FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2011
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Steve Francis Suffers Heartbreak While Leading at Lucas Oil Speedway



ASHLAND, KY – Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series driver, Steve Francis of Ashland, KY competed in two series events this past weekend. On Thursday and Friday, July 14th and 15th he competed at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, IL and Saturday, July 16th at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO.

On Thursday Night at Tri-City it was night one of the “Battle at the Beach” as Steve would finish third in an ultra-tough first heat behind Scott Bloomquist and Jimmy Owens. With his third place finish Steve would transfer to Friday Night’s 100-lap $20,000 to win main event.

Steve would roll of the starting grid in ninth place. Steve would advance two positions during the main event and finish in seventh right behind fellow MasterSbilt driver, Don O’Neal.

On Saturday Night, July 16th Steve convincingly won his heat race over Hall-of-Famer, Billy Moyer after starting in fourth. Steve would then start third in the 50-lap $10,000 to win CMH “Diamond Nationals” Tyler Reddick would grab the early lead until Scott Bloomquist took over the point on lap 16. Bloomquist would hold the lead until Steve whipped past him on lap 21.

Steve then pulled away from Bloomquist and held a sizable lead even through traffic over the current LOLMDS point’s leader. Steve was well on his way to his first win of 2011, but with 44 laps complete he would suffer drive train failure which knocked him out of the lead and victory lane. “The yoke broke and then the driveshaft, it’s not too often you get a car that good, it’s a shame it looked like we had that one in the bag,” said the 43-year old veteran afterwards. Steve would be credited with a 16th place finish after dominating most of the race.

Steve and the rest of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will be in action next week in New York and Maryland. On Wednesday Night, July 27th the series will visit Fonda Speedway in Fonda, NY, followed by a Thursday Night, July 28th race at Utica-Rome Speedway in Vernon, NY. The week will wrap up on Saturday Night, July 30th with a trip to Hagerstown Speedway in Hagerstown, MD. All three events will pay $10,000 to win.

A reminder to all race fans to tune into the broadcast on the SPEED Channel of the “Clash at the Mag” from Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, MS on Sunday, July 31st at 1 PM Eastern. Steve would finish third in this event.

Steve would like to thank his 2011 sponsors including; Valvoline, MasterSbilt Race Cars, Estes 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
Scott Bloomquist (Mooresburg, TN) – 3680
Jimmy Owens (Newport, TN) – 3620
Don O’Neal (Martinsville, IN) – 3320
Steve Francis (Ashland, KY) – 3005
Earl Pearson Jr. (Jacksonville, FL) - 2930