UNION, Ky. (Aug. 9) — Based on their performances in Friday’s double round of heat races, Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn., and Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., will start on the front row of Saturday’s 37th annual Sunoco North-South 100 at Florence Speedway.

Owens and Bloomquist were the top finishers in combined passing points after two rounds of preliminary heat races for the $50,000-to-win crown jewel event. A total of 16 drivers were locked in to Saturday’s 100-lap finale based on their combined heat race finishes. Cars will lineup in the order of their passing points totals.

Winning his first heat race of the night, Owens rallied from the sixth starting spot to pick up another preliminary victory in Friday’s second round of action. Running third in his first heat race, Bloomquist rallied from seventh to win his second prelim.

Following Owens and Bloomquist were former North-South 100 winner Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill., and Stormy Scott of Las Cruces, N.M. Charging from eighth to first in his first heat race, Hudson O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind., rounded out the top five in passing points totals.

Blog-style reports:

Combined passing points

1. Jimmy Owens - 132.08
2. Scott Bloomquist - 120.56
3. Bobby Pierce - 120.56
4. Stormy Scott - 118.80
5. Hudson O’Neal - 118.32
6. Ricky Weiss - 114.80
7. Jonathan Davenport - 114.80
8. Kyle Bronson - 113.04
9. Mike Marlar - 109.04
10. Chris Madden - 107.28
11. Devin Gilpin - 106.80
12. Tyler Erb - 105.04
13. Zak Blackwood - 103.28
14. Devin Moran - 103.28
15. Kyle Strickler - 103.28
16. Earl Pearson Jr. - 103.28

Sixth heat

Outside polesitter Tyler Erb shot to an early lead, with sixth-starting Jimmy Owens charging around the top side to assume the point on the third lap. A yellow flag waved on the fourth lap when Kevin Weaver slowed off the pace. Owens maintained his lead on the restart, with Zack Dohm overtaking Erb for second. Fourth-running Kyle Bronson slipped over the berm in turns one and two on the sixth lap, but was able to hold on to his position. Owens stretched his lead to a half straigtaway late-race, picking up the heat race win. Dohm finished second, with Erb running third.

Finish: Jimmy Owens, Zack Dohm, Tyler Erb, Kyle Bronson, Josh Rice, Zak Blackwood, Mike Provenzano, Roger Williams, Kevin Weaver.

Fifth heat

Rolling around the top side, second-starting Stormy Scott edged ahead of polesitter Tim McCreadie to take an early lead. Scott went unchallenged through the first half of the distance, holding a comfortable lead over second-running McCreadie. Third-starting Chris Madden slid ahead of McCreadie in turn four to take second on the eighth lap. Scott won the heat, with Madden and McCreadie rounding out the podium.

Finish: Stormy Scott, Chris Madden, Tim McCreadie, Kent Robinson, Nick Hoffman, Michael Norris, Frank Heckenast Jr., Todd Brennan.

Fourth heat

Polesitter Donald McIntosh charged to an early lead, with Scott Bloomquist advancing from seventh to run in fifth on the first lap. Powering ahead of Jeff Alsip and Austin Rettig into turn three, Bloomquist took third on the fourth circuit. McIntosh held a comfortable lead at the halfway point, with second-running Devin Moran attempting to reel in the race leader. A yellow flag flew on the seventh lap when Billy Moyer Jr. slowed on the frontstretch. McIntosh, Moran and Bloomquist raced three-wide out of turn four on the restart, with Bloomquist assuming the point on the ninth circuit. Bloomquist won the heat, with Moran edging out McIntosh to finish second.

Finish: Scott Bloomquist, Devin Moran, Donald McIntosh, Austin Rettig, Jason Miller, Jeff Alsip, Paul Stubber, Austin Burns, Billy Moyer Jr.

Third heat

Polesitter Earl Pearson Jr. edged ahead of second-starting Hudson O’Neal to lead the opening lap, with O’Neal slipping back to fourth on the second circuit. It was a tight battle for second in the early running between Ricky Weiss and Jonathan Davenport, with Brandon Overton challenging O’Neal for fourth at the halfway mark. Weiss began reeling in Pearson late-race, within just a couple of car lengths of the race leader with two laps remaining. Pearson held off Weiss to win the heat, with Davenport finishing third.

