Miller Captures Oakshade Raceway Win, Babb Scores Fourth Career DIRTcar Summer Nationals Title
By Jordan Morris
WAUSEON, Ohio. July 19, 2014 On the night of champions, local star Matt Miller charged his way from the third position to capture the lead on lap 17 en route to claiming the $10,000 checkered flag at his hometown track of Oakshade Raceway for the second year in-a-row, and third time in his career.
Shannon Babb, who only needed a 19th place finish to secure his fourth DIRTcar Summer Nationals title, finished in the third position and easily scored the $25,000 series title for the first time since 2011.
Miller, of Whitehouse, Ohio, started the 40-lap feature from the third position as Mason Zeigler and Jeep Van Wormer started on the front row. Zeigler, after winning Thursday and Friday nights, looked as if he would accomplish the three-night sweep after jumping out to an early lead.
Saturday night had the look of the previous two nights as Zeigler managed to dominate the opening 16-laps of the feature. Unlike his previous two victories, the leader was reeled in by Miller who passed Van Wormer for second on lap five, and tracked down the leader by lap 16.
Miller, the 1991 Oakshade Raceway track champion, powered around Zeiglers outside on lap 17, completing the pass and securing the lead. Miller stretched his lead by the halfway point as Zeigler came under fire from championship hopeful Ryan Unzicker for second.
Unzicker, who started the night 45-markers behind Shannon Babb for the title, worked his way around Zeigler for second just before Zeigler lost control of his car, causing the races only caution on lap 38. Unzicker pressured Miller for the top spot but fell short of claiming the victory yet again as he finished second for the seventh time of the 2014 season.
Miller led 24 laps and defeated Unzicker by .759 of a second en route to claiming the checkered flag for the second year in-a-row at his hometown track of Oakshade Raceway.
This one is fun, Miller said in victory lane. Theres always going to be a race in September (the World 100 at nearby Eldora Speedway) thats at the top of my list, but this is definitely a good one. Were close to home and weve got tons of fans and people I know up there in the stands, so theres no doubt I get pumped up for this race.
Shannon Babb, of Moweaqua, Ill., started the feature in the seventh position, just behind championship rivals Ryan Unzicker and Brian Shirley. Babb chased Unzicker through the field, eventually finding their way to the front, as Shirley was a non-factor and finished in the sixth position.
Babb did what he needed to do in order to recapture the championship trophy. Babb glued himself to Unzickers back-bumper, and even challenged him for the second position in the final stages of the race.
Babb settled for a third place finish – which was his series leading 17th top-five finish to go with four victories as he captured his fourth career DIRTcar Summer Nationals title by 38-points over Ryan Unzicker.
Its really hard to get these, said Babb, who admitted to getting nervous before the race started. Thirty nights of racing is a lot. You have a lot of ups and downs, but we got it done.
(Click here for news and information on the DIRTcar Summer Nationals.)
Brandon Sheppard and Jeep Van Wormer rounded out the top five.
Heat race winners were Zeigler, Miller, Sheppard and Van Wormer.
DIRTcar Summer Nationals Statistical Report; Oakshade Raceway; Wauseon, Ohio; July 19, 2014;
A-Main (40-laps): 1. 3-Matt Miller ($10,000), 2. 24-Ryan Unzicker, 3. 18-Shannon Babb, 4. B5-Brandon Sheppard, 5. 55-Jeep Van Wormer, 6. 81-Brian Shirley, 7. 32J-Jason Jaggers, 8. 21D-Dan Stone, 9. 20C-Duane Chamberlain, 10. 23V-Ryan Vanderveen, 11. 25Z-Mason Zeigler, 12. 49-Brian Ruhlman, 13. 91-Rusty Schlenk, 14. 77K-Steve Kester, 15. 9R-Curtis Roberts, 16. 1N-Casey Noonan, 17. 99M-Devin Moran, 18. 81JR-Jason Riggs, 19. 25L-Steve Lance Jr, 20. 0-Chris Keller, 21. 6M-Dona Marcoullier, 22. 20-Doug Drown.
