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Birkhofer Rockets to Second Win of 2014 DIRTcar Summer Nationals Season at LaSalle Speedway
By Jordan Morris
LaSALLE, Ill. — July 3, 2014 — Brian Birkhofer marched from his fourth starting position to overtake Wednesday night winner Jason Feger on lap 11 en route to his second victory of the season, claiming the $5,000 checkered flag Thursday night at LaSalle Speedway.
Feger, who started from the pole, slipped around Ryan Unzicker for the lead on the opening lap with Birkhofer, who started in the row right behind the leaders, falling back to fifth. Birkhofer managed to find grip on the inside line, which changed his race drastically as he rocketed back to the front of the field a few laps later.
Feger lead the opening 10 laps of the 40-lap feature, but he was no match for Birkhofer. Birkhofer quickly made his way to the front, and shot around the leader on lap 11. The leader quickly extended his advantage on the field as Feger faded back to fourth.
Birkhofer dominated the remaining 29 laps, only being challenged once on a late race restart by Unzicker, but he eventually pulled away from second place and secured his second DIRTcar Summer Nationals victory of the season at LaSalle Speedway.
“Right now I got a good feel for the car and I’m just confident in what it does,” said Birkhofer referring to his Rocket Chassis race car. “Any driver will tell you that they can do a lot with the car when they get that confidence level, and I kind of have that right now. It is racing, though, and it can turn in a heartbeat, so we’ll just keep taking it while it’s coming this way.”
(Click here for news and information on the DIRTcar Summer Nationals.)
Bobby Pierce, Jason Feger, and Curtis Roberts rounded out the top five.
Heat race winners included Frank Heckenast Jr., Birkhofer, Feger and Unzicker.
The DIRTcar Summer Nationals continues on Thursday night as they join the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals at Fayette County Speedway in Brownstown, Ill.
DIRTcar Summer Nationals Statistical Report; LaSalle Speedway; LaSalle, Ill.; July 3, 2014;
A-Main (40-laps): 1. 15B-Brian Birkhofer ($5,000), 2. 24-Ryan Unzicker, 3. 32-Bobby Pierce, 4. 25-Jason Feger, 5. 9R-Curtis Roberts, 6. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr, 7. B5-Brandon Sheppard, 8. 21JR-Billy Moyer Jr, 9. 10S-Scott Schmitt, 10. 0-Randy Korte, 11. 18-Shannon Babb, 12. 83-Scott Bull, 13. 96-Tanner English, 14. 81-Brian Shirley, 15. 81JR-Jason Riggs, 16. 32J-Jason Jaggers, 17. 1M-Jim Moon, 18. 782-Mark Larson, 19. 7T-Steve Thorsten, 20. 12B-Kevin Weaver, 21. 21B-Rich Bell, 22. 32S-Chris Simpson, 23. 89-Mike Spatola.
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. | $7,500 |
| July 5 | Sat | Highland Speedway | Highland, Ill. | $10,000 |
| July 6 | Sun | Tri-State Speedway | Haubstadt, Ind. | $5,000 |
| July 7 | Mon | Off | ||
| July 8 | Tue | Florence Speedway | Union, Ky. | $5,000 |
| July 9 | Wed | Terre Haute Action Track | Terre Haute, Ind. | $5,000 |
| July 10 | Thur | Macon Speedway | Macon, Ill. | $5,000 |
| July 11 | Fri | Farmer City Raceway | Farmer City, Ill. | $10,000 |
| July 12 | Sat | 34 Raceway | Burlington, Iowa | $10,000 |
| July 13 | Sun | Vermilion Co. Speedway | Danville, Ill. | $5,000 |
| July 14 | Mon | Off | ||
| July 15 | Tue | TBA | ||
