DirtonDirt Dispatches
Dispatches: Babb shows off his groovy knowledge
Dylan Thornton (38T) battles Shannon Babb (18) at Fairbury. (joshjamesartwork.com)
Notes and quotes from Dirt Late Model specials during the first weekend in October, including MARS action at Fairbury (Ill.) Speedway (look for coverage Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series action at Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway elsewhere):
Babb wins duel
With little experience running up front at Fairbury (Ill.) Speedway — Dylan Thornton hadn’t finished better than 10th in two previous visits to the quarter-mile oval — the California-turned-Iowa driver couldn’t keep track veteran Shannon Babb behind him in Friday’s MARS Championship Series event.
Thornton built an early lead on the high side. But after dropping to the low side, he couldn’t prevent Babb from working under him for a winning pass on the 30th of 40 laps.
“I don’t know,” Thornton said. “I guess I probably should have just stayed up there around the top.”
The 52-year-old Babb, who notched his career-best fourth MARS victory of the season, wasn’t sure about the winning groove at the outset.
“Fairbury had the racetrack amazing tonight, it had a top and a bottom and a middle," Babb said. "When Dylan took off with (Mike Spatola) and they was gone (running) up top. I thought ‘Man, I better get up there and join them guys,’ so I did that for a little bit and let the track burn in a little bit until the bottom got really good.”
When Thornton couldn’t keep his car right on the bottom, Babb slipped underneath took command with 11 laps to go. He earned $5,000 and his 15th career MARS victory on a night when series points leader Ryan Unzicker and reigning tour champ Jason Feger ended up battling for 10th.
“Just blessed to get another win this year. It’s awesome,” Babb said.
Thornton, who called Babb one of his childhood heroes, jumped back to the high side nearly immediately after Babb went by, but couldn’t keep up.
“I couldn't really get around the bottom that good, and once I moved back up there, I don't know,” Thornton said. “I felt like coming to the white (flag) there, that lapped car was kind of just right in the way, so I just moved down to save it and, hopefully we're gonna have a good night tomorrow.”
Babb, Thornton and other MARS regulars aim for a $10,000 payday on Saturday.
"Dylan's a hell of a good racer,” Babb said. “Love that kid. He's been really impressive this year. I told him I watched him the other day. He's got a bright future for sure.” — Series and staff reports
Streaming schedule
Among upcoming Dirt Late Model special and sanctioned events available via live streaming:
Friday, Oct. 2
• MARS Championship Series FALS Frenzy at Fairbury (Ill.) Speedway (FloRacing)
• Red Clay Classic WISSOTA Late Models prelims at ABC Raceway in Ashland, Wis. (Dirt Race Central)
Saturday, Oct. 3
• Lucas Oil Pittsburgher at Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway in Imperial, Pa. (FloRacing)
• MARS Championship Series FALS Frenzy at Fairbury (Ill.) Speedway (FloRacing)
• Red Clay Classic WISSOTA Late Models at ABC Raceway in Ashland, Wis. (Dirt Race Central)
• RUSH Crate Late Model Series at Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway in Imperial, Pa. (FloRacing)
• Ray Haase Memorial IMCA Late Models at Boone County Raceway in Albion, Neb. (Advantage TV)
• POWRi Heartland Late Model Tour at Legit Speedway Park in West Plains, Mo. (Racin Dirt TV)
• Dirt on the Downs Miller 100 Premier Late Models at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (IMCA TV)
• Xtreme Late Model Series at Marysville (Calif.) Raceway (NorCal Speed TV)
Sunday, Oct. 4
• POWRi Heartland Late Model Tour at Legit Speedway Park in West Plains, Mo. (Racin Dirt TV)
