Shirley Cleans House at I-55 "Challenge of Champions" Race



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 friend¹s
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 Series¹ Rookie of Year
honors and a Northern Allstars¹ ChampionshipŠ pretty good hardware for a
four year stint!
 
Thirty-eight late models rolled in to I-55 Raceway for the U.M.P. ³Challenge
of Champions² event Wednesday night featuring Ken Schrader and Mark Martin¹s
³Salute to You Tour².  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 team¹s 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 fall¹s $15,000 ³Challenge of
Champions Extravaganza².  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
weekend¹s 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 Speedway¹s 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 Shirley¹s #3s dirt late model¹s 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 Parker¹s 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.