Finish: Earl Pearson Jr., Ricky Weiss, Jonathan Davenport, Hudson O’Neal, Brandon Overton, Dale McDowell, Greg Johnson, Trevor Landrum, Duane Chamberlain.

Second heat

Polesitter Billy Green edged ahead of fellow front-row starter Bobby Pierce to lead the opening lap, with Robby Hensley challenging Pierce for second in the early running. Charging around the high side, Pierce began closing the gap between himself and Green, nosing ahead at the line to lead lap seven. Green raced a close second to Pierce, the pair crossing the line nearly door-to-door on the eighth circuit. Pierce held off Green to win the head, with Hensley rounding out the podium in third.

Finish: Bobby Pierce, Billy Green, Robby Hensley, Shanon Buckingham, Jason Jameson, Scott James, David Webb, Jesse lay.

First heat

Polesitter Mike Benedum shot to the lead at the drop of the green flag, with Kyle Strickler and Joey Moriarty battling for third in the early running. Benedum stretched his lead to nearly a full straightaway at the halfway point, with Moriarty challenging second-running Josh Richards. A yellow flag waved on the fifth lap when Mike Marlar spun in turn four. Another yellow flag flew on the ensuing restart for a turn-four tangle involving Chris Garnes and Kody Evans. Strickler overtook Richards for second on the restart, with Marlar attempting to work his way through the field. Benedum won the heat, with Strickler running second and Devin Gilpin edging Richards to finish third.

Finish: Mike Benedum, Kyle Strickler, Devin Gilpin, Josh Richards, Mike Marlar, Joey Moriarty, Johnny Scott, Chris Garnes, Kody Evans.

Second round heat lineups

First heat
Row 1: Mike Benedum, Josh Richards
Row 2: Kyle Strickler, Johnny Scott
Row 3: Kody Evans, Chris Garnes
Row 4: Joey Moriarty, Devin Gilpin
Row 5: Mike Marlar
Second heat
Row 1: Billy Green, Bobby Pierce
Row 2: David Webb, Robby Hensley
Row 3: Jason Jameson, Scott James
Row 4: Jesse Lay, Shanon Buckingham
Third heat
Row 1: Earl Pearson Jr., Hudson O’Neal
Row 2: Jonathan Davenport, Brandon Overton
Row 3: Ricky Weiss, Dale McDowell
Row 4: Greg Johnson, Duane Chamberlain
Row 5: Trevor Landrum
Fourth heat
Row 1: Donald McIntosh, Jeff Alsip
Row 2: Devin Moran, Austin Rettig
Row 3: Austin Burns, Paul Stubber
Row 4: Scott Bloomquist, Billy Moyer Jr.
Row 5: Jason Miller
Fifth heat
Row 1: Tim McCreadie, Stormy Scott
Row 2: Chris Madden, Kent Robinson
Row 3: Nick Hoffman, Michael Norris
Row 4: Todd Brennan, Frank Heckenast Jr.
Sixth heat
Row 1: Mike Provenzano, Tyler Erb
Row 2: Josh Rice, Roger Williams
Row 3: Zack Dohm, Jimmy Owens
Row 4: Kyle Bronson, Kevin Weaver
Row 5: Zak Blackwood

Passing points after first round

1. Hudson O’Neal - 71.32
2. Jimmy Owens - 64.28
3. Jonathan Davenport - 63.80
4. Kyle Bronson - 60.76
5. Bobby Pierce - 59.80
6. Mike Marlar - 59.00
7. Zak Blackwood - 59.00
8. Frank Heckenast Jr. - 59.00
9. Dale McDowell - 58.52
10. Stormy Scott - 58.04
11. Michael Norris - 56.76
12. Nick Hoffman - 56.76
13. Duane Chamberlain - 55.00
14. Billy Moyer Jr. - 55.00
15. Ricky Weiss - 54.52
16. Brandon Overton - 54.52

