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Kellen Burns
EAST MOLINE, Ill. (June 14) - Dennis Erb Jr. showed fans on Sunday night the reason that he's been crowned the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Champion for two years in a row.
A model of consistency and patience throughout, Erb stalked second starting Ryan Unzicker for 18 laps before making his move under the El Paso, IL driver on the 19th circuit. "I had good runs coming off the corners, and I knew there was a mark if I hit it I could get by him." commented Erb. "From there it was just about staying smooth and not messing up."
Unzicker settled into the second position holding off 2008 Quad City winner Randy Korte in the closing laps securing his second runner up finish in as many nights. "We're just trying to do the same stuff every night and get better," analyzed Unzicker. "This is why we do the series, you can go night to night and build yourself as a racer and if we keep sticking our nose in there a win will come."
Korte, who charged from the last row of his heat race to capture second, worked around pole sitter Kevin Weaver early and set his sights on the lead duo of Erb and Unzicker but fell just shy as the checkered flag fell. "After awhile you just could be as fast as the guys who would run the top," remarked Korte. "You could get next to them off the corners but couldn't clear them down the straights."
Heat race action saw Unzicker hold of Jason Feger and Shannon Babb to claim the first heat while Weaver owned heat 2 and subsequently drew the pole for the Summer Nationals feature event. Heat 3 saw local Illinois driver Tim Lance charge through the field and hold off Terry Casey to claim victory while eventual winner Erb lead every lap of heat 4.
31 cars attempted qualifying time trials at the tight ¼ mile oval in East Moline, IL. UMP DIRTcar Late Model drivers qualified in four groups with the fastest of each earning a top spot in their respective heat race. An all Illinois cast dominated qualifying time trials at Quad City with Shannon Babb, Wes Steidinger, local star Mike Murphy, and Dennis Erb all claiming their group's top honors.
A-Main Finish - 40 Laps
28e - Dennis Erb
24 - Ryan Unzicker
00 - Randy Korte
B12 - Kevin Weaver
30 - Mark Voigt
48 - Tim Lance
25 - Jason Feger
83 - Scott James
55 - Jeep Van Wormer
27 - Rodney Melvin
18 - Shannon Babb
J1 - Wes Steidinger
10s - Scott Schmitt
35 - Derek Chandler
B5 - Brandon Sheppard
0 - Richie Hedrick
14 - Mike Murphy
5s - Steve Sheppard
13 - Brent Kreke
16H - Mike Hammerle
42 - Terry Casey
75 - Brian Harris
2009 UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Schedule
Date/Track/Location/Purse/Winner/Cars
06/11/09 Brownstown Speedway - Brownstown, IN - $6,000 (Jeep VanWormer - 43)
06/12/09 Kankakee Motor Speedway - Kankakee,IL - $10,000 (Billy Moyer - 51)
06/13/09 Kamp Motor Speedway - Boswell, IN - $10,000 (Eric Smith - 44)
06/14/09 Quad City Raceway - East Moline, IL - $6,000 (Dennis Erb Jr. - 31)
06/16/09 Highland Speedway - Highland, IL - $6,000
06/17/09 Belle-Clair Speedway - Belleville, IL - $6,000
06/18/09 Charleston Speedway - Charleston, IL - $6,000
06/19/09 Farmer City Raceway - Farmer City, IL - $10,000
06/20/09 Clarksville Speedway - Clarksville, TN - $10,000
06/21/09 Tri-State Speedway - Haubstadt, IN - $6,000
06/23/09 I-57/I-64 Speedway - Mt. Vernon, IL $6,000
06/24/09 Tri-City Speedway - Pontoon Beach, IL $6,000
06/25/09 Clay Hill Motorsports Park - Atwood, TN - $6,000
06/26/09 Paducah International Raceway - Paducah, KY - $10,000
06/27/09 Fairbury Speedway - Fairbury, IL - $10,000
06/28/09 Lincoln Speedway - Lincoln, IL - $6,000
06/30/09 Peoria Speedway - Peoria, IL - $6,000
07/01/09 Morgan County Speedway - Jacksonville, IL - $6,000
07/02/09 Macon Speedway - Macon, IL - $6,000
07/03/09 Quincy Raceway - Quincy, IL - $10,000
07/04/09 I-55 Raceway - Pevely, MO - $10,000
07/05/09 Vermillion County Speedway - Danville, IL - $6,000
07/07/09 Shepp Speedway - Alexandria, IL - $6,000
07/08/09 Spoon River Speedway - Canton,IL $6,000
07/09/09 LaSalle Speedway - LaSalle, IL - $6,000
07/10/09 Waynesfield Motorsports Park - Waynesfield, OH - $10,000
07/11/09 Oakshade Raceway - Wauseon, OH - 10,000
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