For The Tribune
BROWNSTOWN
As Scott Bloomquist pulled his familiar No. 0 into Victory Lane on Saturday night at Brownstown Speedway, boos and cheers alike rattled the grounds as the Hall of Famer exited his car in the midst of confetti and camera flashes.
The Mooresburg, Tennessee, driver led all 100 laps of the crown jewel dirt late-model event, scoring a record-setting seventh Jackson 100 win. It also was his 13th career win at Brownstown.
“How do you like me now?” exclaimed Bloomquist upon climbing from his racecar, stirring a huge reaction from spectators. “I don’t know why they boo me so much here. I guess it’s because they have had so many good drivers from this area.”
Bloomquist is not shy about his love for Brownstown Speedway.
“They have done nothing but improve this place. The surface is awesome,” Bloomquist said. “We love coming here. This is a place you would be proud to call home.”
Jason Jameson closed on Bloomquist in the final 20 laps, but his efforts fell short, as he finished in the runner-up position.
“I think if we would have had another caution, I might have had a shot at him. He was just so good on the bottom,” Jameson said.
Martinsville’s Hudson O’Neal scored a third-place finish at his home track, much to the satisfaction of his growing local fan base.
In his second Jackson 100 start, O’Neal was pleased with his results.
“We are happy with this finish,” he said. “I can’t thank everyone enough on the crew for getting this car up front tonight.”
Current E-Z Lift Super Late Model points leader Devin Gilpin was a top contender after winning his heat race and starting fourth in the main event.
Misfortune struck for the Columbus driver on the third lap, as his motor expired.
Vallonia’s Tim Schumpe scored his first career victory in the super stocks division, besting efforts from Jamey Wilson and Randy Petro in the closing laps.
Schumpe, who has been winless in the division for the past 11 seasons, is seventh in the points standings.
Seymour’s Matt Boknecht won the modifieds feature, extending his points lead over Brandon Reed.
Friday night’s racing program saw three-time Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series driver Jimmy Owens pick up the win in the Steve Barnett Tribute race.
The Newport, Tennessee, driver went unchallenged in the 30-lap event.
Gilpin finished runner-up behind Owens, notching his best career finish with the series.
“I can’t believe I’m standing up here on the podium with these guys,” Gilpin said. “Owens is one of my racing idols. We tried our best to run him down.”
Hudson O’Neal went on to win the Indiana Pro Late Model main event, the Bowman 50, which paid $2,000 to win.
Seymour’s Jason Combs took the pure stocks feature. Combs came into the event sixth in the standings.
Brownstown’s next event will be Saturday as it hosts Staff Management Night.
Indiana Pro Late Models, modifieds, super stocks, pure stocks, hornets and Racesaver Sprints all headline the racing program for the evening.