Lawrenceburg Speedway
Miller edges Francis for victory at Lawrenceburg
From series reports
Miller (32D) edges Francis at the line. (Jeremey Rhoades)
LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. (Aug. 22) — Darren Miller of Milledgeville, Ill., overtook polesitter Steve Francis on the 30th lap at Lawrenceburg Speedway, then fought off a last-ditch challenge from the Ashland, Ky., driver to capture his second Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series events in his last three series starts. | Slideshow
The 31-year-old Miller, who set fast time and started outside the second row, flashed across the finish line just ahead of Francis, who tried a high-low move on the final lap and nearly pulled alongside on the inside heading for the checkered flag. Miller earned $7,000 for his third career series victory and his most recent since a whopping $50,000 payday at the Aug. 9 North-South 100 at Florence Speedway in Union, Ky., a short drive from Lawrenceburg.
"I may just have to move down here by the Ohio River if this keeps up," Miller said in victory lane. "We went a little bit harder on tires than some of the others did and after that restart we passed Jeep and I knew we had something for Francis."
Jeep Van Wormer of Pinconning, Mich., a former winner at Lawrenceburg before the multimillion dollar renovation of the now high-banked oval, finished third followed by hometown driver Scott James and Josh McGuire of Grayson, Ky. Lucas Oil Series points leader Earl Pearson Jr. was seventh in the first series appearance at the refurbished fairgrounds oval.
Francis and Van Wormer started on the front row and were dead even after the first lap with Miller running third. Francis edged ahead as the top three pulled away from the field and entered slower traffic by the ninth lap. The race's lone caution appeared when Francis, trying to negotiate traffic, made contact with Billy Drake, who slid up the track in turn three.
Miller took second from Van Wormer on the double-file restart and began tracking Francis on lap 15. Miller's challenges were successful on the 30th lap as he slipped past Francis on the inside exiting turn two. Francis didn't go away, however, challenging low and high to regain the lead. Miller had a two-car cushion in traffic with a few laps to go, but Francis got right back into contention and tried to box the leader in amid slower cars on the final lap. Francis made a last-lap bid for the lead, but fell just short at the line.
Notes: Darren Miller's Victory Circle Chassis has a Pro Power Engine with sponsorship from Graphic Arts Express, NAPA, J.C. Dubil Racing Parts, Duralite Wheels, Ideal Ready Mix and McLaughlin Freight Services. ... Terry Casey's 19th-to-eighth run gave him the PBM/Erson Cams Hard Charger honors. ... The Lucas Oil tour moves to Bluegrass Speedway in Bardstown, Ky., for the $10,000-to-win Bluegrass Classic on Saturday, Aug. 23.
Lucas Oil @ Lawrenceburg: (1) Darren Miller, (2) Steve Francis, (3) Jeep Van Wormer, (4) Scott James, (5) Josh McGuire, (6) Donnie Moran, (7) Earl Pearson Jr., (8) Terry Casey, (9) Brad Neat, (10) Wayne Chinn, (11) Steve Casebolt, (12) Matt Miller, (13) Dan Schlieper, (14) Freddy Smith, (15) Mike Marlar, (16) Jerry Rice, (17) Eddie Carrier Jr., (18) Justin Rattliff, (19) Damon Eller, (20) Eric Wells, (21) Jesse Lay, (22) John Mason, (23) Bart Hartman, (24) Victor Lee, (25) Billy Drake. Fast qualifier (among 32 cars): D. Miller, 14.071 seconds. Heat race winners: D. Miller, Van Wormer, Francis, McGuire. Consolation winner: Wells. Provisional starters: Drake, Mason, Lay.
