TAMPA, FL (February 7, 2007)- Cross Lanes, WV’s Tim Dohm recorded his first career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series on Wednesday Night during the running of the 31st Annual East Bay Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park. It also was the biggest win of Dohm’s career as the 46 year old former motocross racer picked up $5,000 for his first ever win at East Bay. Dohm led the entire 30 lap race, but he had to hold off Jimmy Mars and Steve Francis for the win. Dohm driving his Dohm’s Cycle Sales/Axis Custom Decals/Hoosier Tires/Ohlins/Sunoco Race Fuels/Custom Race Engines powered Rocket Monte Carlo withstood a stout field for the win.
Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, WI was second in the Deppe Enterprises/Pro Power Engines/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo with Francis grabbing third in his Valvoline/Custom Race Engines/Rocket GTO. Completing the top five were 14th starting Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, GA in the Ronnie Dobbins/SAE Parts/Rocket GTO with 11 starting, 19 year old Adam Hensel of Barron, WI in the Intercomp Scales/Pro Power/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo coming home in fifth. A total of 88 entries were on hand for the event.
The 30 lap feature would get started with Terry Casey taking the lead at the drop of the green, but the start was negated for Matt Miller’s stalled car in turn two. On the second attempt to get the race started Dohm would jump to the lead with Casey in second followed by Mars, Josh Richards and Billy Moyer. The race stayed green until lap three when a four car wreck in turn two slowed the action. With Dohm showing the way the race would see the green again with Dohm, Casey and Mars dicing it out for the lead.
Casey and Mars would then go side by side for two laps with Mars having the advantage on the sixth scored lap, but Casey would come back and retake the spot a lap later. Dohm was holding down the top spot as the battle behind him would see Richards take to the outside and make it a three car tussle for second. The next caution would come out for Shannon Babb in turn three as his car came to a stop against the wall bringing out the third yellow of the race.
On the restart just as the drivers crossed the start finish to try and score lap 11 a multi car accident on the main straightaway would see Casey, Moyer, Justin Rattliff and others involved. The red flag then came out as the track was blocked as all drivers were okay. The third time to get lap 11 in would see Damon Eller slow in turn two as the yellow waved once again.
Finally there were two good laps in with Dohm still leading followed by Mars, Francis, Adam Hensel and Dan Schlieper as Richards’ night ended as he slowed on the race track bringing out caution number seven. This however would be the last caution of the race as the remainder of the event would go caution free with Dohm maintaining a two to three car length lead over Mars and Francis.
Over the last 15 laps of the race Dohm would be consistent lap after lap as he showed he was going to be the man to beat on this night. Dohm would take his white number 6T to the winner’s circle and celebrate with his two sons and crew his first ever Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series triumph as he became the third different winner in three races at East Bay Raceway this week.
“I can’t believe it, it is a dream come to win one of the races,” said Dohm in victory lane. “I was glad for that one yellow, because Mars had gotten by me, but the lap didn’t count, fortunately foe me.” “I want to thank Mark Richards and everybody at Rocket Chassis for helping me out, it’s been a long time for a win like this.”
Completing the top ten were Don O’Neal, Terry English, Rick Eckert, Brady Smith and Matt Miller.
In preliminary action, Justin Rattliff was the LifeLong Locks Fast Time Award winner with a lap of 14.831 seconds among the 88 entrants. The Hawk Brake and Quarter Master Sponsored Heat Races were won by Justin Rattliff, Billy Moyer, Terry Casey, Jimmy Mars, Josh Richards, Dan Schlieper, Ricky Arms and Tim Dohm. The Mason Racin’ Rebel Shock Dyno and Penske Shocks Sponsored B-Mains went to Tim Fuller, Donnie Moran, Jackie Boggs and Kevin Cole. The Performance Rod and Custom Strawberry Dash Winner was Matt Miller, who earned the 25th starting spot in the feature.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series quickly returns to action at East Bay on Thursday Night, February 8th with a complete show of LifeLong Locks Time Trials, Hawk Brake and Quarter Master sponsored Heat races, Mason Racin’ Rebel Shock Dyno and Penske Shocks sponsored B-Mains Performance Rod and Custom Strawberry Dash and the $7,000 to win A- Main.
Catch all of the action of the 31st Annual East Bay Winternationals live on the internet all week long at www.racetalklive.com.
