Pearson Edges Rice in Closest Lucas Dirt Finish in Series History

UNION, KY (July 10, 2020) - Earl Pearson, Jr. picked up his first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win since last February as he won in a photo finish over Florence Speedway track regular Josh Rice on Friday Night. The win kicks off the weekend of racing at the Northern Kentucky ½ mile oval in the General Tire Summer Sizzler Nationals presented by E3 Spark Plugs. 

Pearson’s 39th career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory came by a scant .002 seconds, which was the closest finish in series history. Pearson took the lead on the white flag as he held off Rice and Zack Dohm who nearly made it a three-wide finish. Kyle Bronson finished in fourth followed by the Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race, Trevor Landrum.

Jonathan Davenport grabbed the lead at the start of the 50-lap feature and held the point until series point leader Jimmy Owens passed him for the top spot on lap 18. Owens was holding off Davenport, Rice, and Bronson until lap 27.

Davenport and Rice made contact on the front stretch battling for second and Davenport got into the front stretch wall forcing the first caution flag of the race. The ensuing restart saw Owens go hard into the turn one wall, ending his night.

Rice took over the point and stretched his lead over the field by over two and half seconds. Rice was primed for his first career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory, but in the last five laps both Pearson and Dohm cut into Rice’s lead. Pearson made the winning pass with two laps to go. Rice gave it everything he had and dive-bombed Pearson at the finish line but came up short.

In Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the first time since early 2019, Pearson became the 13th different winner of the 2020 series campaign. “He [Rice] was up there on the cushion and when you are out there in the lead you don’t know where to go. We found a line through the middle of the racetrack. He [Rice] did a heck of a job and drove the wheels off that car tonight. He’s a good kid, I love racing with him. He drives everybody clean and I respect the heck out of him,” said the 4-time Series champion.

“The track was pretty well racy. I don’t know what happened to Davenport and Jimmy up there, but when it is your turn, it’s your turn. It’s been a long-time since we won here at Florence, 10 years to be exact.  We will take the win tonight and hopefully we can keep on going tomorrow.”

The 21-year-old Rice recorded his best career finish with his second-place run. I tried backing off the cushion in the last five or so laps. I know it was close finish. We had a hot rod tonight; we will be ready for tomorrow night. If we hadn’t got the front knocked off, I don’t think they would have had anything for us.”

Dohm had his best Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series finish of the season with his new Longhorn Chassis.  “I thought the cushion would be bigger during the race. We were set-up to run the bottom and that’s where we stayed the whole race. If that cushion would have been there we would have been in trouble. Congrats to Earl on the win, I hoped the fans enjoyed that race.”

The winner’s Ronnie and Terri Stuckey/Black Diamond Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Lucas Oil Products, Tegeler Wrecker and Crane, Etchberger Trucking, Ohlins Shocks, P&W Sales, and Papich Construction.

Completing the top ten were Tim McCreadie, Mike Marlar, Tyler Bruening, Tanner English, and Kyle Strickler.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series 
Race Summary 
General Tire Summer Sizzler Nationals – presented by E3 Spark Plugs   
Friday, July 10th, 2020
Florence Speedway – Union, KY

Lucas Oil Time Trials
Fast Time Group A: Jonathan Davenport / 15.364 seconds (overall)
Fast Time Group B:  Earl Pearson Jr. / 15.431 seconds 

Penske Race Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 49-Jonathan Davenport[1]; 2. 16-Tyler Bruening[3]; 3. 11R-Josh Rice[4]; 4. 1T-Tyler Erb[2]; 5. 50-Shanon Buckingham[5]; 6. 33J-Jesse Lay[8]; 7. 1M-Connor Meade[7]; 8. 32A-Robert Starret[9]; 9. (DNS) 1G-Devin Gilpin

FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 14-Josh Richards[2]; 2. 9-Devin Moran[1]; 3. 17D-Zack Dohm[3]; 4. 71-Hudson O'Neal[4]; 5. 11H-Jared Hawkins[8]; 6. 17-Logan Roberson[5]; 7. 83-Scott James[6]; 8. 49G-Billy Green[7]

Simpson Race Products Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 1-Earl Pearson Jr[1]; 2. 40B-Kyle Bronson[4]; 3. 8-Kyle Strickler[2]; 4. 81E-Tanner English[6]; 5. 25-Shane Clanton[7]; 6. 2H-Nick Hoffman[3]; 7. 20C-Duane Chamberlain[8]; 8. 25Z-Mason Zeigler[5]

