2008 UMP DIRTcar Summernationals....
Always subject to change....
Any rumors or additions, please email me .... racenutdan@msn.com
Scroll down for the most recent results
For this page to continue as in the past, PLEASE send race results immediately following
any race to racenutdan@msn.com ....preferably before you go to bed for the night.

Macon Speedway....100 laps
Fairbury American Legion Speedway....50 laps
Oakshade Raceway....60 laps
All others should  be 40 laps

listed: day, date, track(click for website), city, state, $ to win, last summernationals winner, track phone number

Sat Jul 12 - Oakshade Raceway, Wauseon, OH $10,000 to win 60 laps(2007 winner Jeep VanWormer)419-337-6850
top 5.... ....more....
Fri Jul 11 - Brownstown Speedway, Brownstown, IN $10,000 to win(last visit Fri Jul 13, 2001 winner Billy Moyer)812-358-5332..From June 13 Rainout
top 5.... ....more....
Thur Jul 10 - LaSalle Speedway, LaSalle, IL $6,000 to win(2007 winner Steve Sheppard, Jr)815-223-6900
top 5.... ....more....
Wed Jul 9 - Spoon River Speedway, Banner, IL $6,000 to win(2007 winner Shannon Babb)309-668-2622
top 5.... ....more....
Tues Jul 8 - Quincy Raceways, Quincy, IL $6,000 to win(2007 winner Shannon Babb)217-224-4100
top 5.... ....more....
Mon Jul 7 - off
Sun Jul 6 - Quad City Raceway, East Moline, IL $6,000 to win(2007 winner Shannon Babb)608-644-1977
top 5.... ....more....
Sat Jul 5 - Fairbury American Legion Speedway, Fairbury, IL $10,000 to win 50 laps (2007 winner Mike Marlar)815-692-3222
top 5.... ....more....

Fri Jul 4 - Tri-City Speedway, Pontoon Beach, IL $10,000 to win(2007 winner Don O'Neal)618-931-7386
top 5.... ....more....

Thurs Jul 3 - Mighty Macon Speedway, Macon, IL $6,000 to win 100 laps(2007 winner Wes Steidinger-no points)217-764-3000
top 5....Rained Out ....To be run Sat Aug 16....
 

Heavy Rains Force Postponement Of Thursday’s Herald & Review 100 At Macon Speedway; Raindate Changed For UMP DIRT Summer Nationals Event At Morgan County Speedway 

Morgan County/Macon Doubleheader Now Set For Aug. 15 & 16 

MACON, IL – July 3, 2008 – Heavy rain overnight and into the morning inundated the famed Macon Speedway, forcing the postponement of Thursday night’s UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Herald & Review 100. 

It marks the second year in a row that the high-banked, one-fifth-mile track’s marquee extra-distance event has been rescheduled by rain. 

The $6,000-to-win Herald & Review 100 will now be run on Sat., Aug. 16, setting up a big weekend doubleheader of rescheduled Summer Nationals dates in Illinois. 

UMP DIRTcar director Sam Driggers said that Morgan County Speedway in Jacksonville, Ill., which had its Summer Nationals show washed out midway through time trials on Wednesday night, has rescheduled its $6,000-to-win program for Fri., Aug. 15. Morgan County Speedway officials initially agreed to a raindate of Mon., July 7, but it was later determined that racing can not take place that evening due to preparations for the Morgan County Fair that begins on July 9. 

Macon Speedway is the fourth track that has rescheduled its 2008 UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals event due to rain. A fifth event, on June 21 at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo., was canceled and not rescheduled due to flood waters that covered the track’s access road. 

The Morgan County/Macon swing on Aug. 15-16 will be classified as non-point UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals events because they fall after the series finale on July 12 at Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, Ohio. But with each $6,000-to-win race sure to attract a large car count, they will figure prominently in the UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model national points battle that begins to hits its homestretch in August. 

The Summer Nationals continues on Friday night (July 4) with a $10,000-to-win event at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill. 

For more info on the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals, visit www.dirtcar.com.

Wed Jul 2 - Morgan County Speedway, Jacksonville, IL $6,000 to win(2007 winner Kevin Weaver)217-243-5896
top 5....Rained Out ....To be run Fri Aug 15....35 cars

Wednesday’s UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Stop At Morgan County Speedway Postponed By Rain

JACKSONVILLE, IL – July 2, 2008 – Unrelenting rain forced the postponement of Wednesday night’s UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals event at Morgan County Speedway. 

The 40-lap, $6,000-to-win show has been rescheduled for Mon., July 7 – a scheduled off-day on the Summer Nationals slate
EDITORS NOTE....JULY 7 DATE IS NOW FRI AUG 15!!! 

Two light showers – one that delayed the start of hot laps, and another midway through the Super Late Model time trials – slowed the program but weren’t enough to stop it. Officials finally had to throw in the towel, however, when the rain intensified around 8:40 p.m. as the surface of the high-banked, quarter-mile oval was being run in. Strong thunderstorms moved into the area shortly thereafter. 

Thirty-five Super Late Models were signed in for Wednesday night’s competition. Just over half the field had completed a time-trial lap in the group qualifying session before the rain stopped the action, with Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich., the fastest on the clock at 11.655 seconds. 

It was the third rainout of the 2008 UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals, joining postponements on June 13 at Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway and June 28 at StormPay.com Clarksville (Tenn.) Speedway. A fourth event, on June 21 at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo., was canceled and not rescheduled due to flood waters that covered the track’s access road. 

The Summer Nationals continues on Thursday night (July 3) at the one-fifth-mile Macon (Ill.) Speedway with the $6,000-to-win Herald & Review 100.

Tues Jul 1 - Peoria Speedway, Peoria, IL $6,000 to win(2007 winner Dennis Erb Jr) (extra Peoria website)309-673-3342
top 5....Jeep VanWormer, Kevin Weaver, Wes Steidinger, Brian Shirley, Dennis Erb Jr ....more....40 cars

fast time Wes Steidinger

Heat 1
Dennis Erb Jr., Wes Steidinger, Jason Feger, Steve Sheppard Jr., Cory Daugherty, Kyle Steffens, Steve Lance Jr., Rick O'Brien, Bryant Dickinson, Dawn Mennel.

