Francis holds off Oldfield for Sydney victory
Winner Steve Francis is flanked by runner-up Jamie Oldfield (right) and third-place Michael Holmes (left). (Gary Reid)
SYDNEY, Australia (Jan. 28) — Becoming the race's first U.S. winner, Steve Francis led every lap Saturday at Tyrepower Sydney Speedway to win the 11th annual Australian Late Model Championship. The Ashland, Ky., driver started outside the front row and drove his Scott McPherson-owned car to victory.
Western Australia Jamie Oldfield finished second followed by Michael Holmes, U.S. entrant and polesitter Devin Moran and Nathan Smee.
Francis got the jump at the outset while Moran, Holmes and Oldfield chased him early in the race before a lap-10 yellow for Paul Stubber. Francis continued out front on the restart as Smee worked the low groove to reach the fifth spot by the midway point.
Dean Hawkins spun to draw another yellow, and Oldfield moved past Holmes and Moran to reach the runner-up spot and begin applying pressure to Francis. Consolation winner Col Robinson's spin with 11 laps remaining halted the action, and the next few laps were peppered with yellows as a result of spins, car damage and retirements.
Oldfield was glued to the rear of the Francis car in the final laps, but the former World 100 winner held on for the victory in his Time Target-sponsored car. The top four finishers finished on the same straightaway with 16 of 24 starters on the lead lap.
Australian Late Model Championship: (1) Steve Francis, (2) Jamie Oldfield, (3) Michael Holmes, (4) Devin Moran, (5) Nathan Smee, (6) David Robertson, (7) Warren Oldfield, (8) Brad Blake, (9) Ben Ludlow, (10) Ben Nicastri, (11) Darren Forrest, (12) Darryl Grimson, (13) Stewart Jordan, (14) Mat Crimmins, (15) Jason Oldfield, (16) Barry Kelleher, (17) Nick Girdlestone, (18) Aaron Van Zeeland, (19) Dean Hawkins, (20) Jay Cardy, (21) Koran Atkinson, (22) Col Robinson, (23) Matt Ingrey, (24) Paul Stubber. Heat race winners: Steve Francis, Devin Moran, Jamie Oldfield, Jason Oldfield. Dash winners: Devin Moran, Nathan Smee. B-Main winner: Col Robinson. Semifeature winners (Jan. 27): Devin Moran, Steve Francis.