| July 16 | Wed | Atomic Speedway | Chillicothe, Ohio | $5,000 |
| July 17 | Thur | Brushcreek Motorsports Complex | Peebles, Ohio | $5,000 |
| July 18 | Fri | Attica Raceway Park | Attica, Ohio | $5,000 |
| July 19 | Sat | Oakshade Raceway | Wauseon, Ohio | $10,000 |
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.Â
Super Late Models – A-Main
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 4 15B    Brian Birkhofer    Muscatine , Ia
2 2 24    Ryan Unzicker    El Paso, Il
3 5 32    Bobby Pierce    Oakwood , Il
4 1 25    Jason Feger    Bloomington , Il
5 7 9R    Curtis Roberts    Coleman , Mi
6 3 99JR    Frank Heckenast Jr    Frankfurt , Il
7 9 B5    Brandon Sheppard    New Berlin, Il
8 10 21JR    Billy Moyer Jr    Batesville , Ar
9 8 10S    Scott Schmitt    Tonica , Il
10 6 0    Randy Korte    Highland , Il
11 14 18    Shannon Babb    Moweaqua , Il
12 12 83    Scott Bull    Fairbury , Il
13 22 96    Tanner English    Benton , Ky
14 13 81    Brian Shirley    Chatham , Il
15 15 81JR    Jason Riggs    Harrisburg , Il
16 21 32J    Jason Jaggers    Wyanet , Il
17 19 1M    Jim Moon    New Florence, Mo
18 23 782    Mark Larson    Ottawa , Il
19 20 7T    Steve Thorsten    Milford , Il
20 18 12B    Kevin Weaver    Gibson City, Il
21 11 21B    Rich Bell    Sheffield , Il
22 17 32S    Chris Simpson    Oxford , Ia
23 16 89    Mike Spatola    Manhattan , Il
Super Late Models – B-Main
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 2 32S    Chris Simpson    Oxford , Ia
2 1 12B    Kevin Weaver    Gibson City, Il
3 5 58R    Ray Guss Jr    Milan , Il
4 3 42    Mckay Wenger    Fairbury , Il
5 10 7T    Steve Thorsten    Milford , Il
6 7 10P    Pete Parker    Kakauna , Wi
7 11 116    Torin Mettille    Cullom , Il
8 9 27M    Mike Provenzano    Grand Ridge, In
9 4 4G    Bob Gardner    Germantown Hills, Il
10 13 32J    Jason Jaggers    Wyanet , Il
11 8 16    Steve Lance Jr    Cuba , Il
12 15 87    Jason Zobrist    Highland , Il
13 12 15    Richard Frost    Clarksville , Tn
14 6 96    Tanner English    Benton , Ky
15 14 1M    Jim Moon    New Florence, Mo
Super Late Models – C-Main
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 1 32J    Jason Jaggers    Wyanet , Il
2 2 1M    Jim Moon    New Florence, Mo
3 3 87    Jason Zobrist    Highland , Il
4 4 74    Russ Adams    Princeville , Il
5 5 79W    Greg Wagner    Polo , Il
6 7 71    Trace Westling    Fulton , Mo
7 11 782    Mark Larson    Ottawa , Il
8 6 7    Lake Knutti    Lanark , Il
9 13 28R    Mark Rose    Dorchester , Wi
10 8 3    Dale Markham    Maple Park, Il
11 14 20    Alan Westling    Fulton , Mo
12 10 9    Lyle Zanke    Rockford , Il
13 9 33H    Billy Hough    Thomasboro , Il
14 12 9    Jeff Riddell    Steward , Il
Super Late Models – Heat Race 4
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 1 24    Ryan Unzicker    El Paso, Il
2 3 10S    Scott Schmitt    Tonica , Il
3 4 83    Scott Bull    Fairbury , Il
4 2 89    Mike Spatola    Manhattan , Il
5 5 4G    Bob Gardner    Germantown Hills, Il
6 8 16    Steve Lance Jr    Cuba , Il
7 7 15    Richard Frost    Clarksville , Tn
8 9 74    Russ Adams    Princeville , Il
9 6 3    Dale Markham    Maple Park, Il
10 10 9    Jeff Riddell    Steward , Il
Super Late Models – Heat Race 3
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 1 25    Jason Feger    Bloomington , Il
