson, Steve Landrum
U. S. Steel Second Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Scott Bloomquist, Brad Neat, Greg Johnson, Earl Pearson, Jr., Mike Jewell, Robby Hensley, Tim Rivers, Nick Latham, Troy Cruse, Scott James
Simpson Performance Products Third Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Ray Cook, Steve Casebolt, Eddie Carrier, Jr., Brian Birkhofer, Josh Williams, John Gill, Eric Wells, Stephen Breeding, Jared Landers, David Spille, Mason Combs-DNS
HAWK Brakes Fourth Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Jimmy Owens, Steve Francis, Tyler Reddick, Austin Hubbard, Dustin Neat, Chad Smith, Barry Doss, James Rice, Greg Kendall, Jesse Lay
JRi Shocks First B-Main (12 Laps – Top 3 Advance): Darrell Lanigan, Mike Jewell, Dennis Erb, Jr., Robby Hensley, Chad Stapleton, Rod Conley, Tim Rivers, Nick Latham, Dennis Roberson, Steve Landrum, Troy Cruse, Scott James-DNS
PAC Racing Springs Second B-Main (12 Laps – Top 3 Advance): Josh Williams, Dustin Neat, Chad Smith, John Gill, Jared Landers, Barry Doss, Stephen Breeding, James Rice, David Spille, Greg Kendall, Eric Wells, Jesse Lay, Mason Combs
Feature Finish – 50 Laps: 1. 71-Don O'Neal; 2. 20-Jimmy Owens; 3. 0-Scott Bloomquist; 4. 28-Eddie Carrier Jr; 5. 15-Steve Francis; 6. C9-Steve Casebolt; 7. 23-John Blankenship; 8. 41N-Brad Neat; 9. 11T-Tyler Reddick; 10. 15B-Brian Birkhofer; 11. 29-Darrell Lanigan; 12. 5-Jared Landers; 13. 41P-Earl Pearson Jr; 14. 11H-Austin Hubbard; 15. 15D-Jonathan Davenport; 16. 6J-Joe Janowski; 17. JJ2-Josh Williams; 18. 24H-Greg Johnson; 19. 28E-Dennis Erb Jr; 20. 18E-Eric Wells; 21. 25N-Dustin Neat; 22. 19C-Chad Smith; 23. 53-Ray Cook; 24. 9J-Mike Jewell; 25. 81-Scott James
Race Statistics
Entrants: 41
Lap Leaders: Don O’Neal (Laps 1 – 50)
Caution Flags: Jared Landers, Mike Jewell, Darrel Lanigan, Earl Pearson Jr. (Lap 4); Jared Landers (Lap 11); Dustin Neat (Lap 23); Ray Cook (Lap 29)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Jared Landers, Eric Wells
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisional: none
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Jared Landers (Started 23rd; Finished 12th; Advanced 11 positions)
Allstar Performer of the Race: Don O’Neal
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Jimmy Owens
ASi Racewear Challenge Finisher: Don O’Neal
Quarter Master Rookie of the Race: Austin Hubbard
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Jay Dickens Racing Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: MasterSbilt Race Cars
Sweet Mfg Crew Chief of the Race: Cody Mahoney (Don O’Neal)
Time of Race: 24 minutes 28 seconds
Submitted By: Jeremy Shields