2014 DIRTcar Summer Nationals Schedule
Date | Day | Track | Location | Win |
June 11 | Wed | Brownstown Speedway | Brownstown, Ind. | RAIN |
June 12 | Thur | Kankakee Co. Speedway | Kankakee, Ill. | Billy Moyer |
June 13 | Fri | Cedar Lake Speedway | Somerset, Wis. | Rick Eckert |
June 14 | Sat | Cedar Lake Speedway | Somerset, Wis. | RAIN |
June 15 | Sun | Wilmot Raceway | Wilmot, Wis. | Rick Eckert(2) |
June 16 | Mon | Off | ||
June 17 | Tue | Farley Speedway | Farley, Iowa | Shannon Babb |
June 18 | Wed | Spoon River Speedway | Canton, Ill. | Jason Feger |
June 19 | Thur | Quincy Raceways | Quincy, Ill. | RAIN |
June 20 | Fri | Tri-City Speedway | Pontoon Beach, Ill. | Billy Moyer(2) |
June 21 | Sat | Fairbury Speedway | Fairbury, Ill. | RAIN |
June 22 | Sun | I-96 Speedway | Ionia, Mich. | Brian Shirley |
June 23 | Mon | Peoria Speedway | Peoria, Ill. | Brandon Sheppard |
June 24 | Tue | Off | ||
June 25 | Wed | Clarksville Speedway | Clarksville, Tenn. | Shannon Babb(2) |
June 26 | Thur | Clayhill Motorsports | Atwood, Tenn. | Brian Shirley (2) |
June 27 | Fri | Paducah Int. Raceway | Paducah, Ky. | RAIN |
June 28 | Sat | Federated Auto Parts Raceway | Pevely, Mo. | Brian Birkhofer |
June 29 | Sun | Lincoln Speedway | Lincoln, Ill. | Brady Smith |
June 30 | Mon | Off | ||
July 1 | Tue | Belle Clair Speedway | Belleville, Ill. | Bobby Pierce |
July 2 | Wed | Jacksonville Speedway | Jacksonville, Ill. | Jason Feger(2) |
July 3 | Thur | LaSalle Speedway | LaSalle, Ill. | Brian Birkhofer(2) |
July 4 | Fri | Fayette Co. Speedway | Brownstown, Ill. | Brandon Sheppard(2) |
July 5 | Sat | Highland Speedway | Highland, Ill. | Tyler Reddick |
July 6 | Sun | Tri-State Speedway | Haubstadt, Ind. | Billy Moyer(3) |
July 7 | Mon | Off | ||
July 8 | Tue | Florence Speedway | Union, Ky. | Jason Jameson |
July 9 | Wed | Terre Haute Action Track | Terre Haute, Ind. | Billy Moyer(4) |
July 10 | Thur | Macon Speedway | Macon, Ill. | Shannon Babb(3) |
July 11 | Fri | Farmer City Raceway | Farmer City, Ill. | Billy Moyer(5) |
July 12 | Sat | 34 Raceway | Burlington, Iowa | Billy Moyer (6) |
July 13 | Sun | Vermilion Co. Speedway | Danville, Ill. | Shannon Babb(4) |
July 14 | Mon | Off | ||
July 15 | Tue | TBA | ||
July 16 | Wed | Atomic Speedway | Chillicothe, Ohio | Brian Shirley (3) |
July 17 | Thur | Brushcreek Motorsports Complex | Peebles, Ohio | Mason Zeigler |
July 18 | Fri | Attica Raceway Park | Attica, Ohio | Mason Zeigler (2) |
July 19 | Sat | Oakshade Raceway | Wauseon, Ohio | Matt Miller |
The DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour is brought to fans across the country by many important partners including: Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Racing Electronics (Official Communication), Velocita (Official Uniform), VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to these fine Contingency Partners: Beyea Headers, Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Dominator Race Products, Edelbrock, Fox Shocks, JE Pistons, JRI Shocks, Mobil 1, MSD, Quartermaster, Superflow Dynos, Summit Racing Equipment and Wrisco Aluminum; Promotional Partners include: Chevy Performance Parts, Indiana Decal, Intercomp and Petroff Towing.
