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Jonathan Davenport Crowned King of the Commonwealth; Matt Quade Takes Lucky Dog 30

(L to R) Aaron's VP Brock Roberts, Lucky Dog, Jonathan Davenport and Aaron's Leigh Jones
(By Kelley Carlton and Dave Seay) Jamaica, Virginia (April 12, 2014) – The Aaron’s King of the Commonwealth was on Jonathan Davenport and Kevin Rumley’s list of high priority events. Not that every event isn’t important, but the King of the Commonwealth is a victory that both driver and his race team highly coveted. Both have been very successful at Bill Sawyer’s beautiful Virginia Motor Speedway over the years. On Saturday they both added another big check mark to their to-do list when Davenport overtook early leader Billy Moyer, Jr. on lap 17 and held off a hard charging Scott Bloomquist in the late stages of the 60-lapper to claim the $20,000 winner’s check. The win also propelled Davenport into a tie with Chris Madden for the National Dirt Racing League point lead.

Davenport was fastest in Group A of Keyser Manufacturing Time Trials lowering the Virginia Motor Speedway track record with his lap of 16.745 seconds around the ½ mile oval. However it was Hall of Famer Scott Bloomquist in Group B who picked up the Bell Helmets Fast Time Award when he obliterated the record Davenport had just set. Bloomquist tripped the clock at a mind boggling 16.509 seconds. Earl Pearson, Jr., Chris Madden and Don O’Neal rounded out the top 5 qualifiers.

Heat Race action was insane with wins in the 10 lappers going to Davenport, Billy Moyer, Gregg Satterlee and Billy Moyer, Jr. Finishing second in heats and going to the redraw were O’Neal, Madden Bloomquist and Dennis Erb, Jr. A pair of Delaware drivers - Kenny Pettyjohn and Austin Hubbard scored wins in their respective B-Mains and making the feature event. Series provisional starts went to Kent Robinson, John Blankenship and Mason Zeigler.

At the outset of the event it was pole sitter Billy Moyer, Jr. that took command while Davenport sliced through the middle of a 3-wide melee in turn one to move to second. With the remainder of the field locked in a double formation to complete lap one. Moyer moved away as Davenport had to fend of challenges from Billy Moyer and Gregg Satterlee.

Madden and Bloomquist were battling door to door while up front Davenport began to reel in Moyer, Jr. as they both began to encounter backmarker traffic. By lap 15 Davenport was all over Moyer, first stepping outside but finally making the move around the hub. Bloomquist slipped by Madden and set after Moyer, Sr. as they both drew to Moyer, Jr.’s rear deck. Over the next several laps the Moyers raced wheel to wheel with the elder finally covering the spot. The pass also allowed Bloomquist to close in on Moyer, Jr. and take another spot away one lap later.

After the halfway mark Davenport was in heavy traffic and Moyer, Sr. was able to close down on his fellow Longhorn Chassis driver. Moyer began to put some pressure on Davenport, nosing alongside the leader on multiple occasions. But the race for the lead was quelled when the event’s lone yellow flag waved for a stalled Bub McCool.

For the restart Moyer opted for the inside which moved Bloomquist to the outside. When Davenport brought the field back to green Bloomquist made his move for second. Sweeping around the outside of turn 2 Bloomquist took over second and set after the leader. With only 10 laps remaining Bloomquist pulled to Davenport’s rear deck. Bloomquist threw all he had at Davenport but a slick move past a lapped car coming to the white flag sealed the deal. The move gave Davenport just enough open space to grab the checkers and the $20,000 check.

In the Budweiser Modified Lucky Dog 30 Matt Quade and Jimmy Duncan led the field to green in search of a $3000 payday. On the start Quade took over the top spot with Duncan in tow. On lap 7 Bret Hamilton would get under Duncan for third.

With Quade in total control of the race Hamilton and Joey Polevoy battled for third on lap 18. On lap 23 Polevoy got by Hamilton for third. On lap 26 Ryan Toole took over fourth with a strong move in turn 1. A late caution on lap 28 would close the field on Quade’s bumper for the final restart. As in previous restarts Quade would pull away and go on to the $3000 payday followed by Michael Reynolds, Joey Polevoy, Ryan Toole and Bret Hamilton rounding out the top five.

The speedway will return to racing next Saturday April 19th to host opening night of the 2014 season for all five of the Virginia Army National Guard Dirt Series divisions. The night will feature the Victory Lap Late Model, Aaron’s Pro Late Model, Truckin Thunder Sportsman, Budweiser Modified and Collision One Limited Stock Car divisions.

Competitor gates for Saturday April 19th will open at 4pm with spectator gates opening at 5pm. On track activities will begin at 6:30pm with hot laps.

Divisions scheduled to race on Saturday: Victory Lap Late Models (35 Laps); Aaron’s Pro Late Models (25 Laps – If enough to run alone); Budweiser Modifieds (25 Laps); Truckin Thunder Sportsman (25 laps) and the Collision One Limited Stock Cars (20 laps). All divisions will run Hot Lap Time Trials and Features.

