PONTOON BEACH, Ill. – June 21, 2013 -Michael Long had the DIRTcar UMP Modified to beat all night on Friday at Tri-City Speedway, but he had to outduel late-charging Levi Kissinger to become the sixth different winner during the 2013 DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals tour.

Long, of Fowler, Ill., started from the pole and led 24 of the 25 laps, only losing the lead once as the field came to the white flag. Long faced challenges from three different drivers during the feature, but he didn’t lose the lead until he jumped the cushion in turn four allowing Kissinger to move in front. Kissinger led for one lap before being outdueled in the final turn by Long, who went on to secure the $1,000 checkered flag. (more…)

PONTOON BEACH, Ill. – June 21, 2013 – Chris Simpson passed Brady Smith for the lead on lap 18, then led the remaining 22 laps en route to his first DIRTcar Summer Nationals “Hell Tour” victory on Friday night at Tri-City Speedway.

With a field of 43 cars in attendance, Simpson of Oxford, Iowa, started the race from the fourth position and ran third for the first 10 laps. Then he changed his driving line and ran down pole-sitter Brian Shirley, who was running second. Simpson was definitely in the right groove because after he cruised past Shirley, he went by Smith and captured the $10,000 checkered flag.

“I jumped up to the top early there and wasn’t too good,” Simpson said. “So I just ran that momentum line. I bought this car from Brian Birkhofer and I’ve watched him win a lot of races running that line. It worked for us tonight.” (more…)

BELLEVILLE, Ill.— Brian Beilong started on the outside of the front row on Thursday night at Belle-Clair Speedway and kept his DIRTcar UMP Modified on the outside all night, cruising to his first win in the 2013 DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals.

Beilong, of Summerfield, Ill., made slight contact with the wall early in A-main as he passed Rusty Griffaw for the lead. The only challenge to Beilong’s lead after that came from eventual runner-up Dean Hoffman, as the two caught the back of the field late in the race. Beilong cut through the traffic and picked up his $1,000 paycheck.

“The starting spot kind helped a little,” Bielong said. (more…)

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – June 20, 2013 – Brandon Sheppard continues to own his home state of Illinois, dominating the DIRTcar Summer Nationals “Hell Tour” event on Thursday night at Belle-Clair Speedway for his second consecutive victory.

Sheppard started on the pole and utilized the high side on the small 1/6th-mile oval. Kevin Weaver challenged him early before a tangle with lapped traffic ended his chances.

Sheppard, from New Berlin, Ill., cashed his second $5,000 paycheck in the fifth installment of this year’s Hell Tour. Former DIRTcar Late Model national champion Ryan Unzicker, of El Paso, Ill., continued his strong run at the title with a runner-up finish.

“I just love to coming to Belleville, you get on the top and let her eat,” said Sheppard in victory lane. “That’s what I love about this place. There’s always something to hold you up there.” (more…)