Independence Week Preview: The Great American Race-cation
Independence Week Preview: The Great American Race-cation The DIRTcar Summer Nationals and Summit Racing Equipment Modified National will enter it’s 4th segment during America’s Independence Day celebratory week. Independence Week presented by FK Rods Ends will see the tour venture south of the Mason-Dixon Line before visiting the heart of Illinois. Race fans looking for a 4th of July get-away need look to further then July 3-9 with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals.
Looking back at Challenge Week presented by Algaier Shocks and Midwest Speed Expo, we saw Summer Nationals drivers squared off against the World of Outlaw Craftsman Late Models in a two-night shoot-out proceeded by a stop at LaSalle Speedway (IL).
Tour regular Brian Shirley of Chatham, IL brought home his first win of 2018 at LaSalle Speedway June 28. The win sparked a series of strong runs for Shirley who placed no worse then 4th for the remainder of the week. Shirley has now closed the gap with points leader Shannon Babb to 48 going into Independence Week. Shirley is currently tied with Babb for the Challenge Week points.
Night 1 of the two day Summer Nationals VS World of Outlaw Craftsman Late Model Series weekend saw Devin Moran score his first career Summer Nationals victory. The win came after a late race pass on leader Shannon Babb allowed Moran to cruise to the win at the half-mile Terre Haute Action Track. Moran’s victory marked an important milestone for the young Moran as he has now tied his father Donnie Moran with 1 Summer Nationals career win a piece.
The night 2 conclusion of the shoot-out event was held at the tour’s only 2018 event in the state of Missouri at Federated Auto Parts Speedway at I-55. 2013 tour champion Brandon Sheppard picked up the win while battling off Brian Shirley and a last lap slide job attempt by Devin Moran. The win was Sheppard’s 17th career Summer Nationals victory.
The ultimate race-cation will head out on July 3 to Clarksville Speedway (TN), adding a southern flair to the tour’s Independence Week celebration. The track has been regular stop on the tour since 2009. In that time only Denis Erb has repeated as winner. It will be an interesting stop on this years tour due to the change in surface and track characteristics that come with a southern track. The track is an excellent start foo any Independence Week race-cation.
The tour will return to Illinois for the 4th of July Holiday with a stop at Fayette County Speedway in Brownstown, IL. Last year Brando Sheppard saw victory lane at the 4th of July event at the Illinois based track. The patriotic event will include a fireworks display for the family and is the perfect Independence celebration stop for any race-cation.
The following nights will take place at tour regular tracks Macon and Farmer City Illinois. Tour regulars will be in their element as many of the drivers consider these tracks their “home tracks”. The events will also offer easy travel destinations for fans and drivers alike. Highland Speedway and Quincy Raceway will round out Independence Week presented by FK Rod Ends adding to their long histories with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals. The events will be the driver’s last chance to collect point before Champions Week.
Independence Week begins July 3rd at Clarksville Speedway (TN). Visit thehelltour.com/schedule to view the entire 2018 tour schedule. Follow @Summernationals on Twitter and Facebook for updates during and between race seasons.
