Brian Birkhofer scored the win in Saturday night’s Late Model Knoxville Nationals at Knoxville Raceway. Photo courtesy LOLMDS Media
KNOXVILLE, IA – In an incredible finish, Brian Birkhofer passed Scott Bloomquist coming off of turn number four on the final lap to win the 11th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals at Knoxville Raceway. Birkhofer, in possibly the last race of his career, earned $40,000 for the win as the huge grandstand crowd came to its feet to cheer on the home-state driver to victory.
Mike Marlar made a late-race charge to finish third, followed by Jimmy Mars and Don O’Neal.
“What a way to go out if this is my last race,” said Birkhofer. “Who knows, I may be back, but this one here will be hard to top. I got a run out of two on that last lap and I might have lifted for a split second I don’t remember. The car stuck on the cushion and I was fortunate enough to get by him. I don’t know what happened to him (Bloomquist). Something might have gone wrong or broke, I’m not sure. In any case, we put our car in victory lane and I couldn’t be happier.”
Birkhofer led the first 30 laps of the 100-lapper until Lanigan forged ahead. Birkhofer then regained the top spot ten circuits later. Birkhofer stayed in front until Bloomquist took over the point on lap 62. Bloomquist then held a solid lead until Birkhofer and Marlar started to reel him in. Marlar was clocked as the fastest car on the track as he used the top groove of the race track. Just as Birkhofer and Marlar closed to within a few car lengths of Bloomquist, a caution came out with 14 laps to go.
On the restart Bloomquist fired off extremely well as Birkhofer and Marlar lost touch with him. As the laps wound down, Birkhofer started to close the gap. As the two drivers took the white flag, Birkhofer was about 3-4 car lengths behind Bloomquist. As the duo headed down the backstretch, Bloomquist took the low route into turns three and four as Birkhofer stormed to the outside of the track. As the pair came off of turn number four, Birkhofer had the momentum to get by Bloomquist to score the coveted win.
Bloomquist was disappointed at being denied a third victory in the crown jewel event.
“Something broke about two laps from the end. I’m not sure if it was a yoke or something,” he said. “We could hardly get off the scales because something was dragging underneath the car. We had a great car tonight. It’s just disappointing to come up that short of winning. I would like to thank Ole Smoky Moonshine, Randy Sweet, Durham Racing Engines, Hawkeye Trucking, and all of my great sponsors for their assistance.”
Marlar was happy with his third place run.
“We were flying out there, and I was catching the leaders there at the end,” Marler said. “The cushion kind of threw me a few times. Our car was free and easy to drive, man I wish that caution hadn’t come out. Congratulations to Brian, it’s a great win for him. We can’t wait to get back here next year.”
For more info on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, visit LucasDirt.com.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Knoxville Raceway – Knoxville, IA
Late Model Knoxville Nationals – Sept. 27, 2014
FINISH START CAR # DRIVER NAME HOMETOWN
1. 1 15b Brian Birkhofer Muscatine, IA
2. 6 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN
3. 23 157 Mike Marlar Winfield, TN
4. 18 28m Jimmy Mars Menomonie, WI
5. 31 5 Don O’Neal Martinsville, IN
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7. 32 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN
8. 13 99JR Frank Heckenast, Jr. Frankfort, IL
9. 27 18c Chase Junghans Manhattan, KS
10. 21 25 Chad Simpson Mt. Vernon, IA
11. 25 1w Wendell Wallace Batesville, AR
12. 33 12 Jason Hughes Watts, OK
13. 34 91p Jason Papich Nipomo, CA
14. 30 50 Denny Eckrich Tiffin, IA
15. 24 28e Dennis Erb, Jr. Carpentersville, IL
16. 17 777 Jared Landers Batesville, AR
17. 7 28 Eddie Carrier, Jr. Salt Rock, WV
18. 3 6 Jonathan Davenport Mount Airy, NC
19. 2 29 Darrell Lanigan Union, KY
20. 15 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV
21. 8 B5 Brandon Sheppard New Berlin, IL
22. 4 44 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL
23. 26 1 Rick Eckert York, PA
24. 28 14m Morgan Bagley Tyler, TX
25. 5 17m Dale McDowell Chickamauga, GA
26. 20 2 Brady Smith Solon Springs, WI
27. 9 7R Kent Robinson Bloomington, IN
28. 12 21 Billy Moyer Batesville, AR
29. 19 5X Brandon Overton Appling, GA
30. 22 81 Brian Shirley Chatham, IL
31. 14 18 Shannon Babb Mowequa, IL
32. 16 58d AJ Diemel Elk Mound, WI
33. 11 20s Rodney Sanders Happy, TX
34. 29 75 Terry Phillips Springfield, MO
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