ASHLAND, KY – Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series driver, Steve Francis of Ashland, KY just recently completed a three-race Northeast swing as he recorded three-top ten finishes along the way.
On Wednesday Night, July 27th Steve made his first ever appearance at the Fonda Speedway in Fonda, NY. Despite a miss in the engine Steve would bring home a sixth place finish at the historic track. The event was won by Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN.
On Thursday Night, July 28th Steve would visit another race track for the first time in his career as the team competed at Utica-Rome Speedway in Vernon, NY. Despite a poor qualifying time Steve would rebound in the main event and finish in the ninth position. Tim McCreadie of Watertown, NY took the win.
After a day off for travel Steve would join the other LOLMDS regulars at Hagerstown Speedway in Hagerstown, MD for the “Conocoheague 50.” Steve had visited victory twice in this annual event with wins in 1996 and 2009. Steve would also debut a new Roush-Yates Racing Engine in the MasterSbilt Race Car on Saturday Night, July 30th at Hagerstown.
Steve would wind up sixth in the main event with representatives from Roush-Yates in the house for advice. Steve would come out of the race still fourth in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Championship Points Standings. John Blankenship of Williamson, WV, who started 17th in the race, picked up his first career LOLMDS victory.
Steve and the rest of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series drivers are preparing for one of the their biggest events of 2011 this week with the 29th Annual Sunoco Race Fuels North/South 100 Presented by Lucas Oil Products at Florence Speedway in Union, KY. The event will pay $50,000 to win and $2500 to start.
Activity will get underway on Thursday Night, July 11th with a special practice session followed by red Buck Cigar Time Trials on Friday Night, August 12th. On Saturday, August 13th will be the Heat Races, B-Mains and the 100-lap North/South 100. For more information log on to www.florencespeedway.com
Steve would like to thank his 2011 sponsors including; Valvoline, MasterSbilt Race Cars, Roush-Yates Racing Engines, PRC, Ohlins, Keyser Mfg., Harbaugh Amusement Machine Inc., VP Racing Fuels, JFRgraphics.com, Tim Logan Racing and Bobst Auto Parts.
Current Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Championship Points Standings
1. Scott Bloomquist (Mooresburg, TN) – 4350
2. Jimmy Owens (Newport, TN) – 4210
3. Don O’Neal (Martinsville, IN) – 3885
4. Steve Francis (Ashland, KY) – 3590
5. Earl Pearson Jr. (Jacksonville, FL) – 3580