Bloomquist gunning for Jackson 100 threepeat
Scott Bloomquist celebrates his fourth Jackson 100 victory in 2011. (DirtonDirt.com)
Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., will try to become the first driver to win three consecutive Jackson 100s when the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series invades Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway this weekend.
Bloomquist, the only four-time winner of the quarter-mile oval’s biggest event, will have to break a dry spell of nearly three months if he pulls off the threepeat in the 33rd running of the $20,000-to-win event on Sept. 21-22. The race, which pays at least $1,200 to every feature starter, is sponsored by Industrial Solutions Technology of Columbus, Ind. | September schedule/results
Besides Bloomquist, Lucas Oil Series regulars expected include reigning series champion and current points leader Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn.; three-time Jackson 100 winner Don O'Neal of Martinsville, Ind.; Brownstown track record holder Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky.; John Blankenship of Williamson, W.Va.; and 2009 Jackson winner Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla.
Pit and grandstand gates open at 3 p.m. Friday with action including Lucas Oil hot laps and time trials. Also on Friday’s programs are modifieds and the Crate Late Models running the Jackson 50 on the Indiana Late Model Series.
Gates open at 2 p.m Saturday with pre-race activities including a driver autograph session from 4:30-5:15 p.m. Hot laps begin at 6 p.m. followed by Lucas Oil Series heat races, consolation races and the 100-lap main event. Modifieds and super stocks are also on the card. — James Essex
Deery Brothers crown on the line
Jeff Aikey will win his career seventh Deery Brothers Summer Series championship, or Andy Eckrich will win his first IMCA Late Model tour title Saturday at Davenport (Iowa) Speedway.
Aikey leads Eckrich by eight points heading into the Sept. 22 finale. Eckrich would have to finish nine places ahead of Aikey to earn the crown. Both drivers have won two series features this sea�son; in the event a further tiebreaker is needed, Eckrich holds a 3-2 edge in second-place fin through the first 19 events.
If unable to qualify through their heat or consolation races Saturday, both Aikey and Eckrich are guaranteed starting spots in the 24-car main event through provisionals.
The 40-lap feature will be on the half-mile oval and pays $2,000 to win and a minimum of $250 to start. Pit gates open at 3 p.m. and the grandstand opens at 5 p.m. Hot laps are at 6:30 p.m. and racing starts at 7 p.m. More information about the final event of the 26th annual Deery Brothers Summer Series is available by calling (563) 652-5302 or (563) 326-5338 on race day. The track website address is www.drttrak.com. — Bill Martin
Other upcoming series events
The Kennedy Motorsports United Late Model Series runs three features during McKean County Raceway’s Fall Classic weekend, starting with a $2,000-to-win event on Thursday. Friday’s $2,500-to-win event is followed by the finale Priority Care RaceFAN 50 paying $13,000-to-win at the East Smethport, Pa., oval. .... The Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series makes its first visit of the season to Wythe Raceway in Rural Retreat, Va., on Saturday for a $4,000-to-win event. Luke Roffers of Concord, N.C., leads the points heading into the second round of the JE Pistons and Roush Yates Performance Parts Chase for the Championship. ... The Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series runs a $2,000-to-win event Saturday at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss. ... The Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series makes its third appearance at Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, Tenn., for the $5,000-to-win King of the Mountain Fall Classic 50. Billy Ogle Jr. of Knoxville, Tenn., is gunning for his third straight series victory.
