Brian Birkhofer

Scott Weber

Mark Oller

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PONTOON BEACH, IL (July 15, 2011) – By James Essex – Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, IA took the lead on lap eight and went on to capture the Inaugural “Battle at the Beach” on Friday Night at Tri-City Speedway. Birkhofer pocketed $20,000 in the richest race in track history and also ended Scott Bloomquist’ three-race win streak on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. At 34 Raceway back in May, Birkhofer ended Bloomquist’s streak of four wins in a row. Bloomquist finished in second followed by 10th-starting, Billy Moyer of Batesville, AR; Brian Shirley of Chatham, IL; and Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN completed the top five.

Before one of the biggest crowds in track history, Don O’Neal grabbed the lead at the start of the race and led the first seven circuits, until Birkhofer took over the point. For most of the early action in the main event there were four cars battling for the lead. Bloomquist moved into the runner-up spot on lap 12. The only caution of the race was for Dale McDowell on lap 15.

On the restart Birkhofer maintained his lead as Shirley moved into the second spot around Bloomquist, by using the high side of the race track. Birkhofer started to pick-up the tail of the field by lap 25, allowing both Shirley and Bloomquist to cut into his lead. Bloomquist maneuvered by Shirley in the battle for second, regaining the spot on lap 26. The top three then pulled away from the rest of the pack and with 40 laps down were ahead of the tight race for fourth between Owens and Moyer.

As the race wore on Birkhofer continued to show a good-sized advantage over Bloomquist who had finally shed Shirley with 40 to go. For most of the race Birkhofer had to contend with heavy traffic. Bloomquist finally began to close the gap with ten laps to go. Birkhofer was able to clear a couple of cars that were battling in front of him and distanced himself from Bloomquist as he went on to capture his 13th career LOLMDS victory.

In Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the second time this season, the 39-year-old racer was complementary to several people. “It’s been a tough year in some aspects for us, we haven’t run all that much, we were here a few weeks ago and the wheel came off before the start of the race, we’ve tried to patch together a crew here lately, and I have Brian Daugherty of Integra Shocks here tonight helping. It feels good to win here at Kevin’s (Gundaker) track, to beat Scott and Billy, I mean what can you say about either of them that hasn’t already been said, they are two great drivers.”

“O’Neal started off real strong, we ran side-by-side there for a while, until I was finally able to clear him. The traffic was difficult, especially there at the end when it got slick. My car wasn’t getting through the turns like I wanted, but we had enough of a distance apparently there at the end to get the win,” said Birkhofer whose MB Customs Chassis is sponsored by ASi Racewear, Keyser Mfg, Zens Flooring, J&J Steel, Hoosier Tires, VP Racing Fuels, Reed’s Lawn Service and powered by a Pro Power Racing Engine.

With his second place finish, Bloomquist in his Hawkeye Trucking, Roush-Yates, Bloomquist Race Cars Ford took over the series points from Owens. Bloomquist now leads Owens by 20-points. Moyer, who passed Shirley for third with 25 laps remaining was piloting his Banner Valley Hauling, Clements Racing Engines, Moyer Victory Circle Ford. Shirley in his Jayco Construction, Pro Power, Bob Pierce Race Cars Chevrolet edged out Owens for fourth at the stripe.

Completing the top ten were Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN; Steve Francis of Ashland, KY; Tyler Reddick of Corning, CA; Randy Korte of Highland, IL; and Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL. The event will be shown at 1 PM Eastern on Saturday August 7th on SPEED.

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Scott Weber started on the pole for the UMP DIRTcar Modified feature event and held off the challenges of Josh Russell and Michael Long to earn the $1,000 victory. Weber dominated much of the event as he often opened up a huge lead. But after a restart just before half way, Russell mounted a serious challenge for the top spot, getting his nose under Weber and then later trying a pass on the outside. But Russell would soon fade and would wind up slipping all the way back to an eighth place finish. As the laps started winding down, Long finally worked his way up to second and tried to track down Weber for the lead. Long would only get to within two to three car lengths of Weber and mechanical problems would end his night with just three laps remaining. Bobby Regot III had a consistant run going in the top five through the entire event and would finish in the second spot. Chris Smith also had a solid run throughout the event and would take third. Matt Mevert would take the fourth spot with Brent Mullins rounding out the top five.

Mark Oller battled with Dustin Griffin and Bobby Dauderman for the lead during the early laps of the UMP DIRTcar Pro Late Model main event. Oller would eventually pull ahead keep Dauderman a couple of car lengths back for the most of the event. Then Bobby Martintoni moved up and took the second spot from Dauderman and tried to track down Oller. But Oller was able to hold off his challenge in the final laps and take the win. Martintoni would get second with Dauderman third. Brad Yotter had another solid performance to finish fourth while Scott Weber rounded out the top five.

