NORTHERN RANKINGS TOP 5: CARRIER, BLAIR, THRILLER & SHIRLEY
story by: Steve Hixson
(12/06/08) – Despite having two (2) less guidelined wins than his closest regional advisary, Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentarsville, Illinois is the 2008 Champion of the Northern RANKINGS Top 5 tallying system. The # 28 "Petroff Towing, J&J Steel, Thomason Express, Peterson Aluminum Corp., PRC" sponsored Rayburn / Rhyne Competition powered, Chevrolet Monte Carlo racer has seven (7) victories this season in $5,000. to-WIN or above Northern RANKINGS events, with nine (9) runner-up tallies, racking up a total of twenty-one (21) Top 5 finishes, not including the "Win's". With that add to his 2008 SummerNationals championship and all in all it's been a pretty good year. According to stats pulled from his www.denniserb.com web-site, the team started 90 events (not all rankable within the system) with seventeen (17) wins and fifty-two (52) Top 5's.
Travelling out of his element and down South for the SUPERBOWL, the WINTERNATIONALS and then SPEEDWEEKS in Georgia and Florida, Erb collected a win and a 5th place nod in Southern RANKINGS events in Tennessee and Alabama. Erb's first Top 5 finish up North came at the very first Northern RANKINGS followed event in Kentucky in mid-March. The runner-up finish was followed up the next night with a 3rd place nod. Erb would get the first of his victories about a month later, winning the $5,000. payday at Quad City. Opening up June, the # 28 grabbed the Macon checkers, followed up two weeks later at Haubstadt. Once the United Mid-Western Promoters SUMMERNATIONAL's got going Top 5's began pouring in, along with a sole victory in Lawrenceburg, IN, before taking his second consecutive SN'L title. A pair of I-55 Raceway victories were corralled by Erb in August, with his final Northern RANKINGS win coming at Eldora in October.
Behind Erb in the rankings is Eddie Carrier Jr., whom obtained nine (9) Northern RANKINGS victories this season in $5,000. to-WIN or above guidelined events this season. Only tallying six (6) other Top 5 finishes would serve as the SALTROCK EXPRESS' Achilles’ Heel, barely keeping 2007 Northern RANKINGS champion Robbie Blair's from the runner-up spot in the Top 5 system. In fact, if Blair had claimed the $22,000. to-WIN Pennsylvania prize October 11th (instead of 4th) the PENNSYLVANIA POSSE leader, would have taken the # 2 seed from Carrier. Darren THE THRILLER Miller tied Blair at six (6) wins this season, yet lacked a mere 35 points in Top 5 tallies, despite collecting the MEGA MONEY in Kentucky in August. Brian Shirley rounds out Erb's Top 5 Northern RANKINGS season, earning five (5) wins, with fifteen (15) Top 5 nods. Only Josh McGuire came closest to Shirley, despite beign ranked just out of the Top 10 in 11th.
Dennis Erb Jr. Congratulations on a phenomenal 2008 season, within the NORTHERN RANKINGS guidelines you have the best over all Top 5 percentage (7WINS, 9SECONDS, 4THIRDS, 4FOURTHS & 4FIFTHS), back in March were you expecting to come outta the box with such strong success (a 2nd and 3rd in the first two-rankings events) - ThankX: we had a real good season before that and it just went from there into 2008. We don't make many big changes and the program was a success, so we just kinda continued to roll-on
How will you prepare this off season anything different from last year, getting ready for the WinterNationals and SpeedWeeks - Again nothing really different, everything will be the same, just some new cars, same chassis' and stuff. It's all the same just new equipment.
What would you consider your toughest track in 2008 & why - There all tough... but Eldora's two races are gonna be at the Top of the list. With the competition level and everything there, you gotta be ontop of your game
Wins started coming just past mid-April and your strong-suit the SUMMERNATIONALS you seemed to hit stride, tell me what that was like - you have collected twice as many runner-up finishes as last seasons champ Robbie Blair (he has 5) - how do seconds rate on the Erb-scale - It's NOT the greatest, but we're running for a championship. You always wanna go out there and win, but to come home second for that whole month, it's real difficult. Which alot of people don't realize what you go through. Trying to maintain two racecars and equipment. There's a difference when the championship is on the line and the points are close. You don't wanna do something stupid or make a mistake.
Who in the racing community are you tight with / someone thats also an advisary - but someone you help & helps you if necessary - if & when possible - I pretty much stick to myself, don't wander out and worry what others are doing and all, there's one young guy Jason McBride that is coming up and he helps me out and I, in turn, try to advise him on how to learn to drive these things respectable out on the road, away from home.
What's it like when you go head to head against the TOP TOURING SERIES (WoOLMs or LUCAS OIL) - invading your tracks / home turf - It's really just another race... I been doing it so long, racing all over, so it doesn't matter whether I am at a local race track or big paying race. If I line up against Scott Bloomquist or Billy Moyer, I gotta race them, just like anybody else. I gotta race them and they gotta race me.
Do you see taking the # 28 team NATIONAL with a series or on the LARGER scale of events - It kinda crosses your mind to do that, but there's just so many races that are closer in my area and more feesible to travel to, especially when you own all your stuff. But, yeah: if opportunity came along that would fit my schedule, style and allowed me the chance, I would consider it.
