In a race cut short by six laps due to severe fog blanketing the track, Steve Francis of Ashland, KY became the 20th different driver to win a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event on Thursday Night at Bedford Speedway. Francis, in the Dale Beitler owned Rocket GTO, led all 24 laps in winning the $7,000 to win the inaugural “Paul Beamer Memorial Race” sponsored by Bedford Valley Petroleum. Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL finished second followed by Josh Richards of Shinnston, WV, Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg, PA and Rick Eckert of York, PA.
The start of the A-main was delayed due to a pop-up shower, but after about two hours and after running the track back in, the race was ready to go, with Francis and Richards starting on the pole. Third-place starter Bart Hartman slowed on the initial start bringing out the caution, which negated the start and forced a restart. Hartman took to the pits and not return to the race until the twelfth lap.
Francis managed to motor ahead of the field, as he led all 24 scored laps with a nice battle for second taking place between Richards and Pearson. Francis opened up a seven car length lead in the early stages of the race until lapped traffic would allow both Richards and Pearson to gain on him.
With ten laps down, Richards and Pearson had closed on Francis’ rear bumper as the first three cars were running nose to tail. Francis was able to put a lapped car between himself and the race for second as the first caution came out on lap 12.
On the restart, Francis would again extend his lead over Richards and Pearson as Pearson was all over the rear decklid of Richards’ car. With 15 laps down, Francis was on a rail, stretching his lead over the duo of Richards and Pearson with Jeremy Miller and Rick Eckert in a tight battle for fourth.
As the halfway mark was given, fog started to overtake the race track as Jeff Rine slowed for the third caution on lap 20. With ten laps to go, there was enough visibility for the drivers to continue as they would only be able to race for four more laps until Nick Dickson stopped in turn two bringing out the caution.
During the caution period, the drivers stopped on the frontstretch and relayed to the Lucas Oil officials and track officials that it was unsafe to resume the race. The decision was made to wave the checkered flag as the cars came back around the frontstretch and the race was officially ruled complete.
In Lucas Oil Victory Lane, for the first time since July 2007, Francis said the decision made was the right one for driver’s safety. “No doubt it was the right call, it’s easy for me to say being in front but when the second place guy and back says they can’t see you have to go with that,” Francis said as he thanked his crew who have turned around his fortunes on recent weeks. “The American Racer tires are good here and for them to get the track back in the shape they did after the rain my hats off to them, now we can go and hopefully run well the next two nights and then set our sights on Florence for next week, that’s a race I’d really like to win.”
The 40-year-old driver helmed the Dale Beitler Racing owned, Cornett powered Reliable Painting/Duralite Racing Wheels/Integra Shocks, Valvoline sponsored Rocket Chassis GTO.
Pearson extended his points lead in the Bobby Labonte Racing/Lifelong Locks/MasterSbilt Dodge Charger by virtue of his second place finish. Richards who was the PRC fast timer in qualifications among the 51 cars on hand drove the Ernie Davis/Ernie’s Towing and Hauling/Rocket Monte Carlo SS.
Completing the top five were Jeremy Miller in the Buckler Motorsports/Complete Flooring/Rocket GTO and Rick Eckert in the Raye Vest Excavating/Custom Engines/GRT Cadillac.
Rounding out the top ten Steve Shaver, Terry Casey, Ricky Elliott, Billy Drake and Steve Casebolt.
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