Super Late Models – A-Main
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 3 3 Matt Miller Findlay , Oh
2 5 24 Ryan Unzicker El Paso, Il
3 7 18 Shannon Babb Moweaqua , Il
4 4 B5 Brandon Sheppard New Berlin, Il
5 2 55 Jeep Van Wormer Pinconning , Mi
6 6 81 Brian Shirley Chatham , Il
7 9 32J Jason Jaggers Wyanet , Il
8 8 21D Dan Stone Thompson , Pa
9 10 20C Duane Chamberlain Richmond , In
10 16 23V Ryan Vanderveen Six Lakes, Mi
11 1 25Z Mason Zeigler Uniontown , Pa
12 12 49 Brian Ruhlman Clarklake , Mi
13 13 91 Rusty Schlenk Weston , Oh
14 18 77K Steve Kester Holland , Oh
15 22 9R Curtis Roberts Coleman , Mi DNF
16 17 1N Casey Noonan Toledo , Oh DNF
17 14 99M Devin Moran Dresden , Oh DNF
18 11 81JR Jason Riggs Harrisburg , Il DNF
19 19 25L Steve Lance Jr Cuba , Il DNF
20 21 0 Chris Keller Adrian , Mi DNF
21 20 6M Dona Marcoullier Houguton Lake, Mi DNF
22 15 20 Doug Drown Wooster , Oh DNF
Super Late Models – B-Main
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 3 1N Casey Noonan Toledo , Oh
2 2 77K Steve Kester Holland , Oh
3 1 6M Dona Marcoullier Houguton Lake, Mi
4 8 1B Jeff Babcock Wayne , Oh
5 4 1C Wayne Chinn Bradford , Oh
6 7 9R Curtis Roberts Coleman , Mi
7 5 15H Jon Henry Ada , Oh
8 10 0 Chris Keller Adrian , Mi
9 12 53H Hillard Miller Defiance , Oh
10 14 75 Dusty Moore Swanton , Oh
11 6 49L Matt Lindsey Adrian , Mi
12 13 102D Curtis Deisenroth Oak Harbor, Oh
13 16 35 Ron Miller Lambertville , Mi DNF
14 15 50Y Ryan Missler Bellevue , Oh DNF
15 9 51S Devin Shiels Britton , Mi DNF
16 11 27H Ken Hahn Gibsonburg , Oh DNS
Super Late Models – C-Main 2
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 2 75 Dusty Moore Swanton , Oh
2 1 35 Ron Miller Lambertville , Mi
3 3 51 Jamie Oldfield Morley , Pe
4 8 74D Craig Dippman Oregon , Oh
5 7 39 Amy Clair Toledo , Oh
6 6 8 Rob Anderzack Metamora , Oh
7 9 2C Mark Pifer Coldwater , Mi
8 5 29 Rocky Owens Mansfield , Oh DNF
9 4 98 Steve Sabo Fremont , Oh DNF
Super Late Models – C-Main 1
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 2 102D Curtis Deisenroth Oak Harbor, Oh
2 1 50Y Ryan Missler Bellevue , Oh
3 5 21T Derek Thebo Ionia , Mi
4 6 42* Bob Mayer Holland , Oh
5 8 69R Doug Baird Aluada , Oh
6 7 66 Bobby Hutchins Wauseon , Oh
7 9 95 Steve Miller Toledo , Oh
8 10 101Z Chad Zuver Alvordton , Oh
9 3 25L Steve Lance Jr Cuba , Il DNF
10 4 34 Herb Reich Ann Arbor, Mi DNF
11 11 31 Daniel Gehring Pettisville , Oh DNS
Super Late Models – Heat Race 4
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 1 55 Jeep Van Wormer Pinconning , Mi
2 2 21D Dan Stone Thompson , Pa
3 5 49 Brian Ruhlman Clarklake , Mi
4 7 23V Ryan Vanderveen Six Lakes, Mi
5 10 1C Wayne Chinn Bradford , Oh
6 3 1B Jeff Babcock Wayne , Oh
7 4 53H Hillard Miller Defiance , Oh
8 6 75 Dusty Moore Swanton , Oh
9 8 98 Steve Sabo Fremont , Oh
10 9 8 Rob Anderzack Metamora , Oh
11 11 74D Craig Dippman Oregon , Oh
Super Late Models – Heat Race 3
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 1 B5 Brandon Sheppard New Berlin, Il
2 3 18 Shannon Babb Moweaqua , Il
3 7 81JR Jason Riggs Harrisburg , Il
4 6 20 Doug Drown Wooster , Oh
5 2 1N Casey Noonan Toledo , Oh
