Scott Bloomquist wins Lucas Oil Late Models Dirt Series USA 100

Jamaica, VA (Courtesy James Essex Lucas Oil Series) – Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN took the lead for good on the 24th lap from Steve Francis of Ashland, KY. He went on to win the rain-shortened Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned USA 100 on Sunday afternoon at Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway. Bloomquist and Francis staged a terrific race for the lead in the first 24 laps of the race until Bloomquist began to pull away. Rain then hit the track and the main event was halted with 31 laps complete. Mike Marlar of Winfield, TN was third followed by Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN and Jamie Lathroum of Mechanicsville, MD.

Francis grabbed the lead at the start with Bloomquist and Steve Shaver in tow. Francis held the lead for most of the race with Bloomquist edging ahead of him on lap seven. Francis quickly charged back by Bloomquist for the lead. The two continued a side-by-side battle with Francis leading the way until lap 24 when Bloomquist passed him exiting turn four in traffic.

Bloomquist swiftly put three lapped cars between himself and Francis. Rain started to fall on lap 31, forcing a red-flag. With more precipitation on the way and being past the half-mark, VMS officials and Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series officials decided to call the event with 19 laps remaining out of the scheduled 50.

It was Bloomquist’ first ever win at Virginia Motor Speedway as he completed the weekend sweep in Virginia. “It sounds good to win both of these races; we had never won at either of these tracks. We knew we would get one eventually, the car was good all day, it was a little hard to pass in the heat race. The tire set up we chose worked great for getting to the bottom and get something done down there,” said the 47-year-old who captured his 13th series win of the year and the 39th of his career.

“Steve (Francis) was running well, he got boxed in some traffic and I was able to get under him. We raced close and clean, we both run Roush-Yates Engines and they were great today. Thanks to the fans for coming out today, it’s a shame the weather didn’t cooperate,” said Bloomquist, who with the win took back over the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Championship Points lead from Owens.

Bloomquist drives his own Bloomquist Race Cars Ford sponsored by Base Racing Fuels, Hawkeye Trucking, Sweet Mfg, Miller Brothers Construction, Hoosier Tires, Lane Automotive, Allstar Performance, Dixie Chopper and Ohlins. His win in the Sunday’s USA 100 was the third of his career with his previous victories coming in 1993 and 1994 when the event was held at Beckley (WV) Motor Speedway.

Francis in his Valvoline, Harbaugh Amusement, MasterSbilt #15 took second in the final results. “We had a real good car today, we went with the smaller motor thinking the track would slick up some and it did. I tried to hold my line there, if we just could have kept the lead for about five more laps we would’ve won, but once Scott got by me, I knew I was in trouble.”

Marlar in the Bryson Motorsports Rocket claimed third and was happy with his run. “To finish third to these guys, it is quite an accomplishment. We’ll take third and go to the next race, I was just waiting for the final 20 laps, and I felt like we had a car that could’ve won.”

Completing the top ten were John Blankenship of Williamson, WV; Steve Shaver of Vienna, WV; Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN; Jason Covert of York Haven, PA; and Dan Stone of Thompson, PA.

In preliminary action, Mike Marlar was the Red Buck Cigars fast qualifier among the 32 entrants. The two-25 lap qualifying heat races went to Steve Francis and Marlar. The B-mains were won by Gary Stuhler and Walker Arthur

The 30 Lap feature for the modifieds was rained out and will not be rescheduled. Nick Hoffman of Mooresville, NC set a new track record in qualifying with a lap of 18.988 seconds. Picking up heat race wins were Nick Hoffman, Dave Defibaugh and Dan Arnold. Rich Marks won the B Main.

Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway will return to action this coming Saturday September 24th and host the rescheduled Truckin Thunder, Collision One, WIGO Championship Night.

It will be the last point race of the season for all four of the track’s Virginia Army National Guard Dirt Series divisions. With all the divisional point races tight heading into the final weekend the racing should be intense. Throw in the fact that every competitor is also vying for the coveted Virginia Army National Guard Dirt Series championship, which will crown an over all track champion, this will be a must see event.

The night’s activities will include the Victory Lap Late Models, Truckin Thunder Sportsman, Budweiser Modifieds and the Collision One Limited Stock Cars in Virginia Army National Guard Dirt Series action.

Competitor gates for Saturday, September 24th will open at 4pm with spectator gates opening at 5pm. On track activities will begin at 6:30pm with hot laps.

