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 Thunderhill 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 sponsored 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”.