Haseeb Hameed has been released by Lancashire, less than three years after making two fifties in six innings for England in India as a 19-year-old.

Hameed made 31 and 82 on his Test debut in Rajkot in 2016, and immediately looked like the long-awaited replacement to Andrew Strauss at the top of the England order. He added an unbeaten 59 with a broken finger at Mohali, but his form fell away dramatically in county cricket. He averaged 26.10 in the 2017 season, and just 9.44 last year.

An impressive 117 in an early season Championship game at Lord's this year - having also scored 218 against Loughborough MCCU - looked as though it was the start of a return to form, but Hameed has only managed 341 runs overall, passing 50 just once since that innings.

At the end of the 2018 season, Lancashire director of cricket Paul Allott said that Hameed's struggles with the bat were a "complete and utter mystery".

"Haseeb Hameed is a dilemma for us - we gave him more opportunity, probably, than he deserved," Allott said. "Far too many games, probably, but having said that I've not seen a more talented young opening batsman in my 40-odd years in the game.

"The way he played here for us two years ago and then went to India and opened the batting for England - he was everybody's choice as the next Alastair Cook basically. Where his form and function have gone and disappeared to is a complete and utter mystery to us."

The main theories behind his loss of form are that he lost his judgement outside off stump after being picked to play 50-over cricket, and that his father - who has been his main batting coach despite limited experience - has not necessarily been a positive influence on his game.

At the start of the 2019 season, Allott told Wisden Cricket Monthly that Hameed was "hanging on by his fingertips" at the club.

"He's got six months left on a contract, and he's not scored a run for two years," he said. "Not only is he a million miles away from England, he's hanging on by his fingertips at Lancashire."

A Lancashire statement read: "The club met with Haseeb on Friday and explained its decision, and the 22-year-old is now free to discuss opportunities with other counties. The club would like to thank Haseeb for all of his commitment and efforts since he made his first-class debut in the 2015 season, having come through the Academy."

Having fallen behind in the race to be in the middle order of the Test team, Karun Nair served a timely reminder of his ability to dig in and make it count, and in the process be in sight of his first first-class century since December 2017. His 92 not out for India Red, a carefully constructed knock full of restraint and self-discipline, left India Blue wondering if they had misread the surface. On a day in which only 68 overs were possible, India Red put up 163 for 2, Nair putting together an unbroken 120-run stand with Ankit Kalsi, who ended the day unbeaten on 48.

The make up of the Duleep Trophy is such that the focus is largely on individuals rather than teams - made up of fringe players and domestic performers - and the platform was Nair's to do what he could with after his side lost openers Priyank Panchal and Abhimanyu Easwaran - both in the frame to be India's third opener - inside the first hour. Abhimanyu was out in the day's first over, lbw to a full-inswinging delivery from left-arm pacer Aniket Choudhary. Panchal fought through the first hour and then fell shortly after drinks when he wafted at one from Diwesh Pathania that left him.

From there on, Nair reconstructed the innings with a stoic display, going through long periods where he left the ball repeatedly even as the bowlers asked questions of him. The restraint also involved leaving alone full deliveries around the fifth stump, despite cover left open. He wasn't in the mood to oblige invitations to drive.

Against left-arm seamers, after being troubled early on by late inswing, he resorted to shuffling from outside leg, and found his groove immediately with a delightful on-drive to get going. The only lofted hit through the day was the chip over mid-off to bring up his half-century off left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar, off the 101st delivery he had faced. It was a shot that drew applause from his father, who for most parts of his knock was unmoved from his vantage point up in the grass banks.

His temperament and approach stood out in his 189-ball knock. Nair didn't play a single shot in anger and completely shelved the cut and sweep. Yet, he found ways to make up for the lost scoring opportunities. As the afternoon progressed and the field spread, he milked the singles without much hassle, and offered words of encouragement to his younger batting partner, who made 511 runs in seven Ranji Trophy innings last season.

"I had time to go away and think about my cricket and where I'm at. I thought about the mistakes and worked towards rectifying it." Karun Nair

"I had to grind my way early on, it wasn't easy," Nair said afterwards. "The ball was moving around early, and we needed stability at that stage. As a batsman, you have to first play to the situation. I was happy to have been able to fight my way through. It's not as if I made a conscious effort to cut down on some of the shots, but when you show discipline and it pays off at the end of the day on the scoreboard, it feels nice.