Heat 3
Kevin Weaver, Jesse Stovall, Don O'Neal, Jordan Bland, Will Vaught, Donny Walden, Shane Allen, Mike Mullvain, Gerry Reeder Jr

Mon Jun 30 - off

Sun Jun 29 - Lincoln Speedway, Lincoln, IL $6,000 to win(2007 winner Don O'Neal)217-737-7134
top 5.... Brian Shirley, Wes Steidinger, Dennis Erb Jr, Ryan Unzicker, Randy Korte ....more....46 cars

Lincoln Speedway
Lincoln, IL
June 29, 2008

By: Racenut
www.midwestdirttrackfacts.com

Brian Shirley wins rain-shortened UMP DIRTCar Summernationals at Lincoln Speedway!

With curfew looming, and rain falling for the second time this evening, Brian Shirley recorded the rain-shortened 40 lap feature win, worth $6,000! At the drop of the green flag, Don O'Neal jumped to the early start, but the start was delayed, as Derek Chandler flipped his ride in turn one, emerging from the car unhurt, Chandler waved at the crowd. On the restart, O'Neal again jumped to an early lead, and opened up a sizable lead over Eric Smith, Brian Shirley, Dennis Erb Jr and Wes Steidinger. As the halfway flags waved, a yellow came out for debris on the track, and on the restart, O'Neal pulled off, handing the lead to Brian Shirley, only to be challenged and passed by Eric Smith. One lap later, Smith pulled out with a flat, handing the lead back to Shirley, and at the same time Jeep VanWormer pulled off the frontstretch, turned around and came back on the track as the yellow was once again waving. The rains started, and eventually the checkered flag waved. Brian Shirley won, with Wes Steidinger second, followed by Dennis Erb Jr, Ryan Unzicker and Randy Korte.

Earlier, fast time was set by Jeep VanWormer, there were 46 cars present.

Heat races went to Don O'Neal over Dennis Erb Jr, Steve Sheppard over Derek Chandler, Eric Smith over Michael Kloos, Matt Taylor over Wes Steidinger and Brian Shirley over Jesse Stovall, Shirley only led about the last two feet of this race.

The rains came just as the first C main started....45 minute delay. The first C main went to Brandon Sheppard over Ted Loomis, the second C main went to Darren Friedman over Jason McBride. The B main went to Randy Korte in a real barn-burner exciting race over Jayme Zidar, Tim Lance and Rodney Melvin.

Final rundown
3S Brian Shirley
J1 Wes Steidinger
28 Dennis Erb Jr
24 Ryan Unzicker
00 Randy Korte
3L Matt Taylor
25 Steve Lance Jr
5s Steve Sheppard Jr
1 Will Vaught
55 Jeep VanWormer
z9 Jayme Zidar
DNF
9 Eric Smith
71 Don O'Neal
H16 Mike Hammerle
B12 Kevin Weaver
B1 Nick Bauman
48 Tim Lance
1W Donny Walden
6K Michael Kloos
00 Jesse Stovall
35 Derek Chandler

Thanks to Rocky Ragusa for the photos....

Still pictures of the Lincoln Summernationals by Racenut
 

UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Night 13: Shirley Captures Rain-Shortened Event At Lincoln Speedway 

LINCOLN, IL – June 29, 2008 – Brian Shirley turned his luck around on Sunday night, taking advantage of other drivers’ misfortune to win the rain-shortened UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals A-Main at Lincoln Speedway. 

After a blown tire during heat action two nights earlier at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway set him down a road that cost him the Summer Nationals points lead, Shirley had everything go his way at the quarter-mile fairgrounds oval. He inherited the lead on two occasions from drivers who retired with mechanical trouble and was in front when rain arrived and forced officials to declare the race official with 26 of a scheduled 40 laps completed. 

Shirley, 27, of Chatham, Ill., recorded his second win of the 2008 Summer Nationals, joining Darren Miller of Milledgeville, Ill., and defending champion Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., as repeat tour winners. It was his fourth career triumph on the grueling month-long Super Late Model series. 

The race’s fourth starter, Shirley found himself in front of the field for the first time with his Ed Petroff-owned No. 3s when race-long pacesetter Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind., dropped out with mechanical woes on lap 21. Eric Smith of Bloomington, Ill., overtook Shirley to assume command on the lap-21 restart, but he paced only two circuits before also pulling off with mechanical trouble. 

Smith’s departure left Shirley in the lead on lap 24. He was still there on lap 26 when rain intensified during a caution flag for Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich., prompting an early checkered flag and handing Shirley a $6,000 prize. 

Wes Steidinger of Fairbury, Ill., advanced from the ninth starting spot to finish second. Erb maintained a slim points lead over Shirley by placing third, with Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., scoring a Summer Nationals-best finish of fourth and 16^th-starter Randy Korte of Highland, Ill., taking fifth. 

Four caution flags slowed the event, with the most serious incident for a lap-two rollover by Derek Chandler of Pontiac, Ill. He wasn’t injured. 

VanWormer was the fastest qualifier among the 46 cars on hand, turning a lap of 13.712 seconds. 

Heat winners were Smith, O’Neal, Matt Taylor of Springfield, Ill., Shirley and VanWormer. The twin C-Mains were topped by Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., and Daren Friedman of Forrest, Ill., and Korte captured the B-Main. 

The UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals has a scheduled off day on Monday (June 30) before returning to action with Round 14 on Tuesday night (July 1) at Peoria (Ill.) Speedway. 

UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Feature Finish (rain-shortened to 26 of 40 laps): 

1. Brian Shirley

2. Wes Steidinger

3. Dennis Erb Jr.

4. Ryan Unzicker

5. Randy Korte

6. Matt Taylor

7. Steve Lance Jr.

8. Steve Sheppard Jr.

9. Will Vaught

10. Jeep Van Wormer

11. Jayme Zidar

12. Eric Smith

13. Don O'Neal

14. Mike Hammerle

15. Kevin Weaver

16. Nick Bauman

17. Tim Lance

18. Donny Walden

19. Michael Kloos

20. Jesse Stovall

21. Derek Chandler 

First C-Main Finish: Brandon Sheppard, Ted Loomis, Russ Adams, Travis Wallbaum, Nick Bauman, Steve Sheppard Jr., Scott Bull. Scratched: Brent Kreke, Jordan Bland, Roben Huffman, Butch Smith 

Second C-Main Finish: Daren Friedman, Jason McBride, Mike Hammerle, Jeremy Conaway, Matt Beadles, Dennis Vandermeersch, Kelly Kovski, Nick Macklin, Nick Vandenbergh 

B-Main Finish: Randy Korte, Jayme Zidar, Tim Lance, Rodney Melvin, Daren Friedman, Brandon Sheppard, Brandon McCormick, Cory Daugherty, Rick Standridge, Jimmy Dehm, Mike Hammerle, Brandon Thirlby, Kyle Logue (DNS) Ted Loomis

Sat Jun 28 - Clarksville Speedway, Clarksville, TN $10,000 to win (2007 winner Jeep VanWormer)931-645-2523
top 5....Postponed to July 19....No Points

UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals event at Clarksville postponed until July 19 

CLARKSVILLE, TN (June 28, 2008)—Officials with the StormPay.com Clarksville (TN) Speedway and the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Tour have agreed to postpone the $10,000 to win originally scheduled for June 28 to its new date of Saturday July 19 due to precipitation coming in later today. 