On the personal side... do you ever get antsy in the off-season - or are things so intense that you're preparring for SPEEDWEEKS/WINTERNATIONALS - Usually after were done racing, we take a week and relax, you know, we don't worry about having to get to the race track. But like most of us.... after that first week, we're ready to get back to racing.
Whats your take on Crate Motor Late Models - I just got back from East Bay, with my first ever Crate Motor race. IT WAS DIFFERENT! I had to adjust a few things like getting the car to work, cause that horsepower is missing.
What's the Erb house-hold like... Describe family functions in and around the racing camp and away from it - Nothing really outta the norm. We had Christmas at my place, my sister, grandparents do the family thing like everyone I suspect does in some shape.
The # 28 tell me of that significant - My dads first racecar that he had was # 28 but then later he raced # 26 mainly. So I decided to go with his first number and it's been that ever since.
What race is DEEP within the back of your mind, that you'd like to be VICTORIOUS other than ELDORA's biggies - Any of the CROWN JEWEL races... Dirt Track World Championship - North/South. Although Florence isn't one of my strong racetracks, so I need to get over there and get better. The JACKSON 100 is high on my wanna win list, I run good at Brownstown, and actually the NATIONAL 100 is one I'd like to get. Phenix City is a good time every year.
Dennis wrapped up the Northern RANKINGS interview expressing his thanks to all his sponsors and contributors. Every one of the stickers on the racecar means alot to me. The racing community and family as a whole is a wonderful thing to be apart of, so we'll be seeing everyone towards late January.
Northern RANKINGS
Official 2008 Results
Driver Car # Hometown Points Wins
1 … Dennis Erb Jr. # 28 of Carpentarsville, IL 695 PTS. 7
2 … Eddie Carrier Jr # 28 of Salt Rock, WV 550 PTS. 9
3 … Robbie Blair # WON11 of Titusville, PA 520 PTS. 6
4 … Darren Miller # 32D of Chadwick, IL 485 PTS. 6
5 … Brian Shirley # 3S of Chatham, IL 400 PTS. 5
6 … Wes Steidenger # J1 of Fairbury, IL 355 PTS. 3
7 … Tim Dohm # 6T of Shinnston, WV 320 PTS. 2
8 … Jason Covert # 43A of York Haven, PA 285 PTS. 2
9 … Donnie Moran # 99 of Dresden, OH 260 PTS. 3
10 … Jeremy Miller # 24 of Gettysburg, PA 240 PTS. 3
11 … Josh McGuire # 41 of Grayson, KY 230 PTS. 4
12 … Jeep Van Wormer # 55 of Pinnconning, MI 230 PTS. 2
13 … Jason Feger # 25 of Bloomington, IL 225 PTS. 2
14 … Mike Marlar # 78 of Winfield, TN 190 PTS. 3
15 … John Kaanta # 85 of Elk Mound, WI 180 PTS. 3
16 … Randy Korte # 00 of Highland, IL 175 PTS. 1
17 … Terry Phillips # 75 of Springfield, MO 165 PTS. 2
18 … Chad Simpson # 25 of Mount Vernon, IA 160 PTS. 2
19 … Kevin Weaver # B12 of Gibson City, IL 155 PTS. 1
20 … Kevin Claycomb # 16C of Vincennes, IN 140 PTS. 1
21 … Will Vaught # 22 of Springfield, MO 135 PTS. 1
22 … Brad Neat # 41 of Dunnville, KY 110 PTS. 1
23 … Jeff Rine # 92 of Danville, PA 100 PTS. 2
24 … Steve Shaver # 30 of Vienna, WV 100 PTS. 1
25 … Don O'Neal # 71 of Martinsville, IN 100 PTS. 0
26 … Rick Aukland # 12 of Zanesville, OH 95 PTS. 1
27 … D.J. Myers # 07 of Greencastle, PA 95 PTS. 1
28 … Rod Conley # 71C of Wheelersburg, OH 85 PTS. 1
29 … Terry English # 96 of Benton, KY 85 PTS. 1
30 … Dave Hess Jr. # 44 of Waterford, PA 85 PTS. 0
31 … Booper Bare # 00 of Rockbridge Baths, WV 80 PTS. 1
32 … Jamie Lathroum # 6 of Mechanicsville, MD 80 PTS. 1
33 … Victor Lee # 4 of Stanford, KY 80 PTS. 0
34 … Mike Blose # 5 of Dayton, PA 80 PTS. 0
35 … Jason Keltner # 0 of Campbellsville, KY 75 PTS. 2
36 … Jim Bernheisel # 119 of Lebanon, PA 75 PTS. 1
37 … David Scott # 3 of Garland, PA 75 PTS. 1
38 … Doug Drown # 12 of Wooster, OH 75 PTS. 1
39 … Boom Briggs # 99 of Bear Lake, PA 75 PTS. 1
