By: Michelle Petroff
PEVELY, MO (June 15, 2005) – In recent years, several young racers from Illinois have captured the spotlight – Shannon Babb, Darren Miller and Justin Allgaier just to name a few. In only his fourth dirt late model season, Brian Shirley is coming into his own as a true showstopper.
The twenty-four year old Chatham native was an AMA motorcycle champion before being sidelined in 1999 by an injury that prematurely ended his two-wheel career. Shirley then took an opportunity to drive a friend’s modified at nearby Macon Speedway (the same track where former Dirt Track World Champion Shannon Babb cut his teeth) before moving into the full-fendered dirt late model division the following year. He has been full-throttle ever since.
Sixteen feature wins, a U.M.P. Rookie of the Year title, Macon Speedway Track Championship, Northern Allstars Late Model Series’ Rookie of Year honors and a Northern Allstars’ Championship… pretty good hardware for a four year stint!
Thirty-eight late models rolled in to I-55 Raceway for the U.M.P. “Challenge of Champions” event Wednesday night featuring Ken Schrader and Mark Martin’s “Salute to You Tour”. The NASCAR veterans thrilled fans during a two-hour autograph session but Brian Shirley wooed the hearty crowd with a dominating clean sweep. After earning top qualifying honors and notching a win in the dash, it was all Shirley in the feature as he led all thirty laps of the main event. Brian Collins and Randy Korte both attempted a few moves on the #3s during several post-caution restarts but all efforts were rebuffed. This was the team’s second feature win at I-55 Raceway during the 2005 season in only three appearances. In addition to the $2,000 payday, the win automatically qualifies Brian for this fall’s $15,000 “Challenge of Champions Extravaganza”. Following Shirley to the stripe were Randy Korte, Billy Faust, Brian Collins and Rodney Melvin. Randy Hannigan earned top honors in the winged sprint division.
Shirley will next pilot his #3s Rayburn at Farmer City Raceway on Friday, June 17th, for twin late model features. After rain washed away last weekend’s feature, Brian will start the make-up event from the front row in addition to competing in the full weekly late model program. On Saturday, the team will compete at Macon Speedway’s 60th anniversary celebration and $6,000-to-win U.M.P. late model special event. More information on Brian Shirley is available online at http://www.brianshirley.com.
Brian Shirley’s #3s dirt late model’s sponsors include CJ Rayburn Race Cars – The Only Chassis Proven To Be Stronger Than Dirt!; Petroff Towing; JAYCO Construction; Capitol Storage; Capitol Machine Shop; Skateland South; Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway; Charlie Parker’s Diner; Budda; Hoosier by Smash; Rob & Carol Shirley; Canham Graphics; Dinker; DoubleJ; Wick Racing Products; Pro Power Racing Engines; Peterson Fluid Systems; TurboStart Batteries; PRC; Scott Wire; Weld Wheel; Bert Transmission; Dyers Top Rods; MSD Ignition and Sweet Manufacturing.
PEVELY, MO (June 15, 2005) – In recent years, several young racers from Illinois have captured the spotlight – Shannon Babb, Darren Miller and Justin Allgaier just to name a few. In only his fourth dirt late model season, Brian Shirley is coming into his own as a true showstopper.
The twenty-four year old Chatham native was an AMA motorcycle champion before being sidelined in 1999 by an injury that prematurely ended his two-wheel career. Shirley then took an opportunity to drive a friend’s modified at nearby Macon Speedway (the same track where former Dirt Track World Champion Shannon Babb cut his teeth) before moving into the full-fendered dirt late model division the following year. He has been full-throttle ever since.
Sixteen feature wins, a U.M.P. Rookie of the Year title, Macon Speedway Track Championship, Northern Allstars Late Model Series’ Rookie of Year honors and a Northern Allstars’ Championship… pretty good hardware for a four year stint!
Thirty-eight late models rolled in to I-55 Raceway for the U.M.P. “Challenge of Champions” event Wednesday night featuring Ken Schrader and Mark Martin’s “Salute to You Tour”. The NASCAR veterans thrilled fans during a two-hour autograph session but Brian Shirley wooed the hearty crowd with a dominating clean sweep. After earning top qualifying honors and notching a win in the dash, it was all Shirley in the feature as he led all thirty laps of the main event. Brian Collins and Randy Korte both attempted a few moves on the #3s during several post-caution restarts but all efforts were rebuffed. This was the team’s second feature win at I-55 Raceway during the 2005 season in only three appearances. In addition to the $2,000 payday, the win automatically qualifies Brian for this fall’s $15,000 “Challenge of Champions Extravaganza”. Following Shirley to the stripe were Randy Korte, Billy Faust, Brian Collins and Rodney Melvin. Randy Hannigan earned top honors in the winged sprint division.
Shirley will next pilot his #3s Rayburn at Farmer City Raceway on Friday, June 17th, for twin late model features. After rain washed away last weekend’s feature, Brian will start the make-up event from the front row in addition to competing in the full weekly late model program. On Saturday, the team will compete at Macon Speedway’s 60th anniversary celebration and $6,000-to-win U.M.P. late model special event. More information on Brian Shirley is available online at http://www.brianshirley.com.
Brian Shirley’s #3s dirt late model’s sponsors include CJ Rayburn Race Cars – The Only Chassis Proven To Be Stronger Than Dirt!; Petroff Towing; JAYCO Construction; Capitol Storage; Capitol Machine Shop; Skateland South; Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway; Charlie Parker’s Diner; Budda; Hoosier by Smash; Rob & Carol Shirley; Canham Graphics; Dinker; DoubleJ; Wick Racing Products; Pro Power Racing Engines; Peterson Fluid Systems; TurboStart Batteries; PRC; Scott Wire; Weld Wheel; Bert Transmission; Dyers Top Rods; MSD Ignition and Sweet Manufacturing.