6 5 9R Curtis Roberts Coleman , Mi
7 8 27H Ken Hahn Gibsonburg , Oh
8 9 35 Ron Miller Lambertville , Mi
9 10 51 Jamie Oldfield Morley , Pe
10 4 29 Rocky Owens Mansfield , Oh
11 11 39 Amy Clair Toledo , Oh
12 12 2C Mark Pifer Coldwater , Mi
Super Late Models – Heat Race 2
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 1 3 Matt Miller Findlay , Oh
2 2 81 Brian Shirley Chatham , Il
3 4 20C Duane Chamberlain Richmond , In
4 3 99M Devin Moran Dresden , Oh
5 5 77K Steve Kester Holland , Oh
6 7 49L Matt Lindsey Adrian , Mi
7 6 0 Chris Keller Adrian , Mi
8 8 102D Curtis Deisenroth Oak Harbor, Oh
9 10 34 Herb Reich Ann Arbor, Mi
10 9 42* Bob Mayer Holland , Oh
11 11 69R Doug Baird Aluada , Oh
12 12 101Z Chad Zuver Alvordton , Oh DNF
Super Late Models – Heat Race 1
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 1 25Z Mason Zeigler Uniontown , Pa
2 2 24 Ryan Unzicker El Paso, Il
3 3 32J Jason Jaggers Wyanet , Il
4 5 91 Rusty Schlenk Weston , Oh
5 7 6M Dona Marcoullier Houguton Lake, Mi
6 6 15H Jon Henry Ada , Oh
7 4 51S Devin Shiels Britton , Mi
8 8 50Y Ryan Missler Bellevue , Oh
9 9 25L Steve Lance Jr Cuba , Il
10 10 21T Derek Thebo Ionia , Mi
11 11 66 Bobby Hutchins Wauseon , Oh
12 13 95 Steve Miller Toledo , Oh
13 12 31 Daniel Gehring Pettisville , Oh DNF
Super Late Models – Qualifying 2
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 23 B5 Brandon Sheppard New Berlin, Il
2 11 55 Jeep Van Wormer Pinconning , Mi
3 2 1N Casey Noonan Toledo , Oh
4 6 21D Dan Stone Thompson , Pa
5 16 18 Shannon Babb Moweaqua , Il
6 21 1B Jeff Babcock Wayne , Oh
7 5 29 Rocky Owens Mansfield , Oh
8 17 53H Hillard Miller Defiance , Oh
9 3 9R Curtis Roberts Coleman , Mi
10 19 49 Brian Ruhlman Clarklake , Mi
11 15 20 Doug Drown Wooster , Oh
12 8 75 Dusty Moore Swanton , Oh
13 22 81JR Jason Riggs Harrisburg , Il
14 18 23V Ryan Vanderveen Six Lakes, Mi
15 4 27H Ken Hahn Gibsonburg , Oh
16 9 98 Steve Sabo Fremont , Oh
17 20 35 Ron Miller Lambertville , Mi
18 7 8 Rob Anderzack Metamora , Oh
19 12 51 Jamie Oldfield Morley , Pe
20 14 1C Wayne Chinn Bradford , Oh
21 13 39 Amy Clair Toledo , Oh
22 10 74D Craig Dippman Oregon , Oh
23 1 2C Mark Pifer Coldwater , Mi
Super Late Models – Qualifying 1
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 7 25Z Mason Zeigler Uniontown , Pa
2 10 3 Matt Miller Findlay , Oh
3 3 24 Ryan Unzicker El Paso, Il
4 2 81 Brian Shirley Chatham , Il
5 4 32J Jason Jaggers Wyanet , Il
6 1 99M Devin Moran Dresden , Oh
7 5 51S Devin Shiels Britton , Mi
8 6 20C Duane Chamberlain Richmond , In
9 11 91 Rusty Schlenk Weston , Oh
10 15 77K Steve Kester Holland , Oh
11 16 15H Jon Henry Ada , Oh
12 17 0 Chris Keller Adrian , Mi
13 24 6M Dona Marcoullier Houguton Lake, Mi
14 8 49L Matt Lindsey Adrian , Mi
15 12 50Y Ryan Missler Bellevue , Oh
16 23 102D Curtis Deisenroth Oak Harbor, Oh
17 14 25L Steve Lance Jr Cuba , Il
18 20 42* Bob Mayer Holland , Oh
19 18 21T Derek Thebo Ionia , Mi
20 21 34 Herb Reich Ann Arbor, Mi
21 9 66 Bobby Hutchins Wauseon , Oh
22 19 69R Doug Baird Aluada , Oh
23 22 31 Daniel Gehring Pettisville , Oh
24 25 101Z Chad Zuver Alvordton , Oh
25 13 95 Steve Miller Toledo , Oh