40 … Duane Chamerlain # 1 of Richmond, IN 75 PTS. 0
41 … Gary Stuhler # 19 of Greencastle, PA 75 PTS. 0
42 … Mike Knight # 09K of Ripley, NY 70 PTS. 1
43 … John Flinner # 48 of Zenlienople, PA 65 PTS. 1
44 … Keith Barber # 17 of South Park, PA 65 PTS. 1
45 … Justin Fegers # F15 of Mound, MN 65 PTS. 1
46 … Ken Schrader # 9 of Fenton, MO 65 PTS. 1
47 … Matt Lux # 21 of Franklin, PA 60 PTS. 1
48 … Devin Friese # 12 of Chambersburg, PA 60 PTS. 1
49 … Billy Faust # 92B of Lebannon, IL 60 PTS. 0
50 … Michael England # 5E of Glassgow, KY 60 PTS. 0
51 … RJ Conley # 71C of Wheelersburg, OH 55 PTS. 0
52 … Chris Simpson # 32 of Oxford, IA 55 PTS. 0
53 … Steve Baker # 0 of Fairmount, WV 50 PTS. 1
54 … Andy Eckrich # 56 of Iowa City, IA 50 PTS. 1
55 … Tim Tungate # 18 of Campbellsville, KY 50 PTS. 1
56 … Matt Strassheim # 15 of West Burlington, IA 50 PTS. 1
57 … Greg Johnson # 32 of Bedford, IN 50 PTS. 1
58 … Davey Johnson # 1J of Greensburg, PA 50 PTS. 0
59 … Ricky Elliott # 45 of Seaford, DE 50 PTS. 0
60 … Steve Shepherd Jr # 5s of New Berlin, IL 50 PTS. 0
61 … Dustin Neat # 42 of Dunnville, KY 50 PTS. 0
62 … Mike Balzano # 30 of Parkersburg, WV 50 PTS. 0
63 … Doug Horton # 46 of Bruceton Mills, WV 45 PTS. 0
64 … Jack Pencil # 14 of Bedford, PA 45 PTS. 0
65 … Jason Utter # 31 of Columbus Junction, IA 45 PTS. 0
66 … Kyle Berck # 14 of Marquette, NE 40 PTS. 0
67 … Paul Wilmoth Jr. # B1 of Clarksburg, WV 40 PTS. 0
68 … Eric Pember # 30 of Pittsville, WI 40 PTS. 0
69 … Jack Sullivan # 18 of Greenbrier, AR 35 PTS. 0
70 … Jesse Stovall # 00 of Galena, MO 35 PTS. 0
71 … Jeff Aikey # 77 of Dubuque, IA 35 PTS. 0
72 … Jared Miley # H1 of South Park, PA 35 PTS. 0
73 … Eric Smith # 9 of Bloomington, IL 35 PTS. 0
74 … Ashley Anderson # 2G of Eau Claire, WI 30 PTS. 0
75 … Chris Hackett # 33 of Erie, PA 30 PTS. 0
76 … Brian Ruhlman # 49 of Clark Lake, MI 30 PTS. 0
77 … Jackie Boggs # 4B of Grayson, KY 30 PTS. 0
78 … Billy Decker # 91 of Unadilla, NY 25 PTS. 0
79 … Brent Kreke # 13X of Trenton, IL 25 PTS. 0
80 … Bryant Goldsmith # 24 of Corning, IA 25 PTS. 0
81 … John Britsky # 4 of Indiana, PA 25 PTS. 0
82 … Keith Berner # 96F of Millersburg, OH 25 PTS. 0
83 … Mike Matigrass # 1 of DeKalb, IL 25 PTS. 0
84 … Nick Dickson # 17 of Strode Mills, PA 25 PTS. 0
85 … Scott Johnson # 2J of Wattsburg, PA 25 PTS. 0
86 … Jim Yoder # 2 of Herndon, PA 25 PTS. 0
87 … Brandon Kinzer # 18 of Allen, KY 25 PTS. 0
88 … Jeff Provinzino # 28 of Hibbing, MN 25 PTS. 0
89 … Rob Toland # 39 of Hillsdale, IL 25 PTS. 0
90 … Delmas Conley # 71 of Wheelersburg, OH 25 PTS. 0
91 … Jeremy Payne # 74 of Springfield, MO 25 PTS. 0
92 … Chris Combs # 47 of Isom, KY 25 PTS. 0
93 … Frank Heckenast Jr # 99Jr of Orland Park, IL 20 PTS. 0
94 … Alex Ferree # 4 of Saxonburg, PA 15 PTS. 0
95 … Brian Harris # 21H of Davenport, IA 15 PTS. 0
96 … Cody Mahoney # M4 of Madison, IN 15 PTS. 0
97 … Dustin Linville # D8 of Lancaster, KY 15 PTS. 0
98 … John Whitney Jr. # 33 of West Chester, OH 15 PTS. 0
99 … Mark Voigt # 30 of Marine, IL 15 PTS. 0
100 … Shon Flanery # 98 of Mt. Carmel, TN 15 PTS. 0
101 … Bill Frye # 66 of Greenbriar, AR 15 PTS. 0
102 … Denny Eckrich # 50 of Tiffin, IA 15 PTS. 0
103 … Don Shaw # 42S of Ham Lake, MN 15 PTS. 0
104 … Ryan Unzicker # 24 of El Paso, IL 15 PTS. 0
105 … Brandon Green # 6B of Walton, KY 15 PTS. 0
106 … Ray Guss Jr. # 75 of Miland, IL 15 PTS. 0
107 … Eric Wells # 18 of Hazard, KY 15 PTS. 0
108 … Ronnie DeHaven # 21 of Winchester, VA 15 PTS. 0
109 … Kenny Pettyjohn # 80 of Millsboro, DE 15 PTS. 0
110 … Gary Simpson # 12 of Denton, MD 15 PTS. 0
111 … Dave Eckrich # 58 of Tiffin, IA 10 PTS. 0
112 … Doug Dodd # 12D of Cambridge, OH 10 PTS. 0
113 … Doug Eck # 03 of Corry, PA 10 PTS. 0
114 … Josh Williams # 6 of West Harrison, IN 10 PTS. 0
115 … Michael Chilton # 97 of Harrodsburg, KY 10 PTS. 0
