FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2011
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Steve Francis Records 3 Top Ten Finishes in Lucas Oil Series Action; Portsmouth up Next!

by James Essex
ASHLAND, KY – Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series driver, Steve Francis of Ashland, KY competed last weekend in three LOLMDS events as he recorded 3-top ten finishes. Steve also debuted his new Roush-Yates Ford Engines last week in his Valvoline/MasterSbilt #15.

On Thursday Night, August 25th the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series ventured to the Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, TN. Before a huge crowd Steve would race for the first-time the Roush-Yates Ford under the hood of his car as he would come home in the sixth finishing position. Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN was the winner of the event passing Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA on lap 42 of the 50-lap main event.

Action headed up I-75 on Friday Night to the Lawrenceburg Speedway in Lawrenceburg, IN. The beautiful facility hosted another huge crowd that came to see the stars of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. Steve would encounter issues in his heat race when the battery died in the car relegating him to running the B-Main. Steve would not be able to transfer out of the B-Main and had to take a provisional to start the $10,000 to win feature event. Steve would start 23rd and finish 9th to earn the PBM/Erson Cams Hard Charger of the Race after passing 14 other competitors.

On Saturday Night, August 27th the Steve Francis Racing Team headed to Bluegrass Speedway in Bardstown, KY for the annual Bluegrass Classic, which was held again with a packed grandstand. Steve would win his heat race. He started fourth in the main event and that’s where he ended up to conclude a weekend of 3-top ten finishes to maintain fourth in the LOLMDS Championship Points Standings.

Steve and the rest of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series drivers will be appearing this Saturday and Sunday, September 3rd and 4th at Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, OH. On Saturday Night it will be the $10,000 to win Pepsi 50 River Days Rumble followed on Sunday by the historic 43rd Annual Hillbilly 100 paying $25,000 to win. For more information please visit www.portsraceway.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
Jimmy Owens (Newport, TN) - 5480
Scott Bloomquist (Mooresburg, TN) - 5350
Don O’Neal (Martinsville, IN) – 4925
Steve Francis (Ashland, KY) – 4590
Earl Pearson Jr. (Jacksonville, FL) - 4330