WAYNESVILLE, GA (February 8, 2014) – Steve Francis wins the final Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event of the Georgia Boot Super Bowl of Racing. Francis displayed his dominance as he led all 50 laps of the main event. The win at Golden Isles Speedway marks his 14th career series win.
Francis became the third different winner of the weekend, crossing the finish line ahead of Eddie Carrier Jr., Earl Pearson Jr., Scott Bloomquist, and Brandon Sheppard.
“I can’t say enough about this Barry Wright Race Car. It handled so well all night long. The only concern I had, was coming off turn four a few times was jumping the cushion and losing my momentum. I had to make sure I got into that corner the best I could,” said the winner.
“I think all weekend long, the track was in good condition and made for a great show for the fans. We could race anywhere on it. We had a lot of fun out there tonight. It was a great point’s night, and a really good start to the season.”
Francis and his Clint Bowyer Racing Team have set their sights on winning the title in 2014. “I have to thank Clint for giving me this opportunity. He gives us what we need, the Clements Racing Engine had plenty of horsepower and it’s great to win for Georgia Boot and everybody associated with them.”
Carrier chased Francis until the final laps when Francis built a lead that carried him to the checkers. “On that last restart, I tried to stay with Steve the best I could. We were not going to beat him tonight. It was another good run for us. We will be ready for East Bay next week and hopefully continue our strong efforts.”
Pearson recorded his third Top-3 finish of the races held at Golden Isles, and earned an additional bonus of $2,000 courtesy of Hot Rod Tracker for garnering the most points. “Many thanks to Hot Rod Tracker for becoming involved with the series and track. We had a couple really good days here, and we are looking forward to East Bay next week.” Pearson will enter next weeks’ point’s events at East Bay with a five-point lead over Francis.
Completing the top ten were Ray Cook, Brian Shirley, Jared Landers, Don O’Neal and Brady Smith.
In preliminary action, Chris Madden set the overall Georgia Boot Fast Time (Group B) amongst the 34 entrants, with a lap of 15.020 seconds. Earl Pearson Jr. set the fastest time in Group A with a time of 15.191 seconds. Steve Francis, Brandon Sheppard, Eddie Carrier Jr. and Billy Moyer Jr. won their respective heat races. Tim McCreadie and John Blankenship won their respective B-Mains.
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Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Saturday Night, February 8th, 2014
Georgia Boot Super Bowl of Racing
Golden Isles Speedway – Waynesville, GA
Georgia Boot Fast Time Group A: Earl Pearson Jr./ 15.191 seconds
Georgia Boot Fast Time Group B: Chris Madden / 15.020 seconds
Fast Shafts Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Steve Francis, Earl Pearson Jr., Jared Landers, Scott Bloomquist, Tim McCreadie, Devin Moran, Jason Papich, Jason Riggs, Mike Benedum
Eibach Springs Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer):Brandon Sheppard, Dennis Franklin, Dennis Erb Jr., Don O’Neal, Kenny PettyJohn, Brady Smith, Russell Brown, Jr., Chad Hollenbeck
Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Eddie Carrier Jr., Jonathan Davenport, Ray Cook, Chris Madden, John Blankenship, Jimmy Owens, Brian Shirley, Steve Shaver, Jason Fitzgerald
FK Rod Ends Heat Race #4 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Billy Moyer Jr., Gregg Satterlee, Randy Weaver, Mike Stadel, Jason Hughes, Ricky Weiss, Vic Coffey, Albert Cosnahan
JRi Shocks B-Main #1 (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Tim McCreadie, Kenny PettyJohn, Brady Smith, Jason Riggs, Jason Papich, Mike Benedum, Russell Brown, Jr., Devin Moran, Chad Hollenbeck-DNS
CV Products B-Main #2 (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): John Blankenship, Jimmy Owens, Brian Shirley, Steve Shaver, Ricky Weiss, Jason Hughes-DNS, Vic Coffey-DNS, Albert Cosnahan-DNS, Jason Fitzgerald-DNS
Feature Finish (25 Laps):
|
FINISH |
START |
CAR # |
DRIVER NAME |
HOMETOWN |
|
1 |
1 |
15 |
Steve Francis |
Ashland, KY |
|
2 |
2 |
28 |
Eddie Carrier Jr. |