"This has come about because of my hard work. I've realised you can't keep throwing away starts, so I wanted to focus that much more. Starting the season well was important."

The last one year or so has been a testing one for Nair, who was dropped from the Test side after the England tour without being given an opportunity. Then he saw his replacement Hanuma Vihari make the XI and score a fighting half-century on debut. Then a string of low scores led to him being left out of the India A squad, of which he was captain until November 2018. Then an underwhelming Ranji Trophy season - 224 runs in ten innings - even led to the coaching staff contemplating resting the Test triple centurion. On to the IPL, where he was signed by Kings XI Punjab for INR 5.6 crore in 2018, he was largely forced to carry drinks. These led him to introspection, before he finally decided it was time to look ahead to the future "without any baggage".

This could have dented the confidence of most. It most certainly hurt Nair, something he made apparent in a rare blow-over of inner thoughts, which he likes to keep to himself at the best of times. He stated firmly that no one from the team management or the selection committee had spoken to him - an India A captain, a domestic regular for Karnataka. For Nair, recently engaged and in a phase he describes as "very happy", it's all in the past. The focus is on a reboot.

"I needed the break [after the IPL] mentally," he said. "I had time to go away and think about my cricket and where I'm at. I thought about the mistakes and worked towards rectifying it. I realised that I needed to just keep batting, even if it meant doing double sessions at times. The time lost can't come back. The best way to overcome confidence issues is if you can keep batting and spend long periods. So the last two months gave me that time and chance to work on my game and improve. Hoping it will pay off."

How does Trent Boult maintain a near-blinding standard over so many years, and across so many formats? Before rain washed out two further sessions of play in Colombo on Friday, Boult became the third New Zealand bowler to 250 Test wickets during a double-wicket maiden that perhaps swung the match in New Zealand's favour. This milestone comes in a year in which he averages less than 22 in Tests, following two full calendar years in which he averaged 23.90 (2018) and 24.77 (2017).

On English tracks, in a completely different format, Boult had also had a good World Cup, having taken 17 wickets to sit eighth on the tournament table. Bowling coach Shane Jurgensen thinks the key to Boult's consistency has been his fitness and his "simple" action.

"Today's a special day for Trent - becoming the third New Zealand bowler to 250 wickets," Jurgensen said. "I think he has a very efficient bowling action. Overall, it's quite simple. I think that allows him to do what he does. Being accurate is really important in all parts of the world. He's got an advantage being left-handed, and that creates variation for our bowling group.

"He's one of the best bowlers in the world and he's proved that for a long time. He's got that skill to expose any type of conditions that are available to him. I also think he can bowl across all different periods of the game. That's really important. He's one of the leaders of being able to do that - the ability to adjust to all periods.

"He's also got great passion and energy which he brings to our team. He's our energiser bunny in the warm-ups. He loves his soccer. I think the skill and execution and the way he's contributed to the team has been amazing. He's a fantastic team man as well. And he does a lot of hard work off the field. He doesn't stop working on his fitness or his resilience. Those factors have contributed to the success he's had."

Also delivering a double-wicket maiden on Friday was Boult's longtime partner-in-crime Tim Southee, who removed Dimuth Karunaratne and Niroshan Dickwella in quick succession. Southee is also only three wickets away from hitting the 250 mark. He is slightly slower to the milestone, however - Boult achieving it in his 63rd Test, while Southee is playing his 67th. On Friday, the pair combined to produce four wickets for just 32 runs.

"Tim and Trent have been doing it for a while," Jurgensen said. "Today there might have been a little bit of swing with the overhead conditions, and it just seemed to be doing a little bit. They both work really hard on their fitness, and that's a big factor in their resilience.

"They're always giving each other a bit of a hard time [because they are so close to each other in terms of career wickets]. That's what's great for the team - they keep things lighthearted. They support each other a lot too - they back each other up on the field and off the field."

European champion is hoping to secure success in both the 100m and 200m at the British Championships in Birmingham

Should all go to plan for Zharnel Hughes this weekend, he’ll become the first athlete to complete a British men’s 100m and 200m title double since Marlon Devonish, who achieved the feat in both 2006 and 2007.

