Scott Bloomquist became the first driver to win a second Silver Dollar Nationals
Drivers and teams from the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series made their way to the I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Neb. for the Silver Dollar Nationals. And when the two-day event was concluded on Saturday night, it was Scott Bloomquist who would bring home a big trophy and the $32,000 check that served as the reward for winning this race that is quickly rising in status in the Dirt Late Model world.
Bloomquist became the first driver to win a second Silver Dollar Nationals after having won this event last year.
Jonathan Davenport earned the pole position for the feature race when he amassed the greatest number of passing points in the heat races run on Friday. He was joined on the front row by home state driver Tad Pospisil. Jimmy Owens, Jared Landers, Chad Simpson, Jason Utter, Gregg Satterlee, Billy Moyer, Scott Bloomquist and Clay Daly rounded out the top-10 in preliminary passing points and would roll off the starting grid in that order.
Jesse Stovall and Earl Pearson, Jr. won the two consolation races contested on Saturday evening that would set the remainder of the starting lineup for the main event.
At the start of the 80-lap feature, Davenport fought off an early challenge from Owens then moved out to the lead. Simpson, Pospisil, Utter and Bloomquist trailed the top-2 during the initial laps. Soon, however, Bloomquist began to make his move as he passed by Utter and Simpson to move into the fourth spot.
Defending LOLMDS champion Don O’Neal was involved in the race’s first caution on lap 8 when his car suffered significant damage after being struck by the R.C. Whitwell machine.
On the ensuing restart, Bloomquist continued his march forward as he moved around Pospisil to seize the third spot behind Davenport and Owens. But just two laps later, another yellow flag would wave for a multi-car incident that saw driver Matt Buller’s car rollover and come to rest on its top. All involved were uninjured in the mishap.
Following the lap 10 restart, the battle was joined as some of the top stars in Dirt Late Model racing began exchanging positions at a furious pace. Bloomquist moved around Owens to claim second on lap 21 then Owens took the spot back just two circuits later. Meanwhile, Moyer moved to fourth and began stalking those just ahead.
On lap 30, Bloomquist’s car came back to life and he passed by Owens for second then went by Davenport to take the top spot just one lap later. Moyer moved to second by lap 43 after he passed by Owens and Davenport.
However, Moyer suddenly began to fade as he lost those positions he had gained.
A lap 50 caution gave a brief reprieve for the leaders but that would be short-lived as the action became fast and furious once the green waved again. Bloomquist, Owens and Davenport mixed it up over the next several laps.
On lap 55, Davenport took second and looked as if he was poised to pounce on Bloomquist for the race lead. However, the No. 6 car jumped the cushion in turn 3 on lap 56 and climbed the outside wall to bring out the caution.
From that point, the two east Tennessee drivers would settle the issue on the Great Plains among themselves as Bloomquist and Owens fought for the top spot in a thrilling late race duel that saw Owens moved to the high side of the track and close dramatically on the front runner. Over the final laps, Owens drove hard and looked as if he might grab the win until he lost momentum by jumping the cushion.
However, the No. 20 regrouped and made one last charge toward the front. But at the end, Bloomquist held the position and took the checkered flag ahead of Owens.
Feature Finish: 1. Scott Bloomquist, 2. Jimmy Owens, 3. Jesse Stovall, 4. Gregg Satterlee, 5. Jared Landers, 6. Brandon Sheppard, 7. Eddie Carrier, Jr., 8. Earl Pearson, Jr., 9. Jason Utter, 10. Billy Moyer, 11. Dennis Erb, Jr., 12. Tad Popisil, 13. Clay Daly, 14. Chris Brown, 15. Steve Francis, 16. Jason Papich, 17. Jason Feger, 18. Garrett Alberson, 19. Jonathan Davenport, 20. Kyle Berck, 21. Jordan Grabouski, 22. Ryan Gustin, 23. Ben Schaller, 24. Terry Phillips, 25. Jeremy Payne, 26. Jake O’Neil, 27. Matt Buller, 28. Don O’Neal, 29. Rodney Sanders, 30. RC Whitwell