Officials were concerned of the travel time from last night’s UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals event at Lawrenceburg (IN) Speedway to Sunday Night’s UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals event at Lincoln (IL) Speedway and with a 70% chance of precipitation for today, officials have decided to pull the plug until July 19^th. 

More information will be released in an upcoming press release later next week. 

For further information on the StormPay.com Clarksville Speedway, please call (931) 645-2523 or www.clarksvillespeedway.com . Further information on the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Tour events can be obtained by logging on to www.dirtcar.com .

UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Event At Clarksville Speedway Postponed Until July 19 

CLARKSVILLE, TN - June 28, 2008 – Officials with the StormPay.com Clarksville Speedway and the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour decided in the morning to postpone Saturday night’s $10,000-to-win series event due to expected precipitation later in the day. 

The track’s Summer Nationals event will now be run on Sat., July 19. 

With a 70 percent chance of precipitation in the Clarksville area on Saturday, officials were concerned about the travel time for teams running Friday night’s UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals event at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway, Clarksville and Sunday night’s tour event at Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway. As a result, they decided to pull the plug on the event until July 19. 

The Summer Nationals resumes with a $6,000-to-win event on Sunday night (June 29) at Don Hammer’s Lincoln Speedway. 

Defending Summer Nationals champion Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., leads the tour points standings entering Lincoln’s action. 

For more information on the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals, visit www.dirtcar.com. 

UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Points Standings (after 12 events): 

1. Dennis Erb Jr. 927

2. Brian Shirley 909

3. Wes Steidinger 772

4. Jeep VanWormer 769

5. Will Vaught 761

6. Randy Korte 727

7. Steve Sheppard Jr. 676

8. Darren Miller 580

9. Jason Feger 557

10. Dewayne Kiefer 500

11. Billy Moyer 479

12. Kevin Claycomb 462

13. Jordan Bland 455

14. Terry English 435

15. Kevin Weaver 415

Fri Jun 27 - Lawrenceburg Speedway, Lawrenceburg, IN $10,000 to win(2007 winner Jeep VanWormer)812-539-4700
top 5....Dennis Erb Jr, Randy Korte, Steve Sheppard Jr, Wayne Chinn, Steve Casebolt Jr ....more....36 cars

Dennis Erb Jr, Randy Korte, Steve Sheppard Jr, Wayne Chinn, Steve Casebolt Jr, Jeep VanWormer, Brian Shirley, Scott James, Brad Neat, Wes Steidinger, Ryan Dauber, Will Vaught, Jordan Bland, Jesse James Lay, Jason McBride, Tim Lance Jr, Darren Miller, Matt Miller, Josh Williams, Justin Rattliff, Duke Whiseant

UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Night 12: Erb Regains Points Lead With Victory At Rebuilt Lawrenceburg Speedway 

LAWRENCEBURG, IN – June 27, 2008 – Dennis Erb Jr. is back on top and eyeing a second straight UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals title. 

The tour’s defending champion was flawless on Friday night at the redesigned Lawrenceburg Speedway, leading from flag-to-flag to capture the 40-lap A-Main. 

Erb, 36, of Carpentersville, Ill., pocketed $10,000 for his second Summer Nationals victory of 2008 and the ninth of his career. He joined Darren Miller of Milledgeville, Ill., as the only repeat winners through 12 events on the highly competitive tour. 

The triumph propelled Erb into the Summer Nationals points lead over Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., who fell from the catbird’s seat after experiencing a tough night. Shirley blew a right-rear tire in his heat race and used a provisional to start the A-Main, which he finished in the seventh spot after surviving a lap-21 restart tangle. 

Erb, who started second in his Rayburn No. 28, captured the first Super Late Model event held on the reconfigured Lawrenceburg track. Formerly a quarter-mile oval, the showplace facility was rebuilt during the off-season to a high-banked, three-eighths-mile layout complete with a concrete outside wall. 

Erb wasn’t seriously challenged after the departure of Darren Miller, who made several bids for the lead before retiring on lap 21. The driver known as the ‘One Man Band’ crossed the finish line several car lengths ahead of Highland, Ill.’s Randy Korte, who reached second place from the eighth starting spot on lap 30 and finished in the runner-up slot. 

Steve Sheppard Jr. of New Berlin, Ill., finished third, followed by Wayne Chinn of Bradford, Ohio, and Steve Casebolt of Richmond, Ind. 

Miller was the fastest qualifier among 36 entrants in the group time-trial session, turning a lap of 13.65 seconds. 

Heat winners were Wes Steidinger of Fairbury, Ill., Erb, Sheppard and Miller. The C-Main was captured by Shawn Negangard of Osgood, Ind., and the B-Main was claimed by Josh Williams of Cleves, Ohio. 

The tour is scheduled to continue on Saturday night (June 28) at StormPay.com Speedway in Clarksville, Tenn., but UMP DIRTcar director Sam Driggers said the potential for storms will lead series and track officials to evaluate the weather situation on Saturday morning. 

For more information on the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals, visit www.dirtcar.com. 

UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Feature Finish (40 laps): 

1. Dennis Erb Jr.

2. Randy Korte

3. Steve Sheppard Jr.

4. Wayne Chinn

5. Steve Casebolt

6. Jeep Van Wormer

7. Brian Shirley

8. Scott James

9. Brad Neat

10. Wes Steidinger

11. Ryan Dauber

12. Will Vaught

13. Jordan Bland

14. Jesse Lay

15. Jason McBride

16. Tim Lance

17. Darren Miller

18. Matt Miller

19. Josh Williams

20. Justin Rattliff

21. Duke Whiseant 

C-Main Finish: Shawn Negangard, Rick Corbin, David Spille, Derek Fisher, Ryan Unzicker, Jeff Alsip (DNS) Brian Shirley, Troy Cruse, Bob Lanter, Brian Gray, Jerry Rice, Sean Thomas 

B-Main Finish: Josh Williams, Scott James, Tim Lance, Matt Miller, Ryan Dauber, Justin Rattliff, Jordan Bland, Jesse Lay, Robby Hensley, Shawn Negangard, Don O'Neal, Greg Johnson, David Spille, Derek Fisher, Rick Corbin, Bill Sheets

Thurs Jun 26 - Paducah International Raceway, Paducah, KY $6,000 to win(2007 winner Billy Moyer)270-898-7469
top 5....Kevin Claycomb, Dennis Erb Jr, Duke Whiseant, Brian Shirley, Jeff Walston ....more....35 cars

from www.dirtondirt.com
(1) Kevin Claycomb, (2) Dennis Erb Jr. (3), Duke Whiseant, (4) Brian Shirley, (5) Jeff Walston, (6) Kevin Weaver, (7) Wes Steidinger, (8) John Tindal, (9) Dylan Thompson, (10) Jordan Bland, (11) Tim Brown, (12) Jeep Van Wormer, (13) Billy James, (14) Darren Miller, (15) Tim Lance, (16) Steve Sheppard Jr., (17) Randy Korte, (18) Will Vaught, (19) Dewayne Kiefer, (20) Jason Feger, (21) Terry English

UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Night 11: Claycomb Captures First Tour Victory Since 2000 At Paducah International Raceway 

PADUCAH, KY – June 26, 2008 – By Kellen Burns/DIRTcar Racing P.R. – 

Kevin Claycomb had certainly experienced his shares of frustrating runs on the 2008 UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour. 

On Thursday night, however, the driver from Vincennes, Ind., got the monkey off his back, racing to victory in the 40-lap Summer Nationals A-Main at the super-fast Paducah International Raceway. 

Back behind the wheel this season after ending a four-year retirement, Claycomb became the 10^th driver in 11 Summer Nationals events to reach RacingJunk.com Victory Lane. The 1991 UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model national champion recorded his fourth career Summer Nationals win and first since 2000, also at Paducah. 

Claycomb earned a win in the first heat race and used that to position himself in the fourth starting spot for the feature. 

Previous event winners Darren Miller of Milledgeville, Ill., and Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., led early while Claycomb stalked them from third place. Miller, who ceded the lead to Erb on lap 10, lost second to Claycomb on the 12^th circuit and then slowed on lap 13 with a blown right-rear tire to bring out the event’s third and final caution flag. 

On the restart Claycomb climbed the high banks of PIR and powered around Erb to assume command on lap 14. He drove away over the remaining distance in his Scott Clippinger Racing machine, beating Erb to the finish line by a full straightaway margin. 

The veteran driver definitely was relieved to capture his first win on this year’s tour. 

“It feels really good,” said Claycomb, who retired after shutting down his family-operated team in 2004. “We thought we had one at Mt. Vernon last week but went too soft on tires.” 

The same gamble that lead to his demise last week paid dividends this time around. “We gambled again tonight and it paid off,” he said. 

Erb once again showed the patience and consistency that won him both the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals and UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model national points titles in 2007. He used the low line, which proved to be quickest in the early laps, to get to the front, but found his groove fading late. 

“It’s not really my style to skate around up there (at the top),” said Erb. “We kind of jumped up there and held our own, brought home second again. 

“He was pretty good up there,” Erb said of Claycomb’s high-side style. “I felt O.K. up there, but I just passed the guy for the lead on the bottom so I stayed with that.” 

Duke Whiseant of Texarkana, Ark., started 11th in his yellow No. A1  and climbed all the way to a third-place finish. 

“We hit on something right before the feature and the car was really good,” said Whiseant. “I just wish we would have had some more laps.” 

Brian Shirley of Chatam, Ill., unofficially maintained a slim points lead over Erb with a fourth-place finish, and Jeff Walston of Paducah, Ky., placed fifth. 

Thirty-five dirt Late Models were on hand, with Wes Steidinger of Fairbury, Ill., setting the overall quick time in the group qualifying session with a lap of 15.553 seconds. 

Heat winners were Claycomb, Miller, Randy Korte of Highland, Ill., and Erb. Randy Sellars of Mayfield, Ky., topped the C-Main and Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich., won the B-Main. 

Summer Nationals rookie Will Vaught of Crane, Mo., was involved in a spectacular accident on the third lap of the B-Main that left his car heavily damaged. The young driver flipped exiting turn two and gingerly climbed from his mangled machine. 

Vaught, who entered the night ranked third in the points standings, suffered an apparent broken thumb and complained of sore ribs. But he used a provisional starting spot and took one lap behind the wheel of Mike Hammerle’s car. 

The UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals moves to Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway on Friday night (June 27). The event will bring the tour to the completely rebuilt and enlarged track, which is now a high-banked, three-eighths-mile oval. 

For more information on the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals, visit www.dirtcar.com. 

UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Feature Finish (40 laps): 

1. Kevin Claycomb

2. Dennis Erb Jr.

3. Duke Whiseant

4. Brian Shirley

5. Jeff Walston

6. Kevin Weaver

7. Wes Steidinger

8. John Tindal

9. Dylan Thompson

10. Jordan Bland

11. Tim Brown

12. Jeep Van Wormer

13. Billy James

14. Darren Miller

15. Tim Lance

16. Steve Sheppard Jr.

17. Randy Korte

18. Will Vaught

19. Dewayne Kiefer

20. Jason Feger

21. Terry English 

C Main Finish: 1. Randy Sellars, 2. Jason Riggs, 3. Todd Hall, 4. Jason McBride, 5. Rusty Griffaw, 6. Chris Shelton, 7. Brandon Chappell, 8. Mike Hammerle, 9. Wes Steidinger 

B Main Finish: 1. Jeep Van Wormer, 2. Jeff Walston, 3. Kevin Weaver, 4. Billy James, 5. Tim Brown, 6. Tim Lance, 7. Jarryd Holshouser, 8. Randy Sellars, 9. Brent Kreke, 10. Tanner English, 11. Jason Riggs, 12. Todd Hall, 13. Jason McBride, 14. Will Vaught. Scratched: John Tindal, Justin Rattliff

Wed Jun 25 - Lake Ozark Speedway, Lake Of the Ozarks, MO $6,000 to win (new track 2007 rain)800-617-9077  
top 5.....Billy Moyer, Dennis Erb, Darren Miller, Brian Shirley, Randy Korte  ....more....31 cars

Lake Ozark Speedway
Eldon, MO
June 25, 2008

By: Racenut
www.midwestdirttrackfacts.com

 Billy Moyer proves why smooth is the way to win at Lake Ozark Speedway Summernational show!

