Late Model News

Thirlby Passes Spangler with Slider in Turn 4 to Win at Merritt

LAKE CITY, MI – July 23, 2022 – A run, a dive, a bump, a pass, and a victory. That was Brandon Thirlby’s 40th lap around Merritt Speedway Saturday night – one that made him $10,000 richer and a first-time DIRTcar Summer Nationals Feature winner. “It was definitely interesting,” said Thirlby, of Buckley, MI. “It was going to be wreckers or checkers down there.” Polesitter Eric Spangler looked...

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Late Model News

Pierce Dominates Summer Nationals Return to Shadyhill

MEDARYVILLE, IN – July 14, 2022 – Make it three-straight trips to Victory Lane for the reigning champion. Twenty-two years after father Bob took the checkers in the DIRTcar Summer Nationals’ debut at Shadyhill Speedway in July of 2000, son Bobby Pierce has done the same, winning the Hell Tour’s return to the 1/4-mile for the first time since 2018 Thursday night. From the drop of...

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Late Model News

Pierce Conquers Freeman’s Challenge to Win at Tri-State

HAUBSTADT, IN – July 10, 2022 – In the ultimate showing of rookie vs. veteran, a packed Tri-State Speedway was treated to a memorable show in the DIRTcar Summer Nationals’ return for the first time in over four years Sunday night. It was a high-speed chase through lapped traffic, starring two of the Hell Tour’s brightest young stars – four-time and reigning champion Bobby Pierce ...

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Late Model News

Shirley Passes Leader Freeman Late to Win at Clarksville

CLARKSVILLE, TN – July 2, 2022 – Leading since the green dropped with a fast car on the top and a full-second lead. Payton Freeman was seven laps away from his first career DIRTcar Summer Nationals Feature win. And then, a similar scenario reared its ugly head again. After losing the lead in traffic after starting on the pole at Sycamore Speedway two weeks ago, Freeman was stari...

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Late Model News

Feger Takes Lead from Pierce-Unzicker Collision, Wins at Lincoln

LINCOLN, IL – July 3, 2022 – Jason Feger’s third week on the 2022 DIRTcar Summer Nationals trail had seen its struggles. First, a cut tire while leading his Heat at Fayette County forced him to come from the tail of the Feature to finish eighth on Thursday. Then, another cut tire while running up front in the Feature at Paducah on Friday set him back again. With 10 laps remaining Sun...

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Late Model News

Babb Wins Fayette County, Becomes All-Time Winningest Driver

BROWNSTOWN, IL – June 30, 2022 – Shannon Babb won his first DIRTcar Summer Nationals Feature in 1999 at the dawn of his legendary racing career. Fast forward 23 years later, he now stands alone atop the mountain as the winningest driver in Hell Tour history. It couldn’t have been more fitting for the four-time champion, breaking through for his 101st career Summer Nationals Feature win in fr...

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Late Model News

NO AIR, NO PROBLEM: Shirley Wins at Springfield with Deflating Right-Rear Tire

SPRINGFIELD, MO – June 21, 2022 – On a restart with three laps to go, leading the Feature for the second time in three days, Brian Shirley could feel something was amiss on his car. As he rolled into DIRTcar Summer Nationals Victory Lane Tuesday night, the crew discovered the culprit immediately – a flat right-rear tire on the Bob Cullen Racing #3s. “I didn’t know I had a flat t...

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