The European 100m champion leads the UK rankings for that event thanks to his 9.95 run at last month’s Müller Anniversary Games in London, while this weekend’s Müller British Athletics Championships will offer his first official 200m of the season, after the 20.00 he clocked on a straight track at the adidas Boost Boston Games street athletics event in June.

“This is me ramping things up now as the world championships is right around the corner,” said the Glen Mills-coached 24-year-old, who secured silver in the 100m at last year’s British Championships before going on to win his European title in Berlin.

“My coach and I made a decision that we want to try the double and this weekend will be my first 200m of the season.

“I’m looking forward to competing, hopefully getting the job done and securing my spot for Doha.”

As well as booking his place on the GB team for the IAAF World Championships in Doha, Hughes – who is ranked joint second on the UK 100m all-time list with his PB of 9.91 – also has his eye on the British record of 9.87 held by Linford Christie, who, like Hughes when he is not in Jamaica, is based at Brunel University.

“I’d love to get it,” said Hughes. “I ran 9.96 in London in the heats which was quite easy and I shut down from far out.

“I believe I can run 9.8, possibly a 9.7, but we’ll see.

“I’m not predicting for it to be this weekend because I don’t know what the weather might look like and you have to take into consideration the way you execute.

“Sometimes the wind can fluctuate at the Alexander Stadium. It all depends on how well I complete my race but I’m in good shape and looking forward to it.”

The British 200m record is officially John Regis’ 19.94, although the Olympic and world medallist has a 19.87 PB set at altitude that was never ratified. On whether breaking those marks is also an aim, Hughes added: “For me, this is my first 200m of the season, so I’m not putting any targets in my back. I want to see where I’m at during the rounds.

“When it comes to world championships, we’ll see what happens there.”

Among Hughes’s main challengers in Birmingham are set to be Adam Gemili in the 100m, with Reece Prescod missing through injury, and Miguel Francis in the 200m.

READ MORE: Miguel Francis aims for more after making his mark

Asked about Gemili and Prescod, Hughes said: “Those guys are really good, you know. They show up when it matters, they are great competitors. Aside from us being very competitive against each other at trials, we are quite cool. We have the same determination. We’re quite ambitious to make it on to the podium so I’m looking forward to racing them.”

Like Hughes, UK 200m leader Francis is also guided by Mills, coach of sprints great Usain Bolt, in Jamaica as part of the Racers Track Club.

“Miguel is a great competitor,” said Hughes. “He trains really well. We train together in Jamaica and we’ve done a few sessions here.

“I’m sure he’ll be one of the ones to challenge in the 200m on Sunday.”

Looking ahead to the weekend, he added: “This is just one major stepping-stone towards Doha, because if it doesn’t go my way, it doesn’t say I can’t still win Doha.

“At trials last year, I finished second but at the European Championships, I was able to put myself together and I got the win.”

A guide to this weekend’s action in Birmingham, including previews, a timetable and TV info

A long season finally reaches crunch time for many athletes. The later than usual IAAF World Championships will take place in Doha from September 27 to October 6 and athletes can book their places on the GB team this weekend (August 24-25) at the Müller British Athletics Championships.

A top-two finish in Birmingham will be enough for automatic selection for those athletes who have already gained the British Athletics qualifying standard (listed below) or do so by September 1. Discretionary selections will then be added when the team is announced on September 2.

A wild card selection will be granted to any athletes who win at either of the Diamond League finals in Zurich on August 29 or Brussels on September 6.

A further lifeline is available in the shape of IAAF rankings invites. Athletes who do not have the qualification standard but who rank highly enough on the world lists depending on the target field size for that particular discipline may receive an invite after the qualification period closes on September 6. However, British Athletics say these will only be used for athletes “potentially capable of winning an individual medal in Doha or the Tokyo Olympic Games”.

For some athletes such as Dina Asher-Smith, lined up for the 100m, guaranteeing a place on the team should be a formality. However, in events such as the men’s and women’s 800m and the men’s 1500m, the standard is so high that exciting battles are anticipated.

Find Paul Halford’s full four-page preview in the latest edition of AW magazine, available in shops now or to read digitally here.

