Barberville, FL — Steve Francis and Brett Hearn, two of the most storied competitors in their respective divisions, wrapped up the 38th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH on Saturday night at Volusia Speedway Park by earning their first victories on the finale of the 12-day event.
World of Outlaws Late Model Series star Francis, of Ashland, Ky., and Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series star Hearn, of Sussex, N.J., became the 13th and 14th different drivers to become eligible for the $10,000 grand prize, voted on by fans. There are 13 different states represented in this year’s contest: Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Fans can vote via text message to 247253 and enter their favorite driver’s letter code, or by visiting AlltelAllStar.com and casting a ballot. Votes will be tallied daily until Feb. 28. The overall winner as determined by fan votes will receive the $10,000 grand prize, while the top vote-getter in the other three divisions will earn $1,000. Over the 12 consecutive nights of the event that began Feb. 3, 410 Sprint Cars, UMP DIRTcar Modifieds, Dirt Late Models and Big-Block Modifieds all competed.
Francis, the 2007 World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion, ran down Brady Smith and pulled away to capture the checkered flag. Like many of the other winners during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH, Francis would help out injured racer Tim McCreadie should the fans vote for him to be the event’s Alltel All-Star.
“Timmy McCreadie was hurt a little while back,” Francis said. “He drove my Dirt Late Model for a little bit. If we can win it, we’ll give part of it to Timmy to help pay for some of his medical bills. I think I heard Austin Dillon say that the other night, too. Timmy is a stand-up guy and that’s the best thing I can think to do with it.”
Hearn, who year in and year out is one of the strongest Big Block Modified teams to compete at the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals, waited until the final feature of the event to get his victory this time around. He chased down Andy Bachetti before finally taking the lead with eight laps to go in the 50-lap conclusion to the 12-day event.
“I think it adds a level of recognition to the cars and the guys who do this. It raises the level of professionalism of the event. This whole event is just an awesome event. It’s unbelievable racing every night. We were blessed with beautiful weather. It’s a blast. I really appreciate Alltel being here.”
Through all 12 nights of competition at the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH, the Alltel All-Star contenders and their text message Letter Codes (in parenthesis) include:
Sprint Cars — Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. (b); Stevie Smith, Broken Arrow, Okla. (d); Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, Ind. (f).
UMP DIRTcar Modifieds — Jared Landers, Batesville, Ark. (a); Austin Dillon, Lewisville, N.C. (c); Randy Hall, Olean, N.Y. (e).
Dirt Late Models — Darren Miller, Chadwick, Ill. (g); Earl Pearson Jr., Jacksonville, Fla. (h); Dan Schlieper, Sullivan, Wis. (j); Josh Richards, Shinnston, W.Va. (k); and Steve Francis, Ashland, Ky. (m).
Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series — Pat Ward, Genoa, N.Y. (i); Jamie Mills, Milford, Del. (L); and Brett Hearn, Sussex, N.J. (n).
For more information about Alltel, please visit www.alltel.com. To cast your vote online visit www.AlltelAllStar.com.
Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH Statistical Report — Night 12
Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series 50-lap A-main
Pos. / Driver
1. Brett Hearn
2. Andy Bachetti
3. Matt Sheppard
4. Billy Decker
5. Pat Ward
6. Jamie Mills
7. Dale Planck
8. Jimmy Horton
9. Keith Flach
10. Mario Clair
11. Sean Beardsley
12. Dan Vauter
13. Larry Wight
14. Jeff Brownell Jr.
15. James M. Friesen
16. Michel Chicione
17. Jim Rasey
18. Guy Sheldon
19. Roger Chrysler
20. Tim Kerr
21. Randy Chrysler
22. Jeremy Markle
23. Rich Scagliotta
24. Darwin Greene
25. Rex King Jr.
26. Matt Jester
27. Brian Sadler
28. Dave Rauscher
World of Outlaws Late Model Series 50-lap A-main
Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won
1. (8) Steve Francis/50 $10,100
2. (2) Brady Smith/50 $5,000
3. (4) Rick Eckert/50 $3,000
4. (5) Kelly Boen/50 $2,550
5. (6) Earl Pearson Jr./50 $2,000
6. (7) Shane Clanton/50 $1,700
7. (12) Josh Richards/50 $1,400
8. (11) Darrell Lanigan/50 $1,300
9. (18) Scott Bloomquist/50 $1,200
10. (24) Dale McDowell/50 $1,200
11. (9) Dennis Erb Jr./50 $1,050
12. (13) Dan Schlieper/50 $1,000
13. (3) Chris Madden/50 $1,000
14. (28) Tim Fuller/50 $200
15. (16) Darren Miller/50 $1,350
16. (19) Justin Rattliff/50 $800
17. (17) Billy Decker/50 $770
18. (10) John Blankenship/49 $750
19. (15) Jordan Bland/49 $730
20. (22) Vic Coffey/48 $700
21. (20) Tyler Ivey/48 $700
22. (27) Clint Smith/48 $0
23. (23) Scott James/25 $700
24. (25) Chub Frank/24 $700
25. (1) Wendell Wallace/23 $700
26. (14) Dillon Wood/18 $700
27. (26) Shannon Babb/14 $700
28. (21) Jimmy Owens/13 $700
Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH Daily Winners
February 3, Tuesday
All Star Circuit of Champions (Donny Schatz)
UMP DIRTcar Modifieds (Jared Landers)
February 4, Wednesday
All Star Circuit of Champions (Donny Schatz)
UMP DIRTcar Modifieds (Jared Landers)
February 5, Thursday
All Star Circuit of Champions (Stevie Smith)
UMP DIRTcar Modifieds (Austin Dillon)
February 6, Friday
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series (Donny Schatz)
UMP DIRTcar Modifieds “The Gator” qualifying Night 1 (Jared Landers)
February 7, Saturday
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series (Joey Saldana)
UMP DIRTcar Modifieds “The Gator” qualifying Night 2 (Randy Hall)
February 8, Sunday
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series (Donny Schatz)
UMP DIRTcar Modifieds “The Gator” Championship (Jared Landers)
February 9, Monday
UMP DIRTcar Late Models (Darren Miller)
UMP DIRTcar Modifieds (Jared Landers)
February 10, Tuesday
UMP DIRTcar Late Models (Earl Pearson Jr.)
UMP DIRTcar Modifieds (Austin Dillon)
February 11, Wednesday
UMP DIRTcar Late Models (Dan Schlieper)
Advance Auto Parts Big Block Modifieds (Pat Ward)
February 12, Thursday
World of Outlaws Late Model Series (Josh Richards)
Advance Auto Parts Big Block Modifieds (Pat Ward)
February 13, Friday
UMP DIRTcar Late Models (Josh Richards)
Advance Auto Parts Big Block Modifieds (Jamie Mills)
February 14, Saturday
World of Outlaws Late Model Series (Steve Francis)
Advance Auto Parts Big Block Modifieds (Brett Hearn)
