2/10/2018
Mike Benedum
Benedum Follows Lucas Oil to East Bay
Mike Benedum was one of 40 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (LOLMDS) entries on hand at East Bay Raceway Park (Gibsonton, Florida) on Monday night kicking off the Wrisco Industries Winternationals. Transferring the Top 4 out of the heats, Benedum edged his way into the $5,000-to-win A-Main with the 4th and final transfer position. Rolling off 16th, Mike slipped back to a 25th place outing in the 30-lap affair. (Heath Lawson photo)
The following night in a field of 46 cars, Benedum logged a 7th place finish in his heat transferring him into the B-Main. Sending the Top 3 into the A-Main, Mike posted a 10th place finish giving him one last shot at the feature with the DirtonDirt.com Strawberry Dash. With only the race winner making the feature, Benedum recorded a 10th place outing bringing an early end to his night.
On Wednesday night debuting in a brand new Sweet-Bloomquist car, Benedum laid down the fastest time overall in a field of 51 cars but slipped back to a 6th place finish in his heat. Failing to make it out for his consolation event, Mike was granted a provisional into the $7,000-to-win A-Main. Starting in 25th, Mike Benedum improved five spots to place 20th.
Returning on Thursday evening, Mike came up two spots short of a transfer position in his heat with a 5th place finish. Needing to place 2nd or better in his B-Main to make the show, Benedum logged a 11th place finish ending his night.
For the $10,000 top prize on Friday, Benedum recorded a 7th place finish in his heat transferring him into the B-Main. Sending the Top 2 into the A-Main, Mike landed a 7th place outing sending him into the Strawberry Dash. Rolling off 9th for one last shot at the feature, Mike Benedum slipped back to a 11th place finish.
Wrapping up the Wrisco Industries Winternationals on Saturday, Benedum followed up a 7th place finish in his heat with a 4th place finish in his B-Main. Starting on the front row of the Strawberry Dash, Mike streaked to the consolation victory positioning him 26th on the starting grid for the $12,000-to-win finale. Improving six positions, Mike Benedum reeled in a 20th place outing in the 60-lap affair. (Heath Lawson photo)
Full results from these events are available at www.LucasDirt.com.
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