Summer Nationals Kicks Off Heartland Tour Week

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – June 21, 2016 – Bobby Pierce continued his Summer Nationals dominance Tuesday night at Jacksonville Speedway’s ILMO Propane Wildman Kelly Classic as he battled Mike Marlar to score his third win so far this season.

Pierce, the 19-year-old reigning Summer Nationals champion, came into the Heartland Tour kick off at Jacksonville after the first Monday break. After setting a new track record of 11.783 during qualifying, Pierce started the 40-lap feature in sixth with Marlar on the pole.

Pierce very quickly powered through the field once the green flag fell and found his way around the leader Marlar on lap 14. Through the remaining laps, Pierce was in a class all his own as Marlar looked for some way to catch the No. 32. Just before a caution on lap 37, Pierce nearly had the entire field lapped, having caught the battle for third at that point.

Pierce easily closed out the night with his second win in a row and third in five races. It was his 10th career Summer Nationals victory.

“Man, it’s starting off really good,” Pierce said. “I just hope it keeps going.” (more…)

CONCORD, N.C. – June 20, 2016 – DIRTcar Racing officials have disqualified five competitors following failed post-race inspections at the Dirt Late Model Dream at Eldora Speedway.

Tire samples collected from the #B5 driven by Brandon Sheppard, #22 driven by Gregg Satterlee, #20 driven by Jimmy Owens, #33X driven by Ricky Thornton and #0 driven by Scott Bloomquist and tested by an independent laboratory did not meet established benchmarks in a chemical analysis.

A total of 32 samples were taken throughout the weekend, June 9, 10 and 11, from participants.

All five competitors were found to be in violation of rule 15.11-G and were fined in accordance with rule 11.1.

Rule 15.11-G.) Chemical alterations, vulcanizing, tire softening, defacing and/or altering the face of the tire lettering and/or tire stamping will not be permitted. Chemicals or tire softening is not permitted at any time. Tires may be inspected at any time. Any violation with any tire presented for competition may result in immediate disqualification from the events and/or other penalties including but not limited to; loss of money, fine, loss of points and/or suspension.

All five have been disqualified from the event, including the loss of all purse money and championship points earned during the event, fined $1,000 and penalized 1,000 DIRTcar Late Model points for the 2016 season. The total penalty, including loss of money, fine and the cost of the tire analysis was $19,630 for Sheppard, $4,655 for Satterlee, $7,630 for Owens, $10,930 for Thornton and $6,105 for Bloomquist.

Each has been placed under a three-month suspension from all DIRTcar sanctioned events, which includes World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series competition, beginning June 11, 2016 and concluding Sept. 11, 2016 and will be under probation following the conclusion of the suspension for the remainder of the 2016 season.

For more information on DIRTcar Racing and all DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned divisions, visit DIRTcar.com. For more information on Eldora Speedway, visit EldoraSpeedway.com.