Davenport Triumphant at CMH Diamond Nationals
Photo: Lloyd Collins
WHEATLAND, MO (July 11th, 2015) – Jonathan Davenport roared to his eighth Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win of the season on Saturday Night at Lucas Oil Speedway. Davenport inherited the lead on lap 16 when race leader Billy Moyer slowed on the front stretch and left the race. Davenport then sprinted away to win his first career CMH Diamond Nationals victory. The event was co-sanctioned with the Lucas Oil Midwest Late Model Racing Association.
Scott Bloomquist’s rig broke down in Kentucky on the way to the track. He jumped in Jared Landers’ back-up car and charged from 17th to finish second. Jimmy Owens was third, followed by Brandon Sheppard and Chris Simpson, who started 22nd.
“What a win! We didn’t leave North Carolina until 4 o’clock this morning. We got here just before the drivers meeting. I don’t know what else I can say about this Longhorn Chassis. It’s been a great year so far. With all the rain they have had here, the track was really good.”
“I can’t thank Kevin and Le Roy Rumley, all of my sponsors: TS Crane Service, Sundance Services, Sundance Flowback Well Testing, Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas, JRi Shocks, and Bryson Motorsports enough for all that every single one of them do for us. I don’t know what we will change on the car for the Show-Me 100 tomorrow night; we will decide that tomorrow. We are all going to bed and get some rest,” said Davenport.
Jared Landers bolted from his outside front row starting spot to take the lead at the start of the race. Landers held the point until fellow front row starter Billy Moyer took over the lead on lap 13. Landers then fell to third and in attempt to retake Davenport for second; he lost control and spun into the turn one wall.
On the restart Moyer led for two circuits, but slowed just past the flag-stand and stopped in turn two to bring out a caution on lap 16. Davenport then picked up the lead and sped away to the finish.
A long day for Bloomquist ended with a podium finish in second. “I want to thank Lance Landers for letting me drive his car. It helps a lot to jump into a car you built. We made a few changes after each time we were on the track. It’s a really good car. I don’t know if they will let me drive it again or not,” said a smiling Bloomquist. “Hopefully our car will get here tomorrow. I would like to thank Reece Monument Company, Crop Production Services, Mark Martin Automotive, and all of our other sponsors who help us out.”
Owens has dominated the Diamond Nationals several times in the past and was pleased with his third place finish in the Rowland Racing, Widow Wax, Club 29 Ford. “That 6 car is a roll this year, no doubt about it! I thought we had something early for them, but we will make some adjustments and come back tomorrow night.”
Completing the top ten were Tony Jackson, Jr., Shannon Babb, Eddie Carrier Jr., Chris Brown, and Garrett Alberson.
In preliminary action, Billy Moyer set the overall Miller Welders Fast Time (Group A) amongst the 48 entrants, with a lap of 15.104 seconds. Jared Landers set the fastest time in Group B with a time of 15.299 seconds. Billy Moyer, Jason Papich, Jared Landers, and Jimmy Owens won their respective heat races. Scott Bloomquist and Jesse Stovall won their respective B-Mains.