116 … Michael Kloos # 6K of Trenton, IL 10 PTS. 0
117 … Ricky Williams # 12 of Beckley, WV 10 PTS. 0
118 … Ryan Dauber # 64 of Tonica, IL 10 PTS. 0
119 … Steve Lance # 75 of Peoria, IL 10 PTS. 0
120 … D.J. Troutman # 7J of Hyndman, PA 10 PTS. 0
121 … Coleby Frye # F1 of Dover, PA 10 PTS. 0
122 … Rick Williams # 12 of Beckley, WV 10 PTS. 0
123 … Donnie Schick # 6 of Selinasgrove, PA 10 PTS. 0
124 … Ace Ihm # 11x of Hazel Green, WI 10 PTS. 0
125 … David Webb # 13W of Nicholasville, KY 10 PTS. 0
126 … Joel Cryderman # 51 of Thunder Bay, ON, CA 10 PTS. 0
127 … Jeff Waltson # 56 of Paducah, KY 10 PTS. 0
128 … Richie Hedrick # 0 of Urbana, IL 10 PTS. 0
129 … Todd Andrews # 42 of Greencastle, PA 10 PTS. 0
130 … JR Shickel # S10 of Bloomington, IL 10 PTS. 0
131 … Boone McLaughlin # 14 of Mediapolis, IA 10 PTS. 0
132 … Bo Feathers # D1 of Winchester, VA 10 PTS. 0
133 … Andy Bond # A10 of Coolville, OH 10 PTS. 0
134 … Tim Manville # 33 of Highland, IL 10 PTS. 0
135 … Kirk Ryan Jr. # 5 of Lewisberry, PA 10 PTS. 0
136 … Al Purkey # 33 of Coffeyville, KS 5 PTS. 0
137 … Bill Williams # 17B of Sardinia, OH 5 PTS. 0
138 … Casey Noonan # 1 of Sylvania, OH 5 PTS. 0
139 … Chris Spieker # 56 of Massena, IA 5 PTS. 0
140 … Joe Loudin # 5 of Buckhannon, WV 5 PTS. 0
141 … John Tindall # 7x of Fancy Farm, KY 5 PTS. 0
142 … Matt Taylor # 3L of Springfield, IL 5 PTS. 0
143 … Nick Anvelink # 15 of Navarino, WI 5 PTS. 0
144 … Randy Lobb # 28 of Jamestown, NY 5 PTS. 0
145 … Rick Combs # 14 of Cincinnati, OH 5 PTS. 0
146 … Rob Moss # 1m of Iowa City, IA 5 PTS. 0
147 … Rodney Melvin # 27 of Benton, IL 5 PTS. 0
148 … Rohn Moon # 56 of Greenwood, IN 5 PTS. 0
149 … Scott Bull # 83 of Fairbury, IL 5 PTS. 0
150 … Scott Gilberts # 21 of Sand Creek, WI 5 PTS. 0
151 … Shawn McGarvey # 8H of Coalport, PA 5 PTS. 0
152 … Steve Everhart # 15 of Hollidaysburg, PA 5 PTS. 0
153 … Steve Landrum # 18 of Erlanger, KY 5 PTS. 0
154 … Tim Lance # 48 of Mapleton, IL 5 PTS. 0
155 … Brandon Shepherd # B5 of New Berlin, IL 5 PTS. 0
156 … Chuck Harper # 00H of Beverly, WV 5 PTS. 0
157 … Vic Coffey # 32c of Leicester, NY 5 PTS. 0
158 … Bryan Bernheisel # 119 of Lebanon, PA 5 PTS. 0
159 … Jason Rauen # 98 of Farley, IA 5 PTS. 0
160 … Tyrel Todd # 14 of Eubanks, KY 5 PTS. 0
161 … Matt Furman # 51 of Iowa City, IA 5 PTS. 0
162 … Gregg Satterlee # 22 of Rochester Mills, PA 5 PTS. 0
162 … Ricky Weiss # 7W of Winnapeg, MA, Can 5 PTS. 0
162 … Jordan Bland # 12 of Campbellsville, KY 5 PTS. 0
162 … Chris Garnes # 42 of Evans, WV 5 PTS. 0
162 … Tony Stewart # 20 of Columbus, IN 5 PTS. 0
163 … Jerry Rice # 1B of Verona, KY 5 PTS. 0
164 … Jay Johnson # 5 of West Burlington, IA 5 PTS. 0
165 … Darryl Hills # 7 of Great Mills, MD 5 PTS. 0
166 … Mike Wilson # 07 of Circleville, OH 5 PTS. 0
167 … Mark Pettyjohn # 1PJ of Millsboro, DE 5 PTS. 0
168 … Roy Deese Jr # 05 of Laurel, MD 5 PTS. 0
169 … Alan Sagi # 8A of Hagerstown, MD 5 PTS. 0
story by: Steve Hixson
(12/06/08) – Despite having two (2) less guidelined wins than his closest regional advisary, Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentarsville, Illinois is the 2008 Champion of the Northern RANKINGS Top 5 tallying system. The # 28 "Petroff Towing, J&J Steel, Thomason Express, Peterson Aluminum Corp., PRC" sponsored Rayburn / Rhyne Competition powered, Chevrolet Monte Carlo racer has seven (7) victories this season in $5,000. to-WIN or above Northern RANKINGS events, with nine (9) runner-up tallies, racking up a total of twenty-one (21) Top 5 finishes, not including the "Win's". With that add to his 2008 SummerNationals championship and all in all it's been a pretty good year. According to stats pulled from his www.denniserb.com web-site, the team started 90 events (not all rankable within the system) with seventeen (17) wins and fifty-two (52) Top 5's.
