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Pearson Outlasts Owens in Winning CMH Showdown at Lucas Oil
Speedway
WHEATLAND, MO (July 18, 2009) - Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL
withstood the challenges of Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN to win his second
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series race of 2009. The series 4-time champion
earned $10,000 for himself and his car owner, NASCAR's Bobby Labonte on
Saturday Night in the CMH Late Model Showdown at Lucas Oil Speedway. In the
event co-sanctioned with the O'Reilly MLRA Late Models, Jimmy Mars of
Menomonie, WI finished third followed by John Anderson of Omaha, NE; and
Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA who earned the PBM Erson Cams Hard Charger
of the Race for finishing fifth after starting 17th.
Current Quarter Master Rookie of the Year contender John Blankenship started
on the pole alongside Anderson, the defending MLRA Champion. Anderson jumped
to a quick lead as he bolted away to immediately put three car lengths
between himself the second place running car of Blankenship.
With Anderson building a commanding lead early on, the first caution of the
race came out on lap six for debris betweens turns one and two. This wiped
out Anderson's big lead which had grown to six car lengths. Anderson
restarted on the front with the Delaware double -file restarts in order with
Blankenship and Wendell Wallace lined up side-by-side for the restart.
On the restart Anderson saw Wallace make the move for the lead passing at
the line for the race lead on lap eight. Only one lap later Anderson
regained the lead in a spirited race for the point. Wallace's bid for his
first ever Lucas Oil Series win came to a halt on lap nine as he suffered a
flat tire and stopped just off of the turn one embankment bringing out the
second caution of the race.
The race saw two more green flag laps when Pearson, who had started eighth
in the lineup roared to the lead on lap eleven just under the wire for a
caution brought out when Brad Neat looped his mount in turn two on lap
eleven for caution number three.
The restart had Pearson on the point as Anderson and Mars, who had started
eleventh was up to third. Mars then overhauled Anderson on the restart on
lap 12 as he made his way around Anderson. Another car on the move was Don
O'Neal who started ninth as he grabbed the third slot on lap 15 from
Anderson.
The top three of Pearson, Mars and O'Neal remained the same in the running
order as Jimmy Owens started to make some noise using the very top groove on
the race track as he was coming on strong moving into fourth and around
Anderson.
Owens then started to put the heat on O'Neal for third finally passing him
after the two raced side-by-side for two laps. At the halfway mark Pearson
held a good lead over Mars as the two started to battle through traffic.
Pearson put two lapped cars between himself and Mars with 26 laps complete
as he held a five car length lead at this point.
With twenty laps to go it was Pearson still showing the way over Mars,
Owens, who held steady in third, with O'Neal and Anderson still the top
five. The distance between the top remained the same when the fourth caution
for a slowing Will Vaught, who suffered a flat tire with 34 laps in the
record books.
On the restart Pearson led the field to the green, but two scored laps later
on lap 36 the fifth caution of the race would come out for Dan Schlieper in
turn four. On the restart there was contact between the cars of Dale
McDowell, O'Neal and Bloomquist as O'Neal suffered the worst end of the
chain reaction accident as he slid to a stop in turn number one as he had to
restart on the tail.
The final restart of the race would still have Pearson on the point, but
Owens who got the caution he was hoping for as he lined up side-by-side with
Mars, the driver he had just passed before the lap 36 caution to take over
second. On the restart with 14 laps to go Pearson and Owens then set up a
shootout to the finish. Pearson would maintain his running line on the
bottom of the racing surface and Owens would have to build up his momentum
on the top groove of the track. It would take Owens a couple of laps before
he pulled alongside Pearson for the lead coming off of the corners.
With five laps to Owens would pass Pearson at the flagstand to take a narrow
lead, but Pearson fought back to regain the lead a lap later, Pearson then
used the car of David Breazeale as a pick as he cleared Breazeale cleanly,
but Owens got bogged down behind Breazeale with two laps to go and virtually
sealed the deal for Pearson as he went on to pick up his second Lucas Oil
Late Model Dirt Series win of 2009 and his first since winning the Indiana
Icebreaker at Brownstown (IN) Speedway back in March.
In Lucas Oil Victory lane for the 16th time in his career which ties him
all-time with Scott Bloomquist, Pearson was among several admiring fans.
"The fans they saw a hell of a race, I knew he (Owens) was there all along
in the last part of the race, we raced each other clean, I felt like I gave
him plenty of him and he likewise, we've traveled up and down the road
together with the Lucas Oil Series all year long and he's tough to beat, but
we were able to get by Breazeale and got him pinned in there between us and
we able to hang on for the win," said the 37-year old racer.
"I have to thank my crew Matt and Devine for all of their help, the car was
just awesome out there, thanks also to Forrest Lucas for this great facility
and Gary Hubert who does the track work, the track was traceable all race
long and thanks to the fans for coming out here tonight, I am sure they
really enjoyed themselves."