Previews

Men’s events

With Reece Prescod missing from the 100m through injury and waiting on selectors’ discretion if he returns to fitness in time, placing in the top two will be crucial.

READ MORE: Zharnel Hughes at the double

Zharnel Hughes will be favourite, with Adam Gemili and Ojie Edoburun also under the Doha standard.

Hughes and Gemili are aiming to complete a sprint double on the Sunday, but Miguel Francis should test them in the 200m. Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake and Richard Kilty will also be in the running.

READ MORE: Miguel Francis aims for more after making his mark

Rabah Yousif and European champion Matthew Hudson-Smith will be looking to secure automatic qualification in the 400m, while Cameron Fillery is closing in on the Doha standard in the 110m hurdles. Chris McAlister is under the qualification mark in the 400m hurdles.

The 800m is one of the most highly anticipated events of the weekend. Jamie Webb, the No.1 on times this year, and Elliott Giles were the top two in Birmingham last Sunday as most of the key contenders clashed.

The standard in the 1500m is just as hot. Charlie Da’Vall Grice should be favourite after his recent 3:30 clocking.

After his PB this year of 13:06.21, Andy Butchart is the favourite in the 5000m, while Zak Seddon will be looking to confirm his place in the steeplechase after his 8:21.28 breakthrough this season.

Cameron Corbishley, who has already been selected for Doha in the 50km race walk, competes in the non-trial 5000m walk.

Following his recent 17m breakthrough, Ben Williams is tipped for the triple jump title, while Jacob Fincham-Dukes and Dan Bramble are top contenders in the long jump.

Charlie Myers is the only pole vaulter with the qualifying mark and high jumpers Chris Baker and Tom Gale are among those looking for the Doha standard.

Commonwealth hammer champion Nick Miller chases his fifth title. Harry Hughes, the big leader on the UK javelin rankings this year, has been injured but news on his recovery seemed positive last week.

Greg Thompson and Lawrence Okoye head the entries for the discus, while Scott Lincoln is the favourite to defend his shot put title.

Women’s events

Dina Asher-Smith will compete only in the 100m, although she plans to double up in Doha. With the British record-holder expected to run away with the title, competition for the second automatic slot should be tight. Four other athletes, led by Imani Lara-Lansiquot, have the Doha standard.

One of them, Jodie Williams, is entered for both sprints, setting up an interesting potential tussle in the longer event with European junior champion Amy Hunt, who has run 22.42, and defending champion Beth Dobbin.

Laviai Nielsen is favourite in the 400m, while Olympic fourth-placer Cindy Ofili continues to seek a return to form in the 100m hurdles following injury. Meghan Beesley and Jessica Turner both have the qualifier in the 400m hurdles.

Despite the absence of the injured Laura Muir, the standard is high in all three flat endurance events. Lynsey Sharp, Alex Bell, Shelayna Oskan-Clarke and Hannah Segrave have the Doha mark over two laps, so competition will be fierce.

Sarah McDonald, who also has the mark in the 800m, concentrates on the 1500m. Her main opposition will be European under-23 champion Jemma Reekie.

Laura Weightman and Eilish McColgan seem set for a close battle in the 5000m, while Rosie Clarke and Elizabeth Bird will be wanting to secure their selection in the steeplechase.

READ MORE: Eilish McColgan keen to push on after another PB performance

Morgan Lake defends her high jump title and world indoor pentathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson will provide her key opposition if she decides to line up.

Barring a mishap, Holly Bradshaw should collect her eighth pole vault title in nine years.

After sailing over the Doha standard last weekend, Abigail Irozuru will be hoping to guarantee her selection in the long jump, while Naomi Ogbeta is favourite in the triple jump as she looks for the Doha standard of 14.20m.

Sophie McKinna looks set to confirm her world championships selection in the shot put. With Sophie Hitchon having called an early end to her season, the hammer will have a different British champion for the first time since 2010, with Jessica Mayho and Rachel Hunter the most likely candidates.

Kirsty Law, Amy Holder and Phoebe Dowson head the discus line-up, while Bekah Walton, Laura Whittingham and Emma Hamplett are set to fight it out for the javelin.

READ MORE: Müller British Athletics Championships head-to-heads

British Athletics qualifying standards for Doha 2019

Qualified athletes

A list of athletes to have achieved the relevant qualifying mark in their event before the British Championships.