Travelling out of his element and down South for the SUPERBOWL, the WINTERNATIONALS and then SPEEDWEEKS in Georgia and Florida, Erb collected a win and a 5th place nod in Southern RANKINGS events in Tennessee and Alabama. Erb's first Top 5 finish up North came at the very first Northern RANKINGS followed event in Kentucky in mid-March. The runner-up finish was followed up the next night with a 3rd place nod. Erb would get the first of his victories about a month later, winning the $5,000. payday at Quad City. Opening up June, the # 28 grabbed the Macon checkers, followed up two weeks later at Haubstadt. Once the United Mid-Western Promoters SUMMERNATIONAL's got going Top 5's began pouring in, along with a sole victory in Lawrenceburg, IN, before taking his second consecutive SN'L title. A pair of I-55 Raceway victories were corralled by Erb in August, with his final Northern RANKINGS win coming at Eldora in October.
Behind Erb in the rankings is Eddie Carrier Jr., whom obtained nine (9) Northern RANKINGS victories this season in $5,000. to-WIN or above guidelined events this season. Only tallying six (6) other Top 5 finishes would serve as the SALTROCK EXPRESS' Achilles’ Heel, barely keeping 2007 Northern RANKINGS champion Robbie Blair's from the runner-up spot in the Top 5 system. In fact, if Blair had claimed the $22,000. to-WIN Pennsylvania prize October 11th (instead of 4th) the PENNSYLVANIA POSSE leader, would have taken the # 2 seed from Carrier. Darren THE THRILLER Miller tied Blair at six (6) wins this season, yet lacked a mere 35 points in Top 5 tallies, despite collecting the MEGA MONEY in Kentucky in August. Brian Shirley rounds out Erb's Top 5 Northern RANKINGS season, earning five (5) wins, with fifteen (15) Top 5 nods. Only Josh McGuire came closest to Shirley, despite beign ranked just out of the Top 10 in 11th.
Dennis Erb Jr. Congratulations on a phenomenal 2008 season, within the NORTHERN RANKINGS guidelines you have the best over all Top 5 percentage (7WINS, 9SECONDS, 4THIRDS, 4FOURTHS & 4FIFTHS), back in March were you expecting to come outta the box with such strong success (a 2nd and 3rd in the first two-rankings events) - ThankX: we had a real good season before that and it just went from there into 2008. We don't make many big changes and the program was a success, so we just kinda continued to roll-on
How will you prepare this off season anything different from last year, getting ready for the WinterNationals and SpeedWeeks - Again nothing really different, everything will be the same, just some new cars, same chassis' and stuff. It's all the same just new equipment.
What would you consider your toughest track in 2008 & why - There all tough... but Eldora's two races are gonna be at the Top of the list. With the competition level and everything there, you gotta be ontop of your game
Wins started coming just past mid-April and your strong-suit the SUMMERNATIONALS you seemed to hit stride, tell me what that was like - you have collected twice as many runner-up finishes as last seasons champ Robbie Blair (he has 5) - how do seconds rate on the Erb-scale - It's NOT the greatest, but we're running for a championship. You always wanna go out there and win, but to come home second for that whole month, it's real difficult. Which alot of people don't realize what you go through. Trying to maintain two racecars and equipment. There's a difference when the championship is on the line and the points are close. You don't wanna do something stupid or make a mistake.
Who in the racing community are you tight with / someone thats also an advisary - but someone you help & helps you if necessary - if & when possible - I pretty much stick to myself, don't wander out and worry what others are doing and all, there's one young guy Jason McBride that is coming up and he helps me out and I, in turn, try to advise him on how to learn to drive these things respectable out on the road, away from home.
What's it like when you go head to head against the TOP TOURING SERIES (WoOLMs or LUCAS OIL) - invading your tracks / home turf - It's really just another race... I been doing it so long, racing all over, so it doesn't matter whether I am at a local race track or big paying race. If I line up against Scott Bloomquist or Billy Moyer, I gotta race them, just like anybody else. I gotta race them and they gotta race me.
Do you see taking the # 28 team NATIONAL with a series or on the LARGER scale of events - It kinda crosses your mind to do that, but there's just so many races that are closer in my area and more feesible to travel to, especially when you own all your stuff. But, yeah: if opportunity came along that would fit my schedule, style and allowed me the chance, I would consider it.
