Contact: Chris Dolack
DIRTcar Racing PR
704-795-7223 | cdolack@dirtcar.com

Babb Ties All-Time Win Record with Sixth DIRTcar Summer Nationals “Hell Tour” Victory at Vermilion County Speedway

DANVILLE, Ill. — July 14, 2013 — Shannon Babb scored his sixth victory of the 2013 DIRTcar Summer Nationals “Hell Tour” on Sunday night in a thriller at Vermilion County Speedway to tie Billy Moyer’s record of 82 all-time wins.

Babb, of Moweaqua, Ill., might be a long shot to capture his fourth Summer Nationals title as the series is in its final week, but that won’t keep him from fighting for victories. Babb captured the pole-position over Frank Heckenast Jr., who pulled out to the early lead. The outside groove was the fast groove early on as the outside starting Heckenast shot around Babb, pulling fourth-place-starting Mike Spatola with him.

Babb was finally able to move his car to the faster groove and gain back ground on the leaders as red-hot Bobby Pierce joined the four-way battle for the lead. Babb muscled his way around second-place running Spatola on lap 11, setting his sights on leader Heckenast as the leaders approached lapped traffic. On lap 19 two cars racing side-by-side trying to stay on the lead lap slowed down the leaders enough to bunch the top four in the outside lane. Babb captured the lead on lap 22 and led for six laps before Spatola and Pierce went by. Babb recaptured the lead for good on lap 31.

Babb and Pierce then distanced themselves from Spatola and Heckenast. Pierce gave Babb a run for his money, challenging him on the inside line, but came up just short as Babb claimed the $5,000 checkered flag and the 82nd victory of his DIRTcar Summer Nationals career.

“That’s what keeps me going,” said Babb, who officially sits 89 markers behind Brandon Sheppard in the championship standings. “When I have a racetrack like that right there, I stand up in my seat and like to work my race car and go at it again. That was a blast. ... I think the fans enjoyed that right there.”

(Click here for news and information on the DIRTcar Summer Nationals.)

Mike Spatola, Brandon Sheppard and Frank Heckenast Jr. rounded out the top five.

Heat race winners included Shannon Babb, Frank Heckast Jr. and Brandon Sheppard.

The DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour continues in its final week of action on Monday night at Peoria Speedway located in Peoria, Ill. Shannon Babb will be attempting to break the all-time win record at Peoria, where last won on the Summer Nationals “Hell Tour” in 2011.

DIRTcar Summer Nationals Statistical Report; Vermilion County Speedway; Danville, Ill.: July 14, 2013
A-Main (40-laps): 1. Shannon Babb ($5,000), 2. Bobby Pierce, 3. Mike Spatola, 4. Brandon Sheppard, 5. Frank Heckenast Jr, 6. Brian Shirley, 7. Kent Robinson, 8. Kevin Weaver, 9. Jason Jaggers, 10. Tanner English, 11. Dustin Griffin, 12. Scott Schmitt, 13. Brian Divley, 14. Scott Bull, 15. Jason McBride, 16. Tim Lance, 17. Steve Thorsten, 18. Todd Frank, 19. Aaron Ricketts, 20. Kyle Madison, 21. MCKay Wenger, 22. Randy Korte.

2013 DIRTcar Summer Nationals ‘Hell Tour’ Schedule

The DIRTcar Summer Nationals “Hell Tour” is brought to fans across the country by many important partners including: Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Racing Electonics (Official Communication), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to these fine Contingency Sponsors: Beyea Headers, Butlerbuilt, Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Dominator Race Products, Edelbrock, Chevy Performance Parts, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, JE Pistons, JRI Shocks, Klotz Lubricants, MSD Performance, Petroff Towing, Quartermaster, Superflow Dynos, UNOH (University of Northwestern Ohio), and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Chris Dolack
DIRTcar Racing PR
704-795-7223 | cdolack@dirtcar.com

Thomas Scores Second Win of 2013 Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals at Vermilion County Speedway

DANVILLE, Ill. — July 14, 2013 — Ryan Thomas scored his second victory of the 2013 Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals in dominating fashion on Sunday night, leading every lap but the first one at Vermilion County Speedway.

Thomas, of Martinsville, Ind., becomes only the third repeat winner of the six-week 2013 season. Thomas started on the outside of Steven Brooks, of New Lenox, Ill., on the front row as the field thundered to the green flag. Brooks got the early jump on Thomas before surrendering the lead on lap 2 to Thomas, who made his move to the front in the low groove.

Thomas quickly extended his lead over Brooks, who had his hands full with Brian Lynn and Nick Allen. Brooks allowed Lynn by him for a few laps before finally recapturing the second position, but no one could catch Thomas, who had extended his lead over the field. Eventually Brooks had a chance to pass Thomas with two to go but could not pull even with him as Thomas held him off to capture the $1,000 checkered flag.

(Click here for news and information on the Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals.)

Nick Allen, Rusty Griffaw and Brian Lynn rounded out the top five.

Heat race winners included Steven Brooks, Randy Shuman, Ryan Thomas and Brian Lynn.
The DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals continues in its final week of action Monday night at Peoria Speedway located in Peoria, Illinois.

DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Statistical Report; Vermilion County Speedwway; Danville, Ill.; July 13, 2013
A-Main (25-laps): 1. Ryan Thomas ($1,000), 2. Steven Brooks, 3. Nick Allen, 4. Rusty Griffaw, 5. Brian Lynn, 6. Mike Harrison, 7. Lodge Donovan, 8. Gabe Menser, 9. Collin Thirlby, 10. Tim Reynolds, 11. Clint DeMoss, 12. Wes McClara, 13. Dave Baldwin, 14. Chad Evans, 15. Kenny Carmichael, 16. Jeffery Ledford, 17. Kenny Carmichael Jr, 18. Jason Thomas, 19. Richie Dawson, 20. Randy Shuman, 21. Ryan Cary, 22. Josh Ferguson.

2013 DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals

The Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals is proudly brought to you by these fine partners : Summit Racing Equipment (Title Sponsor), Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Provider), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Racing Tire), VP Racing Fuels (Official Fuel), along with these Contingency Parters: MSD Performance, TomCat Performance, Landrum Performance Springs, Dominator Race Products, QuarterMaster, KSE Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Wrisco Aluminum, Beyea Custom Headers, Fast Shafts, Bassett Wheels, QA1, Auto Meter, Schoenfeld Headers, University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH), Racing Electronics, Intercomp, Bell Helmets, Shafer Enterprises’ Cool Shirts, XS Power Racing Batteries, and Chevy Performance.