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Erb Rebounds for Exciting Win at East Bay on Friday Night

TAMPA, FL (February 17, 2012) - Battling back from an early caution, Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, IL had the fans on their feet as he captured Friday night's exciting 50-lap DART Winternationals event. Erb took the lead on lap 48 and roared to the finish in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned race.

Erb originally started 14th on the grid, but tangled with Austin Hubbard on lap three. This brought out the first caution of the race. Erb pitted, changed a tire, and restarted in 23rd position. He then charged through the field, and passed Randy Korte of Highland, IL on lap 47. Erb got around both Korte and Tyler Reddick at the same time. He powered away and took his Bloomquist Race Cars #28 to victory lane for the second time in his career at East Bay.

"I still can't believe it," said Erb in Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the second time ever. He was shell-shocked as he spoke with series announcer, James Essex. "I saw what (Steve) Francis did the night before and decided my car would work up top as well. I drove around them on the high side, and was able to carry my momentum passed them. I want to thank McBride Mack, PRC, Allstar Performance, Petersen Aluminum, Ohlins, and VP Fuels for their support."

"The deal earlier in the race with Hubbard, it was just a racing thing. I decided to pit and bolt on a new tire, knowing that I was taking a gamble, and it paid off. I knew my car was working pretty well this week and the Vic Hill Racing Engine performed flawlessly. Heather (Lyne) has been working hard and I am really pleased how things turned out tonight."

Korte was in the hunt for his first ever series and East Bay win. He looked like he was headed for victory lane until a caution came out with 47 laps complete. Korte had worked his way up from starting 12th in the Riggs Motorsports, Clearwave Communications, Rocket Chevrolet. He took the lead from Steve Francis with less than five laps to go. Korte came home in second, his best career finish in LOLMDS competition.

Reddick wound up third in the Broken Bow Records, Gaerte Racing Engines, Bloomquist Race Cars mount. He was followed by Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, GA. Davenport had led the first 33 laps until Francis passed him. He grabbed fourth in the Bowyer Motorsports, Roush-Yates Racing Engines, Barry Wright Toyota. Donnie Moran of Dresden, OH rounded out the top five in his Custom Cutters, Malcuit Racing Engines, and MasterSbilt Chevrolet.

Completing the top ten were Austin Hubbard of Seaford, DE; Ray Cook of Brasstown, NC; Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN; Eric Wells of Hazard, KY; and John Blankenship of Williamson, WV.

In preliminary action Steve Francis was the Red Buck Cigar's Fast Qualifier amongst the 42 entrants. Heat race winners were Terry Casey, Jonathan Davenport, Don O'Neal, and Shelby Miles. Eric Wells and Eric Jacobsen captured the B-mains.

The final night of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series 36th Annual DART Winternationals is set for Saturday night, February 18th. There will be a $10,000 payday on the line for the winner of the 60-lap feature. Hot laps will begin at 6 PM, followed by Red Buck Cigar Time Trials, and Heat Race action at 7 PM. For more information, log on to www.eastbayracewaypark.com.

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

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Friday Night, February 17, 2012
36th Annual DART Winternationals
East Bay Raceway Park - Tampa, FL

Red Buck Cigars Fast Time:
Terry Casey / 14.501 seconds (Group A)
Steve Francis / 14.119 seconds (Group B and Overall)

Wiles Driveshafts First Heat (8 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Terry Casey, Jared Landers, Tyler Reddick, Ray Cook, Josh McGuire, Bobby Pierce, Scott Creel, Jimmy Owens, Chris Brown, Todd Frank Doug Blashe

U. S. Steel Second Heat (8 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Don O'Neal, Shannon Babb, Austin Hubbard, Donnie Moran, Eric Wells, Jason Riggs, Danny Mitchell, Morgan Bagley, Roger Hammond, Earl Pearson, Jr.

