Marlar Conquers Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Independence 50 At Portsmouth

Story By: JAMES ESSEX / LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL DIRT SERIES – PORTSMOUTH, OH – Mike Marlar ran away with the Independence 50 on Thursday night at Portsmouth Raceway Park – earning his third Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win of the season.

At the drop of the green flag, Marlar sprinted to a comfortable lead and held the point for the entire race. Marlar had to withstand a 5-lap shootout to the finish with second-place running Josh Richards and Jimmy Owens after a lap-45 caution.

Richards moved into the second spot on lap four and tried to stay within striking distance of Marlar, but at stages during the race Marlar held a more than a straightaway advantage over Richards. Owens, who started sixth moved into third past Hudson O’Neal on lap 33 as he tried to track down Richards inside the last ten laps of the race before settling for the third spot. O’Neal and Jonathan Davenport completed the top five.

In Lucas Oil Victory Lane for twelfth time in his career, Marlar commented that his third heat race win over his good friend Owens is what set the stage to get the victory tonight. “I want to thank Jimmy for running me clean in that heat race. We went back-and-forth for most of the race. It was probably one of the best heat races you will ever see. Jimmy could be standing here right now if he would’ve won that race. He had a really good race car tonight as well.”

“These Rocket XR1 chassis are stout. This track has been kind of tough on us for a while now, but it feels good to win in front of this crowd. The track crew did a great job with the track today. It was fast all over, it was probably the best I have seen this place. This car could go anywhere I drove it on the track. Thanks to the entire crew for their help. My wife Stacy is from Ohio and a lot of her family is here this weekend.”

Owens was elated with the win. “We have been coming here a long time and I would say it’s the best I have seen this place. I had a good race with Hudson and then I thought I could catch Josh then that caution with five to go came out. I am not sure if it helped me or not. But we hung in there and got another good finish.”

Richards continued his string of strong finishes at Portsmouth. “This place has been really good to me over the past two years. The track was in really good shape tonight. We had the car set-up for the top and it really paid off. Congratulations to Mikey on the win, he was just too good tonight for anybody. We have been running really well and I hope the momentum carries over to Tyler County tomorrow. It is one of my top five favorite tracks. I will have a lot of friend and family there.”

The winner’s Ronnie Delk-owned, Rocket Chassis is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and sponsored by: Marathon Oil, Mark Martin Timber and Farms. Franklin Enterprises, RS Equipment Sales and Rentals, Integra Shocks, and VP Fuels.

Completing the top ten were Zack Dohm, Tyler Erb, Tim McCreadie, Shanon Buckingham, and Michael Norris.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Thursday, July 4, 2019
Independence 50
Portsmouth Raceway Park – Portsmouth, Ohio

Miller Welders Time Trials
Fast Time Group A: Devin Moran / 14.456 seconds (overall)
Fast Time Group B: Jimmy Owens / 14.561 seconds

Penske Race Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Devin Moran ®, Tyler Erb ®, Zack Dohm, Doug Drown, Jason Jameson ®, Jackie Boggs, Audie Swartz, Earl Pearson, Jr.

FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Josh Richards, Jonathan Davenport, Chris Ferguson, Gregg Satterlee, Jacob Hawkins, Michael Norris, Matt Cosner

Simpson Race Products Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Mike Marlar, Jimmy Owens, Hudson O’Neal, Shannon Thornsberry, Stormy Scott, Steve Casebolt , Jared Hawkins

Lucas Oil Products Penetrating Oil Heat Race #4 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Shanon Buckingham, Tim McCreadie, Rod Conley, Billy Moyer, Jr., RJ Conley, Kyle Bronson, Kevin Wagner

Lucas Oil Products Red “N” Tacky Spray Grease B-Main Finish (12 Laps, Top 6 Transfer): Jason Jameson ®, Jacob Hawkins, RJ Conley, Jackie Boggs, Steve Casebolt , Michael Norris, Kyle Bronson, Stormy Scott, Audie Swartz, Matt Cosner, Jared Hawkins, Kevin Wagner, Earl Pearson, Jr.

Lucas Oil Feature Finish (50 Laps):

FINISH	START	CAR #	DRIVER NAME	HOMETOWN	EARNINGS
1	2	157	Mike Marlar	Winfield, TN	$12,000
2	3	14	Josh Richards	Shinnston, WV	$6,300
3	6	20	Jimmy Owens	Newport, TN	$4,300
4	10	71	Hudson O’Neal	Martinsville, IN	$3,450
5	7	49	Jonathan Davenport	Blairsville, GA	$3,350
6	9	17d	Zack Dohm	Cross Lanes, WV	$1,800
7	5	1T	Tyler Erb ®	New Waverly, TX	$2,300
8	8	39	Tim McCreadie	Watertown, NY	$2,000
9	4	50	Shanon Buckingham	Morristown, TN	$1,900
10	22	5	Michael Norris	Sarver, PA	$1,100
11	13	12d	Doug Drown	Wooster, OH	$1,075
12	18	8	Jacob Hawkins	Fairmont, WV	$1,050
13	12	71R	Rod Conley	Wheelersburg, OH	$1,025
14	16	21	Billy Moyer, Jr.	Batesville, AR	$1,700
15	1	1M	Devin Moran ®	Dresden, OH	$1,700
16	23	1	Earl Pearson, Jr.	Jacksonville, FL	$1,900
17	24	40B	Kyle Bronson	Brandon, FL	$1,700
18	14	17T	Shannon Thornsberry	Martin, KY	$1,000
19	25	2s	Stormy Scott	Las Cruses, NM	$1,700
20	11	22F	Chris Ferguson	Mount Holly, NC	$1,000
21	21	C9	Steve Casebolt	Richmond, IN	$1,000
22	19	71C	RJ Conley	Wheelersburg, OH	$1,000
23	15	22	Gregg Satterlee	Indiana, PA	$1,000
24	17	12J	Jason Jameson ®	Lawrenceburg, IN	$1,000
25	20	4B	Jackie Boggs	Grayson, KY	$1,000