Bloomquist Blasts to win in Knoxville Late Model Thursday Nationals
By Bob Wilson

KNOXVILLE, IA (Sept. 28, 2006) - Scott Bloomquist picked up where he left off last year at this track as he captured the Thursday night preliminary feature of the 3rd annual Lucas Oil Knoxville Nationals. It was nearly one year ago that Bloomquist took all the marbles back to Mooresville, Tennessee as he won the 2005 finale.

The first two circuits of the 25-lap feature belonged to pole sitter Billy Moyer of Batesville, Arkansas. Bloomquist, who started in the second row, rode the low line out of turn four into the lead at the end of the third lap. It was a lead he would never relinquish although he was challenged for it the rest of the way.

Lap five saw the first of three slow-down yellows as Rick Eckert of York, Pennsylvania slowed, stopped and later changed a flat right-rear tire. He had been running 10th but with the yellow he was relegated to the rear of the 25-car field. Of note at this point in the race was Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa who had moved from a 21st starting spot to 11th.

On the restart Bloomquist once again took the point with Moyer nipping at his heels. Moyer, who set a new one lap track record earlier (17.525) during qualifying time trials kept in contact, Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Illinois in third, Billy Drake of Bloomington, Indiana in fourth and Darrell Lanigan of Union, Kentucky in fifth.

Lanigan made the first move of the front pack as he made a pass of Babb at the ten laps mark. Drake too had fallen back as Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wisconsin took over fifth. One lap later Lanigan sailed into the runner-up position just before the second yellow of the race came out for Babb, who had been running fourth. Babb did not restart.

When the race went green again, Bloomquist began to experiment for different lines on a track which basically had two grooves: a bottom and the cushion which was creeping ever nearer to Knoxville's tall fences. At this point there seemed to be little differences in either groove as both were fast.

Birkhofer moved to fourth on the fifteenth go around and began to challenge Mars. Each driver tried to best the other by switching grooves and lines. Steve Francis of Ashland, Kentucky entered the picture for that hotly contested spot by lap eighteen. Just after nineteen laps had been completed, Birkhofer had secured third and the yellow flag flew for the final time for NASCAR star Tony Stewart who then came to the pits to change a flat right-front tire. Stewart, who had transferred out of the B Main into the feature had been running in the top fifteen. After the tire change he too went to the rear of the field where he would finish 17th.

Bloomquist once again had his hands full with Lanigan on the restart. In the mix too was Birkhofer. Both Bloomquist and Birkhofer had raced on Knoxville soil in the past but this was Lanigan's maiden voyage.

As the race began to wind down Bloomquist discovered a line which allowed him to slowly pull away from the two cars which were giving him chase. The route was to take turns one and two on the cushion, dive hard into turn three and drift up into four, then stomp the accelerator out of the final corner. With this line Bloomquist looked to be the winner.

The fight for second was still anybody's race as Lanigan and Birkhofer came across the line to complete lap 24 in a blanket finish. Heading into turn one and out of turn two Birkhofer put a slider on Lanigan and secured the runner-up spot.

For the finish it was Bloomquist taking the $6,000 first place check, Birkhofer winning the $3,000 place money and Lanigan finishing in the show position for $2,000. Behind them it was Mars for $1,500 and fourth while Steve Francis of Ashland, Kentucky fifth and $1,000 in this, the first of two preliminary events.

Completing the top ten finishers of the 60-car field were Moyer, Darren Miller who was a tail-ender from a B-Main transfer, Josh Richards, Dan Schlieper and Scott James.

A companion Dirt Truck division accompanied the night of racing with Brett Moyer of Polk City, Iowa the winner.