Men

100m: Zharnel Hughes, Reece Prescod, Adam Gemili, Ojie Edoburun
200m: Miguel Francis, Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, Richard Kilty
400m: Rabah Yousif
800m: Jamie Webb, Kyle Langford, Elliot Giles, Jake Wightman, Josh Kerr, Max Burgin, Thomas Staines, Charlie Da’Vall Grice
1500m: Charlie Da’Vall Grice, Josh Kerr, Jake Wightman, James West, Neil Gourley
5000m: Andrew Butchart, Ben Connor, Marc Scott
3000m steeplechase: Zak Seddon
110m hurdles: Andrew Pozzi
400m hurdles: Chris McAlister
Pole vault: Charlie Myers
Triple jump: Ben Williams
Discus: Gregory Thompson
Hammer: Nick Miller

Women

100m: Dina Asher-Smith, Imani Lansiquot, Jodie Williams, Daryll Neita
200m: Dina Asher-Smith, Amy Hunt, Beth Dobbin, Jodie Williams, Ashleigh Nelson
400m: Laviai Nielsen, Emily Diamond
800m: Laura Muir, Lynsey Sharp, Alexandra Bell, Shelayna Oskan-Clarke, Sarah McDonald, Hannah Segrave
1500m: Laura Muir, Sarah McDonald, Laura Weightman, Eilish McColgan, Jemma Reekie, Melissa Courtney
5000m: Eilish McColgan, Laura Weightman, Laura Muir, Melissa Courtney, Amy-Eloise Neale, Jess Judd, Rosie Clarke
3000m steeplechase: Rosie Clarke, Elizabeth Bird
400m hurdles: Meghan Beesley, Jessica Turner
High jump: Morgan Lake, Katarina Johnson-Thompson
Pole vault: Holly Bradshaw
Long jump: Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Abigail Irozuru
Shot: Sophie McKinna

Timetable

(Timings subject to change)

Saturday

11.45am: Discus W final
11.50am: 100m W heats
12.30pm: 100m M heats
1.15pm: Long jump M final
1.20pm: 400m W heats
1.45pm: Pole vault M final
1.50pm: 100m hurdles W heats
1.53pm: Javelin M final
2.20pm: 400m hurdles W heats
2.45pm: High jump M final
2.50pm: 100m W semi-final
3.05pm: Shot put W final
3.08pm: 100m M semi-final
3.25pm: Triple jump W final
3.27pm: 800m W heats
3.46pm: Hammer W final
3.54pm: 5000m M final
4.17pm: 3000m steeplechase W final
4.35pm: 100m hurdles W final
4.46pm: 100m W final
4.56pm: 100m M final
5.07pm: 400m hurdles M heats
5.35pm: 400m M heats
6.02pm: 800m M heats
6.30pm: 1500m W heats
6.50pm: 1500m M heats

Sunday

11.25am: Discus M final
11.30am: 5000m walk W final
12.10pm: 5000m walk M final
12.42pm: Pole vault W final
12.45pm: 110m hurdles M heats
1.08pm: Triple jump M final
1.10pm: 200m W heats
1.37pm: Javelin W final
1.40pm: 200m M heats
2.11pm: 400m hurdles M final
2.22pm: 400m hurdles W final
2.36pm: 3000m steeplechase M final
2.50pm: Shot put M final
2.53pm: 400m M final
3.01pm: High jump W final
3.04pm: 5000m W final
3.25pm: Long jump W final
3.29pm: 1500m W final
3.38pm: Hammer M final
3.42pm: 110m hurdles M final
3.53pm: 400m W final
4.04pm: 200m W final
4.15pm: 200m M final
4.25pm: 800m W final
4.37pm: 800m M final
4.48pm: 1500m M final

TV guide

Fans in the UK can watch live on BBC Red Button from 3pm on Saturday and BBC Two from 2pm on Sunday.

Look out for our updates on social media and athleticsweekly.com plus of course our unrivalled magazine coverage in next week’s issue.

Australia coach Michael Cheika has named uncapped teenager Jordan Petaia and David Pocock in his World Cup squad, despite the forward's fitness concerns.

Pocock, 31, has not played for the Wallabies since November 2018 because of a calf injury but joins an experienced squad with back Adam Ashley-Cooper, who has 117 caps.

