Dirt on Dirt - Dominant J.D. captures $7,000 Knoxville opener

September 19

Knoxville Raceway,

Knoxville, IA

Sanction: Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (Knoxville Lucas Oil Nationals first prelim) - $7,000

Information provided by: Kevin Kovac, series and track reports (last updated September 20, 4:34 pm)

Dominant J.D. captures $7,000 Knoxville opener

Knoxville Lucas Oil Nationals first prelim

Jonathan Davenport
Bobby Pierce
Hudson O'Neal
Devin Moran
Tim McCreadie
Dillon McCowan
Tyler Erb
Ryan Gustin
Brian Shirley
Carson Ferguson
Garrett Alberson
Daulton Wilson
Chris Simpson
Mike Marlar
Chad Simpson
Max Blair
Drake Troutman
Ross Robinson
Brandon Sheppard
Tyler Bruening
Jimmy Owens
Boom Briggs
Matt Furman
Daniel Hilsabeck

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Heath Lawson/heathlawsonphotos.com

Jonathan Davenport led all the way for a $7,000 victory.

What won the race: Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., led all 25 laps from the outside front-row to win Thursday's opening $7,000 Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals preliminary feature. Davenport cruised to win by 1.470 seconds over eighth-starting Bobby Pierce, grabbing his fifth full-field Lucas Oil Series feature victory of the season and the 76th of his career.

Quotable: “(The car) actually felt pretty good. I thought I was starting seventh, like I go over there (to the series trailer) right after the heat races and they don’t have the lineups cause they can’t probably figure them out. Then when they do have them, they’re wrong,” Davenport said. “So, we do stuff to our car … pick tires and things like I’m gonna start seventh. I wasn’t really happy about that when we rolled out there, but I was happy we was starting up front.”

Key notes: Bobby Pierce, the night's top points earner, took the runner-up spot from Hudson O'Neal on a lap-15 restart before chasing Davenport the final 10 laps. ... The third-starting O'Neal trailed Davenport from laps 9-14 before giving way to Pierce and settling for third. ... Devin Moran also moved forward on the lap-15 restart, finishing fourth. ... Tim McCreadie slipped as low as eighth in the early going before rebounding to complete the top five. ... Dillon McCowan ran as high as third on lap seven before slipping to sixth. ... The race's lone caution came on lap 15 when Boom Briggs spun after contact from Matt Furman as they battled for 22nd. Both drivers called it a night. ... Daniel Hilsabeck slowed and pulled off just before the yellow flag; his team overcame a broken driveshaft during the heat race to transfer through the first consolation. ... The event's first 25-lap prelim lasted 12 minutes, with 19 competitors completing the distance and 20 running at the checkers. ... During Thursday’s drivers’ meeting, series director Rick Schwallie told teams that tour and track officials are closely monitoring the possibility of rain in Saturday’s forecast. He said they will adjust the schedule as necessary in order to get in the final points race of the circuit’s regular season. … Ricky Thornton Jr. retired after suffering two flat right-side tires while leading the first consolation. ... Garrett Smith was penalized in staging for having a disallowed tire before time trials; he was unable to complete a qualifying lap and failed to transfer out of his heat or the second consy.

On the move: Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., started 21st and finished ninth.

Winner's sponsors: Davenport’s Lance Landers Motorsports Longhorn Chassis carries sponsorship from Nutrien Ag Solutions, ASC Warranty, Dynagro Seed, Mark Martin Automotive, Mega Plumbing & HVAC, Lucas Oil, Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, Bilstein and Midwest Sheet Metal.

Points chase: Before Knoxville: 1. Ricky Thornton Jr. (5,635); 2. Jonathan Davenport (5,410); 3. Devin Moran (5,395); 4. Hudson O'Neal (4,905); 5. Tim McCreadie (4,890); 6. Garrett Alberson (4,715); 7. Daulton Wilson (4,605); 8. Mike Marlar (4,565); 9. Jimmy Owens (4,345); 10. Max Blair (4,300).

Current weather: Clear, 79°F

Car count: 40

Fast qualifier: Bobby Pierce

Time: 16.644 seconds

Polesitter: Chad Simpson

Heat race winners: Max Blair, Mike Marlar, Bobby Pierce, Ross Robinson

Consolation race winners: Brian Shirley, Garrett Alberson

Next series race: September 20, Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA) $7,000

Editor's note: Corrects first four rows of starting lineup; corrects photo credit.

