Jimmy Owens
Jimmy Owens has finished fifth in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series standings in each of the last two seasons. However, a look at how he was running at the end of 2018 should cause many to consider the Newport, Tenn. driver a serious threat to win his fourth series title in this upcoming campaign.
Owens finished out last season with 11 top-10 results out of the final 13 feature races he competed in during that time span. That stretch also included two victories as the “O-Show” came home first in a $10,000-to-win preliminary race leading up to the World 100 at Eldora Speedway. And more importantly, the No. 20 Rocket Chassis car claimed the $40,000-to-win crown jewel Knoxville Late Model Nationals.
The Ramirez Motorsports team made a total of five trips to victory lane last season. Along with the much coveted Knoxville triumph, Owens also scored a $25,001 World of Outlaws Late Model Series win at the Fayetteville(NC) Motor Speedway.
But more than just the strong finishes ought to serve as an indication that the “Newport Nightmare” could be a force to reckon with in 2019. There were multiple times throughout last season in which Owens had a dominate car and looked as if he was on his way to sure victory when bad luck crushed his chances.
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In the Lucas Oil feature last season at Tazewell(TN) Speedway Owens was dominating the field only to have mechanical failure knock him out with just five laps remaining. And even worse, the No. 20 car had taken the lead late in the highly lucrative Dirt Million race at Ohio’s Mansfield Motor Speedway and looked to be on his way to a $200,000 payday before another mechanical issue sent him to the pit area on the 83rd lap of competition.
Jimmy Owens won the Knoxville Late Model Nationals in 2018
If those poorly timed mechanical troubles can be put aside in 2019, there is no doubt Jimmy Owens and his Ramirez Motorsports team could return to the form that brought this very popular and likable driver three consecutive Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series championships between 2011 and 2013.
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