by NSSN Staff
Scott Bloomquist will start from the pole for Saturday's Pittsburgher 100 at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. (Julia Johnson Photo)
Scott Bloomquist will start from the pole for Saturdays Pittsburgher 100 at Pittsburghs Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. (Julia Johnson Photo)
IMPERIAL, Pa. Former Pittsburgher 100 winners Scott Bloomquist and Josh Richards will make-up the front row for Saturday nights $20,000-to-win main event.
Both drivers were heat race winners in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned event. Other heat winners were first-time Pittsburghs Pennsylvania Motor Speedway visitor Jimmy Owens and current Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series point leader Jonathan Davenport.
Bloomquist started off the night by setting the overall Miller Welders Fast Time among the 36 entrants in time trials. He bolted to the lead of Eibach Springs Heat Race No. 1 and looked dominant early on. Steve Francis started fifth and roared to challenge Bloomquist near the end, managing to pull within a car-length and a half at the finish. Another first-time PPMS visitor, Mike Marlar, finished third and local driver Brandon Burgoon claimed the fourth and final transfer spot.
In CV Products Heat Race No. 2, Jimmy Owens and Dennis Erb Jr. pulled away at the start running first and second the entire 10-lap distance. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Rookie of the Year candidate Brandon Sheppard fought hard to hold off three other competitors for the third spot. Russ King charged from seventh to gain the fourth and final transfer position.
Josh Richards and Jared Landers ran away from the pack in Simpson Race Products Heat Race No. 3. Landers tried to track down Richards towards the end but Richards crossed the line first to earn the outside pole position for Saturday nights Pittsburgher 100. Chris Brown finished third followed by Eddie Carrier Jr.
In the QA1 Heat Race No. 4, Pearson led the first half of the race until Davenport used the high-side to take the lead after starting third. Davenport then pulled away to earn the fourth starting spot in Saturdays finale. Davey Johnson, a four-time winner of the Pittsburgher 100, finished third and Jackie Boggs got the final spot taking fourth.
