LaSalle Speedway results from the Spring Shootout event on May 18th, 2017 featuring Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Tonight the Lucas Oil Dirt Series unloaded at LaSalle Speedway. A 1/4 mile, high banked clay oval in LaSalle, Illinois. It’s the return of bullring racing on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series tour!
View full LaSalle Speedway results from the Spring Shootout below. This is a spoiler free race report.
Click here to view racing photos from LaSalle Speedway
Mike Marlar set overall quick time at 12.732 seconds. Scott Bloomquist qualified 2nd, Tim McCreadie 3rd and Josh Richards 5th. All the points challengers would have a front row starting spot in their heats. The track was full of moister for qualifying, big cushion to bounce off of. Several drivers entering turn 3 would dig a chunk out the racetrack. Their front nose became a spoon, sending dirt flying 50 feet. It’s going to be some great racing tonight.
Mike Marlar won heat race number one. He fought off an early charge from Hudson O’Neal. However, Hudson made a mistake in turns 3-4, allowing Marlar to pull away. His father also slipped passed.
In heat race number 2, we had a scary moment. Early in the race Earl Pearson Jr caught a rut at the entrance of turn 1. His car lifted, he might have made contact with another car after that. He barrel rolled through the middle of turns 1-2. It was a scary accident, though he did walk away. Once carried away, the #1 dirt late model left an in-print of a carburetor in the track surface.
Related: Earl Pearson Jr Flip Sequence Photo Album
As Scott Bloomquist went mostly uncontested in heat number two. Josh Richards made an early attempt at the lead. Richards tried the high side. Though, he slipped in the marbles and nearly lost 3rd to Steve Francis. Meanwhile, as Bloomquist was taking the checkered flag, the EPJ camp was already rolling out the backup. Earl Pearson Jr after flipping wildly in his heat, looks to be taking a provisional starting spot in the tail of the main event.
Heat number 3, Tim McCreadie was checking out on the field. However, he pushed high on the exit of turn two. That nullified the gap he built to Bobby Pierce. The midwest runner dove to the inside of McCreadie, made it stick. A late race pass put Bobby Pierce ahead at the line.
Pro-actively, track officials went to work on the racetrack. They smoothed out the bumps, high and low. 3-4 pieces of equipment circled for about 10 minutes.
Gregg Satterlee won the B-Main. Shannon Babb made things interesting. He made a last lap pass on Weaver to take the runner-up spot.
The feature is next. 50 laps of bullring racing at LaSalle Speedway. The track is racy and the winner is going home with $10,000.
Green Flag. Marlar gets a great jump on the restart. However, Scott Bloomquist finds speed on the outside in turns 1-2. He powered around the outside, taking the lead on the first lap.
By lap 15, Scott Bloomquist cleared the second place runner by several car lengths. Meanwhile, Josh Richards is comingm he’s fast. He started 5th, he’s just worked his way to 2nd.
Josh Richards has found speed on the bottom. The leader Bloomquist is working the high-side. Josh Richards is coming fast. He catches Bloomquist in no time, drives to the inside.
Bloomquist noticeably picks up the intensity. The car is looking more aggressive. But Richards slips in 1-2. The #1car hit a rut, jacking the car sideways, he’s lost a ton of ground.
Josh is riding the inside berm in turn 3-4. His left front wheel is hanging over the edge completely. They’ve caught lapped traffic, the lappers are clogging up the bottom groove.
Josh Richards has to find a new line. Bloomquist continues his usual line. Lappers low, the battle for the lead up high. Richards loses a bit of ground. It’s a short breather, Josh Richards is back to his bumper in no time.
Lap 35, Richards looks low. He’s there! Bloomquist is riding the bumps harder on the outside. It’s not enough to hold off Richards. He’s gone. Richards is now checking out on the field. Bloomquist is trying the Richards line, it’s not working.
I spoke too soon! Lap 45, five laps to go. The leader has just spun out in turns 1-2. The same bump got the leader, he will be sent to the tail. Bobby Pierce is also parked on the outside wall.