 Stop number ten on the 2008 UMP DirtCar Summernationals show was held Wednesday night, June 25. With thirtyone late models on hand, defending Summernationals champion Dennis Erb Jr turned in fast time at 14.995 seconds. The Ed Franko managed, Kevin and Tammy Gundaker owned third mile track was meticulously manicured for the special $6,000 to win late model show. The first heat went to Mark Burgtorf over current series point leader Brian Shirley. The second heat went to Dennis Erb Jr over Steve Sheppard Jr and Jeep VanWormer. The third heat went to Billy Moyer over Terry English and Darren Miller. Heat number four went to Wes Steidinger over Randy Korte. The semi feature went to Denny Woodworth. In the semi, Tim Lance put on a show coming from eleventh to second, only to get taken to the wall on the last lap to spoil a great run, finishing fourth.

Come feature time, Mark Burgtorf took the early lead from his third starting spot behind Erb Jr and Steidinger. Erb Jr got around him only to get passed by Billy Moyer a few laps, and a couple of yellow flags later. Billy Moyer went on to lead the remainder of the feature, followed by Erb Jr, Darren Miller, Brian Shirley, Randy Korte, Ryan Unzicker, Wes Steidinger and  Denny Woodworth. As in the semi, one lone driver made a lot of movement on the top side, fourteenth place starter Don O'Neal. O'Neal worked his way into second place, bouncing off the walls and avoiding the cautions, until a lap thirty six caution that he brought out by slamming the turn four wall. O'Neal was unhurt, but the car was done for the evening.
The late models might have been the headliner, but the highlight of the evening was the run made by the youngster from suburban Chicago, Mike Spatola in his modified. After some heat race problems, Spatola started eleventh in the twelve car semi feature and won it, quite literally at the checkered flag. (Thanks to transponders) Spatola then started sixteenth in the modified feature and made an immediate jump to the high side and started picking off cars one at a time. Spatola would eventually finish second to the defending track champion Danny Crane, who finally won his first feature of 2008. Great show put on by these guys!!!

The street stock feature went to Eric Gustin.

There were a total of 81 cars in the pits in three classes. The late models were the last to run, and all racing action was complete at 11:05 pm

Every track needs one of these!!!! Transponders and a 20 position scoreboard....absolutely wonderful!!!
Special thanks go out to Ed Franko for the hospitality and the beautiful speedway!!!

UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Night 10: Moyer Bags First Victory Of ’08 Tour At Lake Ozark Speedway

ELDON, MO – June 25, 2008 – By Kellen Burns/DIRTcar Racing P.R. –

One night after the low groove did him in at the historic Sedalia (Mo.) State Fair Speedway, veteran Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., was determined to not bare witness to a repeat performance.

A six-time UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals champion, Moyer didn’t let another race slip through his fingers. He emerged victorious for the first time on the 2008 tour with a win in Wednesday night’s 40-lap A-Main at Lake Ozark Speedway.

Moyer, 50, made a strong jump from the fourth starting spot and maneuvered around defending UMP Summer Nationals champion Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., for the lead on lap five. He never looked back as he powered his Victory Circle M1 Chassis into RacingJunk.com Victory Lane for his alltime series-leading 63^rd time.

The dirt Late Model legend, who’s affectionately known to many as ‘Mr. Smooth,’ displayed the style he’s known for during his drive to the $6,000 checkered flag.

“It was a long time coming this year it seemed,” the driver of the familiar No. 21 said of his initial triumph on this season’s grueling trail. “We’ve had some good runs, but just been a little off. We keep learning on this car and I made some adjustments.

“More so than blaming it on the tires like I did last night, I think the car was just a little off.”

Moyer was followed across the finish line by Erb, who started from the pole position and set the pace until relinquishing the catbird’s seat to Moyer on the fifth circuit.

“Yeah, if I wouldn’t have slipped up there and he wouldn’t have got around me, I think I would have been alright,” remarked Erb.

One of the night’s biggest movers was Darren Miller of Milledgeville, Ill., who started 11th and quietly made his was to a third-place finish. The tour’s only ’08 repeat winner attributed his advance to the factor that has produced his recent success.

“Patience,” said Miller. “The bottom was definitely better for me, but then towards the end of the race I moved towards the middle. It was pretty good on restarts because we could pack it down under caution.”

Miller uncertain of whether or not he could have outdueled Moyer if given the chance. 

“I felt pretty good out there,” said Miller. “I could make up ground on entry, but they were better on exit. He would have definitely been hard to get by.”

Summer Nationals points leader Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., finished fourth and Randy Korte of Highland, Ill., placed fifth.

The feature event was slowed by four cautions, the last of which came on lap 36 for former UMP Summer Nationals champion Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind. He used a thin cushion to climb from the 14th starting spot to second before making contact with the turn-four wall.

Thirty-one cars entered the event, with Erb’s lap of 14.995 seconds the fastest of the group qualifying session.

Heat winners were Mark Burgtorf of Quincy, Ill., Erb, Moyer and Wes Steidinger of Fairbury, Ill., and the B-Main was captured by Denny Woodworth of Mendon, Ill.

The UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals moves to Paducah (Ky.) International Raceway on Thursday night (June 26).

For more information on the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals, visit www.dirtcar.com.

UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Feature Finish (40 laps):

1. Billy Moyer

2. Dennis Erb Jr.

3. Darren Miller

4. Brian Shirley

5. Randy Korte

6. Ryan Unzicker

7. Wes Steidinger

8. Denny Woodworth

9. J.D. Hubert

10. Mike Hammerle

11. Andrew McCay

12. Duane Kiefer

13. Don O’Neal

14. Terry English

15. Rusy Dukes

16. Jordan Bland

17. Mark Burgtorf

18. Steve Sheppard Jr.

19. Will Vaught

20. Jeep VanWormer

21. Craig Smith

B-Main Finish: Denny Woodworth, Rusty Dukes, Jordan Bland, Tim Lance, Jason McBride, Chris Smyser, Billy Moyer Jr., Reid Millard, Donnie Gemes, Steve Beach, Chris Fetter, Craig Smith. Scratched: Tim Manville, Trace Westling, Eric Turner

UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Points Standings (after 10 events):

1. Brian Shirley 770

2. Dennis Erb Jr. 751

3. Will Vaught 658

4. Wes Steidinger 651

5. Jeep VanWormer 649

6. Randy Korte 592

7. Steve Sheppard Jr. 545

8. Jason Feger 511

9. Billy Moyer 479

10. Darren Miller 478

11. Dewayne Keifer 453

12. Terry English 390

13. Kevin Claycomb 372

14. Kevin Weaver 372

15. Jordan Bland 344

Tues Jun 24 - Sedalia State Fair, Sedalia, MO $6,000 to win(last visit July 19, 1992 winner Billy Moyer)660-221-0275
top 5....Brian Shirley, Billy Moyer, Don O'Neal, Dennis Erb Jr, Jeep VanWormer ....more....27 cars....30 laps

UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Night 9: Shirley Passes Moyer On Final Lap At Sedalia For First Win Of ’08 Tour

SEDALIA, MO – June 24, 2008 – By Kellen Burns/DIRTcar Racing P.R. –

Brian Shirley sure does know how to make things exciting for the fans.

The 27-year-old driver from Chatham, Ill., pulled off a dramatic victory on Tuesday night, passing Billy Moyer for the lead on the final circuit to win the 30-lap UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals A-Main at Sedalia State Fair Speedway.

“It was a really exciting night,” said Shirley, who registered his first victory of the 2008 Summer Nationals in the tour’s ninth event. “The last five laps I just hit my marks perfect.”

Competing in the first Summer Nationals event at the big, fast Sedalia half-mile oval since 1992, Shirley proved patience was a virtue after starting third. He rode for 29 laps on the bottom before making a last-lap pass of six-time Summer Nationals champion Moyer, pulling alongside the legend from Batesville, Ark., through turns one and two and then surging ahead on the backstretch.

Shirley was very happy to finally break into RacingJunk.com Victory Lane – and gave credit to the “the people that help me,” including car owner Ed Petroff and his sponsors.

Shirley padded his Summer Nationals points lead with the $6,000 success. He unofficially leads defending champion Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., who finished fourth on Tuesday night, by 29 points.

Moyer led laps 1-29 after starting second but settled for runner-up money.

“I think it was more tires just going away than anything,” said Moyer, who chose softer tires for the main event than Shirley. “The top was better down in (turns) one and two and I think the bottom was probably better in three and four, but I think we just had the wrong tires on.”

Former UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Champion Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind., registered a third-place finish.

“It was way too free into the corner,” O’Neal said of his machine. “I was lucky to hang on to third, that’s how bad I felt. But that’s a start with the way we’ve been the past two nights, not making the shows.”

Erb and the polesitting Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich., completed the top five.

With 27 cars on hand, VanWormer turned the overall fastest lap of 19.742 seconds in time trials.

Heat winners were VanWormer, Moyer and Shirley, and Will Vaught of Crane, Mo., topped the B-Main.

For more information on the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals, visit www.dirtcar.com.

UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Feature Finish (30 laps):

1. Brian Shirley

2. Billy Moyer

3. Don O'Neal

4. Dennis Erb Jr.

5. Jeep Van Wormer

6. Randy Korte

7. Steve Sheppard Jr.

8. Darren Miller

9. Jeremy Payne

10. Wes Steidinger

11. Will Vaught

12. Terry English

13. Eric Turner

14. Dewayne Kiefer

15. Jason McBride

16. Terry Phillips

17. Rusty Dukes

18. J.D. Hubert

19. Jason Feger

20. Jordan Bland

21. Ryan Unzicker

22. Larry Clawson

B-Main Finish: Will Vaught, Eric Turner, Terry Phillip, Rusty Dukes, Ryan Unzicker, Chris Smyser, Tim Lance, Billy Moyer Jr., Andrew McKay, Reid Millard, Jason McBride (DNS) Miller

Mon Jun 23 - off

Sun Jun 22 - Vermilion County Speedway, Danville, IL $6,000 to win(2007 winner Don O'Neal)217-443-6588
top 5....Jeep VanWormer, Brian Shirley, Will Vaught, Dennis Erb Jr, Scott Bull  ....more....43 cars

thanks to www.dirtondirt.com
(1) Jeep Van Wormer
(2) Brian Shirley
(3) Will Vaught
(4) Dennis Erb Jr
(5) Scott Bull
(6) Randy Korte
(7) Kevin Claycomb
(8) Terry Casey
(9) Ryan Dauber
(10) Wes Steidinger
(11) Joe Harlan
(12) Steve Sheppard Jr
(13) Terry English
(14) Jason Feger
(15) Patrick Sheltra
(16) Frank Heckenast Jr.
(17) Kevin Weaver
(18) Ryan Unzicker
(19) Mike Petersak
(20) Dewayne Kiefer
(21) Donny Walden

Start of feature	Four wide salute	Victory Lane....Jeep VanWormer

Photos by Lu, click on photo to enlarge

UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Night 8: VanWormer Outruns Points Leader Shirley For Victory At Vermilion County Speedway 

DANVILLE, IL – June 22, 2008 – Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich., broke through for his first victory of the 2008 UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals, capturing Sunday night’s 40-lap tour A-Main at Vermilion County Speedway. 

VanWormer, a 33-year-old who is chasing the Summer Nationals points crown for the fourth consecutive season, passed Scott Bull of Fairbury, Ill., for the lead on a lap-seven restart and never looked back. He picked up a $6,000 check in RacingJunk.com Victory Lane. 

Summer Nationals points leader Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., advanced from the eighth starting spot to second by lap 16 and was able to quickly run down VanWormer’s familiar spider-webbed No. 55. But the 27-year-old Shirley was unable to overtake VanWormer, who made all the right moves through late-race lapped traffic to preserve his seventh career Summer Nationals triumph. 

Shirley settled for second place in the Petroff Towing mount. Summer Nationals rookie Will Vaught of Crane, Mo., enjoyed another strong outing with a third-place finish, while defending tour champion Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., placed fourth and Bull took fifth after leading the race’s early circuits. 

With 43 cars signed in for the eighth stop of the 2008 Summer Nationals, Erb was the overall fastest qualifier in the group time-trial session with a lap of 13.634 seconds. 