Pearson's Bobby Labonte Racing MasterSbilt Race Car is powered by a Larry
Wallace Racing Engine and sponsored by Lucas Oil Slickmist, Sunoco Race
Fuels, Performance Rod and Custom, Allstar Performance and J-4 Liquid
Energy.
Owens finished second after quite an effort to get to the front. "My hat's
off to Earl, he drove a heck of a race out there, we weren't very good on
the bottom tonight, but up top the car was flying it would take me a few
laps after those last two cautions to get it going and really thought we
were going to pass him, but when the 54 car was there it was just one of
those things and he was running my line, but congratulations to Earl on the
win and we'll get 'em next time," said the driver f the Reece
Monuments/Cornett Racing Engines/Bloomquist Race Cars Ford Fusion.
Taking third was Mars in the Deppe Enterprises/Pro Power Engines/M-B Customs
Malibu with a fantastic finish for fourth on back as Anderson edged out
McDowell. Anderson was in the Shop Quick/Jay Dickens Racing Engines/MasterSbilt
Cadillac as McDowell gained some more points on Bloomquist in his Clint
Bowyer Racing/Custom Racing Engines/Warrior Race Cars Impala SS.
Completing the top ten were Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, A, Scott
Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN, Steve Casebolt of Richmond, IN, Shannon Babb
of Moweaqua, IL and Brad Neat of Dunnville,KY.
In preliminary action Shannon Babb was the PRC Fast Qualifier with a lap of
14.962 seconds among the 48 entrants on hand. Heat race winners were John
Blankenship, Dan Schlieper, John Anderson and Wendell Wallace. The B-mains
were captured by Dale McDowell and Steve Casebolt.
To find out more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, log on to
www.lucasdirt.com or call the series office at (951) 532-2503.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Saturday Night, July 18th, 2009
"CMH Late Model Challenge" @ Lucas Oil Speedway - Wheatland, MO
PRC Fast Time: Shannon Babb / 14.962 seconds
Hawk Brake First Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): John Blankenship, Bub McCool,
Don O'Neal, Shannon Babb, Eric Turner, Jason Hughes, John Mason, Jeremy
Kelley, Brantlee Gotschall, Reid Millard, Alan Vaughn, Larry Jones
Hawk Brake Second Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): Dan Schlieper, Will Vaught,
Jimmy Mars, Brad Neat, Dale McDowell, Ray Cook, Jason Bodenhamer, Michael
Walker, Rylan Long, Eric Jacobsen, Zachary Goulden, Larry Clawson
AFCO Racing Products Third Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): John Anderson,
Scott Bloomquist, Jimmy Owens, Bill Frye, Chris Smyser, Denny Woodworth,
Jeremy Payne, Jason Utter, Matt Johnson, Terry Phillips, PJ Haskins, Freddy
Smith-DNS
Tiger Rear Ends Fourth Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): Wendell Wallace, Earl
Pearson Jr., David Breazeale, Brian Birkhofer, Steve Casebolt, Al Purkey,
Brandon McCormick, David Turner, Joe Kosiski, Bill Koons, Brett Wood-DNS
Mason Racin' Rebel Shock Dyno First B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Dale
McDowell, Jason Hughes, Ray Cook, Eric Turner, John Mason, Jason Bodenhamer,
Larry Jones, Michael Walker, Eric Jacobsen, Larry Clawson, Jeremy Kelley,
Reid Millard, Zachary Goulden, Alan Vaughn, Brantlee Gotschall, Rylan
Long-DNS
Wiles Drive Shafts Second B-Main (12 Laps-Top 3 Advance): Steve Casebolt,
Eric Turner, Jeremy Payne, Chris Smyser, Jason Utter, Denny Woodworth,
Brandon McCormick, Joe Kosiski, Terry Phillips, David Turner, Bill Koons,
Matt Johnson, Freddy Smith, PJ Haskins-DNS, Brett Wood-DNS
Feature Finish (50 Laps): Earl Pearson Jr., Jimmy Owens, Jimmy Mars, John
Anderson, Dale McDowell, Brian Birkhofer, Scott Bloomquist, Steve Casebolt,
Shannon Babb, Brad neat, Don O'Neal, Eric Jacobsen, Ray Cook, John
Blankenship, Bill Frye, Will Vaught, Al Purkey, Dan Schlieper, David
Breazeale, Michael Walker, David Turner, Jeremy Payne, Wendell Wallace, Alan
Vaughn, Jason Hughes, Bub McCool, Freddy Smith
Finish (Start) Car Number Driver Name
1. (8) #44 Earl Pearson Jr.