Sixth heat

Outside polesitter Kyle Bronson pulled ahead of fellow front-row starter Devin Gilpin to take an early lead. Fifth-starting Brandon Overton was on the move early, overtaking Gilpin for second on the third lap. Just as third-starting Nick Hoffman was set to slide ahead to second in turns three and four, a yellow flag waved when Mike Provenzano spun on the backstretch. Bronson held his lead on the restart, with Hoffman sliding ahead of Gilpin to take second. Starting seventh, Josh Richards began charging late, sliding ahead of Gilpin for fourth on the ninth lap, only to fall back at the checkered flag. Holding off Hoffman, Bronson won the heat, with Overton running third.

Finish: Kyle Bronson, Nick Hoffman, Brandon Overton, Devin Gilpin, Josh Richards, David Webb, Mike Provenzano, Austin Burns.

Fifth heat

Polesitter Trevor Landrum edged ahead of third-starting Joey Moriarty to lead the opening lap, with Moriarty pulling ahead one lap later. Running a close second, Jimmy Owens shot to the front of the field on the third lap, quickly stretching his lead. A yellow flag waved on the fourth lap when Austin Rettig spun in turn three. Using the restart to his advantage, fifth-running Jonathan Davenport shot to second, with Bobby Pierce in tow. Challenging Davenport for second, Pierce slipped over the cushion in turn four on the eighth circuit, losing ground. Unchallenged after taking the lead, Owens won the head, with Davenport fighting back a last-lap slider from Pierce to finish a narrow second at the line.

Finish: Jimmy Owens, Jonathan Davenport, Bobby Pierce, Trevor Landrum, Kent Robinson, Shanon Buckingham, Mike Benedum, Joey Moriarty, Austin Rettig.

Fourth heat

Outside polesitter Duane Chamberlain shot the lead at the drop of the green flag, with eighth-starting Hudson O’Neal powering through the field to run in second on the first lap. The top-two cars distancing themselves from the field, O’Neal began closing the gap between himself and Chamberlain at the halfway point. Sliding ahead in turns three and four, O’Neal took the lead on the eighth lap, pulling away to win the heat race. Chamberlain finished second, with Chris Garnes running third.

Finish: Hudson O’Neal, Duane Chamberlain, Chris Garnes, Chris Madden, Devin Moran, Zack Dohm, Jason Miller, Billy Green, Jesse Lay.

Third heat

A yellow flag waved on the opening lap when Scott James got into the turn-two wall while battling three-wide at the front of the field. Rolling around the high side, outside polesitter Billy Moyer Jr. assumed the point when the race went back green, with Stormy Scott charging from seventh to run in fourth on the second circuit. As Frank Heckenast Jr., challenged Moyer out front, it was a tight battle for third at the halfway mark between Scott, Greg Johnson and Kody Evans. Heckenast slipped under Moyer in turns one and two on the eighth lap, but was unable to make the pass for the lead stick. Heckenast again slid under Moyer in turns one and two on the final lap, picking up the heat race win.

Finish: Frank Heckenast Jr., Billy Moyer Jr., Stormy Scott, Greg Johnson, Kody Evans, Earl Pearson Jr., Scott James, Jeff Alsip, Roger Williams.

Second heat

With the front-row starters racing side-by-side down the backstretch, polesitter Zak Blackwood edged ahead of Todd Brennan to lead the opening lap. It was eighth-starting Tim McCreadie on the move early, charging through the field to run in second by lap three. A yellow flag waved on lap five when McCreadie slowed off the pace with flat right-rear tire; he pitted and returned at the tail of the field. With Blackwood continuing to show the way out front, Brennan spun in turn four to draw a caution on the seventh lap. Rolling around the low side of the racetrack, Dale McDowell overtook Scott Bloomquist on the restart, with Jason Jameson charging around the high side to take fourth with just one lap remaining. Blackwood won the heat, with McDowell running second and Bloomquist finishing third.

Finish: Zak Blackwood, Dale McDowell, Scott Bloomquist, Jason Jameson, Donald McIntosh, Tim McCreadie, Josh Rice, Johnny Scott, Todd Brennan.