From staff reports

KNOXVILLE, Iowa — Live updates from Thursday’s 20th annual Knoxville Lucas Oil Late Model Nationals first prelim night featuring a 25-lap, $7,000-to-win main event for Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned Super Late Models (results unofficial):

Feature

Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., led all 25 laps from the outside front-row to win Thursday's opening $7,000 Knoxville Lucas Oil Late Model Nationals preliminary feature. Davenport cruised to win by 1.470 seconds over eighth-starting Bobby Pierce, grabbing his fifth full-field Lucas Oil Series feature victory of the season and the 76th of his career. Pierce, the night's top points earner, took the runner-up spot from Hudson O'Neal on a lap-15 restart before chasing Davenport the final 10 laps.

Feature lineup

(25 laps)

Row 1: Chad Simpson, Jonathan Davenport
Row 2: Hudson O'Neal, Dillon McCowan
Row 3: Tim McCreadie, Devin Moran
Row 4: Ryan Gustin, Bobby Pierce
Row 5: Tyler Erb, Boom Briggs
Row 6: Chris Simpson, Carson Ferguson
Row 7: Max Blair, Mike Marlar
Row 8: Drake Troutman, Tyler Bruening
Row 9: Jimmy Owens, Ross Robinson
Row 10: Brandon Sheppard, Matt Furman
Row 11: Brian Shirley, Garrett Alberson
Row 12: Daniel Hilsabeck, Daulton Wilson

Consolation race results

(15 laps; top two transfer)

First consolation: Brian Shirley, Daniel Hilsabeck, Justin Zeitner, Tim Lance, Cory Lawler, Ricky Thornton Jr., Johnathan Huston, Aaron Marrant, Brenden Smith, Junior Coover.

Second consolation: Garrett Alberson, Daulton Wilson, Chase Junghans, Clay Harris, Dylan Sillman, Blair Nothdurft, Garrett Smith, Al Humphrey, Dan Battaglia. Scratched: Jeremy Petty.

Heat race recap

Pole-starting Max Blair led all 12 laps to win the first heat race by 2.554 seconds over fifth-starting Tim McCreadie. Ryan Gustin, the first group’s quickest qualifier, started sixth and finished third, while the Simpson brothers, Chad, and second-starting Chris, held on to complete the top-five finishers, punching their ticket into Thursday’s 25-lap, $7,000-to-win opener. … Mike Marlar led all 12 laps from the pole to win heat two by 1.702 seconds over third-starting Tyler Erb. Fifth-starting Hudson O’Neal finished third, with Jimmy Owens and Brandon Sheppard rounding out the top five. Brian Shirley, the heat's fastest qualifier, started and finished sixth. The lone caution flew on lap eight when Daniel Hilsabeck slowed from third with a broken driveshaft. Brenden Smith slowed on lap four with a flat left-front and pulled off under green. … Sixth-starting Bobby Pierce, the night’s fastest qualifier, powered by Dillon McCowan to take the lead on lap six and never looked back, winning heat three by 1.990 seconds over McCowan, who paced laps 3-5. Second-starting Carson Ferguson held on for third, while pole-starting Tyler Bruening slipped to fourth after leading the opening two circuits. Boom Briggs started third and finished fifth, grabbing the final transfer spot. … Ross Robinson overcame a late-race restart to lead all 12 laps and win the fourth and final heat race by 0.907 of a second over fourth-starting Jonathan Davenport. Devin Moran improved three spots and finished third, while second-starting Drake Troutman slipped to fourth. Matt Furman used a last-lap pass to steal fifth from Daulton Wilson by 0.142 of a second. The lone stoppage came on lap 11 when second-running Chase Junghans slammed the turn-one wall after losing a right-front tire. He was able to minimize the impact and expects to make repairs.

Heat race results

(12 laps; top five transfer)

First heat: Max Blair, Tim McCreadie, Ryan Gustin, Chad Simpson, Chris Simpson, Ricky Thornton Jr., Aaron Marrant, Justin Zeitner, Cory Lawler, Johnathan Huston.

