Babb Takes Peoria Checkers, Becomes First 2015 DIRTcar Summer Nationals Two-Time Winner
PEORIA, Ill. – June 23, 2015 – Shannon Babb became the first repeat winner during this year’s DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour when he passed Bobby Pierce midway through Tuesday night’s feature at Peoria Speedway and led the final 20 laps to collect the $5,000 checkered flag.
Babb, of Moweaqua, Ill., also tied Billy Moyer Jr. with the most all-time wins in DIRTcar Summer Nationals history with 89 victories.
Pierce, who continues to lead the overall championship, Ryan Unzicker, Dennis Erb Jr. and Billy Moyer Jr. rounded out the top five.
Unzicker led the first two laps on Tuesday night before Pierce moved into the top spot. Babb, who started fourth, worked first past Unzicker then Pierce and never looked back.
“The moisture, it was soaking in around in the wall at the top of three and four, and one and two, but one and two falls off the banking on exit, but three and four was awesome,” said Babb, a four-time DIRTcar Summer Nationals champion. “I started fourth and I was in the right position to find that line, and I was able to my way around them guys.”
The DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour races into Belle-Clair Speedway on Wednesday night in Belleville, Ill. Pierce extended his championship lead over Moyer Jr. to 32 points. The victory helped Babb move into third in his quest for a fifth crown.
Follow the Summer Nationals and DIRTcar Summit Modified Nationals on Twitter @SummerNationals or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SummerNationals, or visit the series’ websites at www.TheHellTour.com and www.ModifiedNationals.com.
DIRTcar Summer Nationals Statistical Report; Peoria (Ill.) Speedway; June 23, 2015
A-MAIN (40 LAPS) – 1. (18) Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL ($5,000); 2. (32) Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL; 3. (24) Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, IL; 4. (28E) Dennis Erb, Jr, Carpentersville, IL; 5. (21JR) Billy Moyer Jr, Batesville, AR; 6. (58R) Ray Guss Jr, Milan, IL; 7. (25) Jason Feger, Bloomington, IL; 8. (B5) Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL; 9. (6K) Michael Kloos, Trenton, IL; 10. (12B) Kevin Weaver, Gibson City, IL; 11. (T2) Todd Bennett, Peoria, IL; 12. (C8) Timothy Culp, Sheridan, AR; 13. (42) McKay Wenger, Fairbury, IL; 14. (89) Mike Spatola, Manhattan, IL; 15. (1M) Jim Moon, New Florence, MO; 16. (7T) Steve Thorsten, Milford, IL; 17. (10) Roger Rebholz, Sparland, IL; 18. (124) John Hahler, New Florence, MO; 19. (4G) Bob Gardner, East Peoria, IL; 20. (38C) John Gardner Jr, Germantown Hills, IL; 21. (75D) Billy Drake, Lincoln, IL; 22. (10S) Scott Schmitt, Tonica, IL.
HEAT RACE WINNERS: Bobby Pierce, Shannon Babb, Ray Guss Jr. and Ryan Unzicker.