Simpson Performance Products Third Heat (8 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Jonathan Davenport, Scott Bloomquist, Steve Francis, Dennis Erb, Jr., Eric Jacobsen, Mark Andersen, Kevin Cole, Dillan White, Shane Cottle, Chad Hollenbeck, Justin Rattliff

HAWK Brakes Fourth Heat (8 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Shelby Miles, Scott James, Randy Korte, John Blankenship, James O'Hara, Chad Stapleton, Leon Henderson, Travis Varnadore, Duke Whiseant, Victor Lee

JRi Shocks First B-Main (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Eric Wells, Josh McGuire, Jason Riggs, Bobby Pierce, Scott Creel, Jimmy Owens, Morgan Bagley, Roger Hammond, Chris Brown, Todd Frank, Earl Pearson, Jr., Danny Mitchell, Doug Blashe

PAC Racing Springs Second B-Main (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Eric Jacobsen, Mark Andersen, Victor Lee, Chad Stapleton, Kevin Cole, James O'Hara, Dillan White, Chad Hollenbeck, Shane Cottle, Leon Henderson-DNS, Travis Varnadore-DNS, Duke Whiseant-DNS, Justin Rattliff-DNS

Feature Finish - 50 Laps:

FINISH	START	CAR #	DRIVER NAME	HOMETOWN
1	14	28e	Dennis Erb, Jr.	Carpentersville, IL
2	12	81x	Randy Korte	Highland, IL
3	9	11T	Tyler Reddick	Corning, CA
4	2	15d	Jonathan Davenport	Blairsville, GA
5	15	99	Donnie Moran	Dresden, OH
6	11	11h	Austin Hubbard	Seaford, DE
7	13	53	Ray Cook	Brasstown, NC
8	25	20	Jimmy Owens	Newport, TN
9	17	18e	Eric Wells	Hazard, KY
10	16	23	John Blankenship	Williamson, WV
11	18	5J	Eric Jacobsen	Watsonville, CA
12	26	44	Earl Pearson, Jr.	Jacksonville, FL
13	1	42c	Terry Casey	New London, WI
14	24	32s	Chad Stapleton	Edinburgh, IN
15	10	15	Steve Francis	Ashland, KY
16	5	5	Jared Landers	Batesville, AR
17	7	18	Shannon Babb	Mowequa, IL
18	22	4L	Victor Lee	Danville, KY
19	8	81	Scott James	Lawrenceburg, IN
20	19	41	Josh McGuire	Grayson, KY
21	3	71	Don O'Neal	Martinsville, IN
22	4	76	Shelby Miles	Bloomington, IN
23	6	0	Scott Bloomquist	Mooresburg, TN
24	23	32	Bobby Pierce	Oakwood, IL
25	21	81JR	Jason Riggs	Harrisburg, IL
26	20	85	Mark Andersen	Blanchard, MI

Race Statistics
Entrants: 42
Lap Leaders: Jonathan Davenport (Laps 1 - 35); Steve Francis (Laps 34 - 46); Randy Korte (Lap 47); Dennis Erb Jr. (Laps 48 - 50)
Caution Flags: Dennis Erb Jr., Tyler Reddick (Lap 3); Stacy Miles (Lap 23); Don O'Neal (Lap 31); Eric Jacobsen, Josh McGuire (Lap 32); Eric Jacobsen (Lap 38); Jimmy Owens (Lap 41); John Blankenship (Lap 43); Steve Francis (Lap 47); Victor Lee (Lap 47)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Jimmy Owens, Earl Pearson Jr.
DirtonDirt.com Fast Time Provisional: n/a
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisional: n/a
Performance Bodies First Non-Qualifier: n/a
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Jimmy Owens (Started 25th; Finished 8th; Advanced 17 positions)
Allstar Performer of the Race: Donnie Moran
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Donnie Moran
ASi Racewear Challenge Finisher: Dennis Erb Jr.
Quarter Master Rookie of the Race: Jonathan Davenport
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Vic Hill Racing Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Bloomquist Race Cars
Sweet Mfg Crew Chief of the Race: Heather Lyne (Dennis Erb Jr.)
Time of Race: 49 minutes 10 seconds

