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 BARBERVILLE,
FL -- History was made Tuesday when the World of
Outlaws Late Model Series contested its first-ever race. Steve Francis
captured the inaugural event held at Volusia
Raceway Park. The newly formed series, which employs an
open tire-rule, held competition again on Wednesday with Bart Hartman
capturing the win as both drivers raced on USA-made Hoosier tires as
did most of the 54 cars that were on hand both nights. Sure, there was
no blimp flying overhead, just exciting open competition racing on the
track which was to be expected with the best Late Model racers in the
world locking horns with the talented locals. On Tuesday, all three
tire manufacturers had competitors in the 54-car field, but only the
Hoosier brand was represented in the opening night's 30-lap feature
race won by Steve Francis. Francis rode his Hoosiers to the $5,000 win
and will go down in the record books as the series' first feature
winner. On Wednesday, proving the Hoosier brand remains the dominant
player in Late Model racing, Bart Hartman (at right) captured the
30-lap win and also collected $5,000.
TUESDAY OPENER
BARBERVILLE, FL (February 2) -- A huge 54-car field was on hand
Tuesday night at Volusia Raceway Park to take part in a history-making
event. The three competing tire brands had drivers represented among
the group and when the field had been whittled down to 24 for the
feature--only the Hoosier brand remained. Hoosier-shod and 3-time
Renegade Stars champion Steve Francis led flag-to-flag en route to
capturing the inaugural World of Outlaws Late Model Series race.
Francis was followed by Bart Hartman, Shannon Babb,
Dale McDowell and Wendell Wallace in second through fifth. Rounding
out the top ten were Scott Bloomquist in sixth followed by Billy
Moyer, Jackie Boggs, Dan Schlieper and Mike Balzano. In addition to
the win, Francis was also the fastest in time trials at 16.761 seconds
around the 1/2-mile track for an average speed of 107.392 mph.
WEDNESDAY'S RACE
BARBERVILLE, FL (February 3) -- The second night of racing in the
World of Outlaws Late Model Series had similar overtones as opening
night with cars riding on Hoosier tires dominating the action. Rick
Eckert (on Hoosiers) was the night's fast qualifier at a blistering
110.749 mph (16.253 seconds).
In the 30-lap feature, 23 of the 24 race starters rode
on Hoosier tires. Dale McDowell led the race's first 20 laps
before being passed on the inside by Bart Hartman. Hartman then
defended the race's top spot taking the checkered flag 10 laps later
over a hard charging Scott Bloomquist. The pair were followed to the
line by Dale McDowell, opening night winner Steve Francis, and local
driver Robbie Blair.
Rounding out the all-Hoosier top ten were Rick Eckert,
Chub Frank, Rick Aukland, Terry English and Dan Schlieper in sixth
through tenth.
After two nights of action, Bart Hartman stands atop
the World of Outlaws Late Model Series point standings with 79 points,
Steve Francis is in second with 77, followed by Dale McDowell (75),
Scott Bloomquist (74), Wendell Wallace (65), Dan Schlieper (63), Rick
Eckert and Rick Aukland (61 tie), Billy Moyer (59) and Robbie Blair
(58). All ten drivers race on Hoosier tires.
Racing resumes at Volusia Raceway Park on Friday night
with a 40-lap $7,000-to-win feature and a 50-lap $12,000-to-win finale
on Sunday under the lights.
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