Tri City Speedway — Pontoon Beach, IL
Race Results for 7/15/2011

Lucas Oil Late Models – A-Main — 37 Cars
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 15B Brian Birkhofer Muscatine, IA
2 0B Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN
3 21 Billy Moyer Batesville, AR
4 3S Brian Shirley Chatham, IL
5 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN
6 71 Don O’Neal Martinsville, IN
7 15F Steve Francis Ashland, KY
8 11 Tyler Reddick Corning, CA, IL
9 00 Randy Korte Highland, IL
10 44 Earl Pearson Jr. Jacksonville, FL
11 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV, TN
12 32X Chris Simpson Oxford, IA
13 18W Eric Wells Hazard, KY
14 57J Bub McCool Vicksburg , MS
15 17M Dale McDowell Chickamauga, GA
16 41N Brad Neat Dunnville, KY
17 53C Ray Cook Brasstown, NC
18 99JR Frank Heckenast, Jr. Frankfort, IL
19 78 Chad Zobrist (L) Highland, IL
20 0 Dewayne Kiefer (L) St. Genevieve, MO
21 777 Jared Landers Batesville, NC
22 9T Tim Isenberg Marshfield, WI
23 25 Jason Feger Bloomington, IL
24 88 Wendall Wallace Grayson, KY, AR
25 82 Billy Laycock (L) Marine, IL
26 C9 Steve Casebolt Richmond, IN
27 27 Rodney Melvin Benton, IL

UMP Late Models – B-Main 1
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 53C Ray Cook Brasstown, NC
2 777 Jared Landers Batesville, NC
3 25 Jason Feger Bloomington, IL
4 41N Brad Neat Dunnville, KY
5 21B Chris Brown Cleveland, TX
6 72 John Mason Millersburg, OH
7 16 Rusty Griffaw (M) Festus, MO
8 82 Billy Laycock (L) Marine, IL
9 7S Jeffrey Sloan Charleston, MO
10 88 Wendall Wallace Grayson, KY, AR
11 77 Jason McBride Carbondale, IL DNS

UMP Late Models – B-Main 2
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 27 Rodney Melvin Benton, IL
2 57J Bub McCool Vicksburg , MS
3 78 Chad Zobrist (L) Highland, IL
4 6K Michael Kloos Trenton, IL
5 99JR Frank Heckenast, Jr. Frankfort, IL
6 0 Dewayne Kiefer (L) St. Genevieve, MO
7 16H Mike Hammerle Saint Charles, MO
8 49 Steve Leach (L) Staunton, IL
9 21JR Billy Moyer Jr Batesville, AR DNS
10 16S Tommie Seets Jr Alton, IL DNS

UMP Late Models – Lap Money
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 15B Brian Birkhofer Muscatine, IA
2 71 Don O’Neal Martinsville, IN

UMP Modifieds – A-Main — 27 Cars
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 4J Scott Weber Festus, MO
2 4UW Bobby Regot III (M) Saint Peters, MO
3 15 Chris Smith Highland, IL
4 22V Matt Mevert Steeleville, IL
5 41M Brent Mullins Litchfield, IL
6 45 Trista Stevenson (M) Pocahontas, IL
7 25 Brett Korves Swansea , IL
8 70 Josh Russell Festus, MO
9 10XJY James (Jim) Black Bonne Terre, MO
10 24 Paul Bauman Ste. Genevieve, MO
11 05 David Wietholder Liberty, IL
12 1 Tim Hancock (M) Mount Olive, IL
13 44K Jared Kneemiller (M) Saint Peters, MO
14 77L Gavin Landers Batesville, AR
15 41 Larry Hull Sr. (M) Saint Charles, MO
16 8 James Reed Saint Louis, MO
17 000 Scott White St. Peters, MO
18 18L Michael Long Quincy, IL
19 56 Dane Gundaker (M) Bridgeton, MO
20 t9 Ryan Thomas Martinsville, IN
21 8JR Will Hicks Saint Charles, MO
22 87 Derek Dubree (M) Edwardsville, IL

UMP Modifieds – B-Main
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 1 Tim Hancock (M) Mount Olive, IL
2 05 David Wietholder Liberty, IL
3 87 Derek Dubree (M) Edwardsville, IL
4 000 Scott White St. Peters, MO
5 b10 Bradley White (M) Bridgeton, MO
6 44 Timmy Hancock Jr (MR) Mt. Olive, IL
7 71 Lynn Tidwell Highland, IL
8 6B Dave Baldwin Perrysville, IN
9 11T Richie Tosh Batesville, AR DNS

