DIRTcar Summer Nationals
Peoria Speedway
July 15, 2013
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Shirley Captures First DIRTcar Summer Nationals “Hell Tour” Victory in 2013 with Thrilling Last Lap Pass at Peoria Speedway



PEORIA, Ill. (July 15) - Defending Summer Nationals champion Brian Shirley claimed his first victory of the six week-long tour Monday night after completing a daring last-lap pass on leader Mike Spatola exiting turn two en route to capturing the checkered flag at Peoria Speedway.

Shirley, of Chatham, Ill., started on the pole of the 40-lapper alongside Spatola and charged out to an early lead, but the quarter-mile track proved to be tricky, as Shirley hopped the cushion on lap 16 letting Spatola around him for the lead.

Shirley and Spatola continued to swap the lead back-and-forth for most of the race before Spatola finally pulled away on lap 30. Once again, though, the track bit the leader, this time getting Spatola and allowing Shirley and points-leader Brandon Sheppard to join the battle for the win.

The bobble by Spatola proved costly as Shirley moved into position to make a pass with just two laps to go. Shirley made his move coming to the white flag as he almost pulled even with the leader, but he couldn’t edge ahead until exiting turn two. Shirley held the final to turns to capture the $5,000 checkered flag at Peoria for the second consecutive year and the third time in his career.

“That was a long 40-lap race,” said Shirley, as he claimed the 12th Summer Nationals victory of his career. “There was a couple times I gained on Mike there and he’d pull me. We just kept digging and I started to gain on him. I knew I had to hold it wide open, so I just gave it one last Hail Mary.”



Brandon Sheppard, Bobby Pierce and Billy Drake rounded out the top five.

A-Main
1 1 3S Brian Shirley
2 2 89 Mike Spatola
3 5 B5 Brandon Sheppard
4 3 32P Bobby Pierce
5 4 75D Billy Drake
6 10 10S Scott Schmitt
7 8 11D Brian Divley
8 9 12B Kevin Weaver
9 20 32J Jason Jaggers
10 14 48 Tim Lance
11 11 38C John Gardner Jr
12 19 20 Dustin Griffin
13 15 4 Mike Mullvain
14 21 51 Steve Lance Jr
15 18 9 Jeff Riddell
16 13 7M Adam Mefford
17 12 T2 Todd Bennett
18 17 74 Russ Adams
19 16 9 Lyle Zanker
20 6 18 Shannon Babb
21 7 81K Randy Korte
22 22 4G Bob Gardner

B-Main
1 9 Lyle Zanker
2 74 Russ Adams
3 9 Jeff Riddell
4 0 Justin Springer
5 15 Steve Shannon
6 24T Dick Taylor
7 32J Jason Jaggers
8 51 Steve Lance Jr
9 20 Dustin Griffin
10 4G Bob Gardner
11 83 James Carmody

Heat #1
1 89 Mike Spatola
2 75D Billy Drake
3 81K Randy Korte
4 10S Scott Schmitt
5 7M Adam Mefford
6 4G Bob Gardner
7 15 Steve Shannon
8 74 Russ Adams
9 32J Jason Jaggers

Heat #2
1 3S Brian Shirley
2 B5 Brandon Sheppard
3 11D Brian Divley
4 38C John Gardner Jr
5 48 Tim Lance
6 9 Lyle Zanker
7 20 Dustin Griffin
8 0 Justin Springer
9 51 Steve Lance Jr

Heat #3
1 32P Bobby Pierce
2 18 Shannon Babb
3 12B Kevin Weaver
4 T2 Todd Bennett
5 4 Mike Mullvain
6 9 Jeff Riddell
7 83 James Carmody
8 24T Dick Taylor

Event Photos courtesy of Jim Denhamer