Shirley Scores First Win of 2014 DIRTcar Summer Nationals at I-96 Speedway
By Jordan Morris
LAKE ODESSA, Mich. – June 22, 2014 – Brian Shirley rallied from a blown engine in hot laps, and then held off a red-hot Shannon Babb to capture his first victory of the 2014 DIRTcar Summer Nationals season Sunday night at I-96 Speedway.
Shirley, the 2012 DIRTcar Summer Nationals champion, dominated the 40-lap main event, leading every lap from flag-to-flag, as well as setting quick time for the night and winning his heat race.
Shirley started the feature from the pole-position and grabbed the lead early. Babb, who started four positions behind Shirley, needed only eight laps to make his way to second and 20 laps to reach Shirley’s back bumper. Babb, who has dominated I-96 Speedway, winning four of the last five races held there during the Summer Nationals, found no luck getting around Shirley as lapped traffic came into play in the battle for the lead.
Shirley held a firm grip on the top spot, managing to lead every lap in a caution free feature, capturing the $5,000 checkered flag, his first of the season and 13th of his career.
“Tonight I was a little heartbroken,” said a relieved Brian Shirley in victory lane. “We were fast in hot laps I felt like, and had to pull that car out because of mechanical problems, but glad it all worked out.”
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Ryan Unzicker, Brandon Sheppard and Dona Marcoullier rounded out the top five.
Heat race winners included Shirley, Unzicker and Ryan Vanderveen.
The DIRTcar Summer Nationals continues on Monday night at Peoria Speedway in Peoria, Ill.
DIRTcar Summer Nationals Statistical Report; I-96 Speedway; Lake Odessa, Mich.; June 22, 2014
A-Main (40-laps): 1. 81-Brian Shirley ($5,000), 2. 18-Shannon Babb, 3. 24-Ryan Unzicker, 4. B5-Brandon Sheppard, 5. 6M-Dona Marcoullier, 6. 9R-Curtis Roberts, 7. 23V-Ryan Vanderveen, 8. 14M-Brandon Thirlby, 9. 55-Jeep Van Wormer, 10. 27S-Eric Spangler, 11. 81JR-Jason Riggs, 12. 111-Curt Spalding, 13. 77K-Steve Kester, 14. 32J-Jason Jaggers, 15. 1M-Jim Moon, 16. 2-Bry Sloan, 17. 34-Herb Reich, 18. 41-Jason Playter Jr, 19. 15A-Phil Ausra, 20. 52X-Brad Harden, 21. 42*-Bob Mayer, 22. 49-Brian Ruhlman.