Fly-half Christian Lealiifano, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in August 2016, is also in the squad.

"I'm confident," Cheika said.

"We'll be a little bit unpredictable, that's been a little bit of our theme this year, if we don't know what we're doing no one will know what we're doing."

The two-time world champions will be captained by flanker Michael Hooper, 27, and take a squad with a total of 1,406 caps.

One of the most experienced players is versatile back Ashley-Cooper, 35, who is set to become only the second Australian to play at four World Cups after George Gregan.

Kurtley Beale, 30, is chosen at fullback in the absence of Israel Folau, who was sacked earlier this year, with Dane Haylett-Petty, 30, in as back-up.

Australia begin their World Cup campaign against Fiji on 21 September and go on to face Wales, Uruguay and Georgia in the pool stage.

The Wallabies reached the final of the 2015 tournament, but lost 34-17 to New Zealand.

Australia squad:

Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Jack Dempsey, Folau Fainga'a, Michael Hooper (captain), Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Isi Naisarani, David Pocock, Izack Rodda, Rob Simmons, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese.

Backs: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, James O'Connor, Jordan Petaia, Matt Toomua, Nic White.

Holders and three-time winners Saracens will begin their Champions Cup defence against French giants Racing 92 in Paris on 17 November.

The day before, four-time champions Leinster face Benetton Rugby.

And last season's Challenge Cup champions Clermont host Premiership side Harlequins.

Leicester start their Challenge Cup campaign at home against French team Pau after failing to qualify for the Champions Cup.

Two-time Champions Cup winners Munster and Welsh side Ospreys join Premiership champions Saracens and Racing 92 in Pool Four and play each other in the first round.

Premiership side Bath host Irish team Ulster on the opening weekend, while four-time winners and current Top 14 champions Toulouse travel to Gloucester for the first match of the tournament on 15 November.

Elsewhere, Premiership runners-up Exeter travel to France to face La Rochelle, Glasgow welcome Sale, Northampton host Lyon and Connacht play Montpellier.

In the Challenge Cup, European rugby union's second tier, Worcester play Russian team Enisei-STM, while newly-promoted Premiership club London Irish face Welsh side Scarlets.

Fellow Premiership team Bristol take on Italians Zebre and Wasps travel to Bordeux-Begles. Pro14 side Edinburgh also face French opponents in Agen, Cardiff Blues face Italian team Calvisano and Dragons play Castres.

After six rounds, five pool winners and the three best runners-up will qualify for the Challenge Cup and Champions Cup knock-out stages. The finals take place in Marseille on 22 and 23 May.

Champions Cup Round One

Friday 15 November

Gloucester v Toulouse (19:45 GMT)

Saturday 16 November

Bath v Ulster (13:00 GMT)

Glasgow v Sale (13:00 GMT)

Leinster v Benetton (15:15 GMT)

La Rochelle v Exeter (16:15 GMT)

Ospreys v Munster (17:30 GMT)

Clermont v Harlequins (18:30 GMT)

Sunday 17 November

Northampton v Lyon (13:00 GMT)

Connacht v Montpellier (13:00 GMT)

Racing 92 v Saracens (16:15 GMT)

Challenge Cup Round One

Friday 15 November

Enisei-STM v Worcester (TBC)

Agen v Edinburgh (20:00 GMT)

Stade Francais v Brive (20:45 GMT)

Bayonne v Toulon (20:45 GMT)

Saturday 16 November

Calvisano v Cardiff Blues (14:30 GMT)

Leicester v Pau (15:00 GMT)

Bristol v Zebre (15:00 GMT)

Dragons v Castres (15:00 GMT)

Bordeaux-Begles v Wasps (21:00 GMT)

Scarlets v London Irish (20:00 GMT)

WEBSTER CITY, Iowa — Hamilton County Speedway hosted the 13th Annual USMTS Casey’s Clash presented by AmericInn on Thursday night and Jake O’Neil made himself at home in victory lane for the third time this season.

Hunter Marriott garnered the Sybesma Graphics Pole Award and led early on before giving way to Dereck Ramirez, who came from the sixth starting spot to the front in three laps.

