COLUMBUS, MS (July 9, 2011) - Two-time and defending Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion, Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN made it three-in-a-row on Saturday Night as he captured the "Clash at the Mag" at Magnolia Motor Speedway. The win was worth $20,000 to the 47-year-old Hall of Famer.  His arch-rival Billy Moyer of Batesville, AR finished second followed by Steve Francis of Ashland, KY; Earl Pearson Jr. Jacksonville, FL; and Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN.

On the start, Bloomquist bolted to the lead with Shane Clanton in tow.  Clanton was the among the first of four different drivers to hold the runner-up spot during the race, but his night ended on lap two as he headed to the pits.

Chris Brown picked up second until Owens took over the spot.  Owens then started to chase down Bloomquist when a caution came out for a slowing Mike Marlar on lap 26. Back under green, Bloomquist pulled away from Owens, who was battling door-to-door with Moyer. On lap 34, Moyer was finally able to clear. By this point Bloomquist had built a commanding lead over the field.  Moyer was gaining ground on Bloomquist near the halfway mark with Owens running third followed by Francis and Pearson, who was up to fifth after starting 19th.

Over the last quarter of the race Bloomquist held a comfortable lead. Moyer desperately tried to cut into Bloomquist' lead, but with three laps to go Moyer lost his breather on the front stretch, bringing out the final caution on the night.

Bloomquist kept his lead in the final three circuits as he held off Moyer to take his eighth series win of 2011.  Moyer in his Banner Valley Hauling, Clements-powered Moyer Victory Circle Chevrolet came home second, followed by a strong performance by Francis in his Valvoline, Estes Racing Engines, MasterSbilt entry.

In Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the 34th time in his career, Bloomquist complemented the track crew for getting the track in racing condition after the rain.  "Johnny Stokes does a  great job here, they have fought with the weather the last few days with the rain and heat. The car was just flawless again tonight, I can't say enough about how well we are running. We gained some more points tonight on Jimmy, he just hasn't had any problems, and we have had several in the last month. We feel good where we are at right now," said the winner, who closed to within 15-points of Owens.

"We went through some hard luck there for a while, crashes, wrecks and bad finishes and so on, but the crew has done a great job with preparing the car, the Roush-Yates Ford continues to run exceptionally well. We are running Lucas Oil in the motor this year for the first time and it has helped tremendously. I have to thank my sponsors Miller Brothers Construction, Base Racing Fuels, Hoosier Tires, Lane Automotive, Sweet Manufacturing and everyone else who helps out. It's also good to win a television race," noted Bloomquist.

Completing the top ten were Clint Smith of Senoia, GA,  Chris Brown of Cleveland, TX, Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA, Brad Neat of Dunnville, KY and Don O'Neal of Martinsville, IN.

The "Clash at the Mag" is sponsored by the Columbus/Lowndes County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The event will be shown on SPEED at 1 PM Eastern Time on July 31st.
Coming up next weekend, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will be in action on Thursday and Friday Night, July 14th and 15th at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, IL for the "Battle at the Beach" paying $20,000 to win.  On Thursday Night there will Red Buck Cigar Time Trials and Heat Races. Then on Friday Night there will be B-Mains and the 100-lap main event.  On Saturday Night, July 16th, the series will appear at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO for the CMH Diamond Nationals paying $10,000 to win.