Heat winners were Randy Korte of Highland, Ill., Bull, Erb and VanWormer. The C-Main was captured by Derek Fisher of Columbus, Ind., and Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., and Ryan Dauber of Tonica, Ill., topped the B-Main. 

The UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals takes a scheduled night off on Monday (June 23) before returning to action on Tuesday night (June 24) at Sedalia (Mo.) State Fair Speedway. 

For more information on the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals, visit www.dirtcar.com. 

UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals A-Main Finish (40 laps): 

1. Jeep Van Wormer,

2. Brian Shirley

3. Will Vaught

4. Dennis Erb Jr.

5. Scott Bull

6. Randy Korte

7. Kevin Claycomb

8. Terry Casey

9. Ryan Dauber

10. Wes Steidinger

11. Joe Harlan

12. Steve Sheppard Jr.

13. Terry English

14. Jason Feger

15. Patrick Sheltra

16. Frank Heckenast Jr.

17. Kevin Weaver

18. Ryan Unzicker

19. Mike Petersak

20. Dewayne Kiefer

21. Donny Walden 

B-Main Finish: Ryan Dauber, Donny Walden, Terry English, Ryan Unzicker, Patrick Sheltra, Frank Heckneast Jr., Don O'Neal, Mike Mataragas, Derek Fisher, Tim Lance, Kevin Weaver, Dan Walden, Mike Petersak, Brandon Sheppard, B.J. McCammon, Justin Shaw 

First C-Main Finish: Derek Fisher, Tim Lance, Richie Hedrick, Jason McBride, Jammie Wilson, Toby Hallett, Aaron Ricketts, Sam Epling 

Second C-Main Finish: Brandon Sheppard, Mike Petersak, Jordan Bland, Brian Diveley, Jimmy Dehm, Jim Moon, Dewayne Kiefer 

UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Points Standings (after 8 events): 

1. Brian Shirley 616

2. Dennis Erb Jr. 602

3. Will Vaught 567

4. Jeep VanWormer 544

5. Wes Steidinger 542

6. Jason Feger 474

7. Randy Korte 468

8. Steve Sheppard Jr. 445

9. Kevin Claycomb 372

10. Dewayne Keifer 358

11. Kevin Weaver 350

12. Darren Miller 348

13. Billy Moyer 315

14. Terry English 295

15. Rodney Melvin 259

 

---

Sat Jun 21 - i55 Raceway, Pevely, MO $10,000 to win(2007 winner Mike Marlar)636-479-3219
....FLOODED OUT

---

Fri Jun 20 - Farmer City Raceway, Farmer City, IL $10,000 to win(2007 winner Brady Smith)309-928-9110
top 5....Darren Miller, Jimmy Mars, Brian Shirley, Billy Moyer, Brian Birkhofer ....more....50 cars

Farmer City Raceway

Farmer City, IL

June 20, 2008

Darren Miller becomes first repeat winner on 2008 Summernationals tour, and wins his first ever Farmer City Raceway feature event, worth $10,000!!!

Story by Dan Stewart

www.midwestdirttrackfacts.com

Farmer City Raceway played host to the 2008 version of the UMP DIRTcar Summernationals. This was the twentieth year for Farmer City to host the Summernationals tour, and no other track has held more of the tour races. As one of the lucky few, I personally have been to all twenty of these shows. With fifty late models signed in, the current track record holder Billy Moyer turned in fast time of the evening at 12.846 seconds, about nine tenths of a second off his record set in April of this year. There were five heats with the top three finishers from each heat advancing to the feature. All five heats were a bit of a runaway by the winner, but there was some absolutely great racing going on behind them for second through fifth in each race. The first heat went to Moyer, but the show of the evening was Dennis Erb Jr starting ninth and powerhousing his way to third in the first three laps. Jimmy Mars would finish second, but had Erb Jr beside him most of the race. The second heat went to Brian Birkhofer, with Steve Sheppard Jr holding off Eric Smith for second. The third heat had Darren Miller doing a bit of a runaway with Wes Steidinger and Kyle Logue battling it out for second and third. The third heat went to Brian Shirley by a long way over Scott Bull, who narrowly held off Jeep VanWormer. The fifth and final heat went to Randy Korte, with Brian Diveley side by side at the finish line holding off Jordan Bland. There were two C mains, with the to two advancing to the B main. The first C main went to Patrick Sheltra over Chris Simpson and Dewayne Kiefer. The second C main went to Ryan Unzicker over Rocky Griffin, who ran most of the distance next to Derek Chandler.

The semi feature, B main, was a very good race, with Kevin Weaver outrunning Matt Taylor and Ryan Dauber. These three would advance to the feature. Finishing fourth was Darren Friedman, followed Don O'Neal, Frank Heckenast Jr, Mike Mataragas, Ryan Unzicker and Terry English.

The feature event started out with Randy Korte on the pole next to Darren Miller, the result of a blind draw by the heat winners. The second row had Brian Shirley and Billy Moyer, with the third row being Brian Birkhofer and Jimmy Mars. Needless to say, there was a lot of talent in the starting line up. Thirteen of the twenty one starters had previously visited victory lane at this historic old fairgrounds track. Randy Korte led the first four laps, side by side with Darren Miller. Miller worked his way in front and stayed there to collect the checkers.

Forty Lap, $10,000 to win feature....official results(starting position)

32D Darren Miller(2)
28M Jimmy Mars(6)
3S Brian Shirley(3)
21 Billy Moyer(4)
15B Brian Birkhofer(5)
00 Randy Korte(1)
J1 Wes Steidinger(8)
83 Scott Bull(9)
28E Dennis Erb Jr(11)
55 Jeep VanWormer(14)
5S Steve Sheppard Jr(7)
11D Brian Diveley(10)
B12 Kevin Weaver(16)
9 Eric Smith(12)
7L Kyle Logue(13)
25 Jason Feger(20)
39 laps
12Jordan Bland(15)
1 Will Vaught(19)
DNF
89 Darren Friedman(21)
64 Ryan Dauber(18)
3L Matt Taylor(17)

Time Trials
Fast Time
Group 1....Billy Moyer Jr 12.846
Group 2....Brian Birkhofer 13.102
Group 3....Donny Walden 13.041
Group 4....Brian Shirley 13.171
Group 5....Jordan Bland 13.632

