Story & photos by Phillip Prichard, MSA Staff:
On the final night of the Georgia Boot Super Bowl of Racing in front of a record-breaking crowd at the Golden Isles Speedway, Jonathan Davenport won the Lucas Oil Late Model Series event on the third night. Davenport had led during both of the previous two nights, but suffered misfortune and was unable to finish either feature. Davenport picked up his fifth career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win.
Friday Night’s winner, Earl Pearson Jr. finished second, followed by Brandon Sheppard, Scott Bloomquist, and Ross Bailes rounded out five in an exciting finale to the Georgia Boot Super Bowl of Racing. Completing the top ten were Dennis Erb Jr., Donald McIntosh, Kenny Pettyjohn, Jimmy Owens, and Stormy Scott.
Davenport earned his third straight Miller Welders Fast Time Award of the weekend during time trials earlier in the night and won his heat race. At the start of the 50-lap main event, he stormed to the lead. Ross Bailes settled into second and trailed Davenport, until sixth-place starter Jared Landers got by him.
Landers charged after Davenport for the lead, assuming the point on lap 22. Landers led until his left rear wheel broke on lap 30. Landers slowed right in front of Davenport forcing him to take evasive action. Davenport led the remaining 20 laps of the race to record the victory. A tire and wheel from Mike Benedum’s car came off on the final lap, and stacked the field for a final drag race to the checkered flag. Davenport pulled away and sailed on to the victory in convincing style.
In preliminary action, Jonathan Davenport set the overall Miller Welders Fast Time (Group A) amongst the 32 entrants, with a lap of 15.213 seconds. Jared Landers set the fastest time in Group B with a time of 15.461 seconds. Jonathan Davenport, Ross Bailes, Earl Pearson Jr. and Billy Moyer Jr. won their respective heat races. Kenny Petty, John and Gregg Satterlee won their respective B-Mains.
Pearson moved into second place on lap 31 and stayed there throughout the remainder of the race. Despite three cautions over the last 19 laps of the race, Pearson could never get close enough after the restarts to challenge Davenport.
Sheppard, like Davenport had run well the two previous nights without the results to show for it. We felt like we had a car that could have won either night. To finish third tonight after changing engines from last night, we will take it and head to East Bay.
Earl Pearson Jr’s 29th career Lucas Oil Late Model Series victory was one of his most memorable victories. In front of his hometown fans, the 4-time LOLMDS National Champion won the Friday Night event at the Georgia Boot Super Bowl of Racing feature.
Eddie Carrier passed Brandon Sheppard on the final lap on the first night of the Georgia Boot Super Bowl of Racing at Golden Isles Speedway on Thursday night. Carrier picked up the $7000 prize money.
For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, log onto www.lucasdirt.com and follow the series on www.facebook.com/lucasdirt, www.twitter.com/lucasdirt, and www.instagram.com/lucasdirt.
The Super Bowl of Racing also hosted the Southern Thunder Late Model Series.
Jason Fitzgerald won the Friday night event driving the James Simmons C2 car, Scott Johnson was second and Kitt Sealy was third. 35 cars were on hand for the event.
On Saturday night, Mark Whitener won the event, he was the dominate car leading flag to flag of the 30-car field. Friday night’s winner Jason Fitzgerald was second and Scott Johnson was third. Whitener went on to win at North Florida Speedway on Sunday.
The next Southern Thunder Late model series will be at North Florida speedway on March 28. Visit www.southernthunderlatemodelseries.blogspot.com for more details on the series.
Jonathan Davenport (Lap #2 – 15.519 seconds)
Hot Rod Processing Most Laps Led: Jonathan Davenport (40 Laps)
PFC Brakes Tough Break Award: Jared Landers
Time of Race: 44 minutes 31 seconds