By Jordan Morris
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — July 9, 2014 — After claiming his record 85th career DIRTcar Summer Nationals victory on Sunday night at Tri-State Speedway, Hall of Famer Billy Moyer backed it up by claiming his 86th career win just three nights later at Terre Haute Action Track.
Moyer and Shannon Babb have battled back-and-forth all season long to claim the top spot on the series all-time winningest driver list. Babb took an early advantage, but in the last week, Moyer has stormed back and now leads Babb by one race.
Moyer captured the pole-position for the 40-lap feature at the half-mile dirt oval, which is the largest on the 39 race schedule. Brian Shirley joined the pole-sitter on the front row but was no match for Moyer who escaped to an early lead.
As Moyer was never challenged for the victory, the race was for the runner-up position. Shirley who held the position all race came under fire from a hard-charging Shannon Babb, who started the feature in the eighth position. Shirley was challenged by Babb a few times but eventually held off the three-time series champion.
With a third place finish, Babb regained the series points lead over Ryan Unzicker, who led the standings coming into the night but drove conservatively all night after suffering a concussion during Tuesday night’s feature event.
Moyer easily cruised to his season leading fourth victory, leading flag-to-flag en route to capturing the $5,000 checkered flag at Terre Haute Action Track over Shirley by more than a straightaway.
“People say like fine wine it just gets better with age,” said the 56-year-old Moyer, whose fourth win is the most he’s had in a season since he had six in 2010. “I know it’s a little harder to get out of bed in the morning than when I was 25, but we’re just gonna keep plugging along.”
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Babb, Brandon Sheppard and Austin Dillon rounded out the top five.
Heat race winners were Moyer and Shirley.
The DIRTcar Summer Nationals continues on Thursday night as they join the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals at Macon Speedway in Macon, Ill.
DIRTcar Summer Nationals Statistical Report; Terre Haute Action Track; Terre Haute, Ind.;
July 9, 2014; A-Main (40-laps): 1. 21-Billy Moyer ($5,000), 2. 81-Brian Shirley, 3. 18-Shannon Babb, 4. B5-Brandon Sheppard, 5. 3-Austin Dillon, 6. 77K-Steve Kester, 7. 1M-Jim Moon, 8. 25L-Steve Lance Jr, 9. 24-Ryan Unzicker, 10. 15F-Chris Fetter, 11. 80-Duke Mounce, 12. 42*-Bob Mayer, 13. 7R-Kent Robinson, 14. 81JR-Jason Riggs, 15. 32-Bobby Pierce.