August 18
La Salle Speedway,
La Salle, IL
Sanction: American Ethanol Late Model Tour (DIRTcar) - $4,000
Information provided by: Series reports (last updated August 19, 1:48 pm)
Shirley dominates for first Ethanol victory
- Brian Shirley
- Dennis Erb Jr.
- Billy Drake
- Brandon Thirlby
- Mike Mataragas
- Jose Parga
- Travis Stemler
- Rich Bell
- Taylor Scheffler
- Rob Toland
- Chad Holladay
- Mark Rose
- Phil Ausra
- Eric Spangler
- David Mielke
- Spencer Diercks
- Scott Schmitt
- Scott Fisk
- Jason Feger
- Mike Provenzano
- Jonathan Brauns
- John Provenzano
presented by
Mike Ruefer/mikerueferphotos.photoreflect.com
Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., heads to victory at La Salle Speedway.
What won the race: Continuing his strong season, Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., led all 40 laps at La Salle Speedway in outrunning Dennis Erb Jr. for his first career American Ethanol Late Model Series victory. He collected $4,000.
Key notes: Shirley lapped all but nine competitors and finished 2.131 seconds ahead of Dennis Erb Jr. ... Shirley, the 2018 DIRTcar Summer Nationals champion, added another regional tour victory to his campaign, which includes five victories on the MARS Racing Series. ... He rebounded from the previous night's loss at Wilmot (Wis.) Raceway when he was dominating the race but spun in trying to lap a slower car. ... La Salle runner-up Dennis Erb Jr. won Friday's Ethanol-Dirt Kings co-sanctioned event at Wilmot; Shirley was seventh. ... Michigan's Ethanol Tour made its first-ever appearance at La Salle and its only stop in Illinois on the 2018 season.
On the move: Runner-up Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., started eighth; Travis Stemler of Ionia, Mich., started 19th and finished seventh.
Winner's sponsors: Shirley’s Bob Cullen Racing Rocket Chassis is powered by an Andy Durham Racing Engine and sponsored by Thomason Express, Cheap Cars, KBX Graphix, Kid’s Castle Learning Center, Skateland South, Jayco Construction, Kim's Autobody, Vallejo and Popejoy.
Points chase: Entering the weekend, Brandon Thirlby (536) led the Ethanol series over Eric Spangler (532) and Nick Kurtz (505).
Car count: 35
Fast qualifier: Brian Shirley
Time: 13.374 seconds
Polesitter: Brandon Thirlby
Heat race winners: Jose Parga, Rich Bell, Brian Shirley, Dennis Erb Jr.
Consolation race winners: Jonathan Brauns
Next series race: September 2, Merritt Speedway (Lake City, MI) $4,000
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.
