Roberts Wins Thriller in Lucas Oil Ole Smoky Moonshine Classic Saturday Night

MARYVILLE, TN (June 21, 2014) – Casey Roberts held off a final lap charge from Jonathan Davenport to win the Lucas Oil Ole Smoky Moonshine Classic on Saturday Night at Smoky Mountain Speedway.. The first ever appearance at the track for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series drew a record crowd at the Tennessee track and provided a thrilling finish for all the fans in attendance.

Roberts inherited the lead after race-long leader; Scott Bloomquist’s left rear tire went flat under a red-flag with 34 laps complete. Roberts then led the rest of the way, despite a last-lap bonsai move by Davenport which fell a car-length short of a victory. Bloomquist rallied to finish third, followed by series point’s leader Don O’Neal, and 17th starting, Dennis Erb Jr.

“We had a second-place car tonight,” said Roberts, who scored his second career LOLMDS victory, his first since 2009 at Swainsboro, GA. “This Longhorn Chassis has been spectacular all weekend. We had a fourth place last night at Cherokee in our first race in the car and to come here tonight and win, I don’t know what to say except thanks to Kevin Rumley, Labonte, and everyone at Longhorn Chassis. I really like how this car feels; it’s fast and fits my driving style exceptionally well. I want to thank Cushman Paint and Body, M&S Concrete, and Custom Race Engines.”

Bloomquist had the dominant car for most of the race. He sprinted out to a healthy lead from the onset of the 50-lap race. Bloomquist dominance ended however during a lap 34 red flag for a five-car accident in turn number two. Under the red flag his cut left rear tire went flat. “I don’t know what happened, whether we ran over something or what. The car was just super all night; it was the weekend we were really looking forward to. We had the hole in the radiator last night, and then tonight the same thing happened in the heat race. We replaced the radiator before the feature. We wanted to win really badly tonight for our sponsor Ole Smoky Moonshine, but it just wasn’t meant to be.”

Davenport progressively got faster after long green flag stretches stormed to second around Don O’Neal with seven laps to go to set-up a last-ditch effort to run down Roberts. “Our car was really quick, but it took us a few laps to get going after those cautions. When I got around O’Neal I thought I had enough time to catch him [Roberts]. I was watching the scoreboard and the flagman and when he gave the two-to-go signal I thought, let’s put this thing up against the wall and go for it. I dived into turn three and thought I could clear him, but I just couldn’t quite get it done. That was a heck of a finish no doubt”

Completing the top ten were Tommy Kerr, Mike Marlar, Donald McIntosh, Ray Cook, and Jason Hughes.

In preliminary action, Scott Bloomquist set the overall Miller Welders Fast Time amongst the 27 entrants, with a lap of 14.920 seconds. Scott Bloomquist, Earl Pearson Jr., and Eddie Carrier Jr. won their respective heat races. Tommy Kerr won the B-Main.

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Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Race Summary

Saturday Night, June 21st, 2014
Lucas Oil Ole Smoky Moonshine Classic
Smoky Mountain Speedway – Maryville, TN

Miller Welders Fast Time: Scott Bloomquist / 14.920 seconds

Fast Shafts Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 6 Transfer): Scott Bloomquist, Casey Roberts, John Blankenship, Chris Ferguson, Eric Jacobsen, Jason Hughes, Skylar Marlar, Ray Cook, Dusty Carver

Eibach Springs Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 6 Transfer): Earl Pearson, Jr., Mike Marlar, Steve Francis, Jonathan Davenport, Jimmy Owens, Dennis Erb, Jr., Tommy Kerr, Jason Papich, Mark Vineyard

Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, Top 6 Transfer): Eddie Carrier, Jr., Jared Landers, Don O’Neal, Donald McIntosh, Mark Douglas, James Kelso, Dale McDowell, Skip Arp, Billy Ogle Jr.-DNS

JRi Shocks B-Main (12 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Tommy Kerr, Ray Cook, Dusty Carver, Skylar Marlar, Jason Papich, Mark Vineyard, Skip Arp, Dale McDowell-DNS, Billy Ogle Jr.-DNS