2 2 9R    Curtis Roberts    Coleman , Mi
3 4 21B    Rich Bell    Sheffield , Il
4 3 81JR    Jason Riggs    Harrisburg , Il
5 5 42    Mckay Wenger    Fairbury , Il
6 8 10P    Pete Parker    Kakauna , Wi
7 11 116    Torin Mettille    Cullom , Il
8 7 87    Jason Zobrist    Highland , Il
9 9 71    Trace Westling    Fulton , Mo
10 6 782    Mark Larson    Ottawa , Il
11 10 20    Alan Westling    Fulton , Mo
Super Late Models – Heat Race 2
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 1 15B    Brian Birkhofer    Muscatine , Ia
2 4 0    Randy Korte    Highland , Il
3 2 21JR    Billy Moyer Jr    Batesville , Ar
4 5 18    Shannon Babb    Moweaqua , Il
5 3 32S    Chris Simpson    Oxford , Ia
6 7 96    Tanner English    Benton , Ky
7 6 7T    Steve Thorsten    Milford , Il
8 8 1M    Jim Moon    New Florence, Mo
9 9 7    Lake Knutti    Lanark , Il
10 10 9    Lyle Zanke    Rockford , Il
Super Late Models – Heat Race 1
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 1 99JR    Frank Heckenast Jr    Frankfurt , Il
2 4 32    Bobby Pierce    Oakwood , Il
3 2 B5    Brandon Sheppard    New Berlin, Il
4 3 81    Brian Shirley    Chatham , Il
5 5 12B    Kevin Weaver    Gibson City, Il
6 6 58R    Ray Guss Jr    Milan , Il
7 8 27M    Mike Provenzano    Grand Ridge, In
8 7 32J    Jason Jaggers    Wyanet , Il
9 9 79W    Greg Wagner    Polo , Il
10 11 33H    Billy Hough    Thomasboro , Il
11 10 28R    Mark Rose    Dorchester , Wi
Super Late Models – Qualifying 2
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 19 25    Jason Feger    Bloomington , Il
2 1 24    Ryan Unzicker    El Paso, Il
3 14 9R    Curtis Roberts    Coleman , Mi
4 13 89    Mike Spatola    Manhattan , Il
5 17 81JR    Jason Riggs    Harrisburg , Il
6 12 10S    Scott Schmitt    Tonica , Il
7 15 21B    Rich Bell    Sheffield , Il
8 7 83    Scott Bull    Fairbury , Il
9 21 42    Mckay Wenger    Fairbury , Il
10 3 4G    Bob Gardner    Germantown Hills, Il
11 2 782    Mark Larson    Ottawa , Il
12 8 3    Dale Markham    Maple Park, Il
13 9 87    Jason Zobrist    Highland , Il
14 4 15    Richard Frost    Clarksville , Tn
15 10 10P    Pete Parker    Kakauna , Wi
16 11 16    Steve Lance Jr    Cuba , Il
17 6 71    Trace Westling    Fulton , Mo
18 18 74    Russ Adams    Princeville , Il
19 16 20    Alan Westling    Fulton , Mo
20 5 9    Jeff Riddell    Steward , Il
21 20 116    Torin Mettille    Cullom , Il
Super Late Models – Qualifying 1
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 12 99JR    Frank Heckenast Jr    Frankfurt , Il
2 13 15B    Brian Birkhofer    Muscatine , Ia
3 11 B5    Brandon Sheppard    New Berlin, Il
4 18 21JR    Billy Moyer Jr    Batesville , Ar
5 6 81    Brian Shirley    Chatham , Il
6 16 32S    Chris Simpson    Oxford , Ia
7 4 32    Bobby Pierce    Oakwood , Il
8 9 0    Randy Korte    Highland , Il
9 14 12B    Kevin Weaver    Gibson City, Il
10 15 18    Shannon Babb    Moweaqua , Il
11 1 58R    Ray Guss Jr    Milan , Il
12 7 7T    Steve Thorsten    Milford , Il
13 20 32J    Jason Jaggers    Wyanet , Il
14 8 96    Tanner English    Benton , Ky
15 17 27M    Mike Provenzano    Grand Ridge, In
16 10 1M    Jim Moon    New Florence, Mo
17 5 79W    Greg Wagner    Polo , Il
18 3 7    Lake Knutti    Lanark , Il
19 21 28R    Mark Rose    Dorchester , Wi
20 19 9    Lyle Zanke    Rockford , Il
21 2 33H    Billy Hough    Thomasboro , Il