Marlar Makes History With Back-To-Back Knoxville Late Model Nationals Titles
Story By: JAMES ESSEX / LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL DIRT SERIES – KNOXVILLE, IA – Mike Marlar became the first driver in the 14-year history of the Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals to win in back-to-back years – taking the $40,000 top prize on Saturday night at Knoxville Raceway. Marlar took the lead from race-leader Josh Richards on lap 92 and then sped away for the win in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned event.
Race Summary
Saturday, September 16th, 2017
Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals
Knoxville Raceway – Knoxville, IAPenske Racing Shocks B-Main Finish (20 Laps, Top 6 Transfer to Back of A-Main): Jesse Stovall, Kyle Bronson, Steve Francis, Tyler Erb, Spencer Diercks, Brent Larson, Tyler Bruening, Matt Furman, Jonathan Brauns, Joey Moriarty, Ryan Gustin, Jeremiah Hurst, Randy Timms, Joel Callahan, Jake O’Neil, Mike Fryer, Dennis Erb, Jr., Dave Eckrich, Justin Duty, Jason Feger, Jordan Yaggy, Bob King, Boom Briggs, Jay Johnson, Colton Flinner
Feature Finish (100 Laps):
FINISH | START | CAR # | DRIVER NAME | HOMETOWN | EARNINGS |
1 | 1 | 157 | Mike Marlar | Winfield, TN | $40,000 |
2 | 2 | 49 | Jonathan Davenport | Williamston, SC | $20,000 |
3 | 7 | 1777 | Jared Landers | Batesville, AR | $10,000 |
4 | 10 | 28m | Jimmy Mars | Menomonie, WI | $8,750 |
5 | 11 | 20 | Jimmy Owens | Newport, TN | $8,300 |
6 | 4 | 1S | Brandon Sheppard | New Berlin, IL | $7,000 |
7 | 22 | 71 | Hudson O’Neal ® | Martinsville, IN | $7,300 |
8 | 19 | 32 | Bobby Pierce | Oakwood, IL | $6,000 |
9 | 27 | 15 | Steve Francis | Bowling Green, KY | $6,200 |
10 | 6 | 39 | Tim McCreadie | Watertown, NY | $5,700 |
11 | 8 | 32S | Chris Simpson | Oxford, IA | $4,500 |
12 | 18 | 18 | Chase Junghans | Manhattan, KS | $4,000 |
13 | 12 | 0 | Scott Bloomquist | Mooresburg, TN | $4,500 |
14 | 21 | 1 | Earl Pearson, Jr. | Jacksonville, FL | $4,200 |
15 | 16 | 17m | Dale McDowell | Chickamauga, GA | $3,300 |
16 | 25 | 00 | Jesse Stovall | Billings, MO | $3,200 |
17 | 30 | B1 | Brent Larson | Lake Elmo, MN | $3,100 |
18 | 3 | 1R | Josh Richards | Shinnston, WV | $3,900 |
19 | 26 | 40B | Kyle Bronson | Brandon, FL | $2,900 |
20 | 20 | 20S | Rodney Sanders | Happy, TX | $2,800 |
21 | 23 | C8 | Timothy Culp | Prattsville, AR | $2,700 |
22 | 9 | 14 | Darrell Lanigan | Union, KY | $3,300 |
23 | 17 | 18B | Shannon Babb | Mowequa, IL | $2,500 |
24 | 5 | 5 | Don O’Neal | Martinsville, IN | $3,300 |
25 | 28 | 91 | Tyler Erb | New Waverly, TX | $2,500 |
26 | 13 | 25 | Chad Simpson | Mt. Vernon, IA | $2,500 |
27 | 14 | 22 | Gregg Satterlee ® | Rochester Mills, PA | $3,200 |
28 | 24 | 7R | Kent Robinson | Bloomington, IN | $2,500 |
29 | 31 | 28 | Dennis Erb, Jr. | Carpentersville, IL | $3,200 |
30 | 15 | 3s | Brian Shirley | Chatham, IL | $2,500 |
31 | 29 | 29 | Spencer Diercks | Davenport, IA | $2,500 |
32 | 32 | 99B | Boom Briggs ® | Bear Lake, PA | $3,200 |
Entrants: 56
Lap Leaders: Jonathan Davenport (Laps 1 – 17); Josh Richards (Laps 18 – 91); Mike Marlar (Laps 92 – 100)
Cautions: Brian Shirley (Lap 17); Chris Simpson (Lap 27); Jimmy Mars (Lap 27); Shannon Babb (Lap 31); Gregg Satterlee (Lap 42); Tyler Erb (Lap 46); FUEL STOP (Lap 50); Don O’Neal (Lap 58); Rodney Sander s (Lap 75); Brandon Sheppard (Lap 77); Kyle Bronson (Lap 84); Josh Richards (Lap 95)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Dennis Erb Jr.; Boom Briggs
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: n/a
Wrisco Feature Winner: Mike Marlar
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Steve Francis (Started: 27th; Finished: 9th; Advanced 16 Positions)
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Josh Richards
Allstar Performance Power Move of the Race: Jonathan Davenport
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Mike Marlar
Hot Rod Processing Rookie of the Race: Hudson O’Neal
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Cornett Racing Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket Chassis
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Zach Frields (Hudson O’Neal)
Fastest Lap of the Race: Jonathan Davenport (Lap #2 – 17.582 seconds)
Safecraft Most Laps Led: Josh Richards (74 Laps)
PFC Brakes Pole Award: Mike Marlar
Time of Race: 84 minutes 57 seconds