Erb Makes Late Push for First Career Podium Finish

LOVES PARK, Ill. – June 30, 2016 – Brian Shirley won the “Outlaw Clay Classic” in a crazy Thursday night at Rockford Speedway. Though Mother Nature warned The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series officials to speed-up the show, the Illinois-native remained patient. He coasted to 1.115-second win in his home state.

In lieu of clear skies from the sprint car series show the day before, dark clouds began to surround the track following heat races for the late models. The two-hour rain delay did not deter Shirley though, who was the quickest in hot laps and won his heat race. Shirley’s No. 3s Bob Cullen Racing/ Arnie Renta Motorsports Longhorn machine went on to lead the 24-car feature through challenging track conditions for all 30 laps.

“We’ll take it for what it is,” Shirley said. “It’s hard to put dirt on top of asphalt, but it’s just a good day for my team and all the fans that were here. At the end of the day somebody has to win, and we’ll take it.” (more…)

The Series Returns to Action on Friday at Fayette County Speedway

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – June 29, 2016 – Mike Harrison, the reigning and four-time DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals champion, found victory lane for the first time in 2016 at Belle-Clair Speedway on Wednesday night.

Harrison, who started on the outside front row with Nate Zimmer on the pole, powered to the lead and then claimed victory over Nick Hoffman, the current series points leader.

Ray Walsh finished third, Paul Bailey fourth and Brian Bielong in fifth.

With Harrison, of Highland, Ill., returning to victory lane, this could signal the opening shots of an epic championship battle down the stretch between he and Hoffman, who has been red hot so far this year with three wins.

The DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals returns to action on Friday at Fayette County Speedway in Brownstown, Ill.   (more…)

The Series Returns to Action Thursday Night at Springfield Raceway

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – June 30, 2016 – After rare bad luck at Clarksville Speedway on Tuesday night, Bobby Pierce rebounded on Wednesday to win at Belle-Clair Speedway and claim his sixth DIRTcar Summer Nationals victory of the season.

Jason Feger looked to be the driver to beat early as he tried for his first Summer Nationals victory of the season. On the green, he jumped ahead of Ryan Unzicker. Through the opening laps, Unzicker tried to run down Feger and nearly had him when a caution flag flew.

After the caution, Feger pulled away as Pierce battled into third and then began challenging Unzicker for second. Through traffic, the top three stayed tight and Pierce was able to take over second on lap 30. On a restart with 10 laps remaining, Pierce took his shot. Feger bobbled on the back straight and Pierce took the lead.

“I was just kind of being patient, waiting for him to hopefully to do that,” Pierce said. “And right when he did that, at the same time I had a heckuva run, and I just decided to take it right there, and luckily it paid off.” (more…)

Outlaw Clay Classic takes on Rockford Speedway on June 29 and 30 

ROCKFORD, Ill. – June 27, 2016 – The ‘Dirt Takeover’ is underway at Rockford Speedway as Illinois river clay is currently being spread across America’s favorite paved short track in preparation for the Outlaw Clay Classic and the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series and World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series on Wednesday, June 29 and Thursday, June 30.

As the series prepare to make history with Rockford Speedway, series regulars are gearing up for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity on America’s newest dirt track – a distinction it will hold for just a few days.

Unlike his fellow racers, for 2014 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Rookie of the Year Brad Sweet, racing at Rockford will not be a first. The former pavement racer has taken on 1/4-mile high banks before.

“I’ve actually been there before and raced on the pavement,” Sweet said. “Obviously, it will be a lot different. There’s a lot of unknowns any time you put dirt on a pavement track. I think it will be exciting. Hopefully we can do really well there.” (more…)

Red hot Pierce Continues to Roll through Summer Nationals; Takes Heartland Tour Week Championship

Bobby Pierce holds off Brandon Sheppard for win at Tri-State Speedway – Jim Denhamer Photo

HAUBSTADT, Ind. – June 26, 2016 – If the weather and Brandon Sheppard had anything to say about it, Bobby Pierce would have been left jilted on Sunday night at Tri-State Speedway but Pierce was able to hold off both as he claimed his fifth Summer Nationals victory of the season and the Heartland Tour Week title.

Ryan Unzicker led through the first 12 laps of the night’s rain-shortened feature, but it was Pierce and Sheppard who stole the show. Pierce took the lead on lap 13 and Sheppard took over second two laps later. What commenced was an intense back-and-forth battle between the two drivers for the lead.

Sheppard took the lead on multiple occasions but Pierce battled back each time – officially Sheppard never led a lap.

As the battle continued, rain began to fall on Tri-State on lap 36 and the caution flag flew two laps later as the rain turned heavy. DIRTcar officials called the race at lap 38, giving Pierce his fifth win of the season and 12th of his career. Pierce also claimed the Heartland Tour week bonus.

“Oh man, that was probably one of the craziest races I’ve been in,” Pierce said. “Me and Sheppy throwing some awesome sliders, and between lapped traffic and everything, it was just crazy.” (more…)