First heat

Polesitter Mike Marlar shot to an early lead, with Tyler Erb charging from the eighth starting spot to run in fifth by the second lap. Ricky Weiss and Michael Norris raced side-by-side for third at the halfway mark, with a yellow flag waving on lap six when Paul Stubber spun in the bottom of turn two. Gaining momentum from the restart, Michael Norris slid ahead of Kevin Weaver out of turn four, nosing ahead at the line to take second. It was a tight battle for fourth late-race, with Weaver attempting to hold off Erb before falling in turns one and two on the final lap. Marlar won the heat, with Norris and Weiss rounding out the podium.

Finish: Mike Marlar, Michael Norris, Ricky Weiss, Tyler Erb, Kyle Strickler, Kevin Weaver, Robby Hensley, Paul Stubber. Scratched: Victor Lee.

First round heat lineups

First heat
Row 1: Mike Marlar, Kevin Weaver
Row 2: Michael Norris, Paul Stubber
Row 3: Ricky Weiss, Robby Hensley
Row 4: Kyle Strickler, Tyler Erb
Row 5: Victor Lee
Second heat
Row 1: Zak Blackwood, Todd Brennan
Row 2: Scott Bloomquist, Dale McDowell
Row 3: Jason Jameson, Johnny Scott
Row 4: Josh Rice, Tim McCreadie
Row 5: Donald McIntosh
Third heat
Row 1: Frank Heckenast Jr., Billy Moyer Jr.
Row 2: Greg Johnson, Scott James
Row 3: Kody Evans, Roger Williams
Row 4: Stormy Scott, Jeff Alsip
Row 5: Earl Pearson Jr.
Fourth heat
Row 1: Jason Miller, Duane Chamberlain
Row 2: Jesse Lay, Chris Garnes
Row 3: Zack Dohm, Chris Madden
Row 4: Devin Moran, Hudson O’Neal
Row 5: Billy Green
Fifth heat
Row 1: Trevor Landrum, Shanon Buckingham
Row 2: Joey Moriarty, Jimmy Owens
Row 3: Kent Robinson, Austin Rettig
Row 4: Jonathan Davenport, Bobby Pierce
Row 5: Mike Benedum
Sixth heat
Row 1: Devin Gilpin, Kyle Bronson
Row 2: Nick Hoffman, Austin Burns
Row 3: Brandon Overton, David Webb
Row 4: Josh Richards, Mike Provenzano

Pre-race notes

Among drivers joining the field for Friday’s show are recent Florence weekly feature winner Kody Evans of Camden, Ohio, Duane Chamberlain of Richmond, Ind., and Chris Garnes of Evans, W.Va. Garnes is making his first-ever appearance at the northern Kentucky oval. … After experiencing engine failure and retiring early from Thursday’s North-South Shootout, Rum Runner Racing pilot Brandon Overton of Evans, Ga., has unloaded a backup car for Friday’s show. … Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill., who also suffered engine problems after running as high as fifth in Thursday’s feature, pulled out a different car for Friday’s program, as well as a new engine. … Failing to qualify for Thursday’s main event, Steve Casebolt of Richmond, Ind., departed from Florence early Friday. … Chad Stapleton of Edinburgh, Ind., has also scratched from Friday’s program after experiencing engine troubles on Thursday night. … Despite suffering heavy damage in Thursday’s feature, Scott James of Bright, Ind., Jeff Alsip of Independence, Ky., and Jesse Lay of Walton, Ky., will all enter Friday’s show. … Turning heads after finishing runner-up in a Thursday heat race and 14th in the 50-lap feature after running among the top-10, 15-year-old Billy Green of Walton, Ky., was feeling good about his North-South Shootout performance on Friday afternoon. “Last night was really just a surprise to us all,” Green said. “We knew we might have a shot at doing good here. We gave it our all and showed up and did what we planned on doing.” ... Victor Lee of Danville, Ky., lost an engine in Friday's hot lap session and has scratched for the remainder of the weekend.

