FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2011
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Steve Francis Finishes Second at Knoxville: Readies for Dixie and Rome

by James Essex
ASHLAND, KY – Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series driver, Steve Francis of Ashland, KY competed in the 8th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals this past weekend at the legendary Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, IA.

On Thursday Night, September 29th Steve would end up not finishing night number one of the event after his battery went dead while battling eventual winner, Jimmy Owens for second place. Steve had just pulled alongside Owens early on in the race went his battery expired as he was forced pitside. On Friday Night, September 30th during night number two Steve would be running in a transfer spot in the B-Main when Don O’Neal passed him on the final lap forcing Steve to miss the feature by one spot.

Steve’s fortunes would turn for the better on Saturday Night, October 1st as the 100-lap $40,000 to win main event took the green flag. Steve would line-up up 12th on the grid and quickly made his way into the top ten.

Steve would get up to sixth place and with 25-laps to go he and Brian Birkhofer would stage a side-by-side battle for fifth. That lasted until Jimmy Mars fell out of the race which moved both Steve and Birkhofer up a spot.

On the restart Steve and Birky would race hard and clean with each other as Steve would eventually get by Birkhofer to gain the second at the finish. Owens led until O’Neal was able to get by him on lap 96, as Owens would hook the burm forcing the nosepiece of his car to bend in. Owens would eventually finish in fifth.

With his second place finish Steve would earn his best paycheck of the 2011 season as the event paid $20,000 for second place. Steve remains fourth in the current Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Championship Points Standings heading into this weekend’s events.

On Saturday Night, October 8th the stars of the LOLMDS head to Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, GA for the Lucas Oil Dixie Shootout. On Sunday Night, October 9th they visit Rome Speedway in Rome, GA for the Rome Showdown. Both events will pay $10,000 to win.

For more information on this weekend’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series events you can log on to www.dixiespeedway.com, www.raceromespeedway.com, and www.lucasdirt.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
Scott Bloomquist (Mooresburg, TN) - 6530
Jimmy Owens (Newport, TN) - 6515
Don O’Neal (Martinsville, IN) – 5945
Steve Francis (Ashland, KY) – 5585
Jared Landers (Batesville, AR) - 5240