Federated Raceway at I-55
Babb wins at I-55, ends season-long drought
Shannon Babb ended a season-long drought with his I-55 victory. (stlracingphotos.com)
PEVELY, Mo. (June 2) — Polesitter Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., outdueled Jesse Stovall throughout Saturday night’s MARS DIRTcar Series feature at Federated Raceway at I-55 and held off a late charge from Billy Moyer to earn his first victory of the 2012 season. | Slideshow
Babb, who entered the race riding his longest winless drought to start a season in more than a decade, earned $5,000 for his fourth victory on the MARS tour. Behind Moyer of Batesville, Ark., Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., finished third with Jeff Johns of Belleville, Ill., and Jason McBride of Carbondale, Ill., rounding out the top five finishers.
“We spent most of the day today working on the car. We had just a few things that wasn’t on the money. I think we found it again," said Babb, who started the race from the pole. "Jesse was really good and Moyer and Feger. I think the track was really good for everybody. But we had the right starting position and was able to hold them off.”
Series points leader Stovall of Galena, Mo., started alongside Babb on the front row and challenged for the lead for the majority of the race. The low-running Stovall pulled alongside Babb numerous times, but was never able to complete the pass. Stovall's bid to win ended with four laps remaining when contact between him and Babb caused his car to spin at the exit of turn two. Stovall ended up 12th in the final rundown.
“I seen Jesse down there a few times. I hate we kinda got together there and knocked him out," Babb said of the tangle with Stovall. "I definitely don’t ever like to see that stuff happen. It wasn’t something on purpose or anything.”
Moyer was looking to rebound from a disappointing flat tire that took him out while leading Friday’s series event at Paducah (Ky.) International Raceway, but his late challenge came up short as Babb scored the victory.
Terry English of Benton, Ky., who earned $5,000 for winning Friday’s race at Paducah, finished sixth in Saturday’s event.
Notes: Babb’s Victory Circle Race Car is powered by Clements Racing Engine with sponsorship from Petroff Towing, Donley Trucking, Allstar Performance, PRC and Kreke’s Powerhouse. ... The event was the final race of the MARS tour’s weekend tripleheader. Along with English’s Saturday victory at Paducah, Michael Kloss of Trenton, Ill., won $3,000 Thursday at Highland (Ill.) Speedway. ... Stovall retained the series points leader over Tony Jackson Jr. of Lebanon, Mo., who finished 19th. ... Among drivers failing to make feature lineup: Mark Voigt, Michael Kloos, Jason Crump, Tim Manville, Dave Jumper, Randy Estes. ... The MARS tour returns to action June 29-30 with a doubleheader at I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Neb., and Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa.
MARS @ I-55: (1) Shannon Babb, (2) Billy Moyer, (3) Jason Feger, (4) Jeff Johns, (5) Jason McBride, (6) Terry English, (7) Bobby Pierce, (8) Randy Korte, (9) Tanner English, (10) Dewayne Keifer, (11) Rickey Frankel, (12) Jesse Stovall, (13) Justin Asplin, (14) Ken Rumble, (15) Brandon Morton, (16) Leroy Johnson, (17) Andrew Johns, (18) Ryan Unzicker, (19) Tony Jackson Jr., (20) Paul Roider, (21) Brent Kreke, (22) Scott Weber, (23) Brian Shirley, (24) Jeff Herzog. Fast qualifier (among 30 cars): Babb, 12.944 seconds. Heat race winners: Babb, Stovall, Kiefer, J. Johns. Consolation race winner: Korte. Provisional starters: Roider, Herzog, Morton, Johnson.
