BROWNSTOWN, Ind. — In a wild Night Before the Jackson Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series main event, Tyler Eb emerged for his series-leading seventh victory on Friday at Brownstown Speedway.
Erb took over the top spot when race-leader Josh Rice slowed with a right-rear flat tire on lap 29. Erb went on for his first win at Brownstown. Point leader Tim McCreadie finished in second, followed by Brandon Sheppard, Devin Moran, and Tanner English.
Scott James started from the pole, as the veteran Indiana racer was looking for his first LOLMDS win since 2009. James would lead the first three laps before yielding the top spot to fellow front row starter, Josh Rice.
Rice, the 2021 Ralph Latham Memorial winner at Florence Speedway in May, held the race lead until Erb passed him on lap 13 for the top spot. Rice would then use the high side to his advantage retaking the point from Erb on lap 17.
Erb and Rice came across the line side-by-side with Erb narrowly edging out Rice. Suddenly, Rice slowed coming off turn number two with a flat right rear tire which forced a caution flag and a trip to the hot pit for a tire change. Erb went on to lead the rest of the race for the $10,000 victory.
“It feels great to win here at Brownstown,” Erb said. “They did a great job from yesterday to today to give us a good racetrack. I have a great time. We had to bring out two cars yesterday. I have a great crew and great car owners. We had a good car tonight and it gives us confidence for tomorrow night.”
The defending Jackson 100 winner, McCreadie finished second.
“It was really wild out there,” McCreadie said. “You’d think it was the beginning of the year the way some of them raced tonight. They’re really hungry, I guess. I just tried to stay out of their way. This place is so much fun to race on when it gets like tonight. It was cool and a lot of fun tonight.”
The finish:
Tyler Erb, Tim McCreadie, Brandon Sheppard, Devin Moran, Tanner English, Earl Pearson Jr., Billy Moyer Jr., Steve Casebolt, Josh Rice, Shane Clanton, Dennis Erb Jr., Josh Richards, Stormy Scott, Ricky Thornton Jr., Hudson O’Neil, Ashton Winger, Jimmy Owens, Delvin Gilpin, Scott James, Skyller Lewis, Johnny Scott, Mike Marlar, Justin Rattliff, Kyle Bronson, Matt Cosner, Spencer Hughes, Shelby Miles.