Jonathan Davenport also collected an additional $500 bonus courtesy of Kenny’s Tile Racing.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Saturday, July 11th, 2015
CMH Diamond Nationals
Lucas Oil Speedway – Wheatland, MO
Miller Welders Fast Time Group A: Billy Moyer / 15.104 seconds
Miller Welders Fast Time Group B: Jared Landers / 15.299 seconds
Eibach Springs Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Billy Moyer, Chris Brown, Brandon Sheppard, Hunter Rasdon, Brantlee Gotschall, Jason O’Brien, Gavin Landers, Raymond Merrill, Jason Bodenhamer, Gordy Gundaker, Reid Millard, Dan Shepherd
FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Jason Papich, Garrett Alberson, Dennis Erb, Jr., Eddie Carrier, Jr., Scott Bloomquist, Chad Simpson, Don O’Neal, Shannon Babb, Mark Dotson, Jake O’Neil, Richard Kimberling, Steve Johnson-DNS
Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Jared Landers, Jonathan Davenport, Tony Jackson, Jr., Kent Robinson, Jesse Stovall, Ryan Gustin, Steve Francis, Robert Baker, RC Whitwell, Wendell Wallace, Terry Phillips, Ben Nicastri
QA1 Heat Race #4 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Jimmy Owens, Jeremy Payne, Kolby Vandenbergh, Jacob Magee, Brian Shirley, Jason Utter, Earl Pearson, Jr., Chris Simpson, Devin Moran, Scott Lewis, Austin Siebert, Kyle Berck-DNS
Fast Shafts B-Main #1 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Scott Bloomquist, Shannon Babb, Brantlee Gotschall, Don O’Neal, Jason O’Brien, Raymond Merrill, Jason Bodenhamer, Mark Dotson, Gavin Landers, Richard Kimberling, Steve Johnson, Jake O’Neil, Reid Millard, Chad Simpson, Dan Shepherd, Gordy Gundaker
Keyser MFG B-Main #2 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Jesse Stovall, Brian Shirley, Chris Simpson, Earl Pearson, Jr., Steve Francis, Robert Baker, Jason Utter, Devin Moran, Scott Lewis, Wendell Wallace, RC Whitwell, Ryan Gustin, Terry Phillips, Austin Siebert, Ben Nicastri, Kyle Berck-DNS
Feature Finish (50 Laps):
| FINISH | START | CAR # | DRIVER NAME | HOMETOWN |
| 1 | 6 | 6 | Jonathan Davenport | Mount Airy, NC |
| 2 | 17 | 7x | Scott Bloomquist | Mooresburg, TN |
| 3 | 4 | 20 | Jimmy Owens | Newport, TN |
| 4 | 9 | B5 | Brandon Sheppard | New Berlin, IL |
| 5 | 22 | R5 | Chris Simpson | Oxford, IA |
| 6 | 10 | 56J | Tony Jackson, Jr. | Lebanon, MO |
| 7 | 19 | 18 | Shannon Babb | Mowequa, IL |
| 8 | 15 | 28 | Eddie Carrier, Jr. | Salt Rock, WV |
| 9 | 5 | 21b | Chris Brown | Spring, TX |
| 10 | 7 | F5 | Garrett Alberson | Las Cruces, NM |
| 11 | 11 | 28e | Dennis Erb, Jr. | Carpentersville, IL |
| 12 | 3 | 91p | Jason Papich | Nipomo, CA |
| 13 | 27 | 15 | Steve Francis | Ashland, KY |
| 14 | 24 | 5 | Don O’Neal | Martinsville, IN |
| 15 | 8 | 186 | Jeremy Payne | Springfield, MO |
| 16 | 23 | 1 | Earl Pearson, Jr. | Jacksonville, FL |
| 17 | 26 | 31U | Jason Utter | Columbus Junction, IA |
| 18 | 16 | 10m | Jacob Magee | Caney, KS |
| 19 | 21 | 4G | Brantlee Gotschall | Nevada, MO |
| 20 | 13 | R5x | Hunter Rasdon | Jonesboro, AR |
| 21 | 1 | 21 | Billy Moyer | Batesville, AR |
| 22 | 25 | 75 | Terry Phillips | Springfield, MO |
| 23 | 12 | 15V | Kolby Vandenbergh | Ashland, IL |
| 24 | 28 | 99m | Devin Moran | Dresden, OH |
| 25 | 18 | 00 | Jesse Stovall | Billings, MO |
| 26 | 14 | 7R | Kent Robinson | Bloomington, IN |
| 27 | 2 | 777 | Jared Landers | Batesville, AR |
| 28 | 20 | 3s | Brian Shirley | Chatham, IL |