DART Winternationals Point Standings:

POS	CAR#	DRIVER	POINTS
1	28e	Dennis Erb, Jr.	1060
2	15	Steve Francis	1005
3	53	Ray Cook	995
4	71	Don O'Neal	990
5	81x	Randy Korte	960
6	23	John Blankenship	945
7	5J	Eric Jacobsen	890
7	42c	Terry Casey	890
9	0	Scott Bloomquist	885
10	18e	Eric Wells	830

Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:

POS	CAR #	DRIVER NAME	HOMETOWN	POINTS
1	28e	Dennis Erb, Jr.	Carpentersville, IL	250
2	81x	Randy Korte	Highland, IL	230
3	11T	Tyler Reddick	Corning, CA	220
4	15d	Jonathan Davenport	Blairsville, GA	210
5	99	Donnie Moran	Dresden, OH	205
6	11h	Austin Hubbard	Seaford, DE	200
7	53	Ray Cook	Brasstown, NC	195
8	20	Jimmy Owens	Newport, TN	190
9	18e	Eric Wells	Hazard, KY	185
10	23	John Blankenship	Williamson, WV	180
11	5J	Eric Jacobsen	Watsonville, CA	175
11	42c	Terry Casey	New London, WI	175
13	44	Earl Pearson, Jr.	Jacksonville, FL	170
14	15	Steve Francis	Ashland, KY	165
15	32s	Chad Stapleton	Edinburgh, IN	160
16	5	Jared Landers	Batesville, AR	150
17	18	Shannon Babb	Mowequa, IL	145
18	4L	Victor Lee	Danville, KY	140
19	81	Scott James	Lawrenceburg, IN	135
20	41	Josh McGuire	Grayson, KY	130
21	71	Don O'Neal	Martinsville, IN	125
21	76	Shelby Miles	Bloomington, IN	125
21	0	Scott Bloomquist	Mooresburg, TN	125
21	32	Bobby Pierce	Oakwood, IL	125
21	81JR	Jason Riggs	Harrisburg, IL	125
21	85	Mark Andersen	Blanchard, MI	125

2012 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Schedule

Venue	Track	City, State	To Win
13-Feb	East Bay Raceway Park	Tampa, FL	$5,000
14-Feb	East Bay Raceway Park	Tampa, FL	$5,000
15-Feb	East Bay Raceway Park	Tampa, FL	$7,000
16-Feb	East Bay Raceway Park	Tampa, FL	$7,000
17-Feb	East Bay Raceway Park	Tampa, FL	$10,000
18-Feb	East Bay Raceway Park	Tampa, FL	$10,000
24-Mar	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, IN	$10,000
30-Mar	Jackson Motor Speedway	Jackson, MS	$10,000
31-Mar	Lonestar Speedway	Kilgore, TX	$10,000
13,14-Apr	Virginia Motor Speedway	Saluda, VA	$25,000
20-Apr	Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex	Markleysburg, PA	$10,000
21-Apr	Hagerstown Speedway	Hagerstown, MD	$10,000
4-May	Tri-City Speedway	Pontoon Beach, IL	$10,000
5-May	Paducah International Raceway	Paducah, KY	$10,000
11-May	Hartford Motor Speedway	Hartford, MI	$10,000
12-May	La Salle Speedway	La Salle, IL	$10,000
18,19-May	Batesville Motor Speedway	Batesville, AR	$20,000
25,26-May	Lucas Oil Speedway	Wheatland, MO	$30,000
1-Jun	Tazewell Speedway	Tazewell, TN	$10,000
2-Jun	Florence Speedway	Florence, KY	$10,000
22-Jun	Cherokee Speedway	Gaffney, SC	$10,000
23-Jun	Wythe Raceway	Rural Retreat, VA	$10,000
1-Jul	Portsmouth Raceway Park	Portsmouth, OH	$10,000
3-Jul	Muskingum County Speedway	Zanesville, OH	$10,000
6,7-Jul	Magnolia Motor Speedway	Columbus, MS	$20,000
13-Jul	Tri-City Speedway	Pontoon Beach, IL	$10,000
14-Jul	Lucas Oil Speedway	Wheatland, MO	$10,000
20,21-Jul	I-80 Speedway	Greenwood, NE	$25,000
24-Jul	Stateline Speedway	Busti, NY	$10,000
25-Jul	Utica Rome Speedway	Vernon, NY	$10,000
26-Jul	Fonda Speedway	Fonda, NY	$10,000
28-Jul	Hagerstown Speedway	Hagerstown, MD	$10,000
10,11-Aug	Florence Speedway	Florence, KY	$50,000
17,18-Aug	Batesville Motor Speedway	Batesville, AR	$40,000
23-Aug	Volunteer Speedway	Bulls Gap, TN	$10,000
25-Aug	Lawrenceburg Speedway	Lawrenceburg, IN	$10,000
31-Aug, 1-Sep	Portsmouth Raceway Park	Portsmouth, OH	$20,000
2-Sep	I-77 Raceway Park	Ripley, WV	$25,000
14,15-Sep	Virginia Motor Speedway	Saluda, VA	$20,000
21,22-Sep	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, IN	$20,000
27-Sep	Knoxville Raceway	Knoxville, IA	$7,000
28-Sep	Knoxville Raceway	Knoxville, IA	$7,000
29-Sep	Knoxville Raceway	Knoxville, IA	$40,000
6-Oct	Dixie Speedway	Woodstock, GA	$10,000
7-Oct	Rome International Speedway	Rome, GA	$10,000
19,20-Oct	Portsmouth Raceway Park	Portsmouth, OH	$50,000

