May 31, 2013 - John Blankenship took home his first ever win at Tazewell Speedway on Friday Night capturing the Toyota Knoxville 50. Blankenship picked up his second Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win of 2013 after taking over the lead on lap nine, when race leader Scott Bloomquist went pitside. Blankenship then held off several challenges from Jimmy Owens as he pulled away at the end. Owens nursed a smoking car home in second followed by Earl Pearson Jr., Dennis Erb Jr. and Steve Francis.
"Yes that was a tough race, Francis got me on the restart and then we were finally able to make it stick. I saw Jimmy's nose a couple of times, I got a little excited, but we kept at it and it feels good to win so close to our race shop in Knoxville," said the winner. "I am glad that Bobby's (Pierce) ok, I saw Scott (Bloomquist) slide in there, he must have gotten a lot of damage, because I saw him pull out of the race."

Blankenship inherited the lead with Owens, following closely in second. Blankenship and Owens put on a terrific battle for the lead for several circuits with Owens actually being credited with leading lap 20. Blankenship regained the top spot a lap later and went on to lead the rest of the way. Owens started fading in the final ten laps as smoke was pouring out of his car.
"I have to thank all of my sponsors, Coal, Todd Case Trucking, Bear Cove Village, VP, Integra, Cornett Racing Engines and Rocket Chassis. My crew has been outstanding lately; we came into this season looking to win the championship and with a win tonight it sure helps! Two wins out of the last three, so we hope to keep the momentum going at Florence tomorrow night, that's a track we need to improve our performance at."

Owens, with his second place finish, maintained his points lead. "We were just hanging on there at the end. I don't know if it was an oil leak or what, fortunately we were far enough ahead of those other guys, but we will go through the car and get ready for Florence. The track was racy tonight, there must have been a full-moon or something, and I want to thank all the fans for coming out tonight."
Completing the top ten were Eddie Carrier Jr., Billy Ogle, Jr., Jared Landers, Brad Neat and Billy Moyer, Jr.

In preliminary action, Scott Bloomquist set the overall time (Group A) amongst the 21 entrants, with a lap of 10.966 seconds. Jeff Wolfenbarger set the fastest time in Group B with a time of 11.109 seconds. Scott Bloomquist, Chris Madden, and Steve Francis won their respective heat races.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Toyota Knoxville 50
1. 23 John Blankenship
2. 20 Jimmy Owens
3. 44 Earl Pearson Jr.
4. 28e Dennis Erb Jr.
5. 15 Steve Francis
6. 28 Eddie Carrier Jr.
7. 201 Billy Ogle Jr.
8. 5 Jared Landers
9. 41 Brad Neat
10. Billy Moyer Jr.
11. 11 Tommy Bailey
12. 25 Josh Henry
13. 7L Jerry Lierly
14. 23B Jay Brunson
15. 44M Chris Madden
16. 0 Scott Bloomquist
17. 71 Don O'Neal
18. 32 Bobby Pierce
19. 28 Jeff Wolfenbarger
20. 5H Bryan Hendrix
21. 14 Terry Wolfenbarger

In Sportsman action Keith Chapman of Powell, TN picked up his fourth win of the season in the A-1 Storage Trailers, JRT Promotions, Sun Electric Company, Trammell Construction, Fast Lane Signs and Graphics, Hatmaker Holdings sponsored Warrior Studebaker SS. Chapman set fast time and battled door to door with Heath Alvey several time early in the feature.

Sportsman
1. 97 Keith Chapman
2. 7 Heath Alvey
3. 56H Jordon Horton
4. 01 Jerry Hux
5. 46 Derrick Shockley
6. 2C Ryan Coppock
7. J7 Jody Horton
DNS 88 Billy Gordon

Gary Blanken of Morristown, TN set fast time among the Modified Street entries and held off Robbie Buchanan for his third win of the season on the Britt's Welding, Morristown Towing and Automotive, Sonny's Collision Monte Carlo. A protest was issued on Blanken's engine and was deemed legal after a post race inspection.

Modified Street
1. 5 Gary Blanken
2. P21 Robbie Buchanan
3. 56 Tony Horton
4. 33 Warren McMahan
5. 4 Clyde Overholt
6. 52 Michael Boyd
7. 54 Larry Burke
8. 21K Dakotah Knuckles
DNS 1 David Clark

Randy Dyke of Newport pulled out to an early lead in the 4 Cylinder feature with his friend and fellow racer Chuck McMahan in tow. Dyke would lead most of the feature until and overheating engine ended his strong run. Chuck McMahan would inherit the lead and capture his sixth win in a row. Round Boy Motorsports, Lowes Auto Parts, Jim Ford Automotive Ford Mustang.

4 Cylinder
1. 99 Chuck McMahan
2. 44J Jeromy Collins
3. 14 Chad Manning
4. 19 Travis Dawson
5. 40 Chris Evans
6. 72 Rufus Collett
7. 007 Hayston Collett
8. 111 Randy Dyke
9. 1 Jason Turner
DNS 21 Chris Reichert

This Saturday night June 8th Tazewell Speedway will present the Pure Street Clash with double features. Also in action will be our Tazewell Late Models, Sportsman, Modified Street, 4 Cylinder and Classic Cars divisions. For more info please visit www.TazewellSpeedway.net or call 423.218.6167.