Lawrenceburg Speedway
Francis tightens title chase at Lawrenceburg
Steve Francis notched his second Lucas Oil Series victory. (sraracingphotos.com)
LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. (Aug. 24) — Stoking his Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series title hopes, Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., won an exciting race Saturday at Lawrenceburg Speedway for a $10,000 victory, his second on the national tour. | Slideshow | Video
Francis fought off an early challenge from Duane Chamberlain of Richmond, Ind., then held off fellow Kentuckian Brad Neat of Dunnville for a victory in the Whiskey City 50 at the 3/8-mile oval just across the river from Kentucky.
"They made us work hard for this win tonight,” Francis said in victory lane. “The car got a little hot and it was quite a battle! I had guys running on the inside of me, outside of me, and they were everywhere.”
Starting outside the front row, Francis drew within 50 points of two-time and reigning series champion Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn., who started eighth and finished third behind Neat. Jared Landers of Batesville, Ark., and 19th-starting John Blankenship of Williamson, W.Va., rounded out the top five.
The fifth-starting Chamberlain, who led five of the first 19 laps, ended up getting into the wall and falling out of contention, finishing 16th.
In the early stages, Francis battled up front with Eddie Carrier Jr., 15th-starting Earl Pearson and Chamberlain, who led laps 12-15 and went back ahead briefly on lap 17.
Francis went back out front on lap 18 while the polesitting Neat, who ran second for three circuits early in the race before falling back, charged back into the runner-up slot on lap 25. Owens made his way into the top five near the end after battling side-by-side with Landers for third in the final laps.
"I have to thank (team owner) Clint Bowyer for giving me this opportunity,” Francis said. “I would also like to thank (team members) Barry, Lance, Tommy and Brian. We all put our heads together and the car was just right! My daughter and wife couldn't be here tonight, so I guess they will have to watch it on television.”
Neat, one of three Barry Wright Race Car drivers in the top four along with Francis and Landers, scored his best Lucas Oil Series finish of the season in Tim Logan’s entry.
"Congrats to Steve on the win,” Neat said. “We both run Barry Wright Race Cars, but his was just a bit better tonight. It's an honor to run against these guys, and they are the best in the business.”
Five yellow flags slowed the action, the first for debris on the fourth lap. Gary Christian drew a lap-14 yellow and Scott Bloomquist on lap 17. Fast qualifier Justin Rattliff was charged with a lap-34 caution and Chad Stapleton on lap 35.
Notes: Francis drives a Clements Racing Engines-powered Barry Wright Race Car sponsored by course, Georgia Boot, Peak Motor Oil, Cometic Gasket, Toyota, VP and Allstar Performance. ... Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind., fourth in series points, didn’t enter at Lawrenceburg after suffering neck injuries in a rollover accident Thursday at Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tenn. O’Neal is wearing a neck braced and is expected to see a neurosurgeon to check for ligament damage in a few days, according to the MasterSbilt house car team. ... John Blankenship earned Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race honor with his 19th-to-fifth run. ... Blankenship retired while leading the third heat after his wheel cover came off, packing his wheel with mud; he rebounded to win the consolation race. ... After setting fast time, Justin Rattliff of Campbellsville, Ky., had a knock in his engine and went to a backup car; he scratched from the third heat. ... Earl Pearson Jr. also went to a backup car after time trials. ... Drivers failing to make the feature: Rick Slayback, Jeff Raisor, Mike Bechelli and Tim Prince. ... Next up for Lucas Oil Series competitors is a three-day Labor Day weekend at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park on Aug. 30, Portsmouth (Ohio) Raceway Park on Aug. 31, and I-77 Raceway Park in Ripley, W.Va., on Sept. 1 for the $25,000-to-win Hillbilly 100.
Whiskey City 50: (1) Steve Francis, (2) Brad Neat, (3) Jimmy Owens, (4) Jared Landers, (5) John Blankenship, (6) Greg Johnson, (7) Earl Pearson Jr., (8) Scott James, (9) Dustin Linville, (10) Tim Isenberg, (11) Brandon Kinzer, (12) Dennis Erb Jr., (13) Scott Bloomquist, (14) Eric Jacobsen, (15) Chad Stapleton, (16) Duane Chamberlain, (17) Steve Isenberg, (18) Justin Rattliff, (19) Eddie Carrier Jr., (20) Billy Moyer Jr., (21) R.J. Conley, (22) Gary Christian, (23) Bill Blair Jr), (24) Bill Sheets. Fast qualifier (among 28 cars): Rattliff, 14.426 seconds. Heat race winners: Neat, Francis, Landers. Consolation winner: Blankenship. Provisional starters: Blair, S. Isenberg.
