Driver Credits Intuition In Capturing Inaugural Firecracker 100

SARVER, Pa. — Does Scott Bloomquist have a sixth sense for making the right move on the race track?
It’s a question that could be debated after the dirt-late-model legend captured Saturday night’s inaugural Firecracker 100 at Lernerville Speedway.
After all, just when it appeared that Shane Clanton was ready to complete a stirring late-race charge by executing an outside pass of Bloomquist for the lead, Bloomquist made a fortuitous switch to the top lane in turns three and four that propelled him to victory in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series event.
Bloomquist, 43, asserted that it was merely a case of racer’s intuition that prompted him to slide up to the cushion on lap 88.
“I had no idea anybody was near me,” said Bloomquist, who pocketed $30,463 (including lap money) for his latest high-profile triumph. “I didn’t get any signals (from a crewman) to let me know (Clanton) was coming on the outside. I just decided to move up and try the top that lap.”
With Clanton fading to an ultimate sixth-place finish after having his momentum broken, Bloomquist raced unchallenged to the checkered flag. He crossed the finish line 1.731 seconds ahead of fellow Bloomquist Chassis ‘Team Zero’ driver Chris Madden, who wrestled second from Clanton on lap 89 and held off Earl Pearson, Jr. over the final circuits.
Pearson settled for third, while 20th-starter Jimmy Owens held off Chub Frank for fourth.
In a clean race that was slowed by only three caution flags, Bloomquist wasn’t headed after overtaking Steve Shaver for the lead on lap nine. But he certainly didn’t waltz to his first victory at the four-tenths-mile oval.

LATE-MODEL LEADER: Scott Bloomquist (center) and crew celebrate their Firecracker 100 triumph Saturday night at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. Bloomquist collected more than $30,000 for the victory. (Julia Johnson Photo)

Bloomquist, who started from the pole position in his familiar MBC/Hawkeye Trucking No. 0, never pulled out to more than a half-straightaway edge. He also spent the race’s second half battling an oil leak that soaked his feet in hot oil.
“That made it a little slippery on the pedals, especially the brake,” said Bloomquist. “On the left (brake) side you don’t rest your foot against anything, so I had to hold my foot up off the floor the last 40. I got a little tired doing that, and the biggest thing I had to worry about was (his foot) not slipping off the pedal.”
The finish:
Scott Bloomquist, Chris Madden, Earl Pearson, Jr., Jimmy Owens, Chub Frank, Shane Clanton, Steve Francis, Tim Fuller, Josh Richards, Dale McDowell, Dave Hess, Jr., Brian Shirley, Brian Birkhofer, Darrell Lanigan, Jimmy Mars, Rick Eckert, Donnie Moran, Robbie Blair, Jeremy Miller, Alex Ferree, Rick Briggs, Bart Hartman, Doug Horton, Steve Shaver, Dutch Davies, David Scott, Mike Blose, Clint Smith.