Pre-race setup

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series action continues Friday at Florence Speedway with a double round of heat race preliminaries that will set the lineups for Saturday’s Sunoco North-South 100 finale.

Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., was the winner of Thursday’s $10,000 North-South Shootout. Recent North-South 100 winners include Ricky Weiss of Headingley, Manitoba (2018), Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. (’17), and Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill. (’16). All three drivers are on hand at Florence this weekend.

Florence will once again utilize a passing points format (no time trials) for its crown jewel event. Friday’s program will include two sets of six heat races lined up by random draw. The first set of heats will line straightup by draw and the second set will be inverted. Lap count will vary based on the number of cars in each heat (number of cars plus two laps).

Each driver’s combined heat race finishes will determine the lineups for Saturday’s consolations and the 100-lap, $50,000-to-win main event, with the top 16 cars locked in to the weekend finale. Saturday’s program will also include the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Modifieds will be in action both nights.

Driver roster (alphabetical)

Driver (car no.), hometown
Jeff Alsip (78), Independence, Ky.
Mike Benedum (8), Salem, Ky.
Zak Blackwood (93), Columbus, Ind.
Scott Bloomquist (0), Mooresburg, Tenn.
Todd Brennan (30), Zanesville, Ohio
Kyle Bronson (40B), Brandon, Fla.
Shanon Buckingham (50), Morristown, Tenn.
Austin Burns (22B), Morgantown, Ind.
Duane Chamberlain (20c), Richmond, Ind.
Jonathan Davenport (49), Blairsville, Ga.
Zack Dohm (17), Cross Lanes, W.Va.
Tyler Erb (1), New Waverly, Texas
Kody Evans (4G), Camden, Ohio
Chris Garnes (42), Evans, W.Va.
Devin Gilpin (1G), Columbus, Ind.
Billy Green (49), Walton, Ky.
Frank Heckenast Jr. (99JR), Frankfort, Ill.
Robby Hensley (21H), Walton, Ky.
Nick Hoffman (2), Mooresville, N.C.
Scott James (83), Bright, Ind.
Jason Jameson (12), Lawrenceburg, Ind.
Greg Johnson (17J), Bedford, Ind.
Trevor Landrum (18), Florence, Ky.
Jesse Lay (33), Walton, Ky.
Victor Lee (1X), Danville, Ky.
Chris Madden (0m), Gray Court, S.C.
Mike Marlar (157), Winfield, Tenn.
Tim McCreadie (39), Watertown, N.Y.
Dale McDowell (17m), Chickamauga, Ga.
Donald McIntosh (7), Dawsonville, Ga.
Jason Miller (94), Winchester, Va.
Devin Moran (1), Dresden, Ohio
Joey Moriarty (51), Phoenix, Ariz.
Billy Moyer Jr. (21JR), Batesville, Ark.
Michael Norris (5), Sarver, Pa.
Hudson O’Neal (71), Martinsville, Ind.
Brandon Overton (2), Evans, Ga.
Jimmy Owens (20), Newport, Tenn.
Earl Pearson Jr. (1), Jacksonville, Fla.
Bobby Pierce (32), Oakwood, Ill.
Mike Provenzano (m27), Marseilles, Ill.
Austin Rettig (94), Sikeston, Mo.
Josh Rice (11), Verona, Ky.
Josh Richards (14), Shinnston, W.Va.
Kent Robinson (7R), Bloomington, Ind.
Johnny Scott (1st), Las Cruces, N.M.
Stormy Scott (2s), Las Cruces, N.M.
Kyle Strickler (8S), Mooresville, N.C.
Paul Stubber (31aus), Bunbury, Australia
Kevin Weaver (B12), Gibson City, Ill.
David Webb (13v), Nicholasville, Ky.
Ricky Weiss (7), Headingley, Manitoba
Roger Williams (12), Walton, Ky.

Friday’s schedule

Drivers meeting: 6:30 p.m.
Hot laps: 7 p.m.
- Late Models
- Modifieds
Opening ceremonies
- Round 1 Late Model heat races
- Modified heat races (8 laps)
Intermission/track prep
- Round 2 Late Model heat races
- Modified consolations (10 laps)