Last to first drive for Francis Racing at Thunderhill
nets “Driver of the Weekend” Honors!

Multi-time SCCA San Francisco Region Champion Jeff Francis
proved he will be a threat to take the title again this year as the
Fresno, California based driver scored the ITB victory at Thunder-
hill Park event on Sunday April 25. Francis not only won his race
in his Sherwin-Williams/AASI sponsored BMW, but also set 2 lap
records in the process and was voted SCCA San Francisco Region
“Driver of the Weekend” for the second time in his career.

And all of this without turning a practice or qualifying lap before
the main event and being forced starting at the back of the 35-
car field as a result!

Due to scheduling conflicts, Francis could not attend and participate
in Saturday’s practice and qualifying events, so Francis was forced
to show up on Sunday and start from the last position on the grid
and attempt to pass as many of his competitors as he could to
salvage some valuable championship points.

But a funny thing happened on the way to “salvaging” those
valuable points. As the green flag flew, Francis immediately
started to methodically weave his Sherwin-Williams/AASI sponsor-
ed BMW through the pack, and after the first lap was over Francis
had already passed 6 cars and began to set his sights on the
lead pack. Francis was on a mission this day, as he continued to masterfully pass each car and then set up the next. By mid-race,
Francis was in third position and ready to make his move to the
front.

Through a combination of straight-line passes at top-speed and
careful out-braking maneuvers, Francis moved his way into 2nd
position behind the leader. With laps (and opportunities) running
out, Francis carefully made his move and got under the lead car
and took the lead for good. The second place car tried to keep
up with Francis’ pace, but spun out while trying to reel in Francis’
quickly disappearing BMW racer. Francis extended his lead over
the rest of the field and took the checkered flag to take the ITB
main event. “That was fun”, exclaimed Francis as he reflected on
his improbable last to first victory. “I had to pass a lot of good
cars out there today, but my Sherwin Williams/AASI sponsored
BMW handled well and was up to the challenge”. Francis’ effort
was rewarded with the prestigious “Driver of the Weekend” award
and an excited Francis remarked, “It’s pretty exciting, a race like
this doesn’t happen very often so I appreciate it when it happens
this way”.