Divisions scheduled to race on Saturday September 24th: Victory Lap Late Models (35 Laps); Truckin Thunder Sportsman (25 Laps); Budweiser Modifieds (25 Laps); and the Collision One Limited Stock Cars (20 laps). All divisions will run Hot Lap Time Trials and Features.

Admission price for Adults $10, seniors (60+) $8; military (active/retired w/ proper I.D.) $5, students 13 – 17 years old $7, children 7 to 12 $4 and children 6 and under admitted free. Pit passes will be $20.

To enhance the fans racing experience the speedway has installed a short wave FM transmitter and all of the evening’s action can be heard at 95.5 FM. So bring your portable radio headset and enjoy hearing all the action.

Don’t forget to become a Fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vamotorspeedway and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/vamotorspeedway.

Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway, an ASA Member Track, is a ½ mile dirt oval track is located on U.S. Route 17, eight miles north of Saluda, VA and 25 miles south of Tappahannock, VA in Jamaica, VA. The speedway is just a short drive from Richmond, Fredericksburg, Southern Maryland and the Hampton Roads area.

To learn more about Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway fans may call the Speedway office at (804) 758-1VMS or visit the track’s web site at www.vamotorspeedway.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: DAVE SEAY (804) 758-1867 OR (804) 357-7223

RACE RESULTS FOR 32nd ANNUAL USA 100, SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2011:

LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL DIRT SERIES USA 100 (32 Entries):
Red Buck Cigars Fast Time:
Steve Francis / 17.720 seconds (Group A)
Mike Marlar / 17.363 seconds (Group B and Overall)

Wiles Driveshafts First Heat (25 Laps- Top 8 Advance): Steve Francis, Steve Shaver, Dale McDowell, Daniel Stone, Ray Cook, Don O’Neal, Kenny Moreland, Eric Wells, Gary Stuhler, Mark PettyJohn, Ryan Hackett, CS Fitzgerald, Steve Casebolt, Davis Lipscomb, Mason Zeigler, Kenny PettyJohn-DNS

Wiles Driveshafts Second Heat (25 Laps- Top 8 Advance): Mike Marlar, Scott Bloomquist, Jamie Lathroum, Brad Neat, Jimmy Owens, John Blankenship, Jason Covert, Earl Pearson Jr., Walker Arthur, Keith Jackson, Roland Mann, Garrett Shoulders, Jared Landers, Tyler Reddick, Ricky Elliott, Chad Hollenbeck-DNS

JRi Shocks First B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Gary Stuhler, Mark PettyJohn, Steve Casebolt, CS Fitzgerald, Davis Lipscomb, Ryan Hackett, Mason Zeigler-DNS, Kenny PettyJohn-DNS

Wrisco Aluminum Second B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Walker Arthur, Tyler Reddick, Jared Landers, Ricky Elliott, Roland Mann, Keith Jackson, Garrett Shoulders, Chad Hollenbeck-DNS

Feature Finish – 31 Laps (Finish / Start)
1. (4) Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, TN; 2. (1) Steve Francis, Ashland, KY; 3. (2) Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN; 4. (10) Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN; 5. (6) Jamie Lathroum, Mechanicsville, MD; 6. (12) John Blankenship, Williamson, WV; 7. (3) Steve Shaver, Vienna, WV; 8. (11) Don O’Neal, Martinsville, IN; 9. (14) Jason Covert, York Haven, PA; 10. (7) Daniel Stone, Thompson, PA; 11. (23) Ricky Elliott, Seaford, DE; 12. (22) Jared Landers, Batesville, AR; 13. (17) Gary Stuhler, Greencastle, PA; 14. (15) Eric Wells, Hazard, KY; 15. (21) Steve Casebolt, Richmond, IN; 16. (20) Tyler Reddick, Corning, CA; 17. (5) Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA; 18. (13) Kenny Moreland, Waldorf, MD; 19. (8) Brad Neat, Dunnville, KY; 20. (9) Ray Cook, Brasstown, NC; 21. (19) Mark Pettyjohn, Milton, DE; 22. (24) Roland ManN, Chaptico, MD; 23. (16) Earl Pearson, Jr., Jacksonville, FL; 24. (18) Walker Arthur, Forest, VA.