2012 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Sponsors

ASI Racewear - "The Official Merchandise Vendor" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Canidae Pet Foods - "The Official Pet Foods" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

DART Machinery - "The Official Engine Components" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

E3 Spark Plugs - "The Official Spark Plug" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Geico - "The Official Insurance" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

General Tire - "The Official Tire" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Hoosier Tire - "The Official Race Tire" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Lucas Oil Products - "The Official Oil" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
MavTV - "The Official Men's Network" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Optima Batteries - "The Official Battery" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Speedco - "The Official Truck Lube and Tire Center" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Sunoco Race Fuels - "The Official Fuel" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

U. S. Steel - "The Official Steel Manufacturer" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

2012 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Supporters Include:

Allstar Performance, American Racer, Banshee Graphics, Barry Wright Race Cars, Bloomquist Race Cars, COMP Cams, Chizmark Larson Insurance, Cornett Racing Engines, Cruise with the Champions, CV Products, DirtonDirt.com, Dyers Top Rods, ECR Race Engines, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, FK Rod Ends, Gaerte Engines, GRT Race Cars, Hawk Performance, Jay Dickens Racing Engines, JE Pistons, JRi Shocks, Keyser MFG, Longhorn Chassis, MasterSbilt Chassis, Öhlins, Outerwears, PBM/Erson Cams,
PAC Racing Springs, Performance Bodies, Pierce Racecars, PRC, Pro Power Racing, Quarter Master, Race Engine Design, Red Buck Cigars, Rhyne Race Engines, Rick Schwallie Photography, Ringers Gloves, Rocket Chassis, Roush Yates Engines, Roush Yates Performance Parts, Simpson Performance Products, Sweet Mfg, Vic Hill Race Engines, Weld Racing Wheels, Wiles Drive Shafts, Wrisco, 5150 Race Trailers.

James Essex, Public Relations Coordinator, jessex@lucasdirt.com

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Title Contenders
Are Ready for 2012

WAYCROSS, GA (February 17th, 2012) - The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Championship race begins today, Friday February 17th at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL. Friday's event will include a 50-lap feature, paying $10,000 to the winner. There will be a 60-lap feature, paying $10,000 to win on Saturday night February 18th. The first four nights of the 36th Annual DART Winternationals have been non-points events for the nation's premier dirt late model touring series.

