DT: Pearson Returns to Victory Lane in Georgia Boot Super Bowl of Racing at Golden Isles Speedway

BRUNSWICK, GA (February 6, 2015) – Earl Pearson Jr.’s 29th career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory may have been one of his most memorable. The popular 4-time LOLMDS National Champion raced in front of his hometown fans and friends collected the win on Friday Night at the Georgia Boot Super Bowl of Racing at Golden Isles Speedway. Pearson reunited with the Dunn-Benson Motorsports team this year. He led the final nine laps of the race to score his first win of 2015 in the Lucas Oil Products Dunn-Benson Ford entry for car-owners Carlton and Kemp Lamm.

Pearson took over top spot from race-leader Ross Bailes, who suffered a flat tire coming off of turn number four with nine laps remaining. Pearson then held off Jared Landers and Scott Bloomquist to take the win. Donald McIntosh had his best career LOLMDS finish with fourth place, followed by Stormy Scott.

“It is great to come back to Golden Isles, which is one of my favorite tracks. To run here in front of all of these people, and then to win it, all I can say is, they saw a heck of a race. Once the five car [Bailes] had that flat, I knew I had a good chance to win.”

“The track crew did a great job on the track today. After all the rain they had Wednesday Night, it was very racy and I think we all put on a good show. I have to thank Dunn-Benson Ford, Lucas Oil Products, Midwest Sheet Metal, Moree’s Enterprises, Sunoco, and Ohlins. This Black Diamond Race Cars by Ronnie Stuckey and Andy Durham Racing Engines combination is going to be really good this year”, stated Pearson.

Jonathan Davenport bolted to the lead early on, but Ross Bailes quickly made it a two-car battle. Bailes pressured Davenport several times, as the ran side-by-side on a few occasions. Davenport officially led the first 36 laps of the race until he ended up on the hook with broken right front suspension. The mishap marked the second straight night that Davenport would leave the race while leading.

Bailes led until lap 42 when he suffered a flat left rear tire. Pearson inherited the lead with Brandon Sheppard and Jared Landers in hot pursuit. On the restart Pearson held off hard-charging Landers for the win with Bloomquist coming in third.

Landers was extremely happy with the performance of his Crop Production Services-sponsored Sweet-Bloomquist car. “I couldn’t be happier with the way we ran tonight. The car was good all night. I kind of messed up on the last restart and lost a few spots. We will try to get the car better for tomorrow night. It is a very good way to start the points off,” stated Landers.

Bloomquist started 13th, and moved into third place near the end of the race and was really happy for Landers. “He did a good job tonight, I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to get into the top five from where we started. After not running the first race last year, we had to play catch-up the rest of the season. I want to thank all of my new sponsors; Reece Monument Company, Mark Martin Automotive, Petroff Towing, and also a big thank you to Ole Smoky Moonshine, Penske Shocks and Hawkeye Trucking.”

In preliminary action, Jonathan Davenport set the overall Miller Welders Fast Time (Group B) amongst the 33 entrants, with a lap of 15.388 seconds. Ross Bailes set the fastest time in Group A with a time of 15.431 seconds. Ross Bailes, Stormy Scott, Jonathan Davenport and Jason Papich won their respective heat races. Chris Madden won the B-Main.

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Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Friday, February 6th, 2015
Georgia Boot Super Bowl of Racing
Golden Isles Speedway – Waynesville, GA

Miller Welders Fast Time Group A: Ross Bailes / 15.431 seconds

Miller Welders Fast Time Group B: Jonathan Davenport / 15.388 seconds

Eibach Springs Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Ross Bailes, Kenny PettyJohn, Dennis Franklin, Scott Bloomquist, Don O’Neal, Austin Kirkpatrick, Doug Sanders, Kelly Guy

CV Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Stormy Scott, Donald McIntosh, Devin Moran, Jimmy Owens, Chris Madden, Austin Rettig, Russell Brown, Jr., Mack McCarter-DNS
Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Jonathan Davenport, Earl Pearson, Jr., Billy Moyer, Jr., Kyle Bronson, Dennis Erb, Jr., Dan Schlieper, Eddie Carrier, Jr., Jay Sessoms, Ivedent Lloyd, Jr.
QA1 Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Jason Papich, Jared Landers, Brandon Sheppard, Gregg Satterlee, Mike Benedum, Steve Francis, Steven Roberts, Chris Brown

Fast Shafts Finish (12 Laps, Top 6 Transfer): Chris Madden, Don O’Neal, Dennis Erb, Jr., Steven Roberts, Austin Kirkpatrick, Mike Benedum, Steve Francis, Eddie Carrier, Jr., Chris Brown, Doug Sanders, Dan Schlieper, Jay Sessoms, Kelly Guy, Ivedent Lloyd, Jr., Austin Rettig, Russell Brown, Jr.-DNS, Mack McCarter-DNS
Feature Finish (50 Laps):

Race Statistics

Entrants: 33

Lap Leaders: Jonathan Davenport (Laps 1 – 36); Ross Bailes (Laps 37 – 41); Earl Pearson Jr. (Laps 42 – 50)
Cautions: Steven Roberts (Lap 4); Austin Kirkpatrick (Lap 7); Jonathan Davenport (Lap 37); Ross Bailes (Lap 42)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Chris Madden
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: n/a
Miller Welders Fast Time Provisionals: n/a
Wrisco Feature Winner: Earl Pearson Jr.
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Chris Madden (Started: 17th; Finished: 6th; Advanced 11 Positions)
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Earl Pearson Jr.
Allstar Performer of the Race: Jared Landers

Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Earl Pearson Jr.

Rookie of the Race: n/a
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Durham Racing Engines

Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Black Diamond Chassis

Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Talon Center

FK Rod Ends Fastest Lap of the Race: Jonathan Davenport (Lap #2 – 15.587 seconds)
Hot Rod Processing Most Laps Led: Jonathan Davenport (36 Laps)
PFC Brakes Tough Break Award: Ross Bailes

Time of Race: 28 minutes 33 seconds

Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings: