ILLINOIS HOLD ‘EM: Brian Shirley Claims Victory in Texas Torpedo 50 at Rocket Raceway Park
The Chatham, IL native took command of all 50 laps for his fifth Series win of 2024
PETTY, TX (September 28, 2024) – Brian Shirley performed a clinic with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models in the debut visit to Rocket Raceway Park.
The Chatham, IL native drove a flawless race in the Texas Torpedo 50 while championship implications ensued through the 50 laps around the 1/3-mile facility.
Shirley began the night with a win in his Heat race, then drew the Bilstein Pole Award to start the night from the front of the field.
Shirley jumped out to the lead with Robeline, LA driver Cade Dillard following behind him in second place.
On the second lap of the Feature, Series points leader Brandon Sheppard suffered major body damage on the right front of his No.B5 that forced him to visit the Fast 1 Hot Pit for repairs.
On the restart, Shirley and Dillard found their footing on the bottom line while the field attempted to use the high line with little effect. Amid the chaos across the field, MD3 Rookie of the Year contender Tristan Chamberlain flew through the packs of cars on the bottom that took him to third place.
Shirley continued to set the pace as he approached the challenge of getting by lap traffic ahead of the No.3S Bob Cullen Racing Late Model.
As Dillard cut the gap to Shirley with lap traffic in the way, “Squirrel” had to put his nickname to use by making ground through the middle of the racetrack in Turns 1 and 2, then cut down to the bottom in Turns 3 and 4 after completing the pass on each lapped cars.
While Dillard and Chamberlain fought for second, Shirley inflated the distance from the competition as he crossed the finish line to complete a perfect Feature in the Series return to the Lone Star State.
“Truthfully, finding the middle line was the biggest thing. They were running the preferred bottom line. I knew if I was going to put some distance between me and Cade, I had to try it, and it all worked out. At the end of the day, winning races is the most important thing. Right now, after the hole we dug in when we left (Volusia), winning these races makes these long hauls and tough nights makes up for it.”
Dillard finished second in a throwback car to his family’s first racecar. With his result, Dillard completed the weekend near his home with twin top-five finishes.
“I felt like when we were both using the bottom on the long run, I could drive to him,” Dillard said. “When he washed up, I did so too. I tried to stay on the bottom, but once we got to lap traffic, you had to move out and he could drive through the middle much better than I could. But, we tried hard. He’s been good here lately, and I’m just happy to be up on the podium at this point.”
Chamberlain finished third for his first career podium and top-five finish with the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models. It’s a major stepping stone for the 17-year-old driver before he ends his rookie campaign in 2024.
“I think a big part of the success was in the Last Chance Showdown,” Chamberlain said. “Knowing that it was really slick. I don’t think those that only raced in the Heat knew how slick it was. That first lap, they all went and slid up the racetrack and I was able to pass by a bunch of those guys. I think that’s where I gained the most of my positions.
“I’m real excited for 2025. The speed is there. It’s about putting it all together to have a good night. The biggest thing is that it’s hard to get up through the field when you’re so far back. The pacing is never in the back of the field as it is at the front of the field. Once you get behind, it’s hard to come back from it. This is huge, and it’s awesome to have this kind of run.”
Brandon, FL driver Kyle Bronson finished fourth, and Rochester, MN native Dustin Sorensen finished fifth to extend his MD3 Rookie of the Year points lead entering the final three races of the 2024 season.
Sheppard salvaged his night to finish in the top-10 to continue leading the points standings. Oakwood, IL driver Bobby Pierce is second with the gap cut to 44 points, and Mooresville, NC driver Nick Hoffman is 50 points back in third place.
Up Next: The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models complete the 2024 season in World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte, Wednesday-Saturday, November 6-9.“The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet” will race alongside the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars and Super DIRTcar Series as three champions will be crowned.
For tickets to World Finals, CLICK HERE.
If you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap of the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models season on DIRTVision – through your computer or mobile device.
CASE Late Model Feature (50 Laps): 1. 3S-Brian Shirley[1]; 2. 97-Cade Dillard[3]; 3. 20TC-Tristan Chamberlain[17]; 4. 40B-Kyle Bronson[9]; 5. 19-Dustin Sorensen[8]; 6. 9-Nick Hoffman[7]; 7. 32-Bobby Pierce[10]; 8. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[2]; 9. 74X-Ethan Dotson[11]; 10. B5-Brandon Sheppard[21]; 11. 22*-Max McLaughlin[5]; 12. 16-Tyler Bruening[6]; 13. 14M-Morgan Bagley[18]; 14. B1-Brent Larson[12]; 15. 1B-BJ Robinson[19]; 16. 90-Brian Rickman[16]; 17. 19M-Spencer Hughes[15]; 18. 15-Clayton Stuckey[24]; 19. 51-Dean Carpenter[22]; 20. 19R-Ryan Gustin[4]; 21. 14W-Dustin Walker[23]; 22. C8-Timothy Culp[20]; 23. 97JR-Cody Overton[13]; 24. 9H-Shane Hebert[14]
EVENT INFO:https://worldofoutlaws.com/latemodels/schedule/event-info/?event=6170
TRACK INFO:https://rocketracewaypark.com/