UMP Modifieds – Heat 1
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 4J Scott Weber Festus, MO
2 70 Josh Russell Festus, MO
3 44K Jared Kneemiller (M) Saint Peters, MO
4 45 Trista Stevenson (M) Pocahontas, IL
5 77L Gavin Landers Batesville, AR
6 8 James Reed Saint Louis, MO
7 71 Lynn Tidwell Highland, IL
8 44 Timmy Hancock Jr (MR) Mt. Olive, IL
9 87 Derek Dubree (M) Edwardsville, IL

UMP Modifieds – Heat 2
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 10XJY James (Jim) Black Bonne Terre, MO
2 41M Brent Mullins Litchfield, IL
3 22V Matt Mevert Steeleville, IL
4 25 Brett Korves Swansea , IL
5 24 Paul Bauman Ste. Genevieve, MO
6 t9 Ryan Thomas Martinsville, IN
7 b10 Bradley White (M) Bridgeton, MO
8 6B Dave Baldwin Perrysville, IN
9 05 David Wietholder Liberty, IL

UMP Modifieds – Heat 3
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 4UW Bobby Regot III (M) Saint Peters, MO
2 15 Chris Smith Highland, IL
3 56 Dane Gundaker (M) Bridgeton, MO
4 18L Michael Long Quincy, IL
5 41 Larry Hull Sr. (M) Saint Charles, MO
6 8JR Will Hicks Saint Charles, MO
7 000 Scott White St. Peters, MO
8 11T Richie Tosh Batesville, AR
9 1 Tim Hancock (M) Mount Olive, IL

UMP Pro Crate Late Models – A-Main — 26 Cars
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 67 Mark Oller Highland, IL
2 48 Bobby Martintoni (C) Livingston, IL
3 18D Bobby Dauderman Alhambra, IL
4 72 Brad Yotter (C) Worden, IL
5 8BALL Scott Weber Festus, MO
6 64 Everett Bradham Olney, IL
7 56 Aaron Heck Mount Vernon, IL
8 20 Dustin Griffin (C) Camp Point, IL
9 17X Matt Santel New Memphis, IL
10 8B Brant Kehrer Albers, IL
11 87 Jason Zobrist Highland, IL
12 55 Daniel Heck Mount Vernon, IL
13 11S Andy Scoles (C) St. Peters, MO
14 01 Casey Montague Lebanon, IL
15 r52 Rylan Dagg (C) Wayne City, IL
16 59 Danny Jolly Christopher, IL
17 11 Gordy Gundaker (LRC) St. Charles, MO
18 24 Dick Taylor Riverton, IL
19 95 Andrew Johns Belleville, IL
20 57 Charlie Heck Mt. Vernon, IL
21 5J Josh Jackson (C) South Roxana, IL
22 9STAR Jordan Bauer St. Jacob, IL

UMP Pro Crate Late Models – B-Main
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 59 Danny Jolly Christopher, IL
2 95 Andrew Johns Belleville, IL
3 9STAR Jordan Bauer St. Jacob, IL
4 55 Daniel Heck Mount Vernon, IL
5 15 Kolby Vandenbergh Ashland, IL
6 74C John Crenshaw (C) Madison, IL
7 3 Craig Bessinger (C) Pacific, MO
8 74H Tim Hancock (C) Granite City, IL

UMP Pro Crate Late Models – Heat 1
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 20 Dustin Griffin (C) Camp Point, IL
2 18D Bobby Dauderman Alhambra, IL
3 11S Andy Scoles (C) St. Peters, MO
4 56 Aaron Heck Mount Vernon, IL
5 57 Charlie Heck Mt. Vernon, IL
6 5J Josh Jackson (C) South Roxana, IL
7 95 Andrew Johns Belleville, IL
8 74H Tim Hancock (C) Granite City, IL
9 3 Craig Bessinger (C) Pacific, MO

UMP Pro Crate Late Models – Heat 2
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 67 Mark Oller Highland, IL
2 64 Everett Bradham Olney, IL
3 8BALL Scott Weber Festus, MO
4 24 Dick Taylor Riverton, IL
5 87 Jason Zobrist Highland, IL
6 r52 Rylan Dagg (C) Wayne City, IL
7 59 Danny Jolly Christopher, IL
8 74C John Crenshaw (C) Madison, IL
9 15 Kolby Vandenbergh Ashland, IL

UMP Pro Crate Late Models – Heat 3
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 48 Bobby Martintoni (C) Livingston, IL
2 72 Brad Yotter (C) Worden, IL
3 8B Brant Kehrer Albers, IL
4 17X Matt Santel New Memphis, IL
5 11 Gordy Gundaker (LRC) St. Charles, MO
6 01 Casey Montague Lebanon, IL
7 9STAR Jordan Bauer St. Jacob, IL
8 55 Daniel Heck Mount Vernon, IL