2/18/2023
Brian Shirley
Top-10 finish in DIRTcar Nationals finale, leaves Volusia second in WoO standings
The 52nd running of the Federated Auto Part DIRTcar Nationals brought Bob Cullen Racing and Brian Shirley to Volusia Speedway Park (Barberville, Fla.) on Monday afternoon to compete in a stout field of 58 Late Models aboard the Thomason Express No. 8 Team Zero Race Car.
After fading to a 20th-place finish in Monday’s opener, Shirley timed in fourth-fastest in his group on Tuesday before placing second in his heat. Inching forward three spots in the 25-lap feature, Brian recorded a ninth-place finish.
With the 52-car field divided into three groups on Wednesday, Brian’s qualifying effort positioned him on the fifth row for his $5,000-to-win prelim. Charging into the top-five, Shirley gained four positions to finish fifth. He trailed Brandon Overton, Ashton Winger, Max Blair, and Bobby Pierce to the checkers.
On Thursday as the remainder of the week shifted under the World of Outlaws Case Late Model Series sanction, Shirley followed up the fastest lap in his group with a dominant heat victory. Starting the feature in fifth via the redraw, Brian lost ground early in the 30-lapper but hung on to finish 16th.
Brian was able to qualify fourth-fastest in his group on Friday but Mother Nature axed the remainder of evening midway through heat races.
In a field of 53 Late Models on Saturday, Shirley’s fifth-to-first showing in his heat sent him into the redraw. Starting the $20,000-to-win DIRTcar Nationals finale in third, Brian faded in the final 10 circuits to place ninth in the 50-lapper.
Brian is currently second in the latest World of Outlaws point standings.
Full results from the events are available at www.DIRTcarNationals.com and www.WorldofOutlaws.com.
Article Credit: Josh James image
Article Media
