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Francis Fends Off Owens in Classic East Bay Finish

TAMPA, FL (February 18, 2012) – Steve Francis of Ashland, KY outdueled defending Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion, Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN in an exciting finish at East Bay Raceway Park. Francis picked up $10,000 for his win in the finale of the 36th Annual DART Winternationals. He scored his second win of the week, in doing so. The duo was followed by Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN; Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN; and Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, IL. Erb earned the week-long DART Winternationals Championship. He won $5,000 for his efforts.

He had to withstand Owens’ repeated efforts over the last four laps after a caution came out for Jason Riggs. On the restart Owens tried the inside of Francis several times, but Francis repelled him at each turn. Francis also won the Thursday night installment of the Winternationals. O’Neal was able to get by Bloomquist on the 60th and final lap to claim third after pitting for fresh tires on lap 27.

“I want to apologize to Donnie (Moran) for getting into him. I knew we had a good car in open air, I was trying not to make a mistake and let Scott or Jimmy get by me. We were just looking for a caution to clear the track in front of us. I can’t say enough about Barry and Lance Wright. This team got together so late in the game, we have had to work our tails off to get ready. I was racing in Australia just a few weeks ago,” said Francis, who captured his tenth career win at East Bay.

“The Barry Wright Race Cars and the Clements Engines have been great this week. We could’ve won a couple more of these without the flat tires, but we’ll never know. Luckily they all held air tonight,” said the 44-year-old driver embarking on his second year with the LOLMDS. “I want to thank VP Race Fuels, Valvoline, Nichols Plumbing, AES Racing, Jri Shocks, and Mathis Farms.”

Completing the top ten were Duke Whiseant of Texarkana, AR; Scott Creel of Franklinton, LA; Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL; Austin Hubbard of Seaford, DE; and Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, GA.

In preliminary action John Blankenship took the Red Buck Cigars Fast Time award amongst the 41 entrants. Heat races were won by Donnie Moran, Randy Korte, Terry Casey, and Steve Francis. Duke Whiseant and Austin Hubbard won the B-Mains. Rookie Late Model driver, Shelby Miles captured the PRC Strawberry Dash.

The next Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event will be on Saturday Night, March 24th at Brownstown Speedway in Brownstown, IN. The “Indiana Icebreaker” will pay $10,000 to win. For more information log on to www.brownstownspeedway.com.

For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, log onto www.lucasdirt.com.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Saturday Night, February 18, 2012
36th Annual DART Winternationals
East Bay Raceway Park – Tampa, FL

Red Buck Cigars Fast Time: Donnie Moran / 14.440 seconds (Group A) John Blankenship / 14.398 seconds (Group B and Overall)

Wiles Driveshafts First Heat (8 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Donnie Moran, Scott Bloomquist, Don O'Neal, Jonathan Davenport, Duke Whiseant, Tyler Reddick, Mark Andersen, Danny Mitchell, Justin Rattliff, Todd Frank, Roger Hammond

U. S. Steel Second Heat (8 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Randy Korte, Jared Landers, Shannon Babb, Scott James, Jackie Nosbisch, Chris Brown, Josh McGuire, Leon Henderson, Eric Jacobsen, James O'Hara

Simpson Performance Products Third Heat (8 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Terry Casey, John Blankenship, Jimmy Owens, Chad Stapleton, Morgan Bagley, Earl Pearson, Jr., Austin Hubbard, Eric Wells, Shane Cottle, Scott Creel

HAWK Brakes Fourth Heat (8 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Steve Francis, Ray Cook, Dennis Erb, Jr., Jason Riggs, Bobby Pierce, Shelby Miles, Dillan White, Chad Hollenbeck, Travis Varnadore, Victor Lee-DNS

JRi Shocks First B-Main (10 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Duke Whiseant, Jackie Nosbisch, Tyler Reddick, Josh McGuire, Chris Brown, Mark Andersen, Justin Rattliff, Danny Mitchell, James O'Hara, Todd Frank, Roger Hammond, Leon Henderson-DNS, Eric Jacobsen-DNS

PAC Racing Springs Second B-Main (10 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Austin Hubbard, Morgan Bagley, Bobby Pierce, Dillan White, Shelby Miles, Chad Hollenbeck, Travis Varnadore, Shane Cottle, Earl Pearson, Jr.-DNS, Eric Wells-DNS, Scott CreeL-DNS, Victor Lee-DNS

PRC Strawberry Dash Presented by DirtonDirt.com (6 Laps- Winner Advances): Shelby Miles, Shane Cottle, Chris Brown, James O’Hara, Travis Varnadore, Chad Hollenbeck

Feature Finish – 60 Laps: 1. 15-Steve Francis; 2. 20-Jimmy Owens; 3. 71-Don O'Neal; 4. 0-Scott Bloomquist; 5. 28E-Dennis Erb Jr; 6. A1-Duke Whiseant; 7. 31-Scott Creel; 8. 44-Earl Pearson Jr; 9. 11H-Austin Hubbard; 10. 15D-Jonathan Davenport; 11. 81-Scott James; 12. 11T-Tyler Reddick; 13. 81X-Randy Korte; 14. 32S-Chad Stapleton; 15. 23-John Blankenship; 16. 18E-Eric Wells; 17. 99-Donnie Moran; 18. 32-Bobby Pierce; 19. 01-Jackie Nosbisch; 20. 81JR-Jason Riggs; 21. 5-Jared Landers; 22. 53-Ray Cook; 23. 14M-Morgan Bagley; 24. 76-Shelby Miles; 25. 42C-Terry Casey; 26. 18-Shannon Babb

Race Statistics
Entrants: 41
Lap Leaders: Donnie Moran (Laps 1 – 24); Steve Francis (Laps 25 – 60)
Caution Flags: Tyler Reddick (Start); Duke Whiseant (Lap 11); Austin Hubbard (Lap 27); Pile Up (Lap 27); Jonathan Davenport (Lap 37); Jason Riggs (Lap 56)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Earl Pearson Jr., Eric Wells
DirtonDirt.com Fast Time Provisional: Scott Creel
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisional: n/a
Performance Bodies First Non-Qualifier: Shane Cottle
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Scott Creel (Started 25th; Finished 7th; Advanced 18 positions)
Allstar Performer of the Race: Duke Whiseant
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Jimmy Owens
ASi Racewear Challenge Finisher: Steve Francis
Quarter Master Rookie of the Race: Austin Hubbard
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Roush Yates Racing Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Barry Wright Race Cars
Sweet Mfg Crew Chief of the Race: Lance Wright
Time of Race: 56 minutes 58 seconds

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