Clarksville Speedway
Shirley claims Toilet Bowl Classic finale
Brian Shirley (3) claimed a $5,000 MARS victory at Clarksville. (Jeff Hall)
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (March 9) — After coming up just short in Friday’s Tuckassee Toilet Bowl Classic opener, reigning UMP DIRTcar weekly champion Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., broke through in the second leg of the Clarksville Speedway’s doubleheader weekend Saturday night, earning a $5,000 MARS DIRTcar Series victory at the 3/8-mile oval. | Notebook | Slideshow
Shirley, who finished second to Walker Arthur of Forrest, Va., in Friday’s race, was followed to the finish by Clayton Miller of Elkton, Ky., in Saturday’s 50-lap main event. Caleb Ashby of Cunningham, Tenn., was third for the second straight night with Justin Wells of Aurora, Mo., and Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., rounding out the top five in an event that was postponed one week due to inclement weather.
Notes: Shirley’s Pierce Race Car has a Pro Power Engine and is sponsored by Jayco Construction, Skateland South, Box Seat Productions, Allstar Performance, Kim’s Auto Body, and JFR Graphics. ... Shirley record the sixth MARS victory of his career and first since 2009. ... Defending MARS champion Jesse Stovall of Galena, Mo., finished seventh for the second straight night. ... Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., a former Toilet Bowl Classic winner, was sixth in Saturday’s final rundown. ... The MARS DIRTcar Series returns to action with a $3,000-to-win event March 30 at Springfield (Mo.) Raceway.
Tuckassee Toilet Bowl Classic: (1) Brian Shirley, (2) Clayton Miller, (3) Caleb Ashby, (4) Justin Wells, (5) Brandon Sheppard, (6) Dennis Erb Jr., (7) Jesse Stovall, (8) David Turner, (9) Dustin Butler, (10) Terry English, (11) Jeff Babcock, (12) Tony Jackson Jr., (13) Walker Arthur, (14) Jesse Stovall, (15) Dewayne Kiefer, (16) Brandon Morton, (17) Jason McBride, (18) Justin Asplin, (19) Leroy Johnson, (20) Chris Shelton, (21) Carnell Parker III, (22) Steve Lach, (23) Tim Manville, (24) Chris Simpson, (25) Larry Greer, (26) Bryan Singleton, (27) Charles Zimmernan. Heat race winners (among 41 cars): Shirley, Miller, Ashby, Wells. Consolation winners: Jackson, Singleton. Provisional starters: Parker, Kiefer, Morton, McBride, L. Johnson, Zimmerman.
