ROSSBURG, Ohio — Scott Bloomquist (late models) and Scott Orr (modifieds) registered hard-fought victories in Saturday night’s UMP DIRTcar Racing Fall Nationals at Eldora Speedway.
Bloomquist, 42, made a strong run to the front in the 40-lap late model A main, advancing from the ninth starting spot to grab the lead on lap 21 from Josh Richards. Bloomquist pulled away in the caution-free event to pocket the $10,000 top prize by a straightaway over Richards.
“We weren’t happy with how we ran last week,” Bloomquist said of piloting his homebuilt Team Zero mount to victory at Eldora. “We went home and stripped down the car and came here to see if we could get back on track.”
Bloomquist accomplished that goal, running a flawless race in his familiar No. 0. The 19-year-old Richards, who started sixth, beat Bloomquist to the front of the field, but he couldn’t hold off the veteran.
“We should’ve been set up like this for (the World 100),” said Bloomquist. “Then we might’ve had something for ‘em.”
Dennis Erb, Jr., Jeep VanWormer and Dan Schlieper filled the top five.
Orr added another notch to his ample Eldora victory belt in the 25-lap open-wheel modified feature, earning $3,000 for his record 31st-career modified triumph at the high-banked track.
He led the entire distance but had to fend off a furious late-race challenge from Jeff Leka, who needed a triumph to keep alive his hopes of winning the UMP DIRTcar Racing modified national title.
Leka finished second, ahead of Schwartz, Shelby Miles and Kent Robinson.
Erb was crowned the UMP late-model national champ and Denny Schwartz claimed the modified title. Both drivers will receive a $20,000 check at the 2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing Awards Banquet Jan. 12 in Springfield, Ill.
The finishes:
Late Models: Scott Bloomquist, Josh Richards, Dennis Erb, Jr., Jeep VanWormer, Dan Schlieper, Michael England, Randy Korte, Rick DeLong, Scott James, Wayne Chinn, Eric Jacobsen, Ben Adkins, Tim Manville, West Steidinger, Billy Faust, Frank Heckenast, Jr.,Jason Montgomery, Dave Hess, Jr., Chad Ruhlman, Richie Hedrick, Brian Ruhlman, Aaron Scott, Jerry Bowersock, Alan Vochaska, Ted Loomis, Darrell Lanigan, Steve Sheppard, Jr., Jason Feger.
Modifieds: Scott Orr, Jeff Leka, Denny Schwartz, Shelby Miles, Kent Robinson, Don Adams, Greg Johnson, Randle Sweeney, Dean Hoffman, Lance Dehm, George Catanzano, Jimmy Westerfield, Kyle Brown, Mike Spatola, Rob Fuqua, Chad Ruhlman, Kenny Johnson, Gabe Menser, Todd Sherman, Rick Hensley, Jesse Cramer, Chad Evans, Jeff Harris, Steve Arpin, Clayton Miller, Rob Williams, Jon Henry.