Ohlins Shocks Heat Race #4 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 20-Jimmy Owens[1]; 2. 39-Tim McCreadie[2]; 3. 21-Billy Moyer Jr[3]; 4. 57-Mike Marlar[4]; 5. 18L-Trevor Landrum[8]; 6. 16J-Jason Jameson[6]; 7. 2S-Stormy Scott[5]; 8. 4G-Kody Evans[7]

Tiger Rear Ends B-Main #1 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 11H-Jared Hawkins[2]; 2. 50-Shanon Buckingham[1]; 3. 83-Scott James[6]; 4. 49G-Billy Green[8]; 5. 1M-Connor Meade[5]; 6. 33J-Jesse Lay[3]; 7. 17-Logan Roberson[4]; 8. 32A-Robert Starret[7]; 9. (DNS) 1G-Devin Gilpin

FAST Shafts B-Main #2 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 25-Shane Clanton[1]; 2. 25Z-Mason Zeigler[7]; 3. 18L-Trevor Landrum[2]; 4. 16J-Jason Jameson[4]; 5. 2S-Stormy Scott[6]; 6. 2H-Nick Hoffman[3]; 7. 20C-Duane Chamberlain[5]; 8. (DNS) 4G-Kody Evans

Lucas Oil Feature Finish (50 Laps): 

Race Statistics
Entrants: 33
Lap Leaders: Jonathan Davenport (Laps 1 – 17); Jimmy Owens (Laps 18 – 27); Josh Rice (Laps 28 – 48); Earl Pearson Jr. (Laps 49 – 50)
Wrisco Feature Winner: Earl Pearson Jr.
Margin of Victory: 0.002 seconds
Cautions: Jonathan Davenport (Lap 27); Jimmy Owens (Lap 27)
Series Provisionals: Stormy Scott
Fast Time Provisional: Nick Hoffman
Series Emergency Provisionals: n/a
Big River Steel Podium Top 3: Earl Pearson Jr., Josh Rice, Zack Dohm
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Trevor Landrum (Advanced 17 Positions) 
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Jimmy Owens
Allstar Performance Most Laps Led: Josh Rice (21 Laps)
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Earl Pearson Jr.
Eibach Springs Rookie of the Race: Tyler Bruening
ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Racing Engines
Miller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Black Diamond Chassis
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Anthony Burroughs (Earl Pearson Jr.)
Dirty Girl Racewear Fastest Lap of the Race: Josh Rice (Lap #9 – 16.869 seconds)
STEEL-IT Tough Break of the Race: Jimmy Owens
PFC Brakes Pole Award: Jonathan Davenport
Time of Race: 28 minutes 18 seconds

Lucas Oil Point Standings:

*Results are unofficial until Close of Business on the Tuesday following Race Day*

For the latest breaking news concerning the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, including the latest series standings, 2020 tour schedule, driver information, and more visit the official website at: www.lucasdirt.com.

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Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Official Sponsors Include:

ARP - The Official Fastener of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Arizona Sport Shirts - The Original Racing Shirt
Big River Steel - A leading Steel Mill in the flat-rolled steel industry
Brandon Ford - "The Official Pace Truck" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Dirt Draft - "The Official Fantasy Sports Provider" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
DirtonDirt.com - All Late Models. All The Time.
Dixie Chopper - "The Official Mower" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
E3 Spark Plugs - "The Official Spark Plug" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
GEICO - Saving People Money on More than Just Car Insurance
General Tire - Anywhere is Possible
Holmatro - Mastering Power
Hoosier Tire - Tires Designed for Champions
K&N Engineering - "Make your Move" to K&N Performance Filters
Lucas Oil Products - Made in America, SOLD to the World
Lucas Oil Racing TV - GRAB IT AND HOLD ON TIGHT
MAVTV Motorsports Network - MAVTV is Motorsports
Miller Welders - WE BUILD With You
Nitro-Bee PLUS - "The Official Race Receiver" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Optima Batteries - The Ultimate Power Source
ProtectTheHarvest.com - Standing up for America's Farmers, Hunters, and Animal Owners
Rugged Radios - “The Official Communications” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
SRI Performance - Your One Stop Shop for All Things Racing
STEEL-IT - Stainless Steel Coating in a Can
Sunoco Race Fuels - "The Official Fuel" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Super Clean - Super Easy, Super Fast!
Wrisco Industries, Inc. - 100 Years of Industry Experience

