May 30, 2014 - In a classic battle between two Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Champions, Jimmy Owens and Scott Bloomquist, Owens emerged victorious over Bloomquist Friday night at Tazewell Speedway. Owens passed Bloomquist on the 36th lap and then sailed away for his second series win of the season in front of a huge crowd at the Toyota Knoxville 50. Bloomquist led the first 36 laps of the event until he got trapped behind a lapped car and Owens swept by him on the outside coming off of turn number four. Bloomquist then had to hold off hard-charging Chris Madden to finish second. Current series point’s leader, Don O’Neal came home fourth, followed by 2-time track champion, Billy Ogle, Jr.

“The car was just great all night,” said the driver of the Club 29 Chassis owned by Mike Reece. “”The race got off to a rough start; I think it was a little bit slimy down low there in one and two, and when I saw Scott catch the traffic, I figured I might as well go in harder in turns three and four up top. It worked out for us! It has been a long day, my mom had surgery this morning, and they may have to re-do it again tomorrow, so my thoughts are with her.”

“I have to thank Mike Reece for making my dream come true to race full-time! We have a great crew. Many thanks to all my sponsors: Reece Monument Company, Midwest Sheet Metal, Edge Services, Sunoco, Ohlins, Keyser, C&C Trucking, Cornett Engines, and FORD. It’s always great to come here and race close to home in front of the fans. We don’t get to do it often, but it’s really nice when we win,” said Owens after recording his 46th career LOLMDS win.

Completing the top ten were Jared Landers, Eddie Carrier Jr., Jason Hughes, Earl Pearson Jr. and Jason Papich. In preliminary action, Scott Bloomquist set the overall Miller Welders Fast Time amongst the 21 entrants, with a lap of 11.150 seconds. Scott Bloomquist, Jimmy Owens, and Don O’Neal won their respective heat races.

The scariest moments of the night came early in the fifty lap feature. On lap one contact between Dennis Erb Jr; Josh Henry and Jeff Wolfenbarger in turn one would end up with Wolfenbarger flipping once and landing on all four wheels. He would emerge uninjured. Henry and Erb would go pitside with heavy body damage yet return to finish twelvth and thirteenth respectively. On lap two Steve Francis would take a wild ride after making contact with John Blankenship with Francis tumbling in turn two after being tagged by Jason Papich. After a few tense moments Francis would climb out of the car with help from the rescue squad shaken up yet unscathed.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Toyota Knoxville 50
1. 20 Jimmy Owens
2. 0 Scott Bloomquist
3. 44M Chris Madden
4. 5 Don O'Neal
5. 201 Billy Ogle Jr.
6. 777 Jared Landers
7. 28 Eddie Carrier Jr.
8. 12 Jason Hughes
9. 44 Earl Pearson Jr.
10. 91 Jason Papich
11. 62 Cody King
12. B00 Josh Henry
13. 28e Dennis Erb Jr.
14. 22 Matthew Holt
15. 25 Bobby Mays
16. 23 John Blankenship
17. 15h Wade Howerton
18. 5J Eric Jacobsen
19. 15 Steve Francis
20. 28W Jeff Wolfenbarger
DNS 10 Chad Ogle

With a packed house on hand fans from all over the country and even Canada witnessed the Tazewell Speedway support classes put on the exciting shows that entertain the fans who visit us every Saturday night.

Last Saturday night's Sportsman feature winner Josh Fields of Tazewell would set fast time among eleven entries and draw the outside front row spot after the invert draw. He would share the front row with Clyde Overholt also from Tazewell. Overholt would take the early lead followed closely by Fields and Jordon Horton. The first caution would come out as Fields slowed on lap two with a flat tire. As he was attempting to come off of the track several cars tangled up behind him including Heath Alvey who retired with damage. On the restart Horton sets his sights on taking the lead from Overholt. By lap seven the duo had distanced themselves from the rest of the field by almost half a track with Horton using the bottom groove in the turns looking for an advantage. On lap twelve Horton seized the opportunity and dove inside of Overholt to take away the lead. Horton would lead the remaining laps to earn his fifth win of the season in the River Place on the Clinch, Brabson Trucking and Excavating, Discount Parts City, Greasy Rock Auto Shop, Southern Pride Land & Cattle sponsored Warrior Chevrolet SS. After the race a protest was issued against Horton's engine. After a post-race inspection the engine was deemed legal.

Sportsman
1. 56H Jordon Horton
2. 4 Clyde Overholt
3. 8 Jacon owens
4. 11 Josh Fields
5. 007 Matt Shockley
6. 30 Taylor Coffman
7. 1 Josh Chesney
8. 34V Jason Varner
9. 7 Heath Alvey
10. 2 Steve Smith
DNS 11 Richie Bean

Robbie Buchanan, last year's Modified Street points champion, would set quick time in Modified Street qualifying and draw a three in the invert draw. This would out Dakotah Knuckles on the pole alongside Brad Davis. Davis would use the outside starting position to shoot his way into the lead. Behinf him Knuckles and Davis brought the crowd to their feet as they fought furiously for the entire feature for second. As the white flag was displayed they would make contact going into turn three with both cars crashing. Mitchell Burke, in his first season of racing, would finish in career best second. Meanwhile Davis picked up his fourth win of the season in the Debbie Fields-The Realty Group, Old Town Grill, Jeffers Exterminating, Southern Outdoors, Andrews Construction, Tires Etc, Superior Construction, Soul Bleeds, Country Gun and Pawn, Allen Earl Photography, Phantom Race Engines, Rainmaker Race Cars Camaro.

Modified Street
1. 88 Brad Davis
2. 54 Mitchell Burke
3. 21k Dakotah Knuckles
4. P21 Robbie Buchanan
5. 56 Tony Horton
6. 37 Shane Taylor
7. 20 Scottie Atkins

Phillip Thompson was quickest among eleven entries in Classic Car qualifying and started on the outside of the front row of the feature with Joe Keck. Thompson would jump into the lead with Keck following closely in his tracks. Thompson would lead every lap fighting off Keck. WIth two laps to go Keck's car bobbled in turn four allowing Matt Tharp to slip into second. Thompson took the checkered flag yet his victory celebration was thwarted as a protest was issued on his engine. After the tear-down one of the cylinder heads was found to have an improper casting number which disqaulified Thompson. Tharp would be awarded his third win of the season in the Autism Awareness, Loving Hands Pet Care, Red Eyes Racing Classic Car.

Classic Cars
1. 20 Matt Tharp
2. 78 Joe Keck
3. 99 Justin Overton
4. 8 Josh Chesney
5. 13J Joel Wolfenbarger
6. C74 Cliff Lane
7. 59 Shawn Walton
8. 3 Marvin Ray
9. 18 Eli Keck
DNS 88 Richie Overholser
DQ'd 24 Phillip Thompson

Jonathan Miracle scored his fourth win of the season in the Dennis Whitaker owned Dodge Ram truck. Miracle had his hands full for the entire feature holding off Jason Saylor and Michael Boyd.

Pure Street
1. 26 Jonathan Miracle
2. 5 Jason Saylor
3. 21 Michael Boyd

Randy Dyke of Newport recorded his second 4 Cylinder win of the season. Chuck McMahan would mount an early challenge yet faded in the latter laps.

4 Cylinder
1. 111 Randy Dyke
2. 99 Chuck McMahan
3. 66 Aaron Hayes
4. 2 Roger Hurst

This Saturday night June 7th we present the Classic Car Challenge with twin features and double points for the Classic Cars. Also racing will be our Tazewell Late Models, Sportsman, Modified Street, Pure Street and 4 Cylinders.