Jonathan Davenport took the lead just after halfway
After numerous weather related interruptions, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series was able to resume its season on Saturday night in the Diamond Nationals at the Lucas Oil Speedway. After a night delayed by a late afternoon rain shower, it was Jonathan Davenport who claimed victory in what proved to be a rough and tumble race at the Wheatland, Missouri track. The Blairsville, GA driver earned $15,000 for his triumph in a race shown live by MavTV Plus.
A total of 34 cars were signed in for competition.
Stormy Scott topped the charts in Group A qualifying with a lap of 14.759 seconds around the 3/8 mile clay oval outperforming Kyle Bronson, Jason Papich, Shane Clanton and Tim McCreadie.
Jimmy Owens was fastest in Group B qualifying when he timed in at 14.738 seconds to beat out Daniel Hilsabeck, Earl Pearson Jr., Jonathan Davenport and Justin Duty.
Stormy Scott took the checkered flag as the winner of the first heat race of the night by outrunning Jason Papich, Tim McCreadie and Jeremiah Hurst while Kyle Bronson was the victor of the second preliminary beating out Shane Clanton, Aaron Marrant and Chad Simpson.
Jimmy Owens bested Earl Pearson Jr., Justin Duty and Spencer Hughes in the third heat just before Jonathan Davenport won the fourth and final heat over Hudson O’Neal, Daniel Hilsabeck and Josh Richards.
Ricky Thornton Jr., Brian Shirley and Tyler Erb moved to the feature out of the first B-main then Garrett Alberson, Mason Oberkramer and Reid Millard were the transfers out of the second B-main.
When the green flag waved over the 50-lap feature it was Owens who shot to the early lead with Scott, Davenport, Bronson and Pearson trailing. Clanton got by Pearson on the second lap to take the fifth position. At the front of the field, Owens and Scott ran side-by-side for the first three laps.
Pearson would spin on lap 5 to bring out a yellow flag.
An intense battle ensued between Scott and Davenport for second when the racing action resumed. Scott eventually took hold of that spot with Davenport falling back into a hard fought battle with Clanton for third that would last for several laps.
A lap 17 caution for a flat tire on the Ferguson car would slow that fast paced action.
On the restart, Davenport assumed the second position. Further back, Clanton moved around Scott for third leaving Scott to fight with Bronson for fourth.
Davenport began to draw closer to Owens and finally made a move for the race lead on lap 28. As Davenport went to the low side under Owens, the two quickly gained on Mason Oberkramer. Davenport sailed by the lapped machine while Owens ran into the back of the suddenly slowing Oberkramer car.
Owens was forced up into the outside wall as a result of the contact. Clanton then came along with no where to go and slammed into the prone Owens machine. Owens and Clanton moved to the pit area for repairs while Oberkramer retired from the race.
Under the lap 28 caution, Lucas Oil officials allowed crew members to provide new helmets for their drivers due to the mud from the heavy track.
On the lap 28 restart, a chain reaction wreck started when Richards and O’Neal came in contact with each other while racing for sixth would also involve Erb, Hughes, Simpson, Alberson, Papich and others.
Davenport began to slip away from his pursuers during the second half of the feature while Bronson and Richards fought for second. However, a lap 42 caution and ultimately a red flag for a mishap involving Alberson, Jackson, Millard, and series points leader McCreadie restacked the field.
Davenport would maintain control of the race over the final eight laps while Richards got by Bronson for the runner-up spot with three circuits remaining. It was the driver’s third Diamond Nationals victory and his sixth LOLMDS win of 2021.
Feature Finish: 1. Jonathan Davenport, 2. Josh Richards, 3. Kyle Bronson, 4. Stormy Scott, 5. Earl Pearson Jr., 6. Justin Duty, 7. Jimmy Owens, 8. Aaron Marrant, 9. Shane Clanton, 10. Tyler Erb, 11. Daniel Hilsabeck, 12. Tim McCreadie, 13. Tony Jackson Jr., 14. Jason Papich, 15. Reid Millard, 16. Jeremiah Hurst, 17. Garrett Alberson, 18. Spencer Hughes, 19. Hudson O’Neal, 20. Chad Simpson, 21. Mason Oberkramer, 22. Brennon Willard, 23. Brian Shirley, 24. Chris Ferguson, 25. Ricky Thornton Jr., 26. Mike Marlar