Coming off of a season where the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series stars won the majority of the "crown-jewel" events in all of dirt late model racing, the series contenders hope to get off to a great start in this year's chase for the nation's premier title. The first four nights have been packed with exciting racing action, on the famed "Clay by the Bay". The drivers have been fine-tuning their machines during the first four nights of the 36th DART Winternationals. All of the teams and drivers are preparing for the battle to continue as the nation's toughest championship chase gets underway tonight. Series stars Don O'Neal of Martinsville, IN; Ray Cook of Brasstown, NC; and Steve Francis of Ashland, KY have visited victory lane in other non-sanctioned events. All three drivers have also entered victory lane this week during the "non-points" nights of the DART Winternationals.

O'Neal visited victory lane during the January events in Arizona. He has already picked up two wins, on Monday and Tuesday night, at the DART Winternationals earlier this week. He says East Bay is one of his favorite tracks. "We have always run well here over the years," said the veteran driver who pilots the MasterSbilt House Car based out of Crothersville, IN. "It has been great so far this week and we need to get off to a running start in the points nights down here and keep our momentum going," said O'Neal, who finished third in last year's series points' chase.

Ray Cook has gotten off to a good start this year by winning the "Ice Bowl" event in Alabama back in January. He also won Wednesday night's non-points event during the DART Winternationals. Cook is again piloting the D&R Racing, MasterSbilt Chassis, #53. Cook's win earlier this week was the second win in his career at East Bay.

Francis is coming off a couple of wins in Australia and is behind the wheel of the Barry Wright house-car in 2012. Francis has eight career wins at East Bay coming into 2012, and has already notched another win on Thursday night, February 16th. He is poised to improve on his 2011 fourth-place finish in the championship chase. "We want to get off to a better start than last year. I have a lot of confidence racing here, with one win already this week. So far the races this week have been amazing. With this Barry Wright and Clements Engines program, we think we are headed in the right direction for 2012."

In 2011, there were six different winners in the six races contested at East Bay Raceway Park with three drivers scoring their first ever dirt late model wins at East Bay. First time winners included Brad Neat of Dunnville, KY; Tyler Reddick of Corning, CA; and Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN. Last year Reddick became the youngest driver not only to win a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event at age 15, but also the youngest to ever win at East Bay. Reddick went on to finish second in the Quarter Master Rookie of the Year standings and finished tenth in the overall championship point standings.

Jimmy Owens made his 2012 debut on Thursday night at East Bay Raceway Park. Owens is coming off of his national championship title win from 2011 along with his first visit to victory lane in a super late model during the 35th DART Winternationals. Owens finished every points paying race on the LOLMDS tour last year and enters this season focused on winning more races while hunting another championship. "Last year our goal was to be consistent and finish good every night and not fall out of any races. We accomplished that, and this year we would like to win more races and see how the points play out. Our East Bay program got a whole lot better last year and we feel this year we will be even better", stated Owens.

Another contender and two time series champion, Scott Bloomquist, said his East Bay program has been a focal point of the team for a while now. "We used to come here and experiment with stuff. But the last few years, we've taken it more seriously, and it's paid off. With two full points' races this year, it's imperative to get off to a good start." In 2011, Bloomquist won a series-record 15 events and finished second in the championship points' race.

Pearson, the four time LOLMDS champion, is again driving the Bobby Labonte Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis in 2012. He has two career wins at East Bay and is staged to get back into victory lane.

Other Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series drivers will search for their first ever wins at East Bay Raceway Park, including 2011 Quarter Master Rookie of the Year, Jared Landers of Batesville, AR; John Blankenship of Williamson, WV; and Eric Wells of Hazard, KY.

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series has put up a weeklong DART Winternationals Points Fund, which will pay $5,000 to the driver that competes all six nights and earns the most points. The top ten drivers in the weeklong DART Winternationals point standings will receive awards for their efforts on Saturday night after the final event of the 36th Annual DART Winternationals.

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

Be sure and visit the series on the social media outlets as well at http://www.facebook.com/lucasdirt and http://twitter.com/#!/lucasdirt.