Contact: Chris Dolack

DIRTcar Racing PR

704-795-7223 | cdolack@dirtcar.com

Heckenast Conquers Kankakee to Earn First DIRTcar Summer Nationals Victory

KANKAKEE, Ill. - June 11, 2015 - He might be only 26, but reigning World of Outlaws Late Model Series rookie of the year Frank Heckenast Jr. has turned many laps through the years in his quest to earn a DIRTcar Summer Nationals victory. Finally, on Thursday night at Kankakee County Speedway, he reached his goal.

Heckenast, a touring driver on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series tour from Orland Park, Ill., inherited the lead on lap 33 when Kevin Weaver's motor expired. Weaver, the 2000 Summer Nationals champion, was closing in on his first series victory since 2013 when his misfortune struck. Heckenast, who started fourth, took advantage by leading the final seven laps and holding off his cousin, Mike Spatola, for the $5,000 win, Heckenast's first on the Summer Nationals tour.

"It's just so great to finally get this first one," said Heckenast, who in February earned his first WoO Late Model victory, too. "I've been trying really hard to win one of these."

After Heckenast and Spatola, Scott Schmitt, Bobby Pierce and Tanner English rounded out the top five.

There were 29 cars entered in the event. The DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour rolls north to Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis., for Friday and Saturday before heading Sunday to Wilmot (Wis.) Speedway.

Follow the Summer Nationals and DIRTcar Summit Modified Nationals on Twitter @SummerNationals or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SummerNationals, or visit the series' websites at www.TheHellTour.com and www.ModifiedNationals.com.

DIRTcar Summer Nationals Statistical Report; Kankakee (Ill.) County Speedway; June 11, 2015

A-MAIN (40 LAPS) - 1. (99JR) Frank Heckenast Jr, Frankfort, IL ($5,000); 2. (89) Mike Spatola, Manhattan, IL; 3. (10S) Scott Schmitt, Tonica, IL; 4. (32) Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL; 5. (96) Tanner English, Benton, KY; 6. (25) Jason Feger, Bloomington, IL; 7. (21) Billy Moyer, Batesville, AR; 8. (91P) Jason Papich, Nipomo, CA; 9. (24) Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, IL; 10. (8C) Timothy Culp, Sheridan, AR; 11. (7T) Steve Thorsten, Milford, IL; 12. (21JR) Billy Moyer Jr, Batesville, AR; 13. (77M) Jay Morris, Watseka, IL; 14. (1M) Jim Moon, New Florence, MO; 15. (12B) Kevin Weaver, Gibson City, IL; 16. (4G) Bob Gardner, East Peoria, IL; 17. (91) Rusty Schlenk, Weston, OH; 18. (21B) Rich Bell, Sheffield, IL; 19. (116) Torin Mettille, Cullom, IL; 20. (11) Steve Dimmick, Joliet, IL; 21. (18) Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL; 22. (9) Lyle Zanker, Rockford, IL.

HEAT RACE WINNERS: Billy Moyer, Kevin Weaver and Scott Schmitt.

The DIRTcar Summer Nationals "Hell Tour" is brought to fans across the country by many important partners including: Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Provider), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tire), Racing Electronics (Official Communications Provider), VP Racing Fuel (Official Fuel); in addition to these fine Contingency Partners: Beyea Headers, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, Fox Shocks, JE Pistons, JRI Shocks, Mobil 1, MSD, QuarterMaster, Superflow Dynos, Summit Racing Equipment and Wrisco Aluminum; Promotional Partners include: Chevy Performance Parts, Indiana Decal and Petroff Towing.

Contact: Chris Dolack

DIRTcar Racing PR

704-795-7223 | cdolack@dirtcar.com

Curl Tops Kankakee DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals

Friday night’s UMP Modified event at Kankakee rained out

KANKAKEE, Ill. - June 11, 2015 - Jeff Curl kept the pressure on Nick Allen Thursday night in the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals at Kankakee County Speedway when Allen's UMP Modified went high in turns 3 and 4 with a mechanical problem on lap 11, forcing Allen to the pits.

Curl, of Fairbury, Ill., assumed the lead and held off Steven Brooks and Kenny Wallace to the checkered flag to become the fourth different winner during this year's tour. Bob Pohlman and Ray Bollinger rounded out the top five.

"Lapped traffic was there and I didn't want to give up my line. We've won the Summit Nationals here three out of the last four years here. I have no idea why this track is so nice to us during the Summit Nationals. I can't win on a regular night here, might as well save it for a special night! … Summit Nationals wins are hard to come by and I'm glad I got one."

Click here for highlights of Thursday night's race.

There were 20 UMP Modifieds entered in the event. After narrowly beating weather on Thursday, tonight's DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals race at Kankakee has been rained out.

Follow the Summer Nationals and DIRTcar Summit Modified Nationals on Twitter @SummerNationals or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SummerNationals, or visit the series' websites at www.TheHellTour.com and www.ModifiedNationals.com.

DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Statistical Report; Kankakee (Ill.) County Speedway; June 11, 2015

A-MAIN (25 LAPS) - 1. (12) Jeff Curl, Fairbury, IL ($1,000); 2. (5) Steven Brooks, New Lenox, IL; 3. (36) Kenny Wallace, Concord, NC; 4. (1W) Bob Pohlman, Oaklawn, IL; 5. (77) Ray Bollinger, Kewanee, IL; 6. (36L) Jamie Lomax, Lake Village, IN; 7. (24Z) Zeke McKenzie, Claypool, IN; 8. (6B) Dave Baldwin, Perrysville, IN; 9. (66) Phil LIne, Kankakee, IL; 10. (28T) Dane Tilstra, Onarga, IL; 11. (59N) Chad Evans, Mattoon, IL; 12. (10) Shawn Scripter, Peotone, IL; 13. (80) Rich Dawson, Kouts, IN; 14. (37) Devin Wright, Rensselher, IN; 15. (16) Nicholas Lueth, Grand Ridge, IL; 16. (89W) Rick Weitekamp, Springfield, IL; 17. (36K) Kevin Hastings, Kankakee, IL; 18. (21A) Nick Allen, Wheatfield, IN; 19. (G1) Gabe Menser, Ashmore, IL; 20. (35) Jason Hastings, Kankakee, IL (DNS).

HEAT RACE WINNERS: Jeff Curl and Nick Allen.

DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Top 20 Championship Standings (Through Kankakee)

The Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals is brought to fans across the country by many important partners including: Summit Racing Equipment (Title Sponsor), Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Provider), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tire), Racing Electronics (Official Communications Provider), VP Racing Fuels (Official Fuel); in addition to these fine Contingency Partners: MSD, TomCat Performance, Landrum Performance Springs, QuarterMaster, KSE Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Joe's Racing Products, Wrisco Aluminum, Beyea Custom Headers, Fast Shafts, Bassett Racing Wheels, QA1, Auto Meter, Fluidampr, Fox Shocks, Impact Race Products, Penske Shocks, Performance Friction Brakes, Schoenfeld Headers, Bell Helmets, Shafer Enterprises' Cool Shirts; Promotional Partners include: Chevy Performance Parts, Indiana Decal and Intercomp.