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Kevin Kovac
CONCORD, N.C. (September 11) - Shannon Babb would prefer to be battling for a championship as the World of Outlaws Late Model Series hits his familiar Midwestern turf for a doubleheader this weekend.
Alas, there will be no title for Babb this season, but he still has plenty to race for on Saturday night (Sept. 13) in the 26th annual Pepsi Nationals at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo., and Sunday night (Sept. 14) in the 17th annual Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals at La Salle (Ill.) Speedway.
"There's still some races left to gain some points on guys and finish a little higher (in the standings)," said Babb, who enters the weekend ranked seventh in the WoO LMS points race as he nears the conclusion of his first season driving for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star Clint Bowyer's Traeger Grills/Chevy dirt Late Model team. "You're always hoping you're going to be up there tight (in the championship battle) coming down to the end, but it's not happening for us this year. We just have to concentrate on finishing as strong as we can."
A WoO LMS regular for the first time in his career in 2008, Babb, 34, of Moweaqua, Ill., can dial up few better places to commence a season-ending surge than this weekend's WoO LMS host tracks.
Most significantly, Babb has won major races at both facilities - his I-55 resume includes the 2003 Pepsi Nationals and two UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals victories (2006, 2002), and he's captured two Summer Nationals A-Mains (2006, 2003) and a 2006 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series show at La Salle. He also enjoyed solid outings in last year's WoO LMS events at both tracks, finishing second to Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., at I-55 Raceway after his dramatic final-lap bid for victory fell just short and advancing from the 17th starting spot to a seventh-place finish at La Salle.
And of course, Babb is well-known to the local fans.
"It's always good to get back to tracks where you have a lot of experience, you run good and you have great support from the fans," said Babb, who will make his first visit of 2008 to both speedways. "We know our way around both places and we know what to do with tires, so we're looking forward to it."
Babb will face one unknown at I-55 and La Salle, however.
"I've never rolled in there with a Rocket chassis before," said Babb, who has become a stalwart of the Shinnston, W.Va.-based car builder this season.
Adjusting to the Rocket machines has been one of the biggest challenges in 2008 for Babb, who owns two WoO LMS victories this season but hasn't made the type of impact on the tour that suits his competitive desires.
"You always kinda know with a new team that you're gonna have some serious growing pains," said Babb, who joined Bowyer's fledgling operation in December 2007. "It just takes time to get everybody connecting and on the same page. We started a new team and started a new program too with the different chassis we've been running all year, so it's been a real learning process.
"As a driver, I haven't been as sharp as I need to be at times because I just didn't know what I had to do (to an unfamiliar car). I'm going to racetracks I've never seen before with a car I've never run before, so there's two variables we've faced.
"It's just been tough, but it's gonna make us better down the road," he added, certifying his satisfaction with the Rocket cars. "Mark (Richards of Rocket Chassis) has helped us out a ton. We've gained probably five years worth of experience in one season.
"Honestly, I've had way, way better seasons, but I'm not disappointed. I definitely want to run a helluva lot better than I've run, but we've got a good baseline that we're building off of now. I think we're heading in the right direction."
With a strong finishing kick in the tour's last six events of 2008, Babb has a solid chance to end up as high as fifth in the points standings. He trails sixth-place Rick Eckert of York, Pa., by eight points and fifth-place Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., by 62 points.
A top-five finish in the WoO LMS points race would certainly be a nice springboard to 2009 for Babb, who hopes to come back stronger after his first year on the road with the Outlaws.
"You're always thinking about next year, but we have to sit down and talk about it," said Babb. "We haven't had Clint cornered very long because he's been trying to take care of his business (competing on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series), so it's kinda hard to make any concrete plans. But at the same time, we'll all trying to think of what we can do to make ourselves better."
I-55 Raceway Event Information: The 26th annual Pepsi Nationals, which features a 50-lap A-Main paying $10,000 to win as well as programs for the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds and Sportsman, carries a general admission price of $25 with kids 12-and-under admitted free in general admission sections. Reserved seats are available for $30 and pit passes are $35.
Gates at the Ken Schrader-owned one-third-mile oval are scheduled to be unlocked at 4 p.m. on Saturday, with hot laps set for 6 p.m. and WoO LMS time trials at 6:30 p.m. Racing is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
I-55 Raceway is located 30 minutes south of downtown St. Louis, off Pevely exits 180 and 178 of Interstate 55.
More information about I-55 Raceway is available by calling 636-479-3219 or visiting i55raceway.com.
La Salle Speedway Event Information: Bob Sargent's Track Enterprises is promoting the Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals at the quarter-mile La Salle Speedway for the second consecutive year. The event previously enjoyed a 15-year run at the one-mile Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
Grandstand admission is $25, with children 11-and-under $5. Pit passes will be $35.
La Salle's pit gates will open at 2 p.m. and the grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. Practice is scheduled to get the green flag at 5 p.m., followed by WoO LMS time trials at 5:30 p.m. and racing action at 6 p.m.
For more details about La Salle's Illinois Fall Nationals, which features a 40-lap WoO LMS A-Main paying $7,000 to win and includes a full program of UMP DIRTcar Modified racing, contact Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200; La Salle Speedway at 815-223-6939; or visit trackenterprises.com.
La Salle Speedway is located 60 miles west of Joliet, 80 miles east of the Quad Cities, 70 miles south of Rockford and 60 miles north of Bloomington.
For further details or to purchase advance general admission tickets, contact Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200; La Salle Speedway at 815-223-6939; or visit trackenterprises.com.
WoO LMS Info: Log on to worldofoutlaws.com.
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