4/1/2023
Brian Shirley
12th-place finish in MLRA Spring Nationals opener at Wheatland
After losing the Illini 100 weekend at Farmer City Raceway (Farmer City, Ill.) to wet weather, Brian Shirley unloaded the Bob Cullen Racing No. 3s Late Model at Lucas Oil Speedway (Wheatland, Mo.) for the two-day event with the Lucas Oil Midwest Late Model Racing Association (MLRA).
Drawing 48 Late Models, Brian edged his way into the Friday’s prelim with the fourth-and-final transfer spot in his heat race. With $5,000 on the line, Shirley clawed forward four positions in the 40-lapper to finish 12th.
For the second round of the MLRA Spring Nationals on Saturday, Shirley laid down the third-fastest lap in his time trial group before placing first in his heat. Starting the $10,000-to-win finale in sixth, Brian ran in the top-five the majority of the race but late-race contact in the final 10 circuits dropped him to 14th.
Full results from the event are available at www.MLRARacing.com.
Article Credit: Todd Boyd image