Officials with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models have announced that current Series Competition Director Steve Francis will take over as the new series director starting at the Sunshine Nationals on January 19–21. 

Casey Shuman will finish off his tenure as series director this weekend at the World of Outlaws World Finals, before taking on a new role as the general manager of I-70 Speedway in Odessa, Missouri. 

Francis, the 2007 World of Outlaws Late Model Champion, was brought on as the Competition Director in August. Also a National Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer, Francis is 10th all-time on the World of Outlaws wins list with 28 victories.

“It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do,” Francis said. “I’m fortunate enough that Brian (Carter) and World Racing Group gave me the opportunity to take the Late Model schedule and build it the way I would as a racer. And hopefully, the race teams respond.

“We’ve changed the purses and built them how I would as a racer. We put a lot of money toward the third through 13th-14th place positions. I’m just really pleased that they gave me the opportunity to do this and try to build purses and make many teams strong. I want us to have 12 strong teams.”

For more information, visit worldofoutlaws.com/latemodels.