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Kellen Burns
MACON, Ill. (July 2) - Using a turn three slide job on the 19th lap of the Herald and Review 100 Shannon Babb of nearby Moweaqua, Ill. claimed his first UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals victory of 2009.
Babb, who owns two "Hell Tour" championships, never looked back leading over the course of the next 81 laps to take the win.
"It means a lot to win here on a night where there was definitely good racing," said Babb. "We've had a lot of bad luck, because I've slipped through so many easy spots all these years I seem to be getting paid back this year."
Babb, who had won a previous Herald and Review 100 at Macon, (Ill.) Speedway in 2006, found openings at the right time allowing him to distance himself as early as he could in the 100-lapper. "The track was perfect and everyone gave me room to roll around," said Babb.
Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., started fourth, just ahead of eventual winner Babb, and found the high groove to his liking while working his way into second by a lap 17 caution. Shirley unfortunately couldn't muster enough to challenge Babb late in the going. "Shannon would have had to mess up," he said. "I was just going to ride around there with him and come home second but, all and all it was a good night."
Logan, Ill., native Rodney Melvin held off multiple drivers in route to capturing a third place finish after leading early on in the 100-lap event. "All and all we had a good run," said Melvin.
Melvin, who got his first top five finish since June 25th at Clay Hill Motorsports Park, believes he may have solved his recent troubles.
"I found out the last two nights that we shouldn't work on our racecar," he said. "Just put tires on the car and go race it."
Defending champion Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., sliced through the field after using a provisional to start 19th, while a current series point leader Randy Korte, of Highland, Ill. completed a similar quest charging from 17th to round out the top five.
A-Main Finish - 100 Laps
18-Shannon Babb
3s-Brian Shirley
27-Rodney Melvin
28-Dennis Erb
00-Randy Korte
B12-Kevin Weaver
25-Jason Feger
J1-Wes Steidinger
5s-Steve Sheppard Jr.
9-Jayme Zidar
1w-Donny Walden
91-Terry Babb
21-Kyle Logue
B5-Brandon Sheppard
91-Rusty Schlenk
48-Tim Lance
82-Roger Brickler
74-Russ Adams
C4-Jason Cleaver
30-Mark Voigt
22-Chris Dick
HELL TOUR NOTES
Shannon Babb blazed through the fifth-mile oval in qualifying time trials reeling off a lap of 10.406 seconds which was less than a tenth of a second off the Macon Speedway track record. Other quick time honors went to Steve Sheppard Jr. of New Berlin, Ill., Tim Lance of Brimfield, Ill., and Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill.
Heat race one saw a father and son duo pace the field on from the front row in Steve and Brandon Sheppard. Brandon Sheppard got the jump early on his father and claimed the heat win. Heat race two saw Rodney Melvin and Shannon Babb duel each other early with Melvin eventually getting the win.
Tim Lance claimed heat race three by grabbing the lead early over Rusty Schlenk of Jackson, Mich., and never looking back. Brian Shirley won the fourth and final heat race over Jayme Zidar of Greenfield, Wisc., a heat that saw racing all over the track between the top five cars.
Current UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals point leader Randy Korte of Highland, Ill. won the night's B-Main followed to the line by Terry Babb who held off a charging Dennis Erb Jr. Erb would use a provisional along with Wes Steidinger of Fairbury, Ill. and Chris Dick of Deland, Ill.
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 - 31)
06/16/09 Highland Speedway - Highland, IL - $6,000 (RAIN)
06/17/09 Belle-Clair Speedway - Belleville, IL - $6,000 (Dennis Erb - 47)
06/18/09 Charleston Speedway - Charleston, IL - $6,000 (RAIN)
06/19/09 Farmer City Raceway - Farmer City, IL - $10,000 (RAIN)
06/20/09 Clarksville Speedway - Clarksville, TN - $10,000 (Billy Moyer - 44)
06/21/09 Tri-State Speedway - Haubstadt, IN - $6,000 (Jeep Van Wormer - 43)
06/23/09 Charleston Speedway - Charleston, IL $6,000 (Rodney Melvin - 26)
06/24/09 Tri-City Speedway - Pontoon Beach, IL $6,000 (Jason Feger - 34)
06/25/09 Clay Hill Motorsports Park - Atwood, TN - $6,000 (Billy Moyer - 38)
06/26/09 Paducah International Raceway - Paducah, KY - $10,000 (Billy Moyer - 41)
06/27/09 Fairbury Speedway - Fairbury, IL - $10,000 (Billy Moyer - 34)
06/28/09 Lincoln Speedway - Lincoln, IL - $6,000 (Randy Korte - 35)
06/29/09 Farmer City Raceway - Farmer City, IL $6,000 (Dennis Erb - 34)
06/30/09 Peoria Speedway - Peoria, IL - $6,000 (Jason Feger - 39)
07/01/09 Highland Speedway - Highland, IL - $6,000 (Shannon Babb - 34)
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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