Salt Rock, WV |
|
3 |
5 |
44 |
Earl Pearson Jr. |
Jacksonville, FL |
|
4 |
13 |
0 |
Scott Bloomquist |
Mooresburg, TN |
|
5 |
3 |
1 |
Brandon Sheppard |
Berlin, IL |
|
6 |
10 |
53 |
Ray Cook |
Brasstown, NC |
|
7 |
22 |
81 |
Brian Shirley |
Chatham, IL |
|
8 |
9 |
777 |
Jared Landers |
Batesville, AR |
|
9 |
15 |
5 |
Don O’Neal |
Martinsville, IN |
|
10 |
21 |
2 |
Brady Smith |
Solon Springs, WI |
|
11 |
24 |
12 |
Jason Hughes |
Watts, OK |
|
12 |
20 |
20 |
Jimmy Owens |
Newport, TN |
|
13 |
18 |
23 |
John Blankenship |
Williamson, WV |
|
14 |
19 |
38 |
Kenny PettyJohn |
Millsboro, DE |
|
15 |
4 |
21JR |
Billy Moyer Jr. |
Batesville, AR |
|
16 |
11 |
28e |
Dennis Erb Jr. |
Carpentersville, IL |
|
17 |
23 |
7w |
Ricky Weiss |
Headingley, MB |
|
18 |
14 |
44m |
Chris Madden |
Gaffney, SC |
|
19 |
7 |
2F |
Dennis Franklin |
Gaffney, SC |
|
20 |
16 |
81s |
Mike Stadel |
Rapid City, SD |
|
21 |
8 |
22s |
Gregg Satterlee |
Rochester Mills, PA |
|
22 |
12 |
116 |
Randy Weaver |
Crossville, TN |
|
23 |
17 |
39 |
Tim McCreadie |
Watertown, NY |
|
24 |
6 |
6 |
Jonathan Davenport |
Mount Airy, NC |
Race Statistics
Entrants: 34
Lap Leaders: Steve Francis (Laps 1 – 50)
Caution Flags: Jonathan Davenport (Lap 6); Dennis Franklin, Jared Landers (Lap 6); John Blankenship (Lap 19); Dennis Franklin (Lap 36); Dennis Erb Jr. (Lap 37)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: N/A
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: N/A
Golden Isles Track Provisional: N/A
Georgia Boot Fast Time Provisionals: Ricky Weiss, Jason Hughes
Wrisco Feature Winner: Steve Francis
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Brian Shirley (Started: 22nd; Finished: 7th; Advanced: 15 positions)
Keyser Mfg Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Earl Pearson Jr.
Allstar Performer of the Race: Eddie Carrier Jr.
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Steve Francis
Dunn Benson Ford Rookie of the Race: *Will begin after RoY registration deadline.
Midwest Sheet Metal Highest Finishing Rookie: *Will begin after RoY registration deadline.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Racing Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Barry Wright Race Cars
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Tommy Grecco (Steve Francis)
HAWK Performance Fastest Lap of the Race: Steve Francis – Lap 18 – 15.702 seconds
Time of Race: 31 minutes 57 secon24
Hot Rod Tracker Georgia Boot Super Bowl of Racing Point Standings:
|
POS |
CAR# |
DRIVER |
POINTS |
|
1 |
44 |
Earl Pearson Jr. |
670 |
|
2 |
15 |
Steve Francis |
635 |
|
3 |
5 |
Don O’Neal |
610 |
|
3 |
44m |
Chris Madden |
610 |
|
5 |
1 |
Brandon Sheppard |
605 |
|
6 |
23 |
John Blankenship |
535 |
|
6 |
20 |
Jimmy Owens |
535 |
|
8 |
28 |
Eddie Carrier Jr. |
530 |
|
9 |
21JR |
Billy Moyer Jr. |
520 |
|
9 |
6 |
Jonathan Davenport |
520 |
Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:
|
POS |
CAR # |
DRIVER NAME |
HOMETOWN |
POINTS |
|
1 |
44 |
Earl Pearson Jr. |
Jacksonville, FL |
450 |
|
2 |
15 |
Steve Francis |
Ashland, KY |
445 |
|
3 |
28 |
Eddie Carrier Jr. |
Salt Rock, WV |
420 |
|
4 |
5 |
Don O’Neal |
Martinsville, IN |
415 |
|
5 |
44m |
Chris Madden |
Gaffney, SC |
410 |
|
6 |
1 |
Brandon Sheppard |
Berlin, IL |
375 |
|
6 |
23 |
John Blankenship |
Williamson, WV |
375 |
|
8 |
81 |
Brian Shirley |
Chatham, IL |
360 |
|
9 |
20 |
Jimmy Owens |
Newport, TN |
355 |
|
9 |
53 |
Ray Cook |
Brasstown, NC |
355 |
|
11 |
38 |
Kenny PettyJohn |
Millsboro, DE |
340 |
|
12 |
22s |
Gregg Satterlee |
Rochester Mills, PA |
330 |
|
13 |
777 |
Jared Landers |
Batesville, AR |
315 |
|
13 |
12 |
Jason Hughes |
Watts, OK |
315 |
|
15 |
2 |
Brady Smith |
Solon Springs, WI |
310 |
|
15 |
28e |
Dennis Erb Jr. |
Carpentersville, IL |
310 |
|
17 |
21JR |
Billy Moyer Jr. |
Batesville, AR |
300 |
|
18 |
5s |
Steve Shaver |
Vienna, WV |
295 |
|
19 |
116 |
Randy Weaver |
Crossville, TN |
275 |
|
20 |
6 |
Jonathan Davenport |
Mount Airy, NC |
260 |
|
20 |
39 |
Tim McCreadie |
Watertown, NY |
260 |
|
22 |
7w |
Ricky Weiss |
Headingley, MB |
255 |
|
23 |
32c |
Vic Coffey |
Caledonia, NY |
250 |
|
24 |
2F |
Dennis Franklin |
Gaffney, SC |
240 |
|
25 |
81JR |
Jason Riggs |
Harrisburg, IL |
235 |
|
25 |
91P |
Jason Papich |
Nipomo, CA |
235
|