Ramirez built a sizeable lead but a trio of early cautions slowed the pace-the most notable of which happened when Ryan Gustin’s Spike Hardcore Energy mount erupted in a puff of smoke while battling for the top spot.

After Gustin’s charge was extinguished, Marriot and O’Neil chased the leader while Lance Mari, Terry Phillips, Rodney Sanders and Zack VanderBeek were close behind.

While Ramirez ran through the middle of the corners, O’Neil searched for a faster line around the high side of the historic half-mile while VanderBeek was sneaking around the shortest way around the track with Marriott and Sanders still within striking distance.

With 21 of 35 laps in the books, Ramirez dove into the first turn somewhat lower than he had been, which opened the door for O’Neil and VanderBeek. Suddenly, Ramirez had O’Neil to his right and VanderBeek to his left as the three exited turn two.

The attempted three-wide drag race down the back-stretch failed miserably. O’Neil bounced off the outside concrete wall and into the right side of Ramirez’s race car, and then Ramirez clipped the front end of VanderBeek’s VanderBuilt chassis.

The incident, which had all of the makings of a major melee, left Ramirez spinning to a stop and the waving of the yellow flag for the fifth and final time.

“I just hate it,” O’Neil said. “I think it was a racing deal. I just had a really good run to the outside. He didn’t come all the way up to the top so I thought maybe he was just leaving a lane up there. I was all the way to his door and got stuck in the marbles up there and bounced off the fence, and then bounced off of him. I tried keeping it off of him.”

The restart with 14 laps remaining had O’Neil setting the pace while Ramirez was relegated to the back of the pack.

As the laps wound down, O’Neil continued to lead while Sanders chipped away at his advantage and closed to within a car length as the two took the white flag, but Sanders got above the cushion and clobbered the concrete wall in turn one allowing O’Neil to cruise to a $2,500 payday.

Sanders held on for second with Phillips getting by VanderBeek in the closing laps to grab the third spot while Dustin Sorensen came from tenth to finish fifth.

The finish:

Jake O’Neil, Rodney Sanders, Terry Phillips, Zack VanderBeek, Dustin Sorensen, Hunter Marriott, Kyle Brown, Mark Elliott, Al Hejna, Lance Mari, Dereck Ramirez, Adam Kates, Travis Saurer, Ron Ver Beek, Duke Erickson, Ben Nading, Jimmy Ray, Chase Ellingson, Daniel Hilsabeck, Ryan Gustin, Josh Cain.

CHICO, Calif. — Tim Kaeding found himself in the right place at the right time and capitalized to score round two of the King of the West by NARC Fujitsu Sprint Car Series Fastest Four Days in Motorsports at Silver Dollar Speedway.

He pocketed $5,000 for his efforts.

Kaeding, started the 30-lapper in the fourth spot aboard Rod Tiner’s Shark Racing Engines Helix sprint car and watched the race unfold in front of him. He motored past fast qualifier Andy Forsberg on the second circuit for the runner-up spot and then had a front row seat when race leader Shane Golobic’s engine blew on lap six.

At the same time that was happening, the race came to a screeching halt when Stephen Ingraham took a nasty barrel roll down the back chute. He suffered a knee injury but limped away from his destroyed race car under his own power.

Kaeding inherited the lead for the restart, but had to fend off a tailgating Kyle Larson and the freight train that included Forsberg, Mitchell Faccinto, Bud Kaeding and Colby Copeland.  Larson began to challenge the leader as the pair zigged and zagged through slower traffic.

However, Larson charge ended when he jumped the cushion and spun on lap 17, bringing out the caution.

The two-time King of the West champion continued where he left off and survived two more caution periods on his way to his 67th series victory.

The battle for the runner-up position was a classic open wheel battle that saw the next three drivers swap positions on a corner by corner basis.  Pole Shuffle winner Mitchell Faccinto ultimately won that battle in the TSG Recycling Disposal KPC.

Forsberg settled for the show position aboard his own A & A Stepping Stone sprint car.  Bud Kaeding drove the Alviso Rock Maxim from 14^thto finish fourth. Colby Copeland finished fifth.

“This one feels real good,” said Kaeding. “I don’t know how many of these wins I have left in my career so I’m enjoying everyone! I can’t say enough about Rod Tiner and this team who gave me a great race car. This one was a lot of fun.”

