Kellen Burns

ALEXANDER, Ill. - June 24. Race fans saw a familiar face grace victory lane Thursday at Shepp's Speedway during Night nine of the DIRTcar Summer Nationals.

Repeating his performance from the 2009 version of the Hell Tour's visit to Shepp's, Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., used the low side of the tiny quarter-mile oval to sneak past Chatham, Ill., driver Brian Shirley on lap five and lead the remainder of the 40 lap feature to claim the $5,000 winner's check.

Billy Moyer Jr. of Batesville, Ark., started ninth but worked his way to second, and pulled to the rear deck lid of Babb, only to settle for the runner-up position. Jeep Van Wormer of Pinconning, Mich., climbed two positions from fifth to finish in the top three while Rodney Melvin of Benton, Ill., and Tim Lance of Brimfield, Ill., rounded out the top five.

Summernationals - Shepp's Speedway - June 24 (1) Shannon Babb, (2) Billy Moyer, Jr., (3) Jeep Van Wormer, (4) Rodney Melvin, (5) Tim Lance, (6) Brian Shirley, (7) Jack Sullivan, (8) Dennis Erb Jr., (9) Brandon Sheppard, (10) Ryan Unzicker, (11) Jason Feger, (12) Donny Walden, (13) Michael Kloos, (14) Mike Hammerle (prov.), (15) Ryan Little, (16) Steve Sheppard Jr., (17) Richie Hedrick, (18) Brian Dively, (19) Jason Jameson, (20) Adam Mefford (prov.), (21) Wendell Wallace (prov.). Fast Time (43 entries): Van Wormer (11.888 secs.) Heat winners: Feger, Shirley, Babb, Unzicker. C-Main winner: Dick Taylor. B-Main winner: Steve Sheppard.
Mike Ruefer photo