When the driver lineup for the Camping World SRX Series was initially unveiled, 23-year old Ernie Francis Jr. was arguably overshadowed by the older and more famous drivers set to compete full-time in the series. But on Saturday night in Indianapolis, the youth and enthusiasm of Francis far outpaced the old age and treachery of the rest of the SRX field.
Ernie Francis Jr. dominated the fourth race of the Camping World SRX Series, picking up his first SRX win at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. Francis dominated the 76-lap main event, leading from lap 12 onwards before having to hold off Scott Speed and Bobby Labonte on a series of late-race restarts.
After holding a comfortable lead through what was a mostly green flag race, Francis' mettle was tested by a series of late race restarts that included a ferocious assault from ringer Scott Speed. Francis and Speed traded paint and sheet metal in a side-by-side battle which ended when Speed got sideways entering turn one, allowing Francis to pull away. But a spin by Paul Tracy set up a two lap run to the finish where Francis had to hold off a charge at the lead from Bobby Labonte.
"I'm totally speechless. This is incredible. Those last 10, 15 laps felt like they were taking forever [with] all the cautions," Francis said in Victory Lane. "I was just trying to focus on a good restart. Me and Scott Speed went at it for a few laps there side-to-side. I didn't know how that was gonna end up. Got a few donuts on the car. But man -- Couldn't be happier."
Francis is the second SRX regular to win a race this season, and his win breaks a two-race win streak by Tony Stewart. Francis' victory puts him in position to try and challenge Stewart for the series title, as SRX moves on to Slinger Speedway in Wisconsin next Saturday night.
Ernie Francis Jr. hangs on to win at Lucas Oil Raceway for his first win of the season.
1. Ernie Francis Jr.
2. Bobby Labonte 3. Scott Speed 4. Marco Andretti 5. Bobby Santos III 6. Michael Waltrip 7. Tony Stewart 8. Paul Tracy 9. Helio Castroneves 10. Tony Kanaan 11. Willy T. Ribbs 12. Bill Elliott
Ernie Francis clears Bobby Labonte coming to the white flag. One lap to go.
Green flag with two to go. Nice jump by both Francis and Labonte.
Restart will be with two laps to go. Ernie Francis Jr. will have to hold off Bobby Labonte, who won a Busch Series race at this track in 1991.
Interesting note: Labonte won at IRP after he was running second late in the race before leader Chuck Bown had his seatbelts come undone, forcing him to fix his problem and giving the lead and win to Labonte.
Evidently, Speed's spin was payback from Castroneves for getting into him off Turn 4.
Caution is out with two laps to go. Paul Tracy spun after contact from Bobby Santos III, and now Scott Speed spins under caution after apparent contact from Helio Castroneves.
Ernie Francis Jr. and Scott Speed beat and bang for three laps before Speed has to try and save it. Francis now has a big lead and will try and keep Bobby Labonte from closing in.
Quick yellow and a restart with six laps to go. Speed and Francis are side-by-side.
Quick caution. Tony Kanaan spins off Turn 2 but doesn't hit anything.
Green flag is out for a 7 lap dash to the finish. Ernie Francis Jr. doesn't get a good restart and it allows Scott Speed to go to the race lead.
Caution is out coming to 10 laps to go. The green flag lap limit has been hit yet again - Very clean night of racing.
Ernie Francis Jr. had been pulling away from Scott Speed in search of his first SRX win.
Running order with under 20 laps to go:
1. Ernie Francis Jr.
2. Scott Speed
3. Bobby Labonte
4. Helio Castroneves
5. Bobby Santos III
6. Marco Andretti
7. Michael Waltrip
8. Paul Tracy
9. Tony Stewart
10. Tony Kanaan
11. Willy T. Ribbs
12. Bill Elliott
Green flag is back out on Lap 54. Ernie Francis Jr. continues to lead with some three and even four-wide action behind him.
Another week, another issue for Bill Elliott. Elliott had mechanical issues in the first two issues, cracked a bone in a late race accident last week, and has been on pit road under this caution with an apparent issue.
Caution is out on Lap 48. Another green flag run paced by Ernie Francis Jr.
Ernie Francis Jr. holds a 1.5 second lead over Scott Speed with 45 laps complete. Closest on-track battle is between Bobby Labonte and Helio Castroneves for third.
Green flag is back out on Lap 33. Ernie Francis Jr. gets a challenge from Scott Speed, but clears him going into Turn 3.
Caution is out with 26 laps complete. Ernie Francis Jr. remains the race leader.
Caution laps do count in the main event until six laps to go.
Running order with 25 of 76 laps complete:
1. Ernie Francis Jr.
2. Scott Speed
3. Helio Castroneves
4. Bobby Labonte
5. Michael Waltrip
6. Tony Stewart
7. Marco Andretti
8. Tony Kanaan
9. Bobby Santos III
10. Paul Tracy
11. Bill Elliott
12. Willy T. Ribbs
After fighting for the lead early in the main event, Tony Stewart has fallen back to fifth and is under attack for sixth from Michael Waltrip.
Ernie Francis Jr. has taken the lead from Scott Speed. Nice pass to the inside entering Turn One for Francis to take the top spot.
Scott Speed clears Tony Stewart to take the top spot. Helio Castroneves has taken third and Ernie Francis Jr. has taken fifth, dropping Bobby Labonte back to fifth.
Green flag is out for the main event. Tony Stewart leads from the outside line going into Turn One, but Scott Speed fights back on the inside.
The field is rolling for the 76 lap (Happy Fourth of July) feature. Here is the starting lineup:
1. Tony Stewart
2. Scott Speed
3. Bobby Labonte
4. Helio Castroneves
5. Michael Waltrip
6. Ernie Francis Jr.
7. Tony Kanaan
8. Marco Andretti
9. Bobby Santos III
10. Paul Tracy
11. Bill Elliott
12. Willy T. Ribbs