Admission price for Adults $12, seniors (60+) $10; military (active/retired w/ proper I.D.) $8, students 13 – 17 years old $6, children 7 to 12 $4 and children 6 and under admitted free. We offer a family pass for $25 (two adults and two children 12 and under). Pit passes will be $20.

To enhance the fans racing experience the speedway has installed a short wave FM transmitter and all of the evening’s action can be heard at 95.5 FM. So bring your portable radio headset and enjoy hearing all the action.

Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway is a ½ mile dirt oval track is located on U.S. Route 17, eight miles north of Saluda, VA and 25 miles south of Tappahannock, VA in Jamaica, VA. The speedway is just a short drive from Richmond, Fredericksburg, Southern Maryland and the Hampton Roads area.

Race fans can go to www.vamotorspeedway.com to view the complete schedule Virginia Motor Speedway’s 2014 season, find detailed event information, get the latest news, and get complete ticket and camping information. In addition, fans can get social with Virginia Motor Speedway by following @vamotorspeedway on Twitter, clicking "Like" at www.facebook.com/VaMotorSpeedway and on www.youtube.com/VaMotorSpeedway.

MEDIA CONTACT: DAVE SEAY (804) 758-1867 OR (804) 357-7223

RACE RESULTS FOR AARON’S KING OF THE COMMONWEALTH, SATURDAY APRIL 12, 2014:

National Dirt Racing League Late Models (60 laps):
A Main: 1 – 6 Jonathan Davneport, 2 – 0 Scott Bloomquist, 3 – 21 Billy Moyer , 4 – 5 Don O’Neal, 5 – 22 Gregg Saterlee, 6 – 21JR Billy Moyer, Jr., 7 – 44 Chris Madden, 8 – 15 Steve Francis, 9 – 28 Dennis Erb, Jr., 10 – 72 Jason Covert, 11 – 19 Tim Fuller, 12 – 6 Jamie Lathroum, 13 – 7R Kent Robinson, 14 – 23 John Blankenship, 15 – 11 Austin Hubbard, 16 – 15B Brian Birkhofer, 17 – 38 Kenny Pettyjohn, 18 – 1J Davey Johnson, 19 – 22 Chris Ferguson, 20 – 111 Max Blair, 21 – 25z Mason Zeigler, 22 – 44 Earl Pearson, Jr., 23 – 57J Bub McCool, 24 – 91 JT Spence, 25 – 19 William Thomas

FAst Qualifier - Scott Bloomquist - 16.509 seconds (New Track Record)

Budweiser Modifieds (30 laps):
Heat 1: 1. Matt Quade (Mechanicsville, MD), 2. Mike Reynolds (Clements, MD), 3. Joey Polevoy (Powhatan, VA), 4. Francis Jarrelle III (Chesterfield, VA), 5. Travis LaRoque (Mooresville, NC), 6. Mark Schools (Midlothian, VA), 7. Tim Schulte (Troy, VA),

Heat 2: 1. Jimmy Duncan (Fredericksburg, VA), 2. Bret Hamilton (Powhatan, VA), 3. Josh Harris (Gloucester, VA), 4. Kelly Samuels (Chesterfield, VA), 5. BJ Mongold (Crimora, VA), 6. Stephen Quade (mechanicsville, MD), 7. Charlie Hubbard (Chesapeake, VA),

Heat 3: 1. Dan Arnold (Petersburg, VA), 2. Ryan Toole (Hanover, VA), 3. Gary Long (Newport News, VA), 4. Josh Letson (, VA), 5. Lance Grady (Richmond, VA), 6. Aaron Harris (Richmond, VA), 7. James Sparks (Hollywood, MD),

A Main: 1. Matt Quade (Mechanicsville, MD), 2. Mike Reynolds (Clements, MD), 3. Joey Polevoy (Powhatan, VA), 4. Ryan Toole (Hanover, VA), 5. Bret Hamilton (Powhatan, VA), 6. Jimmy Duncan (Fredericksburg, VA), 7. James Sparks (Hollywood, MD), 8. Charlie Hubbard (Chesapeake, VA), 9. Kelly Samuels (Chesterfield, VA), 10. Travis LaRoque (Mooresville, NC), 11. Gary Long (Newport News, VA), 12. Josh Harris (Gloucester, VA), 13. Tim Schulte (Troy, VA), 14. Dan Arnold (Petersburg, VA), 15. Lance Grady (Richmond, VA), 16. BJ Mongold (Crimora, VA), 17. Francis Jarrelle III (Chesterfield, VA), 18. Mark Schools (Midlothian, VA), 19. Josh Letson (, VA), 20. Aaron Harris (Richmond, VA), 21. Stephen Quade (mechanicsville, MD),

Fast Qualifier: Matt Quade – 19.401 seconds

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