Heat #...top 3 advance to Feature
Billy Moyer, Jimmy Mars, Dennis Erb Jr, Ryan Dauber, Tim Lance, Mike Mataragas, Nick Vandenburg, Ryan Unzicker, Travis Wallbaum, Cody Watters
Heat #2
Brian Birkhofer, Steve Sheppard Jr, Eric Smith, Kevin Weaver, Matt Taylor, Will Vaught, George Scheffler, Jimmy Felker Jr, Russ Adams, Toby Hallett
Heat #3
Darren Miller, Wes Steidinger, Kyle Logue, Terry English, Brady Smith, Donny Walden, Patrick Sheltra, Aaron Ricketts, Joe Harlan, Rich Bell
Heat #4
Brian Shirley, Scott Bull, Jeep VanWormer, Darren Friedman, Jason Feger, Jason McBride, Rocky Griffin, Dewayne Kiefer, Roger Brickler, Butch Smith
Heat #5
Randy Korte, Brian Diveley, Jordan Bland, Frank Heckenast Jr, Don O'Neal, Scott Schmitt, Chad Simpson, Derek Chandler, Jimmy Dehm, Brandon Sheppard
C main #1....top 2 advance to B main
Patrick Sheltra, Chris Simpson, Dewayne Kiefer, Joe Harlan, Jimmy Dehm, Jimmy Felker Jr, Nick Vanderburg
C main # 2....
Ryan Unzicker, Rocky Griffin, Derek Chandler, George Sheffler, Aaron Ricketts

Provisionals went to Will Vaught, Jason Feger and Darren Friedman.

Those not making the feature included former winners Don O'Neal and Brady Smith and this year's Higland Speedway winner Terry English

The modified class had 32 cars on hand with Jeff Leka picking up yet another feature win over Denny Schwartz, followed by Gary Cook Jr, Jeb Friedman, Lance Dehm, Chad Osterhoff, Danny Schwartz, Cory Schwengel, and Jay Ledford.

Modified heats went to Jeff Leka, Rob Fuqua, Jeb Friedman and Jay Ledford. The semi feature went to Jeff Curl over Danny Schwartz.

The Street Stocks were also in action with 18 cars present. Jim Quinn and Terry Miller won the heat races. Terry Miller held off Jim Quinn for the feature win over Jeremy Nichols, Steve Maisel and Chris Tackett.

The racing program was complete at 10:45 pm with a total of 100 cars on hand.

Thanks to Erik Grigsby for the following photo links for the Farmer City Summernationals.....
Late Models - http://egphotos.smugmug.com/gallery/5219269_bMzot#316894271_6QNBv
Modifieds and Street Stocks - http://egphotos.smugmug.com/Farmer%20City%20Raceway/540953

Thanks to Rocky Ragusa for the photo album below....click on pics to enlarge

Summernational winner Darren Miller	modified winner Jeff Leka with race fan of the year Cody Griffin	street stock action 9 Terry Miller 82 Jim Quinn battle for 1st	street stock winner Terry Miller

UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Night 7: Darren Miller Becomes First Repeat Winner With Dominant Run At Farmer City Raceway 

FARMER CITY, IL – June 20, 2008 – By Kellen Burns/DIRTcar Racing P.R. - 

Ask Darren Miller if twice is just as nice, and he’ll respond with an emphatic, “Yes – actually, it’s better.” 

The 31-year-old from Milledgeville, Ill., became the first repeat winner of the 2008 UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals on Friday night, rolling to a convincing victory in the 40-lap A-Main at Farmer City Raceway. 

Coming off his first-ever Summer Nationals triumph the previous night at I-57/I-64 Raceway in Mt. Vernon, Ill., Miller used a top-five qualifying effort and a dominant heat-race victory to propel himself onto the outside pole starting slot for Farmer City’s annual event. He then moved by polesitter Randy Korte of Highland, Ill., for the lead on the fourth lap and never looked back en route to a $10,000 win. 

Miller seemed to have luck on his side throughout the night once again. 

“Everything has gone right,” Miller said after visiting RacingJunk.com Victory Lane on back-to-back nights. “Codey (Miller’s son) drew the front row (start) for me both nights, so I got out front and could drive where I wanted to. It felt really good even in traffic.” 

One of the event’s biggest movers was Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., who started sixth in the A-Main and was the first driver to try the bottom groove and make it work. He managed to pull close to Miller on a few occasions after reaching second place, but he had to settle for runner-up money. 

“The track narrowed up,” said Mars. “Unless Darren screwed up, I wasn’t going to try and drive through him.” 

When it was said and done, Mars found positives in his second-place finish. 

“I came from sixth and passed some good cars,” he said, “so I’m not disappointed with that at all.” 

Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., started and finished third for another strong showing on the Summer Nationals tour. 

“With the circumstances, you had a few laps there to make a few moves,” said Shirley. “Darren had the best starting spot and he was good enough to hold it.” 

Shirley remains optimistic for his Petroff Towing No. 3s team, which is still searching for its first victory of the 2008 Summer Nationals. 

“We were close, just no cigars yet,” said Shirley. “It was a good rebound from last night (an 11^th-place finish that knocked him from the points lead).” 

Shirley unofficially regained the Summer Nationals points lead by four points over defending champion Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., who finished ninth. 

Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., finished fourth after being overtaken late in the distance by Shirley, and Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, started and finished fifth. 

Fifty UMP DIRTcar Super Late Models entered the pit gate to tackle the high-banked, quarter-mile oval.
Moyer was the overall fastest qualifier in the group time-trial session, rounding the track in 12.846 seconds. 

Heat races were captured by Moyer, Birkhofer, Miller, Shirley and Korte, while Patrick Sheltra of Indiantown, Fla., and Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., scored C-Main wins and Kevin Weaver of Gibson City, Ill., topped the B-Main. 

The UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals is off on Saturday (June 21) because the scheduled event at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo., was canceled earlier in the week due to the floods that have blocked the track’s access road. 

The tour returns to action on Sunday night (June 22) with a $6,000-to-win event at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville, Ill. 

Be sure and stay tuned to www.umpracing.com for all the latest news and results from the 20th edition of the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals. 

UMP DIRT car Summer Nationals Feature Finish (40 laps): 

1. Darren Miller

2. Jimmy Mars

3. Brian Shirley

4. Billy Moyer

5. Brian Birkhofer

6. Randy Korte

7. Wes Steidinger

8. Scott Bull

9. Dennis Erb Jr.