Erb, Jr. Wins Rain-Shortened DART Winternationals Night 3

Dennis Erb, Jr. (center) won Wedneday’s rain-shortened feature event for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series at East Bay Raceway Park. Tyler Reddick (left) finished second and Eric Jacobson (right) finished third. Photo courtesy Rick’s Darkroom

Dennis Erb, Jr. continues to have a spectacular Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series DART Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL, as he won Wednesday night’s rain-shortened main event. Erb took the lead at the start of the scheduled 35-lapper, but with 27 laps scored, the final caution came out for rain and the race was declared “official” shortly thereafter.

Erb, in his JL Scrap Metals and McBride Mack sponsored, Bloomquist Race Cars entry, started on the pole and was in control for most of the race. Tyler Reddick passed Eric Jacobsen late in the race to finish second. Jacobsen came home third followed by Mike Marlar and Jimmy Owens.

“This week has been unbelievable so far. We have never had this good of a start down here (East Bay),” Erb, Jr. said.   “I have to thank all my sponsors and Heather (Lyne) for their support. We have been fast ever since we unloaded here, the track has been great all three nights.”

The 40-year-old driver had to wait through a three and a half rain delay following the second heat.

Reddick managed to slip by Jacobsen just before the rain began to fall. He was gaining ground on the leader when the call was made to end the race.

“It was the right call, glad we didn’t start tearing up a bunch of cars with a wet track,” said Reddick.  “We were really good tonight. When I finally got by Eric, I was hoping for a caution, we got one. Unfortunately thought, it was for the rain.”

Jacobsen, who is still seeking his first-ever win at East Bay and on the LOLMDS tour trailed Erb for most of the race. He never let him out of his sights, but Erb was able to pull away after a lap 13 caution.

“Dennis was really good; it was a great night for the Bloomquist cars,” said Jacobsen.  “We swept the top three and we are getting really close to that first win.”

In preliminary action, Erb, Jr. set the overall Red Buck Fast Time (Group B) amongst the 43 entrants, with a lap of 14.369 seconds. Marlar set the fastest time in Group A with a time of 14.428 seconds. Erb, Jr., Jacobsen, Marlar, and won their respective Heat Races. Eddie Carrier and Todd Frank won their respective B-Mains. Justin Rattliff was the PRC Strawberry Dash- Draw Winner.

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt series will be back every night this week in the 37th Annual DART Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park. For more information on the event or EBRP, log onto www.eastbayracewaypark.com.

For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, visit  www.lucasdirt.com.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
East Bay Raceway Park – Tampa, FL
37th Annual DART Winternationals – Feb. 13, 2013