Shannon Babb at Mcon Speedway. (Jimmy Dearing)

DirtCar Summer Nationals: Babb's "Herald & Review" Win Icing On the Cake

MACON, Ill. - July 21. Shannon Babb has earned his title by a landslide for the 2011 DIRTcar Summer Nationals" tour, but his win streak continued through Thursday's previously rained out "Herald & Review" at Macon Speedway. Babb returned to his "home" track for his sixth straight win on the tour.

Starting seventh of the 100-lap grind, Babb took his time, advancing toward the front before getting by leader Brandon Sheppard after a late caution on lap 87.

Brian Shirley had hopes of winning one trophy on the 2011 tour when he started on the pole spot and took over the lead from Jack Sullivan on the second lap. With a caution on lap 39, however, Babb and Sheppard were poised to make a run at their fellow Illois racer. Shirley, driving a Tim Lance car, found himself on the top side of a three-wide configuration with Babb and Sheppard, who drove past on the low side to become the race's third leader.

Sheppard was able to keep Babb at bay until the race's fourth caution flew. Babb turned up the heat and made the winning pass with 13 laps to go. Sheppard hung on to second to finish ahead of Shirley and perennial Summer Nationals competitors Jason Feger and Dennis Erb, Jr.

Shannon Babb is challenged on the inside by Brandon Sheppard as the pair race by Tim Lance at Macon Speedway. (Jimmy Dearing)

July 21 - Macon Speedway Summer Nationals (makeup) - Herald & Review 100 1) Shannon Babb, 2) Brandon Sheppard, 3) Brian Shirley, 4) Jason Feger, 5) Dennis Erb, 6) Ryan Unzicker, 7) Steve Sheppard, 8) Frankie Martin, 9) Donny Walden, 10) Chris Dick, 11) Tim Lance, 12) Matt Taylor, 13) Mike Spatola, 14) Brian Diveley, 15) Cory Daugherty, 16) Jack Sullivan, 17) Don Cisco, 18) Kyle Logue, 19) Kevin Weaver, 20) Terry Reed, 21) Mark Voigt, 22) Rodney Standerfer Heat winners (31 entries): Walden: Sullivan, Sheppard, Shirley
Jim Denhamer photo