KNOXVILLE RACEWAY, Knoxville, IA
September 28, 2006


Late Models RESULTS

Time Trial, 1 laps, 1. Billy Moyer, Batesville AR, 17.525 (New Track Record, old track record 17.673 Justin Fegers September 29, 2005); 2. Steve Shaver, Vienna WV, 17.64; 3. Darren Miller, Chadwick IL, 17.725; 4. Donnie Moran, Dresden OH, 17.848; 5. Dan Schlieper, Sullivan WI, 17.909; 6. Shannon Babb, Moweaqua IL, 17.935; 7. Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine IA, 17.968; 8. Tony Stewart, Rushville IN, 18.007; 9. Tim McCreadie, Avon NY, 18.042; 10. Chris Madden, Gaffney SC, 18.184; 11. Trent Follmer, Elk River MN, 18.194; 12. Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg TN, 18.196; 13. Jimmy Mars, Menomonie WI, 18.274; 14. Josh Richards, Shinnston WV, 18.28; 15. Jackie Boggs, Grayson KY, 18.301; 16. Kerry Hansen, Spencer WI, 18.321; 17. Bart Hartman, Zanesville OH, 18.322; 18. Matt Furman, Iowa City IA, 18.331; 19. Eric Jacobsen, Santa Cruz CA, 18.335; 20. Steve Francis, Ashland KY, 18.372; 21. Chub Frank, Bear Lake PA, 18.442; 22. Brady Smith, Solon Springs WI, 18.447; 23. Rick Eckert, York PA, 18.455; 24. Justin Fegers, Mound MN, 18.459; 25. Darrell Lanigan, Union KY, 18.461; 26. Chris Spieker, Massena IA, 18.464; 27. Brian Shirley, Chatham IL, 18.47; 28. Jeep Van Wormer, Pinconning MI, 18.615; 29. Nick Marolf, Moscow IA, 18.627; 30. Eddie Carrier Jr, Salt Rock WV, 18.637; 31. Todd Shute, Des Moines IA, 18.642; 32. Mike Balcaen, Winnipeg, MB, Can. , 18.657; 33. John Blankenship, Williamson WV, 18.699; 34. Chris Smyser, Lancaster MO, 18.706; 35. Paul Glendenning, Mount Ayr IA, 18.723; 36. Scott James, Lawrenceburg IN, 18.742; 37. Jeff Tharp, Sherrill IA, 18.752; 38. Billy Drake, Bloomington IL, 18.766; 39. Curt Martin, Independence IA, 18.79; 40. Mike Marlar, Winfield TN, 18.809; 41. Steve Kosiski, Papillion NE, 18.81; 42. Jeff Aikey, Cedar Falls IA, 18.813; 43. Andy Eckrich, Iowa City IA, 18.817; 44. Ken Schrader, Concord NC, 18.841; 45. Denny Woodworth, Mendon IL, 18.894; 46. Andrew McKay, Edina MN, 18.913; 47. Todd Cooney, Des Moines IA, 18.956; 48. Boone McLaughlin, Mediapolis IA, 18.961; 49. GR Smith, Mooresville NC, 19.012; 50. Jason Conoyer, Ursa IL, 19.059; 51. Levi Benn, Dyersville IA, 19.148; 52. Johnny Spaw, Cedar Rapids IA, 19.16; 53. Johnny Johnson, West Burlington IA, 19.161; 54. Matt Aukland, Fargo ND, 19.183; 55. Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown IA, 19.451; 56. Jay Johnson, West Burlington IA, 19.538; 57. Mitch Johnson, Hickson ND, 19.546; 58. Alonzo Grosse, Council Bluffs IA, 20.03; 59. Jill George, Cedar Falls IA, 20.416; 60. Junior Coover, Norfolk NE, 20.903; 61. Rich Bell, Sheffield IL, No Time.

Heat 1, 12 laps, No Time: 1. Scott James, Lawrenceburg IN; 2. Shannon Babb, Moweaqua IL; 3. Billy Moyer, Batesville AR; 4. Jay Johnson, West Burlington IA; 5. Chris Spieker, Massena IA; 6. Chub Frank, Bear Lake PA; 7. Trent Follmer, Elk River MN; 8. Todd Shute, Des Moines IA; 9. Kerry Hansen, Spencer WI; 10. Steve Kosiski, Papillion NE; 11. Levi Benn, Dyersville IA; 12. Andrew McKay, Edina MN;

Heat 2, 12 laps, 3:47.2: 1. Brady Smith, Solon Springs WI; 2. Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg TN; 3. Jeff Aikey, Cedar Falls IA; 4. Johnny Spaw, Cedar Rapids IA; 5. Brian Shirley, Chatham IL; 6. Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine IA; 7. Steve Shaver, Vienna WV; 8. Bart Hartman, Zanesville OH; 9. Todd Cooney, Des Moines IA; 10. Mike Balcaen, Winnipeg, MB, Can. ; 11. Jeff Tharp, Sherrill IA; 12. Mitch Johnson, Hickson ND;

Heat 3, 12 laps, No Time: 1. Jimmy Mars, Menomonie WI; 2. Rick Eckert, York PA; 3. Andy Eckrich, Iowa City IA; 4. Matt Furman, Iowa City IA; 5. Darren Miller, Chadwick IL; 6. Tony Stewart, Rushville IN; 7. Boone McLaughlin, Mediapolis IA; 8. Jeep Van Wormer, Pinconning MI; 9. John Blankenship, Williamson WV; 10. Alonzo Grosse, Council Bluffs IA; 11. Johnny Johnson, West Burlington IA; 12. Billy Drake, Bloomington IL;

Heat 4, 12 laps, No Time: 1. Josh Richards, Shinnston WV; 2. Curt Martin, Independence IA; 3. Ken Schrader, Concord NC; 4. Eric Jacobsen, Santa Cruz CA; 5. Nick Marolf, Moscow IA; 6. Matt Aukland, Fargo ND; 7. Justin Fegers, Mound MN; 8. Chris Smyser, Lancaster MO; 9. Jill George, Cedar Falls IA; 10. GR Smith, Mooresville NC; 11. Tim McCreadie, Avon NY; 12. Donnie Moran, Dresden OH;

