Cherokee Speedway
Schlieper repels Owens for victory at Cherokee
By James Essex
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Dan Schlieper blasts around Cherokee Speedway. (George "Big Mack" Missita)
GAFFNEY, S.C. (June 20) — Fighting off a late challenge from 11th-starting Jimmy Owens, Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, Wis., led all 40 laps at Cherokee Speedway for his second Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory in the last three events. Schlieper earned $7,000 in front of a standing-room only crowd for the 10th annual Grassy Smith Memorial, edging Owens by one length.
"I figured Jimmy was right there at the end," Schlieper said, "but I held him off and it feels good to get another win."
Owens, the Newport, Tenn., driver who has two special event victories at Cherokee since November, settled for second ahead of fast qualifier Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., Randle Chupp of Troutman, N.C., and Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C. "I thought I was going to get past him," Owens said, "but I got too high there in turn two and brushed the wall and that probably killed my chances."
Chupp and Schlieper started on the front row with Schlieper blasting off and reaching lapped traffic after just five laps. Behind him, Chupp, Davenport and Dennis Franklin tussled for second while Owens worked his way into sixth by the 13th lap. Davenport took second from Chupp just before a lap-26 caution; during the yellow, Franklin pitted to change a deflating tire, which moved Owens up to fourth.
Owens took third from Chupp on the restart, but Schlieper began to pull away by the 30th lap on the 3/8-mile oval. Owens took second from Davenport after a brief side-by-side duel, and a lap-33 caution bunched the field. Schlieper initially edged away on the final restart, but Owens was right in the leader's tire tracks in the final few laps. But when Owens drifted high exiting turn two and made contact with the guardrail with less than two laps remaining, Schlieper had enough cushion to hold on at the finish.
Notes: Schlieper's Wild Chassis has a Ford Pro Power engine and sponsorship from Miller Bros. Coal, Hawkeye Trucking, Uncle Buck, VP Racing Fuels and Integra Shocks. ... Jonathan Davenport picked up $500 from City Chevrolet in Charlotte, N.C., for his fast time. ... Series points leader Steve Casebolt took a provisional starting spot and rallied to finish 11th, one spot ahead of his closest title pursuer, Earl Pearson Jr. ... The series heads to Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway for Saturday's Dunn-Benson Ford 50.
Lucas Oil @ Cherokee: (1) Dan Schlieper, (2) Jimmy Owens, (3) Jonathan Davenport, (4) Randle Chupp, (5) Chris Madden, (6) Steve Blackburn, (7) Terry Casey, (8) Scott James, (9) Bart Hartman, (9) Casey Roberts, (10) Steve Casebolt, (11) Earl Pearson Jr., (12) Justin McRee, (13) Wayne Chinn, (14) Dennis Franklin, (15) Furman Parton, (16) Billy Drake, (17) Freddy Smith, (18) Justin Rattliff, (19) Damon Eller, (20) John Mason, (21) Jeff Smith, (22) Jeff Cooke, (23) John Pursley. Fast qualifier (among 33 cars): Davenport, 15.428 seconds. Heat race winners: Davenport, Chupp, Schlieper. Consolation winner: Rattliff. Provisional starters: Casebolt, Mason.
