Shannon Babb is joined by long-time speedway promoter Morey Denny (left) and son Brad at Spoon River Speedway. (Mike Ruefer) DirtCar Summer Nationals: Babb Win Streak Continues at Spoon River Kellen Burns CANTON, Ill. - July 14. Shannon Babb obviously didn't think three consecutive DirtCar Summer Nationals wins was enough, capturing Thursday's event at Spoon River Speedway. Babb stalked Steve Lance, Jr. Lance over the events first five laps before moving under Lance for the lead. Babb led the rest of the way to claim the $5,000 top prize, his fourth consecutive and seventh overall victory of the 2011 'Hell Tour'.
Steve Lance, Jr. paces the first five laps at Spoon River. (Mike Ruefer) Babb started the race on the pole, but Lance, of Peoria, Ill., jumped to the early lead using the preferred low groove of the Illinois oval. Babb then took command on lap six when Lance slipped out of his racing line. Pinconning, Mich., driver Jeep Van Wormer climbed from his fourth place starting spot
The end of the line for #54 Dillan White and Evan Fink at Spoon River.(Mike Ruefer) courtesy of a second heat race win, to finish second behind Babb. Brandon Sheppard, a tour winner at Lincoln and Farmer City, finished third ahead of Lance, who settled for fourth. Jack Sullivan of Greenbriar, Ark., finished fifth, his third consecutive fifth-place finish. Babb, who is seeking his third 'Hell Tour' championship, extends his point lead heading into the final three events of the 2011 DIRTcar Summer Nationals to 285 points over Scott James of Lawrenceburg, Ind., and 352 points over Erb. The DIRTcar Summer Nationals return to action Friday, July 15 at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park.
Fourth starting Jeep Van Wormer stalks Brandon Sheppard before moving up to the second spot at Spoon River Speedway. Sheppard trailed him in third at the finish. (Mike Ruefer) 
Shannon Babb circles Spoon River Speedway Thursday before taking his familiar #18 to his fourth
straight win on the tour and his seventh overall. (Mike Ruefer)
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Big Gains for Hubbard, Pearson, Ogle - The A-Team Has Been Updated 05-15-12
Scott James battles #13 Barry Doss in heat race action at Florence (Ky.) Speedway, but in the $2,000-to-win feature, the only thing anyone saw was the tail end of James' #81 car. (Roy Walker)
After plenty of trash-talking via the electronic media between Jeff Matthews and Ivedent Lloyd last week, it was #21 Lloyd who got the final word as he reeled in #33 Matthews to win Friday's LM feature at Oclala, Fla.'s Bubba Raceway Park. (R.E. Wing)
Fans at Markleysburg, Pa.'s Roaring Knob Motorsports Comlex were treated to dual LM features Saturday - one a makeup from a May 5th rainout. (Above) Tim Senic challenges eventual regular feature winner Chuck Harper, while Jared Hawkins (below) claimed the makeup race. (Tommy Micheals)
Henley, Missouri's Jason Russell leads the way to Victory Lane in the ULMS Late Model feature at Lucas Oil Speedway Saturday. (Chris Bork)
Some fierce racing action at Lucas Oil speedway. (Chris Bork)
Dalton, Ga.'s Craig Reece returned to Dixie Speedway Saturday and led all the way to win the Crate LM victory. (Steve Hixson)
Ray Guss Jr. races last week's Quad City Speedway winner, Mike Murphy, Jr. This time, it was advantage Guss. (Chris Damitz)
With a strong motor back into his mount, Veteran Lamar Scoggins claimed last Friday's Crate LM victory at Boyd's Speedway. (Steve Hixson)
Veteran racer Lance Matthees navigates Spring Lake, Minnesota's Deer Creek Speedway before taking Saturday's WISSOTA Late Model checkers. (Jason Durst)
Racing hard at mid-pack, it's the dueling 55s of Cory Mahder (inside) and Greg Nippoldt at Deer Creek. (Jason Durst)
Ryan King (above and below) swept both the Ltd. Late Model and Crate Late Model features Saturday at 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, Tenn. (Chad Wells)
Still riding his wave in Iowa, Mike Murphy, Jr. in early action before taking the main event win at Davenport last Friday. (Chris Damitz)
Jason Jameson ran a gauntlet to finally capture another win Friday night at Moler
Raceway Park (see main page). (Roy
Walker)
After holding back a charge from Alex Ferree, Chub Frank drove home with a Friday night win at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. (John Stivason)
Bobby Pierce, Brett Sievert, and Mike Glynn race in a tight pack in Kankakee (Ill.) Speedway's "Crosstown Cup", but (below) it was ultimately Shawn Toczek (42) here racing the high side of Mike Provenzano, who sailed to the win. (Dan Simpson)
NALMS Suspends Remaining Season
In a statement released to the racing media Monday, Northern All All Stars Late Model Series (NALMS) owners Shawn Hall and Bob Mooney relased the following statement:
To all NALMS drivers and fans,
Northern Allstars Late Model Series regrets to inform all of our drivers and fans that as of today (May 14, 2012) we will suspend all series races for the remaining 2012 season. The primary reason for the decision to discontinue the series was mainly economics. Tracks, teams and fans are having a hard time these days with the cost of living in general. With the cost of fuel, parts, tires, tickets and lodging, many people just cannot afford to travel to our shows, so we feel it's best to stop for now and try to regroup for the 2013 season.
Our series needs to be able to have at least 18 to 20 shows to cover our cost of putting on these shows and our drivers point funds. With many tracks cutting back on their special events and other tracks just choosing not to have specials at all, it's has really cut our options for race tracks down to a very few unless you are willing to travel several hours away from the Central Illinois area, and that is not cost effective for the racing teams or fans.
In closing we would like to thank all of the drivers and fans whom have supported the series over the years and we hope to be able to come back with a bigger and better season for everyone in 2013.
A-Team Leaders from 1997-2011 (Click on link for complete rundown)
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