From the time Scott Bloomquist first took to the track at Magnolia Motor Speedway for the annual running of the Magnolia State Cotton Pickin’ 100 many of his competitors noted he would be the driver to beat for the $20,000 top prize.
Bloomquist proved them right Saturday night by leading all 100 laps in dominating fashion to claim the coveted win.
“We’ve just been working so hard on this car over the past several months, and it’s really paying off,” Bloomquist said with a smile in victory lane. “Whether it’s here, Eldora, Knoxville, Brownstown, or anywhere else, this car is just incredible.”
Jack Sullivan and Bloomquist led the field to the green, and Bloomquist paced the field for the first lap with Billy Moyer Jr., Sullivan, Chris Simpson, and Randy Weaver in tow. With a blistering pace at the front of the pack, the Mooresburg, Tennessee, driver found him in lapped traffic by the seventh circuit as Chris Simpson worked up to the third spot and began to pressure Moyer Jr. for the runner-up position.
Simpson disposed of Moyer Jr. on lap 27 for the second spot, and the Iowa competitor looked to catch Bloomquist, who held a straightaway lead. While Simpson tried to make up ground on Bloomquist, Mike Marlar, who started ninth, found his way into the fourth position on lap 41.
The first caution flag of the event flew on lap 51, when Jared Landers spun in turn two after contact with Eric Jacobsen. At the time of the caution Bloomquist led the way with Simpson, Marlar, Moyer Jr., and Weaver completing the top five. If competitors hoped the caution would give them a shot at Bloomquist, they would soon be disappointed as the restart found the driver of the No. 0 Bloomquist-Sweet Race Car motoring away from his foes.
The second and final caution of the race came on lap 80, as Brian Rickman drew a caution as he slowed on the front stretch. While Bloomquist again drove away from the competition on the re-start, great battles waged throughout the pack as Simpson and Marlar went door-to-door before Simpson disposed of Marlar in the closing laps for the second spot.
Bloomquist crossed the finish line a full straight away ahead of Simpson and Marlar. Morgan Bagley surged as high as fourth in the closing laps before settling for fifth behind Randy Weaver.
“This car would go absolutely anywhere I wanted it to go in the feature,” Bloomquist said. “I want to thank all of my sponsors and crew for their incredible support. They’ve stood behind me all year, and have never given up.”
The NeSmith Crate Late Models contested a 50-lap feature, which was led to the green by Jeremy Shaw and Michael Arnold. Shaw paced the way in the openings laps before Arnold jumped to the lead on lap 5. Shaw briefly re-took the top spot on lap 11, but Arnold surged back to the top spot in heavy lapped traffic. From there, Arnold bolted to the $3,000 victory.
Kyle Shaw, Riley Hickman, Daniel Bridgmon, and Jeremy Shaw rounded out the top-five finishers.
Bo Minor won the Mini Stock feature. John Tillman, Mike Minor, Donnie Andrews, and Logan Lux rounded out the top five.
The Mississippi Street Stock Series (MSSS) closed the weekend with a 20-lap, $2,000-to-win event. Jimmy Owens led the first 16 laps from his front row starting spot before Stacy Robinson edged ahead on lap 17, as Owens, Jeremy Idom, and Calvin Cook all battled in close quarters for the lead. Owens returned to the lead on lap 18 before the caution flew to set up a green, white, and checkered finish. The Newport, Tennessee, driver survived the restart to score the win over Idom, Jason Harrison, Calvin Cook, and Jeff Butler.
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