On the personal side... do you ever get antsy in the off-season - or are things so intense that you're preparring for SPEEDWEEKS/WINTERNATIONALS - Usually after were done racing, we take a week and relax, you know, we don't worry about having to get to the race track. But like most of us.... after that first week, we're ready to get back to racing.
Whats your take on Crate Motor Late Models - I just got back from East Bay, with my first ever Crate Motor race. IT WAS DIFFERENT! I had to adjust a few things like getting the car to work, cause that horsepower is missing.
What's the Erb house-hold like... Describe family functions in and around the racing camp and away from it - Nothing really outta the norm. We had Christmas at my place, my sister, grandparents do the family thing like everyone I suspect does in some shape.
The # 28 tell me of that significant - My dads first racecar that he had was # 28 but then later he raced # 26 mainly. So I decided to go with his first number and it's been that ever since.
What race is DEEP within the back of your mind, that you'd like to be VICTORIOUS other than ELDORA's biggies - Any of the CROWN JEWEL races... Dirt Track World Championship - North/South. Although Florence isn't one of my strong racetracks, so I need to get over there and get better. The JACKSON 100 is high on my wanna win list, I run good at Brownstown, and actually the NATIONAL 100 is one I'd like to get. Phenix City is a good time every year.
Dennis wrapped up the Northern RANKINGS interview expressing his thanks to all his sponsors and contributors. Every one of the stickers on the racecar means alot to me. The racing community and family as a whole is a wonderful thing to be apart of, so we'll be seeing everyone towards late January.
Northern RANKINGS
Official 2008 Results
Driver Car # Hometown Points Wins
1 … Dennis Erb Jr. # 28 of Carpentarsville, IL 695 PTS. 7
2 … Eddie Carrier Jr # 28 of Salt Rock, WV 550 PTS. 9
3 … Robbie Blair # WON11 of Titusville, PA 520 PTS. 6
4 … Darren Miller # 32D of Chadwick, IL 485 PTS. 6
5 … Brian Shirley # 3S of Chatham, IL 400 PTS. 5
6 … Wes Steidenger # J1 of Fairbury, IL 355 PTS. 3
7 … Tim Dohm # 6T of Shinnston, WV 320 PTS. 2
8 … Jason Covert # 43A of York Haven, PA 285 PTS. 2
9 … Donnie Moran # 99 of Dresden, OH 260 PTS. 3
10 … Jeremy Miller # 24 of Gettysburg, PA 240 PTS. 3
11 … Josh McGuire # 41 of Grayson, KY 230 PTS. 4
12 … Jeep Van Wormer # 55 of Pinnconning, MI 230 PTS. 2
13 … Jason Feger # 25 of Bloomington, IL 225 PTS. 2
14 … Mike Marlar # 78 of Winfield, TN 190 PTS. 3
15 … John Kaanta # 85 of Elk Mound, WI 180 PTS. 3
16 … Randy Korte # 00 of Highland, IL 175 PTS. 1
17 … Terry Phillips # 75 of Springfield, MO 165 PTS. 2
18 … Chad Simpson # 25 of Mount Vernon, IA 160 PTS. 2
19 … Kevin Weaver # B12 of Gibson City, IL 155 PTS. 1
20 … Kevin Claycomb # 16C of Vincennes, IN 140 PTS. 1
21 … Will Vaught # 22 of Springfield, MO 135 PTS. 1
22 … Brad Neat # 41 of Dunnville, KY 110 PTS. 1
23 … Jeff Rine # 92 of Danville, PA 100 PTS. 2
24 … Steve Shaver # 30 of Vienna, WV 100 PTS. 1
25 … Don O'Neal # 71 of Martinsville, IN 100 PTS. 0
26 … Rick Aukland # 12 of Zanesville, OH 95 PTS. 1
27 … D.J. Myers # 07 of Greencastle, PA 95 PTS. 1
28 … Rod Conley # 71C of Wheelersburg, OH 85 PTS. 1
29 … Terry English # 96 of Benton, KY 85 PTS. 1
30 … Dave Hess Jr. # 44 of Waterford, PA 85 PTS. 0
31 … Booper Bare # 00 of Rockbridge Baths, WV 80 PTS. 1
32 … Jamie Lathroum # 6 of Mechanicsville, MD 80 PTS. 1
33 … Victor Lee # 4 of Stanford, KY 80 PTS. 0