After struggles at his hometrack, Scott Bloomquist rebounds! He wins at LaSalle Speedway.
Mike Marlar runs 2nd. Dennis Erb Jr fought from deep in the pack to 3rd. The track was very exciting tonight. Multiple grooves allowed Dennis Erb to climb from his 10th place starting position.
Scott Bloomquist comments from victory lane, “I would like to thank my crew; they have worked their butts off the last few weeks building a new car after we wrecked one in Ohio. The top line was fast tonight, but it was also treacherous in spots. A little below that there were some slick spots and I think maybe that’s what caused him [Richards] to spin.”
“I would like to thank Ed Petroff of Petroff Towing – he was here tonight – also CPS Crop Production Services, Reece Monument Company, Base Race Fuels, Mark Martin Automotive, Sorbera Chiropractic, Horton Coal, Crossfit by Overton, Sweet-Bloomquist Race Cars, and Andy Durham Racing Engines.”
Tomorrow, the Lucas Oil Late Models head to Luxemburg Speedway. The second round of the Spring Shootout takes place in Luxemburg, WI. On Saturday, the tour heads to Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, MN.
Author: Shane Walters
Scott Bloomquist Photos
LaSalle Speedway
QUALIFYING
LaSalle Speedway
May 18th, 2017
Miller Welders Fast Time Group A: Mike Marlar / 12.732 seconds
Miller Welders Fast Time Group B: Chris Simpson / 12.875 seconds
HEAT 1
LaSalle Speedway
May 18th, 2017
Eibach Springs Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 6 Transfer): Mike Marlar, Don O’Neal, Hudson O’Neal, Dennis Erb, Jr., Chris Simpson, Darrell Lanigan, Gregg Satterlee, Mitch McGrath, Jason Feger, Brent Larson
HEAT 2
LaSalle Speedway
May 18th, 2017
FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 6 Transfer): Scott Bloomquist, Josh Richards, Steve Francis, Jimmy Owens, Frank Heckenast, Jr., Taylor Scheffler, Scott Schmitt, Kolby Vandenbergh, Jeff Riddell, Earl Pearson, Jr.
HEAT 3
LaSalle Speedway
May 18th, 2017
Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, Top 6 Transfer): Bobby Pierce, Tim McCreadie, Steve Casebolt , Mike Mataragas, Spencer Diercks, Boom Briggs, Kevin Weaver, Rich Bell, Shannon Babb
B-Main 1
LaSalle Speedway
May 18th, 2017
Penske Racing Shocks B-Main #1 Finish (12 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Gregg Satterlee, Shannon Babb, Kevin Weaver, Jason Feger, Scott Schmitt, Rich Bell, Brent Larson, Mitch McGrath, Kolby Vandenbergh, Jeff Riddell, Earl Pearson Jr.-DNS
A-MAIN
LaSalle Speedway Results
May 18th, 2017
Feature Finish (50 Laps):
| FINISH | START | CAR # | DRIVER NAME | HOMETOWN | EARNINGS |
| 1 | 2 | 0 | Scott Bloomquist | Mooresburg, TN | $11,100 |
| 2 | 1 | 157 | Mike Marlar | Winfield, TN | $5,500 |
| 3 | 10 | 28E | Dennis Erb, Jr. | Carpentersville, IL | $4,200 |
| 4 | 4 | 5 | Don O’Neal | Martinsville, IN | $3,550 |
| 5 | 6 | 39 | Tim McCreadie | Watertown, NY | $2,950 |
| 6 | 20 | 18 | Shannon Babb | Mowequa, IL | $1,800 |
| 7 | 11 | 20 | Jimmy Owens | Newport, TN | $2,300 |
| 8 | 13 | 32C | Chris Simpson | Oxford, IA | $1,300 |
| 9 | 16 | 14 | Darrell Lanigan | Union, KY | $1,900 |
| 10 | 9 | C9 | Steve Casebolt | Richmond, IN | $1,100 |