Race Summary
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
East Bay Raceway Park-Tampa, FL
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
LifeLong Locks Fast Time: Justin Rattliff- 14.831
Hawk Brake First Heat: (10 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Justin Rattliff, Steve Francis, Doug Horton, Darrell Lanigan, Chuck Harper, Joe Morris, John Mason, Jordan Bland, Jason Flory, Tommy Bailey, Scott Riggs
Hawk Brake Second Heat: (10 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Billy Moyer, Shannon Babb, Tim Fuller, Jeff Beyers, Dennis Erb Jr., Eddie Carrier Jr., Michael England, D Jay Miller, Jeff Fortner, Gerald Davis, CJ Rayburn
Quarter Master Third Heat: (10 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Terry Casey, Adam Hensel, Rick Eckert, Garrett Durrett, Christian Rayburn, John Blankenship, Anthony White, Rick Rogers, Kristin Flory, Don Mihelich, Randy Korte
Quarter Master Fourth Heat: (10 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Jimmy Mars, Brady Smith, Donnie Moran, Mike Mataragas, DJ Wells, Chesley Dixon, Victor Lee, Tim McCreadie, Marshall Austin, Brian Nuttall, Mark Andersen
Hawk Brake Fifth Heat: (10 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Josh Richards, Damon Eller, Kevin Cole, Davey Johnson, Matt Miller, Don O’Neal, Vic Coffey, Mike Marlar, Eric Wells, Billy Drake, Wayne Chinn
Hawk Brake Sixth Heat: (10 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Dan Schlieper, Shane Clanton, Matt Hubbard, Rick Aukland, Ivedent Lloyd, Wendell Wallace, Frank Shickel, Richie Hedrick, Jason McBride, Jeff Gress, (DNS- Freddy Smith)
Quarter Master Seventh Heat: (10 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Ricky Arms, Terry English, Josh McGuire, Scott James, Dan Stone, Sherri Heckenast, Jeep VanWormer, Mike Petersak, Bob Geiger, Eric Jacobsen, Brad Neat
Quarter Master Eighth Heat: (10 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Tim Dohm, Steve Shaver, Jackie Boggs, Bryan Collins, Earl Pearson Jr., Dean Carpenter, Darren Miller, Brian Birkhofer, Ray Cook, Steve Casebolt, Bub McCool
Mason Racin’ Rebel Shock Dyno First B-Main: (12 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Tim Fuller, Doug Horton, Darrell Lanigan, Dennis Erb Jr., Chuck Harper, Michael England, Jordan Bland, D Jay Miller, Eddie Carrier Jr., Jeff Beyers, Gerald Davis, Tommy Bailey, CJ Rayburn, (DNS-Jeff Fortner, Scott Riggs, Jason Flory, John Mason, Joe Morris
Penske Shocks Second B-Main: (12 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Donnie Moran, Rick Eckert, Garrett Durrett, Mike Mataragas, Victor Lee, Anthony White, Tim McCreadie, John Blankenship, Rick Rogers, Christian Rayburn, Marshall Austin, Kristin Flory, Chesley Dixon, Mark Andersen, DJ Wells, Brian Nuttall, Randy Korte, (DNS-Don Mihelich)
Mason Racin’ Rebel Shock Dyno Third B-Main: (12 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Kevin Cole, Don O’Neal, Vic Coffey, Wendell Wallace, Davey Johnson, Ivedent Lloyd, Richard Hedrick, Eric Wells, Jason McBride, Wayne Chinn, Matt Hubbard, Jeff Gress, Mike Marlar, Matt Miller, Rick Aukland, Freddy Smith, Frank Shickel Jr., (DNS-Billy Drake)
Penske Shocks Fourth B-Main: (12 Laps-Top 2 Advance): Jackie Boggs, Bryan Collins, Ray Cook, Darren Miller, Dean Carpenter, Josh McGuire, Mike Petersak, Steve Casebolt, Bub McCool, Bob Geiger, Jeep VanWormer, Daniel Stone, Earl Pearson Jr., Scott James, Sherri Heckenast, (DNS-Brian Birkhofer, Eric Jacobsen, Brad Neat)
Strawberry Dash: (9 Laps- 1 Advances): Matt Miller, Steve Casebolt, Dennis Erb Jr., Darren Miller, Gerald Davis, Vic Coffey, Chuck Harper, John Blankenship, Sherri Heckenast, (DNS-Bub McCool, Dean Carpenter, Josh McGuire)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Feature Finish: (30 laps): Tim Dohm, Jimmy Mars, Steve Francis, Shane Clanton, Adam Hensel, Don O’Neal, Terry English, Rick Eckert, Brady Smith, Matt Miller, Doug Horton, Steve Shaver, Ricky Arms, Tim Fuller, Bryan Collins, Donnie Moran, Kevin Cole, Dan Schlieper, Josh Richards, Terry Casey, Billy Moyer, Shannon Babb, Justin Rattliff, Damon Eller, Jackie Boggs
Race Statistics
Entries: 88
Yellow Flags: 7
Red Flags: 1
Lap Leaders: Tim Dohm 1-30
Edelbrock Hard Charger Award: Don O’Neal (Started 23rd and finished 6th-advanced 17 positions)
Allstar Performance Performer of the Race: Tim Dohm
K&N Filters Clean Pass Award: Steve Francis
Comp Cams Rookie of the Race: Ricky Arms
2007 DART Winternationals Points Standings (After February 7)
1) Steve Francis (Ashland, KY)-625
2) Ricky Arms (Moss, TN)-585
3) Matt Miller (Waterville, OH)-570
4) Dan Schlieper (Sullivan, WI)-570
5) Tim Dohm (Cross Lanes, WV)-545
6) Rick Eckert (York, PA)-545
7) Earl Pearson, Jr. (Jacksonville, FL)- 545
8) Donnie Moran (Dresden, OH)-535
9) Josh Richards (Shinnston, WV)-535
10) Shannon Babb (Moweaqua, IL)- 510
2007 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Sponsors
Lucas Oil Products – “The Official Oil” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Sunoco Race Fuels – “The Official Fuel” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Arizona Sport Shirts – “The Official Merchandise Vendor” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Hoosier Tires – “The Official Race Tire” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
K&N Filters – “The Official Filter” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
2007 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Supporters Include: AFCO, Allstar Performance, American Racer Tires, Banshee Graphics, Bloomquist Race Cars, Comp Cams, Cornett Race Engines, Cruise with the Champions, DART, Design 500, Edelbrock, Erson Cams, Grover Racing Engines, GRT Race Cars, Hawk Brake, Hyperco, Integra Shocks, Jay Dickens Racing Engines, King of the Road, Larry Wallace Racing Engines, Malcuit Racing Engines, Mason Racin’, MasterSbilt Race Cars, Ohlins, On the Edge of the Graphics, Penske Shocks, Performance Bodies, PBM Performance Products, PPM Racing Products, Performance Rod and Custom, Pro Power Racing, Quarter Master, C.J. Rayburn Race Cars, Rick Schwallie Photography, Rocket Chassis, Tex Racing, Vic Hill Racing Engines, WD Enterprises
James Essex - Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series PR (jessex@lucasdirt.com)
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