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Marketing Partners Include:

Advanced Powder Coating, Allstar Performance, Automotive Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Black Diamond Chassis, Boyd Bilt Fabrication, Brodix, Capital Race Cars, Cornett Racing Engines, CP Carrillo Pistons, Dirty Girl Racewear, Durham Racing Engines, Earnhardt Technologies Group, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, FK Rod Ends, Heath Lawson Photography, Hot Rod Processing, Keyser Manufacturing, Longhorn Chassis, MasterSbilt Race Cars, Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas, Midwest Sheet Metal, MSD Performance, MyRacePass, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Öhlins Shocks, Outerwears, Penske Racing Shocks, Performance Bodies, PFC Brakes, Pro Power Racing Engines, Rocket Chassis, Schoenfeld Headers, Simpson Race Products, Slicker Graphics, Swift Springs, Thermo-Tec Automotive Products, Tiger Rear Ends, Vic Hil Race Engines, Xcelydne Valvetrain, 5150 Race Trailers

About Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Founded in 2005, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is the nation’s premier dirt late model sanctioning organization.  In 2020, the LOLMDS will sanction 57 events in 18 states.  The series is owned by the parent company Lucas Oil Products Inc. and receives national exposure through a TV package filmed, produced and edited by Lucas Oil Production Studios.  LOLMDS events will be broadcast on four TV Networks including CBS, NBC Sports, CBS Sports Network and the MAVTV Motorsports Network.  For more information about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series visit the official website at: www.LucasDirt.com. 

About Lucas Oil Racing TV

The Future of Motorsports is HERE! Get Lucas Oil Racing TV and experience racing excitement like you've never seen! Lucas Oil Racing TV is the online app for all your favorite devices like Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Android Devices and more! No matter where you are or when you want to watch, you can stream the best and most exciting motor racing on the planet!

Lucas Oil Racing TV has all your favorite motorsports - from grass roots to international competition, as well as exclusive LIVE EVENTS and behind the scenes interviews and footage that you won't see anywhere else! But that's just the beginning! Lucas Oil Racing TV brings you some of motorsports greatest broadcasters and build specialists... from Dave Despain to the mechanics of Two Guys Garage, as well as all the latest news, reviews, and interviews from every genre of racing.

Lucas Oil Racing TV is the Exclusive, Unlimited, 24/7 All-Access Motorsports App and it's available NOW! For more information or to sign up, go to: www.LucasOilRacing.TV.

About MAVTV Motorsports Network

Owned and operated by Lucas Oil Products, MAVTV is a television network with its roots deep in the automotive world. MAVTV offers an unparalleled line-up of exclusive motorsports, that includes prestigious events such as the Chili Bowl, The AMA Pro Motocross series, the Lucas Oil Challenge Cup and NHRA Drag Racing. But MAVTV goes far beyond the national mainstream events and also covers multitudes of grassroots series' from across the globe: Drag boats, sprint boats, drag racing, pro pulling, rally racing, drifting, dirt racing, ice racing and everything in between.

MAVTV also knows you don't have to be a race fan to be an automotive enthusiast, which is why we have developed a package of automotive reality and custom build shows that is truly second to none. If it has a motor, it's on MAVTV...MAVTV is THE motorsports network. To learn more about MAVTV go to: www.MAVTV.com.

About Lucas Oil Products

Founded in 1989 by Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, Lucas Oil Products, Inc. has established itself as one of the fastest-growing lubrication product lines in the consumer automotive aftermarket, featuring a line of engine oils, greases, gear lubes, problem-solving additives, and car-care products.  Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil has established itself as a worldwide leader in the lubrication industry.  Motorsports has always been part of the Lucas Oil culture and the cornerstone of the company's marketing strategy.  Such passion for motorsports has inspired Lucas Oil to sponsor many race teams, events and series at all levels, including, NHRA, IRL, ASCS, NASCAR, IHRA and many more.  Lucas Oil has also taken ownership and operational control of a number of high profile racing properties, such as: Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, and the Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO.

In 2007 Lucas Oil founded its own production house, Lucas Oil Production Studios, dedicated to producing high action motorsports television.  Currently Lucas Oil Production Studios produces over 300 hours of original programming for networks such as CBS, CBS Sports, NBC Sports and MAVTV.  More information about Lucas Oil Products, Inc. visit the company website at:  www.LucasOil.com.