Tim Dohm Does It Taking First Career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Win at East Bay

TAMPA, FL (February 7, 2007)- Cross Lanes, WV’s Tim Dohm recorded his first career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series on Wednesday Night during the running of the 31st Annual East Bay Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park. It also was the biggest win of Dohm’s career as the 46 year old former motocross racer picked up $5,000 for his first ever win at East Bay. Dohm led the entire 30 lap race, but he had to hold off Jimmy Mars and Steve Francis for the win. Dohm driving his Dohm’s Cycle Sales/Axis Custom Decals/Hoosier Tires/Ohlins/Sunoco Race Fuels/Custom Race Engines powered Rocket Monte Carlo withstood a stout field for the win.

Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, WI was second in the Deppe Enterprises/Pro Power Engines/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo with Francis grabbing third in his Valvoline/Custom Race Engines/Rocket GTO. Completing the top five were 14th starting Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, GA in the Ronnie Dobbins/SAE Parts/Rocket GTO with 11 starting, 19 year old Adam Hensel of Barron, WI in the Intercomp Scales/Pro Power/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo coming home in fifth. A total of 88 entries were on hand for the event.

The 30 lap feature would get started with Terry Casey taking the lead at the drop of the green, but the start was negated for Matt Miller’s stalled car in turn two. On the second attempt to get the race started Dohm would jump to the lead with Casey in second followed by Mars, Josh Richards and Billy Moyer. The race stayed green until lap three when a four car wreck in turn two slowed the action. With Dohm showing the way the race would see the green again with Dohm, Casey and Mars dicing it out for the lead.

Casey and Mars would then go side by side for two laps with Mars having the advantage on the sixth scored lap, but Casey would come back and retake the spot a lap later. Dohm was holding down the top spot as the battle behind him would see Richards take to the outside and make it a three car tussle for second. The next caution would come out for Shannon Babb in turn three as his car came to a stop against the wall bringing out the third yellow of the race.

On the restart just as the drivers crossed the start finish to try and score lap 11 a multi car accident on the main straightaway would see Casey, Moyer, Justin Rattliff and others involved. The red flag then came out as the track was blocked as all drivers were okay. The third time to get lap 11 in would see Damon Eller slow in turn two as the yellow waved once again.

Finally there were two good laps in with Dohm still leading followed by Mars, Francis, Adam Hensel and Dan Schlieper as Richards’ night ended as he slowed on the race track bringing out caution number seven. This however would be the last caution of the race as the remainder of the event would go caution free with Dohm maintaining a two to three car length lead over Mars and Francis.

Over the last 15 laps of the race Dohm would be consistent lap after lap as he showed he was going to be the man to beat on this night. Dohm would take his white number 6T to the winner’s circle and celebrate with his two sons and crew his first ever Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series triumph as he became the third different winner in three races at East Bay Raceway this week.

“I can’t believe it, it is a dream come to win one of the races,” said Dohm in victory lane. “I was glad for that one yellow, because Mars had gotten by me, but the lap didn’t count, fortunately foe me.” “I want to thank Mark Richards and everybody at Rocket Chassis for helping me out, it’s been a long time for a win like this.”

Completing the top ten were Don O’Neal, Terry English, Rick Eckert, Brady Smith and Matt Miller.

In preliminary action, Justin Rattliff was the LifeLong Locks Fast Time Award winner with a lap of 14.831 seconds among the 88 entrants. The Hawk Brake and Quarter Master Sponsored Heat Races were won by Justin Rattliff, Billy Moyer, Terry Casey, Jimmy Mars, Josh Richards, Dan Schlieper, Ricky Arms and Tim Dohm. The Mason Racin’ Rebel Shock Dyno and Penske Shocks Sponsored B-Mains went to Tim Fuller, Donnie Moran, Jackie Boggs and Kevin Cole. The Performance Rod and Custom Strawberry Dash Winner was Matt Miller, who earned the 25th starting spot in the feature.

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series quickly returns to action at East Bay on Thursday Night, February 8th with a complete show of LifeLong Locks Time Trials, Hawk Brake and Quarter Master sponsored Heat races, Mason Racin’ Rebel Shock Dyno and Penske Shocks sponsored B-Mains Performance Rod and Custom Strawberry Dash and the $7,000 to win A- Main.

Catch all of the action of the 31st Annual East Bay Winternationals live on the internet all week long at www.racetalklive.com.