Second heat: Mike Marlar, Tyler Erb, Hudson O'Neal, Jimmy Owens, Brandon Sheppard, Brian Shirley, Tim Lance, Daniel Hilsabeck, Brenden Smith. Scratched: Junior Coover.

Third heat: Bobby Pierce, Dillon McCowan, Carson Ferguson, Tyler Bruening, Boom Briggs, Garrett Alberson, Blair Nothdurft, Dylan Sillman, Dan Battaglia. Scratched: Jeremy Petty.

Fourth heat: Ross Robinson, Jonathan Davenport, Devin Moran, Drake Troutman, Matt Furman, Daulton Wilson, Clay Harris, Garrett Smith, Al Humphrey, Chase Junghans.

Time trials

Group A
Driver (car no.), hometown, time (unofficial)
1. Ryan Gustin (30), Marshalltown, Iowa, 16.959
2. Brian Shirley (3s), Chatham, Ill., 16.961
3. Tim McCreadie (1), Watertown, N.Y., 17.072
4. Hudson O’Neal (71), Martinsville, Ind., 17.079
5. Ricky Thornton Jr. (20rt), Chandler, Ariz., 17.087
6. Daniel Hilsabeck (22), Earlham, Iowa, 17.111
7. Chad Simpson (25c), Mount Vernon, Iowa, 17.170
8. Tyler Erb (1T), New Waverly, Texas, 17.197
9. Chris Simpson (32), Oxford, Iowa, 17.282
10. Brenden Smith (17ss), Dade City, Fla., 17.306
11. Max Blair (111), Centerville, Pa., 17.307
12. Mike Marlar (157), Winfield, Tenn., 17.317
13. Justin Zeitner (62), Malvern, Iowa, 17.400
14. Jimmy Owens (20), Newport, Tenn., 17.528
15. Aaron Marrant (1x), Richmond, Mo., 17.545
16. Brandon Sheppard (B5), New Berlin, Ill., 17.796
17. Johnathan Huston (42), Columbus Junction, Iowa, 17.911
18. Tim Lance (48), Brimfield, Ill., 17.923
19. Cory Lawler (93), Hanover, Pa., 18.550
20. Junior Coover (10), Norfolk, Neb., 18.804
Group B
1. Bobby Pierce (32), Oakwood, Ill., 16.644
2. Devin Moran (99), Dresden, Ohio, 16.837
3. Garrett Alberson (58), Las Cruces, N.M., 16.881
4. Daulton Wilson (18D), Fayetteville, N.C., 16.932
5. Dillon McCowan (8m), Urbana, Mo., 17.066
6. Jonathan Davenport (49), Blairsville, Ga., 17.169
7. Boom Briggs (99B), Bear Lake, Pa., 17.202
8. Chase Junghans (18), Manhattan, Kan., 17.302
9. Carson Ferguson (93F), Lincolnton, N.C., 17.303
10. Drake Troutman (7T), Hyndman, Pa., 17.351
11. Tyler Bruening (16), Decorah, Iowa, 17.385
12. Ross Robinson (7), Georgetown, Del., 17.554
13. Blair Nothdurft (76), Renner, S.D., 17.570
14. Clay Harris (6), Jupiter, Fla., 17.784
15. Dylan Sillman (35D), Alvo, Neb., 17.864
16. Matt Furman (51), Iowa City, Iowa, 18.039
17. Jeremy Petty (77), Smolan, Kan., 19.267
18. Al Humphrey (6H), Giltner, Neb., 19.464
19. Dan Battaglia (45D), Gretna, Neb., 19.937
20. Garrett Smith (10s), Eatonton, Ga., no time

Thursday’s schedule

(All times local)
10 a.m. - Hauler parking begins
2:30 p.m. - Pits open
2:45-5:45 p.m. - Tech and registration
4:30 p.m. - Suites open
5:30 p.m. - Grandstands open
6 p.m. - Drivers’ meeting
6:30 p.m. - On-track activity
- Late Model hot laps
- Truck hot laps
- Late Model time trials (2 laps)
Opening ceremonies
- Truck heats (6 laps)
- Late Model heats (12 laps)
Intermission
- Late Model consolations (15 laps)
- Truck feature (15 laps)
- Late Model feature (25 laps)