By: Ron Burt
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The 39th annual Dirt Car Summer Nationals has come to an end. The grueling 5 week schedule in 33 days, had 29 Late Model Races and 25 Modified events in 9 Midwest states this year. The tour started in Peoria Illinois, June 12th and ended at Wayne County Speedway in Orrville Ohio July 14th.
The first Michigan stop was Butler Motor Speedway on July 11th. The late Model victory went to the series points leader, Texan, Tyler Erb. This was his 9th win and another $5000.00 payday. The following night the tour was at Michigan’s Crystal Motor Speedway where on a late race pass 27 year old Erb picked up his 10th feature win. On the following evening the tour was at Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon. Most people know the evet here as the Birthday Race. Named after the track’s builder and first owner. Georgia driver Ashton Winger, likes Oakshade and always has his car dialed in. Saturday was work as usual for him and he got his 3rd victory at the track in the past 4 years. The Summer Nationals ended the 2024 tour at Wayne County Speedway on Sunday. At the very beginning of the series Tyler Erb had no intentions of competing for the over-all championship but on Sunday he won his 11th feature putting an exclamation point on the point standings. He picked up a check for $10,000.00.
Tuesday, July 16th, Attica Raceway Park hosted the 36th annual Brad Doty Classic for the World of Outlaws 410 Winged Sprints. All eyes were on the defending champion Kyle Larson who’s won three of the last four. Last Tuesday in a very close hard fought race between 5 great World of Outlaw drivers. Carson Macedo led laps 1-7 before three time Doty Classic winner Kyle Larson took the lead on lap eight only to see Macedo regain the top spot a circuit later. David Gravel, who started third, drove into the lead on lap 17. Gravel built a nearly three second lead when the caution flew on lap 26. The race for second had been fantastic involving Macedo, Logan Schuchart and Larson. Following a fuel stop, Gravel continued to lead while 11th starter Donny Schatz with a bent up front wing, charged into second while Larson, Macedo, Cory Day and Giovanni Scelzi battled hard for third. With five laps to go Gravel had caught the back of the pack and Schatz closed in but ran out of time as Gravel took the checkers. Schatz, Larson, Macedo and Day rounded out the top five. It was a $10,000.00 payday for winner David Gravel.
Last week was another Reveal the Hammer win for Outlaw Late Model driver, Steve Needles. He won the Kalamazoo Klash and picked up some beautiful hardware and a big check.
The Supermodifieds are getting ready for the Hy-Miler weekend at Sandusky Speedway July 24th-27th. Saturday, July 27th the Supers will run 100 laps around the ½ mile paved oval. If you like fast cars this is one pavement race you need to add to your calendar. It’s great racing all 3 nights and camping is available. Next week I’ll recap the Kings Royal from Eldora. Until next week, keep your wheels down. Ron out!