Heat 5, 12 laps, 3:51.2: 1. Steve Francis, Ashland KY; 2. Eddie Carrier Jr, Salt Rock WV; 3. Darrell Lanigan, Union KY; 4. Dan Schlieper, Sullivan WI; 5. Chris Madden, Gaffney SC; 6. Mike Marlar, Winfield TN; 7. Denny Woodworth, Mendon IL; 8. Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown IA; 9. Paul Glendenning, Mount Ayr IA; 10. Jackie Boggs, Grayson KY; 11. Junior Coover, Norfolk NE; 12. Jason Conoyer, Ursa IL;

C-Feature, 15 laps, 5:01.5: 1. Kerry Hansen, Spencer WI; 2. Jackie Boggs, Grayson KY; 3. Mike Balcaen, Winnipeg, MB, Can. ; 4. Jeff Tharp, Sherrill IA; 5. Steve Kosiski, Papillion NE; 6. Andrew McKay, Edina MN; 7. Billy Drake, Bloomington IL; 8. Paul Glendenning, Mount Ayr IA; 9. Mitch Johnson, Hickson ND; 10. John Blankenship, Williamson WV; 11. Johnny Johnson, West Burlington IA; 12. GR Smith, Mooresville NC; 13. Levi Benn, Dyersville IA; 14. Alonzo Grosse, Council Bluffs IA; 15. Junior Coover, Norfolk NE; 16. Todd Cooney, Des Moines IA; 17. Jason Conoyer, Ursa IL; 18. Jill George, Cedar Falls IA;

B Feature, 20 laps, No Time: 1. Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine IA; 2. Darren Miller, Chadwick IL; 3. Tony Stewart, Rushville IN; 4. Chris Madden, Gaffney SC; 5. Chub Frank, Bear Lake PA; 6. Bart Hartman, Zanesville OH; 7. Jeep Van Wormer, Pinconning MI; 8. Kerry Hansen, Spencer WI; 9. Justin Fegers, Mound MN; 10. Chris Smyser, Lancaster MO; 11. Nick Marolf, Moscow IA; 12. Chris Spieker, Massena IA; 13. Matt Aukland, Fargo ND; 14. Todd Shute, Des Moines IA; 15. Jackie Boggs, Grayson KY; 16. Denny Woodworth, Mendon IL; 17. Jeff Tharp, Sherrill IA; 18. Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown IA; 19. Mike Marlar, Winfield TN; 20. Boone McLaughlin, Mediapolis IA; 21. Trent Follmer, Elk River MN; 22. Brian Shirley, Chatham IL; 23. Steve Shaver, Vienna WV;

A Feature, 25 laps, No Time: 1. Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg TN; 2. Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine IA; 3. Darrell Lanigan, Union KY; 4. Jimmy Mars, Menomonie WI; 5. Steve Francis, Ashland KY; 6. Billy Moyer, Batesville AR; 7. Darren Miller, Chadwick IL; 8. Josh Richards, Shinnston WV; 9. Dan Schlieper, Sullivan WI; 10. Scott James, Lawrenceburg IN; 11. Brady Smith, Solon Springs WI; 12. Rick Eckert, York PA; 13. Chris Madden, Gaffney SC; 14. Ken Schrader, Concord NC; 15. Matt Furman, Iowa City IA; 16. Andy Eckrich, Iowa City IA; 17. Tony Stewart, Rushville IN; 18. Curt Martin, Independence IA; 19. Eric Jacobsen, Santa Cruz CA; 20. Jeff Aikey, Cedar Falls IA; 21. Jay Johnson, West Burlington IA; 22. Mike Balcaen, Winnipeg, MB, Can. ; 23. Johnny Spaw, Cedar Rapids IA; 24. Eddie Carrier Jr, Salt Rock WV; 25. Shannon Babb, Moweaqua IL. Lap Leaders: Moyer 1-2; Bloomquist 3-25


Dirt Trucks RESULTS

Heat 1, 6 laps, 2:23.8: 1. Michael Hofmann, Adel IA; 2. Bret Moyer, Polk City IA; 3. Josh Hull, Altoona IA; 4. Carl Moyer, Ankeny IA; 5. Al Thayer, Indianola IA; 6. Jim Philipsen, Des Moines IA;

Heat 2, 6 laps, 2:24.4: 1. Matt Waugh, Des Moines IA; 2. (Car Number Not On File); 3. Lou Sipolt Jr., Altoona IA; 4. Bob Murray; 5. Jeff Luke, Earlham IA; 6. Del Enos, Des Moines IA;

A Feature , 15 laps, No Time: 1. Bret Moyer, Polk City IA; 2. Carl Moyer, Ankeny IA; 3. Lou Sipolt Jr., Altoona IA; 4. Josh Hull, Altoona IA; 5. Michael Hofmann, Adel IA; 6. Jeff Luke, Earlham IA; 7. Brian Murray, Altoona IA; 8. Bob Murray; 9. Al Thayer, Indianola IA; 10. Jim Philipsen, Des Moines IA; 11. Del Enos, Des Moines IA; 12. Matt Waugh, Des Moines IA;
Late Models RESULTS