34 … Mike Blose # 5 of Dayton, PA 80 PTS. 0
35 … Jason Keltner # 0 of Campbellsville, KY 75 PTS. 2
36 … Jim Bernheisel # 119 of Lebanon, PA 75 PTS. 1
37 … David Scott # 3 of Garland, PA 75 PTS. 1
38 … Doug Drown # 12 of Wooster, OH 75 PTS. 1
39 … Boom Briggs # 99 of Bear Lake, PA 75 PTS. 1
40 … Duane Chamerlain # 1 of Richmond, IN 75 PTS. 0
41 … Gary Stuhler # 19 of Greencastle, PA 75 PTS. 0
42 … Mike Knight # 09K of Ripley, NY 70 PTS. 1
43 … John Flinner # 48 of Zenlienople, PA 65 PTS. 1
44 … Keith Barber # 17 of South Park, PA 65 PTS. 1
45 … Justin Fegers # F15 of Mound, MN 65 PTS. 1
46 … Ken Schrader # 9 of Fenton, MO 65 PTS. 1
47 … Matt Lux # 21 of Franklin, PA 60 PTS. 1
48 … Devin Friese # 12 of Chambersburg, PA 60 PTS. 1
49 … Billy Faust # 92B of Lebannon, IL 60 PTS. 0
50 … Michael England # 5E of Glassgow, KY 60 PTS. 0
51 … RJ Conley # 71C of Wheelersburg, OH 55 PTS. 0
52 … Chris Simpson # 32 of Oxford, IA 55 PTS. 0
53 … Steve Baker # 0 of Fairmount, WV 50 PTS. 1
54 … Andy Eckrich # 56 of Iowa City, IA 50 PTS. 1
55 … Tim Tungate # 18 of Campbellsville, KY 50 PTS. 1
56 … Matt Strassheim # 15 of West Burlington, IA 50 PTS. 1
57 … Greg Johnson # 32 of Bedford, IN 50 PTS. 1
58 … Davey Johnson # 1J of Greensburg, PA 50 PTS. 0
59 … Ricky Elliott # 45 of Seaford, DE 50 PTS. 0
60 … Steve Shepherd Jr # 5s of New Berlin, IL 50 PTS. 0
61 … Dustin Neat # 42 of Dunnville, KY 50 PTS. 0
62 … Mike Balzano # 30 of Parkersburg, WV 50 PTS. 0
63 … Doug Horton # 46 of Bruceton Mills, WV 45 PTS. 0
64 … Jack Pencil # 14 of Bedford, PA 45 PTS. 0
65 … Jason Utter # 31 of Columbus Junction, IA 45 PTS. 0
66 … Kyle Berck # 14 of Marquette, NE 40 PTS. 0
67 … Paul Wilmoth Jr. # B1 of Clarksburg, WV 40 PTS. 0
68 … Eric Pember # 30 of Pittsville, WI 40 PTS. 0
69 … Jack Sullivan # 18 of Greenbrier, AR 35 PTS. 0
70 … Jesse Stovall # 00 of Galena, MO 35 PTS. 0
71 … Jeff Aikey # 77 of Dubuque, IA 35 PTS. 0
72 … Jared Miley # H1 of South Park, PA 35 PTS. 0
73 … Eric Smith # 9 of Bloomington, IL 35 PTS. 0
74 … Ashley Anderson # 2G of Eau Claire, WI 30 PTS. 0
75 … Chris Hackett # 33 of Erie, PA 30 PTS. 0
76 … Brian Ruhlman # 49 of Clark Lake, MI 30 PTS. 0
77 … Jackie Boggs # 4B of Grayson, KY 30 PTS. 0
78 … Billy Decker # 91 of Unadilla, NY 25 PTS. 0
79 … Brent Kreke # 13X of Trenton, IL 25 PTS. 0
80 … Bryant Goldsmith # 24 of Corning, IA 25 PTS. 0
81 … John Britsky # 4 of Indiana, PA 25 PTS. 0
82 … Keith Berner # 96F of Millersburg, OH 25 PTS. 0
83 … Mike Matigrass # 1 of DeKalb, IL 25 PTS. 0
84 … Nick Dickson # 17 of Strode Mills, PA 25 PTS. 0
85 … Scott Johnson # 2J of Wattsburg, PA 25 PTS. 0
86 … Jim Yoder # 2 of Herndon, PA 25 PTS. 0
87 … Brandon Kinzer # 18 of Allen, KY 25 PTS. 0
88 … Jeff Provinzino # 28 of Hibbing, MN 25 PTS. 0
89 … Rob Toland # 39 of Hillsdale, IL 25 PTS. 0
90 … Delmas Conley # 71 of Wheelersburg, OH 25 PTS. 0
91 … Jeremy Payne # 74 of Springfield, MO 25 PTS. 0
92 … Chris Combs # 47 of Isom, KY 25 PTS. 0
93 … Frank Heckenast Jr # 99Jr of Orland Park, IL 20 PTS. 0
94 … Alex Ferree # 4 of Saxonburg, PA 15 PTS. 0
95 … Brian Harris # 21H of Davenport, IA 15 PTS. 0
96 … Cody Mahoney # M4 of Madison, IN 15 PTS. 0
97 … Dustin Linville # D8 of Lancaster, KY 15 PTS. 0
98 … John Whitney Jr. # 33 of West Chester, OH 15 PTS. 0
99 … Mark Voigt # 30 of Marine, IL 15 PTS. 0
100 … Shon Flanery # 98 of Mt. Carmel, TN 15 PTS. 0
101 … Bill Frye # 66 of Greenbriar, AR 15 PTS. 0
102 … Denny Eckrich # 50 of Tiffin, IA 15 PTS. 0
103 … Don Shaw # 42S of Ham Lake, MN 15 PTS. 0