| 11 | 5 | 1R | Josh Richards | Shinnston, WV | $1,775 |
| 12 | 14 | 99JR | Frank Heckenast, Jr. | Frankfort, IL | $1,050 |
| 13 | 19 | 22 | Gregg Satterlee ® | Rochester Mills, PA | $1,825 |
| 14 | 8 | 15 | Steve Francis | Bowling Green, KY | $1,700 |
| 15 | 12 | 1m | Mike Mataragas | DeKalb, IL | $950 |
| 16 | 15 | 29d | Spencer Diercks | Davenport, IA | $925 |
| 17 | 3 | 32 | Bobby Pierce | Oakwood, IL | $900 |
| 18 | 17 | 10S | Taylor Scheffler | Waukesha, WI | $875 |
| 19 | 18 | 99B | Boom Briggs ® | Bear Lake, PA | $1,550 |
| 20 | 24 | 15V | Kolby Vandenbergh | Ashland, IL | $825 |
| 21 | 22 | 25F | Jason Feger | Bloomington, IL | $800 |
| 22 | 21 | B12 | Kevin Weaver | Gibson City, IL | $800 |
| 23 | 7 | 71 | Hudson O’Neal ® | Martinsville, IN | $1,500 |
| 24 | 23 | 1 | Earl Pearson, Jr. | Jacksonville, FL | $1,600 |
Race Statistics
Entrants: 29
Lap Leaders: Scott Bloomquist (Laps 1 – 36); Josh Richards (Laps 36 – 45); Scott Bloomquist (Laps 46 – 50)
Cautions: Hudson O’Neal (Lap 11); Josh Richards (Lap 45); Spencer Diercks, Taylor Scheffler (Lap 45)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Earl Pearson Jr.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: n/a
Miller Welders Fast Time Provisional: Kolby Vandenbergh
Wrisco Feature Winner: Scott Bloomquist
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Shannon Babb (Started: 20th; Finished: 6th; Advanced 14 Positions)
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Scott Bloomquist
Allstar Performance Power Move of the Race: Shannon Babb
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Don O’Neal
Hot Rod Processing Rookie of the Race: Gregg Satterlee
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Durham Racing Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Sweet-Bloomquist Race Cars
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Heather Lyne (Dennis Erb Jr.)
Fastest Lap of the Race: Scott Bloomquist (Lap #1 – 12.9181 seconds)
Safecraft Most Laps Led: Scott Bloomquist (40 Laps)
PFC Brakes Pole Award: Mike Marlar
Time of Race: 24 minutes 34 seconds
Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:
| POS | CAR # | DRIVER NAME | HOMETOWN | POINTS | EARNINGS |
| 1 | 0 | Scott Bloomquist | Mooresburg, TN | 2950 | $94,425 |
| 2 | 39 | Tim McCreadie | Watertown, NY | 2780 | $70,100 |
| 3 | 1R | Josh Richards | Shinnston, WV | 2695 | $69,300 |
| 4 | 5 | Don O’Neal | Martinsville, IN | 2630 | $55,775 |
| 5 | 20 | Jimmy Owens | Newport, TN | 2585 | $49,025 |
| 6 | 1 | Earl Pearson, Jr. | Jacksonville, FL | 2495 | $46,900 |
| 7 | 14 | Darrell Lanigan | Union, KY | 2455 | $37,175 |
| 8 | 28E | Dennis Erb, Jr. | Carpentersville, IL | 2370 | $33,250 |
| 9 | 15 | Steve Francis | Bowling Green, KY | 2225 | $27,125 |
| 10 | 22 | Gregg Satterlee ® | Rochester Mills, PA | 2155 | $27,125 |
| 11 | 71 | Hudson O’Neal ® | Martinsville, IN | 2120 | $22,475 |
| 12 | 99B | Boom Briggs ® | Bear Lake, PA | 2020 | $20,750 |
*Points are unofficial until Close of Business on the Tuesday following Race Day*
MORE LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL DIRT
2017 Schedule/Results | Lucas Oil Dirt Section
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