The finish:

Tim Kaeding, Mitchell Faccinto, Andy Forsberg, Bud Kaeding, Colby Copeland, Nathan Rolfe, D.J Netto, Dominic Scelzi, Kyle Larson, Rico Abreu, Jonathan Allard, Geoff Ensign, Ryan Bernal, Sean Watts, Heath Hall, Chelsea Blevins, Michael Ing, Gary Paulson, Shane Golobic, Stephen Ingraham, Cole Macedo, Willie Croft, Sean Becker.

MANSFIELD, Ohio — Scott Bloomquist and Jonathan Davenport claimed feature victories during Thursday night’s preliminary program for the second annual Dirt Million presented by Arizona Sport Shirts.

Bloomquist, a three-time Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion won the first 30-lap Duel of the night in the new format instituted for this year’s race.

Davenport, the two-time and defending series champion held off a trio of drivers in a furious finish in the second 30-lap Duel. Both feature races went caution-free.

Bloomquist took the lead at the start of the first feature and sprinted away to easily pick up the win. The win marks his all-time leading 95th Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series career win.

Both Josh Richards and Brandon Sheppard tried to track down Bloomquist, but the boss of Team Zero went to Victory Lane for the first-time at Mansfield.

With the win, Bloomquist cemented himself into Saturday’s 100-lap Dirt Million main event. Richards held off Sheppard to earn the runner-up spot with Michael Norris and Darrell Lanigan rounding out the top five.

“The car has felt great after we found out what was wrong with it. We put in on a jig last week and it was pretty far off,” Bloomquist said. “We had a pretty good car last week at Batesville. I hope it feels as good here Saturday night. We hot lapped fast tonight, we qualified a little off, and we changed a few things that we didn’t like. I want to dedicate this race to Chris [Madden]. I hate it that he got hurt earlier in the week. He should be back in a few weeks.”

“He [Bloomquist] was in a league of his own,” said the runner-up Richards. “There was one time we got caught up in lapped traffic that we were gaining on him just a little bit and that was only because of the lapped cars. We needed to be better. Me and Sheppard had a good race for second. We need to be a little better tomorrow night. This place has always been good to me.”

The second duel feature saw Davenport take the lead from Mike Marlar on lap five and hold off a trio of drivers before he could go to victory lane for the 11th time this season with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.

Davenport got caught up in lapped traffic and that allowed Chase Junghans, Bobby Pierce, and Ricky Weiss all to close on him in the final ten laps of the race. Junghans passed Weiss for second with four laps to go as Pierce followed topside two laps from the finish.

As the four drivers came off of turn four Davenport had traffic on front of him, but he held off a furious charge from the other three competitors for the win.

“I was hoping to see the checkered flag sooner. I was looking around and I couldn’t really tell if anybody was underneath me. I was trying the bottom and the top. They were two-wide in front of me. I couldn’t make the middle work like I could the bottom and the top. I saw Stormy [Scott] down there on the bottom and he was pretty good, so I just tried to stay focused on what I was doing.”

Junghans came close to scoring his first career Lucas Oil victory with his runner-up finish after starting sixth.

“The only way we were going to win was if JD missed his marks. It was a hornet’s nest down there with those lapped cars. I felt good around the bottom in three and four. The track was great once it cleaned off. Hopefully we will get one spot better tomorrow night.”

The finishes:

First feature: Scott Bloomquist, Josh Richards, Brandon Sheppard, Michael Norris, Darrell Lanigan, Dennis Erb Jr., Tim McCreadie, Tyler Erb, Gregg Satterlee, Rick Eckert, Shanon Buckingham, Earl Pearson Jr., Jared Landers, Max Blair, Brian Shirley, Kent Robinson, Doug Drown, Mike Benedum, Billy Moyer Jr., Gordy Gundaker.

Second feature: Jonathan Davenport, Chase Junghans, Bobby Pierce, Ricky Weiss, Mike Marlar, Dale McDowell, Hudson O’Neal, Steve Casebolt, Chris Ferguson, Jimmy Owens, Devin Moran, Brandon Overton, Billy Moyer, Shannon Babb, Shane Clanton, Kyle Bronson, David Scott, Mason Zeigler, Stormy Scott, Eddie Carrier Jr.