Race Statistics
Entrants: 32
Lap Leaders: Steve Francis (Laps 1 – 6); Scott Bloomquist (Lap 7); Steve Francis (Laps 8 – 23); Scott Bloomquist (Lap 24 – 31)
Caution Flags: Tyler Reddick (Lap 9); Ray Cook (Lap 53); Walker Arthur (Lap 12); RAIN (Lap 31)

MOD MADNESS 30 (32 Entries):

Heat Races 1:1. Nick Hoffman (Mooresville, NC), 2. Russell Erwin (Marretta, NY), 3. Brian Dobie (Partlow, VA), 4. Deana Groves (Morgantown, WV), 5. Travis LaRoque (Mooresville, NC), 6. Craig Ramich (Fairfax, VA), 7. Skippy Johnson (Aylett, VA), 8. Neal Hudgins (Grimstead, VA), 9. Jimmy Duncan (Fredericksburg, VA), 10. David Parker (Midlothian, VA), 11. Joey Polevoy (Powhatan, VA),

Heat Races 2:1. Dave Defibaugh (Mill Creek, WV), 2. Ricky Boahn (Raeford, NC), 3. Carlos Jaramillo (Fayetteville, NC), 4. Tony Quade (Leonardtown, MD), 5. Chris Arnold (Petersburg, VA), 6. Page Harrison (Jetersville, VA), 7. Joe Bounds (Partlow, VA), 8. Rich Marks IV (Bryans Road, MD), 9. Francis Jarrelle III (Powhatan, VA), 10. Brandon Grither (Broadway, VA), 11. Curtis Barricks (Chesterfield, VA),

Heat Races 3:1. Dan Arnold (Petersburg, VA), 2. Eric Erwin (Beaver Dam, VA), 3. Bret Hamilton (Powhatan, VA), 4. Brandon Galloway (Gloucester, VA), 5. Lance Grady (Maidens, VA), 6. John Ferguson (Gloucester, VA), 7. Gary Conner (Powhatan, VA), 8. Kerry Breeden (Natural Bridge, VA), 9. Kelly Samuels (Chester, VA), 10. J.R. Guy (Mechanicsville, MD),

B Main:1. Rich Marks IV (Bryans Road, MD), 2. Kerry Breeden (Natural Bridge, VA), 3. David Parker (Midlothian, VA), 4. Kelly Samuels (Chester, VA), 5. Francis Jarrelle III (Powhatan, VA), 6. Neal Hudgins (Grimstead, VA), 7. Curtis Barricks (Chesterfield, VA), 8. Jimmy Duncan (Fredericksburg, VA), 9. Brandon Grither (Broadway, VA), 10. J.R. Guy (Mechanicsville, MD), 11. Joey Polevoy (Powhatan, VA),

Feature: Rained Out

Qualifying:1. Nick Hoffman (Mooresville, NC), 2. Dave Defibaugh (Mill Creek, WV), 3. Eric Erwin (Beaver Dam, VA), 4. Russell Erwin (Marretta, NY), 5. Ricky Boahn (Raeford, NC), 6. Dan Arnold (Petersburg, VA), 7. Brian Dobie (Partlow, VA), 8. Carlos Jaramillo (Fayetteville, NC), 9. Bret Hamilton (Powhatan, VA), 10. Joey Polevoy (Powhatan, VA), 11. Chris Arnold (Petersburg, VA), 12. Brandon Galloway (Gloucester, VA), 13. Deana Groves (Morgantown, WV), 14. Tony Quade (Leonardtown, MD), 15. Lance Grady (Maidens, VA), 16. Jimmy Duncan (Fredericksburg, VA), 17. Page Harrison (Jetersville, VA), 18. Gary Conner (Powhatan, VA), 19. David Parker (Midlothian, VA), 20. Joe Bounds (Partlow, VA), 21. Kerry Breeden (Natural Bridge, VA), 22. Travis LaRoque (Mooresville, NC), 23. Curtis Barricks (Chesterfield, VA), 24. John Ferguson (Gloucester, VA), 25. Craig Ramich (Fairfax, VA), 26. Rich Marks IV (Bryans Road, MD), 27. Kelly Samuels (Chester, VA), 28. Neal Hudgins (Grimstead, VA), 29. Francis Jarrelle III (Powhatan, VA), 30. J.R. Guy (Mechanicsville, MD), 31. Skippy Johnson (Aylett, VA), 32. Brandon Grither (Broadway, VA),

FAST TIME: Nick Hoffman – 18.988 seconds, 94.797mph (New Division Track Record)