PORTSMOUTH, OH (July 1, 2007)-Steve Francis of Ashland, KY picked up his first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory of 2007 winning the "Pepsi 75" Sunday Night at Portsmouth Raceway Park. Francis led all 75 laps of the main event to pick up $10,000 for himself and car owner, Tim Logan. It was Francis' fourth career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory and his first outside of the state of Florida. Francis' three previous series wins all came at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL. Francis thus becomes the 14th different winner in 19 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series races this year.
Francis fought off at least a half dozen challenges from Billy Drake during the race, but held him off at every encounter. Drake finished second followed by Jackie Boggs, Clint Smith and Rod Conley.
The rest of the top ten were Brandon Kinzer, Scott James, Steve Casebolt, Chris Madden and Earl Pearson, Jr.
In preliminary action Steve Shaver was the LifeLong Locks Fast Qualifier with a lap of 15.112 seconds. The series first ever visit to Portsmouth had 66 cars entered. The Hawk Brake and Quarter Master sponsored heat races were won by Earl Pearson, Jr., Billy Drake, Jackie Boggs, Rod Conley, Clint Smith and Steve Francis. The Mason Racin' Rebel Shock Dyno and Penske Shocks sponsored B-mains were won by Brian Birkhofer and Scott James. The K&N Clean Pass Award went to Chris Madden and the Edelbrock Hard Charger of the Race was Scott James, who started 20th and finished seventh, advancing 13 positions.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will next be in action on Tuesday Night, July 3 at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, OH for the "Crenos 50" paying $10,000 to win.
The complete story and results will be available on Monday.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Portsmouth Raceway Park Feature Finish (75 Laps): Steve Francis, Billy Drake, Jackie Boggs, Clint Smith, Rod Conley, Brandon Kinzer, Scott James, Steve Casebolt, Chris Madden, Earl Pearson, Jr., R.J. Conley, Justin Rattliff, Tim Dohm, Terry English, Paul Harris, Donnie Moran, Jason Montgomery, Damon Eller, Josh McGuire, Brian Birkhofer, Steve Shaver, Jimmy Owens, Jimmy Mars, Brian Shirley
Francis fought off at least a half dozen challenges from Billy Drake during the race, but held him off at every encounter. Drake finished second followed by Jackie Boggs, Clint Smith and Rod Conley.
The rest of the top ten were Brandon Kinzer, Scott James, Steve Casebolt, Chris Madden and Earl Pearson, Jr.
In preliminary action Steve Shaver was the LifeLong Locks Fast Qualifier with a lap of 15.112 seconds. The series first ever visit to Portsmouth had 66 cars entered. The Hawk Brake and Quarter Master sponsored heat races were won by Earl Pearson, Jr., Billy Drake, Jackie Boggs, Rod Conley, Clint Smith and Steve Francis. The Mason Racin' Rebel Shock Dyno and Penske Shocks sponsored B-mains were won by Brian Birkhofer and Scott James. The K&N Clean Pass Award went to Chris Madden and the Edelbrock Hard Charger of the Race was Scott James, who started 20th and finished seventh, advancing 13 positions.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will next be in action on Tuesday Night, July 3 at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, OH for the "Crenos 50" paying $10,000 to win.
The complete story and results will be available on Monday.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Portsmouth Raceway Park Feature Finish (75 Laps): Steve Francis, Billy Drake, Jackie Boggs, Clint Smith, Rod Conley, Brandon Kinzer, Scott James, Steve Casebolt, Chris Madden, Earl Pearson, Jr., R.J. Conley, Justin Rattliff, Tim Dohm, Terry English, Paul Harris, Donnie Moran, Jason Montgomery, Damon Eller, Josh McGuire, Brian Birkhofer, Steve Shaver, Jimmy Owens, Jimmy Mars, Brian Shirley