10/15/2022
Brian Shirley
Shirley finishes second in Lucas Oil MLRA finale at Tri-City
Friday night found Bob Cullen Racing pilot Brian Shirley in action at Tri-City Speedway (Granite City, Ill.) for the two-day event to close out the 2022 campaign for the Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association (MLRA). (Mike Ruefer photos)
Drawing 33 Late Models, Shirley laid down the sixth-fastest time in his group before placing third in his heat. Starting the preliminary feature in 11th, Brian advanced through the field seven spots in the 30-lapper to register a fourth-place finish. He followed Trevor Gundaker, Logan Martin, and Gordy Gundaker across the line with Jason Feger coming in fifth.
On Saturday, Brian secured his spot into the $7,000-to-win MLRA finale with a heat race victory. Earning the fourth-starting position, Shirley overtook Billy Moyer for the lead on the 10th circuit held the top spot for the next 24 circuits. A late race slider by another competitor dropped him to second when the checkered flew, trailing Logan Martin to the checkers with Rusty Schlenk rounding out the podium.