2. (10) #20 Jimmy Owens
3. (11) #28M Jimmy Mars
4. (2) #2A John Anderson
5. (17) #17M Dale McDowell
6. (16) #15B Brian Birkhofer
7. (6) #0 Scott Bloomquist
8. (18) #c9 Steve Casebolt
9. (13) #18 Shannon Babb
10. (15) #41N Brad Neat
11. (9) #71 Don O'Neal
12. (23) #5 Eric Jacobsen
13. (21) #53 Ray Cook
14. (1) #23 John Blankenship
15. (14) #66 Bill Frye
16. (7) #1v Wil Vaught
17. (20) #33 Al Purkey
18. (3) #s9 Dan Schlieper
19. (12) #54 David Breazeale
20. (27) #64 Michael Walker
21. (26) #15T David Turner
22. (22) #74 Jeremy Payne
23. (4) #88 Wendell Wallace
24. (24) #6 Alan Vaughn
25. (19) #23H Jason Hughes
26. (5) #57J Bub McCool
27. (25) #00 Freddy Smith
Race Statistics
Entries: 47
Caution Flags: Lap 6 (debris); Lap 11 (Brad Neat); Lap 34 (Will Vaught); Lap
36 (Dan Schlieper); Lap 36 (Don O'Neal)
Lap Leaders: John Anderson (1-7); Wendell Wallace (8); John Anderson (9-10);
Earl Pearson, Jr. (11-44); Jimmy Owens (45); Earl Pearson, Jr. (46-50)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Eric Jacobsen, Freddy Smith
MLRA Provisionals: Alan Vaughn, David Turner
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisional: Michael Walker
PBM/Erson Cams Hard Charger of the Race: Dale McDowell (started 17th ;
finished 5th - advanced 12 positions)
Allstar Performance Performer of the Race: Eric Jacobsen
K&N Filters Clean Pass of the Race: Earl Pearson, Jr.
Quarter Master Rookie of the Race: John Blankenship
Comp Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Larry Wallace Racing Engines
Time of the Race: 40 minutes 24 seconds
2009 Championship Points Standings
1. Scott Bloomquist (Mooresburg, TN) 4555
2. Dale McDowell (Chickamauga, GA) 4335
3. Earl Pearson Jr. (Jacksonville, FL) 4315
4. Jimmy Owens (Newport, TN) 4285
5. Don O'Neal (Martinsville, IN) 4115
6. Steve Casebolt (Richmond, IN) 3995
7. Ray Cook (Brasstown, NC) 3950
8. Brad Neat (Dunnville, KY) 3630
9. Eric Jacobsen (Seacliffe Beach, CA) 3445
10. Dan Schlieper (Sullivan, WI) 3315
11. John Blankenship (Williamson, WV) 3300
12. David Breazeale (Four Corners, MS) 3065
13. Freddy Smith (Seymour, TN) 2780
16. Michael Walker (Franklin, TN) 2130
2009 Quarter Master Rookie of the Year Points Standings
1. John Blankenship (Williamson, WV) 3300
2. David Breazeale (Four Corners, MS) 3065
3. Michael Walker (Franklin, TN) 2260
4. Jeep VanWormer (Pinnconning, MI) 1590
2009 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Sponsors
ASI Racewear - "The Official Merchandise Vendor" of the Lucas Oil Late Model
Dirt Series
Dixie Chopper - "The Official Mower" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
E3 Spark Plugs - "The Official Spark Plug" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt
Series
General Tire - "The Official Tire" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Hoosier Tire - "The Official Race Tire" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt
Series
K&N Filters - "The Official Filter" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Lucas Oil Products - "The Official Oil" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt
Series
R&L Carrier - "The Official Carrier" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Sunoco Race Fuels - "The Official Fuel" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt
Series
SuperClean - "The Official Degreaser" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt
Series
2009 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Supporters Include: 5150 Race
Trailers, Afco Racing Products, Allstar Performance, American Racer Tire,
Banshee Graphics, Bloomquist Race Cars, COMP Cams, Cornett Racing Engines,
Cruise with the Champions, Custom Race Engines, DART Machinery, Dyers Top
Rods, Envy Suspensions, Erson Cams/ PBM, GRT Race Cars, Hawk Performance
Brake Pads, Integra Shocks, Jay Dickens Racing Engines, JRI Shocks/
Precision Suspensions, Larry Wallace Engines, Malcuit Racing Engines, Mason
Racin', Ohlins, Penske Shocks, Performance Bodies, Performance Rod &
Customs, Pro Power Racing, Quarter Master, Rhyne Competition Engines, Rick
Schwallie Photography, Rocket Chassis, Tiger Rearends, Vic Hill Racing
Engines, Victory Circle Chassis, Warrior Race Cars, WD Enterprises, Wiles
Driveshafts, and Wrisco Aluminum.
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