104 … Ryan Unzicker # 24 of El Paso, IL 15 PTS. 0
105 … Brandon Green # 6B of Walton, KY 15 PTS. 0
106 … Ray Guss Jr. # 75 of Miland, IL 15 PTS. 0
107 … Eric Wells # 18 of Hazard, KY 15 PTS. 0
108 … Ronnie DeHaven # 21 of Winchester, VA 15 PTS. 0
109 … Kenny Pettyjohn # 80 of Millsboro, DE 15 PTS. 0
110 … Gary Simpson # 12 of Denton, MD 15 PTS. 0
111 … Dave Eckrich # 58 of Tiffin, IA 10 PTS. 0
112 … Doug Dodd # 12D of Cambridge, OH 10 PTS. 0
113 … Doug Eck # 03 of Corry, PA 10 PTS. 0
114 … Josh Williams # 6 of West Harrison, IN 10 PTS. 0
115 … Michael Chilton # 97 of Harrodsburg, KY 10 PTS. 0
116 … Michael Kloos # 6K of Trenton, IL 10 PTS. 0
117 … Ricky Williams # 12 of Beckley, WV 10 PTS. 0
118 … Ryan Dauber # 64 of Tonica, IL 10 PTS. 0
119 … Steve Lance # 75 of Peoria, IL 10 PTS. 0
120 … D.J. Troutman # 7J of Hyndman, PA 10 PTS. 0
121 … Coleby Frye # F1 of Dover, PA 10 PTS. 0
122 … Rick Williams # 12 of Beckley, WV 10 PTS. 0
123 … Donnie Schick # 6 of Selinasgrove, PA 10 PTS. 0
124 … Ace Ihm # 11x of Hazel Green, WI 10 PTS. 0
125 … David Webb # 13W of Nicholasville, KY 10 PTS. 0
126 … Joel Cryderman # 51 of Thunder Bay, ON, CA 10 PTS. 0
127 … Jeff Waltson # 56 of Paducah, KY 10 PTS. 0
128 … Richie Hedrick # 0 of Urbana, IL 10 PTS. 0
129 … Todd Andrews # 42 of Greencastle, PA 10 PTS. 0
130 … JR Shickel # S10 of Bloomington, IL 10 PTS. 0
131 … Boone McLaughlin # 14 of Mediapolis, IA 10 PTS. 0
132 … Bo Feathers # D1 of Winchester, VA 10 PTS. 0
133 … Andy Bond # A10 of Coolville, OH 10 PTS. 0
134 … Tim Manville # 33 of Highland, IL 10 PTS. 0
135 … Kirk Ryan Jr. # 5 of Lewisberry, PA 10 PTS. 0
136 … Al Purkey # 33 of Coffeyville, KS 5 PTS. 0
137 … Bill Williams # 17B of Sardinia, OH 5 PTS. 0
138 … Casey Noonan # 1 of Sylvania, OH 5 PTS. 0
139 … Chris Spieker # 56 of Massena, IA 5 PTS. 0
140 … Joe Loudin # 5 of Buckhannon, WV 5 PTS. 0
141 … John Tindall # 7x of Fancy Farm, KY 5 PTS. 0
142 … Matt Taylor # 3L of Springfield, IL 5 PTS. 0
143 … Nick Anvelink # 15 of Navarino, WI 5 PTS. 0
144 … Randy Lobb # 28 of Jamestown, NY 5 PTS. 0
145 … Rick Combs # 14 of Cincinnati, OH 5 PTS. 0
146 … Rob Moss # 1m of Iowa City, IA 5 PTS. 0
147 … Rodney Melvin # 27 of Benton, IL 5 PTS. 0
148 … Rohn Moon # 56 of Greenwood, IN 5 PTS. 0
149 … Scott Bull # 83 of Fairbury, IL 5 PTS. 0
150 … Scott Gilberts # 21 of Sand Creek, WI 5 PTS. 0
151 … Shawn McGarvey # 8H of Coalport, PA 5 PTS. 0
152 … Steve Everhart # 15 of Hollidaysburg, PA 5 PTS. 0
153 … Steve Landrum # 18 of Erlanger, KY 5 PTS. 0
154 … Tim Lance # 48 of Mapleton, IL 5 PTS. 0
155 … Brandon Shepherd # B5 of New Berlin, IL 5 PTS. 0
156 … Chuck Harper # 00H of Beverly, WV 5 PTS. 0
157 … Vic Coffey # 32c of Leicester, NY 5 PTS. 0
158 … Bryan Bernheisel # 119 of Lebanon, PA 5 PTS. 0
159 … Jason Rauen # 98 of Farley, IA 5 PTS. 0
160 … Tyrel Todd # 14 of Eubanks, KY 5 PTS. 0
161 … Matt Furman # 51 of Iowa City, IA 5 PTS. 0
162 … Gregg Satterlee # 22 of Rochester Mills, PA 5 PTS. 0
162 … Ricky Weiss # 7W of Winnapeg, MA, Can 5 PTS. 0
162 … Jordan Bland # 12 of Campbellsville, KY 5 PTS. 0
162 … Chris Garnes # 42 of Evans, WV 5 PTS. 0
162 … Tony Stewart # 20 of Columbus, IN 5 PTS. 0
163 … Jerry Rice # 1B of Verona, KY 5 PTS. 0
164 … Jay Johnson # 5 of West Burlington, IA 5 PTS. 0
165 … Darryl Hills # 7 of Great Mills, MD 5 PTS. 0
166 … Mike Wilson # 07 of Circleville, OH 5 PTS. 0
167 … Mark Pettyjohn # 1PJ of Millsboro, DE 5 PTS. 0
168 … Roy Deese Jr # 05 of Laurel, MD 5 PTS. 0
169 … Alan Sagi # 8A of Hagerstown, MD 5 PTS. 0
