6/25/2021
Brian Shirley
Shirley records second straight Hell Tour triumph
Mother Nature only permitted two DIRTcar Summer Nationals events to be contested last week, and while she was stingy with the racing opportunities, Brian Shirley was even more stingy with the wins. (Jim DenHamer photos)
The Illinois’ racer picked up wins in both events aboard his Bob Cullen Racing / Thomason Express No. 3s J&J Ventures & Gaming/ Hoker Trucking / XR1 Rocket Chassis / Durham Racing Engine Super Late Model.
Pushing his 2021-victory total to six, Shirley picked up a $5,000 triumph on Wednesday at La Salle Speedway before claiming the $10,000 top prize on Friday evening at Sycamore Speedway.
“It was a tough weather week for the teams and the tour, but we made the most of our opportunities. On Wednesday night at La Salle I didn’t feel too much pressure out front, but on Friday night at Sycamore you can bet I knew (Bobby) Pierce was back there. I felt like I couldn’t shake him, and we’re just lucky that we were able to stay ahead of him,” Shirley noted. “It's huge for my team and all my sponsors and (car owners) Bob and Lisa Cullen and my family to come out here and gain some momentum this week. Hopefully, we can get another win or two this next week.”
On Wednesday afternoon Brian Shirley followed the DIRTcar Summer Nationals to La Salle Speedway (LaSalle, Ill.) for the sixth round of the Hell Tour. In a field of 35 cars, Brian topped the speed charts in time trials before picking up a heat race win. Earning the pole position for the A-Main, Shirley led wire-to-wire in the 40-lapper to register his fifth win of the season and 34th-career series triumph. He finished ahead of Garrett Alberson, Ryan Unzicker, Billy Moyer Jr., and Chris Simpson to pocket $5,000.
After Thursday's event at Spoon River Speedway (Banner, Ill.) was postponed to July 7 by wet weather, Bob Cullen Racing headed to Sycamore Speedway (Maple Park, Ill.) on Friday afternoon. With 28 cars on hand for the seventh round of the Hell Tour, Shirley registered the second-fastest time in qualifying before cruising to a 10-lap heat race victory.
Leading flag-to-flag in the feature, Brian charged to his sixth win of the season, which came over Bobby Pierce, Ashton Winger, Ryan Unzicker, and Jason Feger. He captured $10,000 for his 35th-career Hell Tour victory.
Mother Nature axed both Saturday and Sunday's events at Federated Raceway at I-55 (Pevely, Mo.) and Jacksonville Speedway (Jacksonville, Ill.).
Brian climbed to third in the latest Summer Nationals point standings. For complete results, please visit www.DIRTcarSummerNationals.com.
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