Lake Odessa, Mich. – June 24, 2012 – Defending Summer Nationals champion Shannon Babb raced to his second DIRTcar Summer Nationals victory Sunday night at I-96 Speedway, outrunning fellow championship contender Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., to pocket the $5,000 payday.
Babb got the jump on the initial start over polesitter Jason McBride of Carbondale, Ill., and dominated, holding off Shirley after two cautions slowed the 40-lap main event. With the win, Babb will close the gap on Shirley in the DIRTcar Summer Nationals point standings. Shirley continued his strong record with a runner-up finish. 2010 Hell Tour champion Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., wound up third. Feger’s fellow fourth-row starter Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill, finished fourth. McBride rounded out the top five.
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The tour returns to action Tuesday night at Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, Ind., where Shannon Babb won his second Hell Tour race in 2011.
DIRTcar Summer Nationals Statistical Report; I-96 Speedway; Lake Odessa, Mich.; June 24, 2012 A-Main (40-laps): 1. Shannon Babb ($5,000), 2. Brian Shirley, 3. Jason Feger, 4. Dennis Erb Jr., 5. Jason McBride, 6. Ryan Unzicker, 7. Brandon Sheppard, 8. Curtis Roberts, 9. Jon Henry, 10. Brian Ruhlman, 11. Dona Marcoullier, 12. Rich Neiser, 13. Zack Olger, 14. Mike Spatola, 15. Jerry Lierly, 16. Nick Bartels, 17. Frank Heckenast Jr., 18. Scott Baker, 19. Adam Thrush, 20. Brandon Thirlby, 21. Curt Spalding, 22. Bobby Pierce. Fast qualifiers (among 36 cars): Pierce, Henry, Babb, Sheppard. Heat race winners: Shirley, Henry, Babb, McBride. B-main winner: Lierly. Provisional starters: Heckenast, Bartels, Thirlby, Olger.
2012 DIRTcar Summer Nationals Schedule
| Date | Track | Location | Winner (Cars) |
| 13-Jun | Brownstown Speedway | Brownstown, IN | Billy Moyer Jr. (49) |
| 14-Jun | Kankakee County Speedway | Kankakee, IL | Shannon Babb(45) |
| 15-Jun | Cedar Lake Speedway | Somerset, WI | Billy Moyer Jr. (37) |
| 16-Jun | Cedar Lake Speedway | Somerset, WI | Billy Moyer Jr. (32) |
| 17-Jun | Wilmot Raceway | Wilmot, WI | Ryan Unzicker (31) |
| 19-Jun | Spoon River Speedway | Canton, IL | Jon Henry (38) |
| 20-Jun | Highland Speedway | Highland, IL | Rodney Melvin (42) |
| 21-Jun | Fayette Co. Speedway | Brownstown, IL | Brian Shirley (41) |
| 22-Jun | Tri City Speedway | Pontoon Beach, IL | Billy Moyer (43) |
| 23-Jun | Fairbury Speedway | Fairbury, IL | Brian Shirley (41) |
| 24-Jun | I-96 Speedway | Lake Odessa, MI | Shannon Babb (36) |
| 26-Jun | Lincoln Park Speedway | Putnamville, IN | |
| 27-Jun | Belle Clair Speedway | Belleville, IL | |
| 28-Jun | Clay Hill Motorsports Park | Atwood, TN | |
| 29-Jun | Paducah Int. Raceway | Paducah, KY | |
| 30-Jun | Federated Auto Parts I-55 | Pevely, MO | |
| 1-Jul | Lincoln Speedway | Lincoln, IL | |
| 2-Jul | Peoria Speedway | Peoria, IL | |
| 3-Jul | Jacksonville Speedway | Jacksonville, IL | |
| 4-Jul | Lasalle Speedway | Lasalle, IL | |
| 5-Jul | Macon Speedway | Macon, IL | |
| 6-Jul | Quincy Raceways | Quincy, IL | |
| 7-Jul | Clarksville Speedway | Clarksville, TN | |
| 8-Jul | Tri State Speedway | Haubstadt, IN | |
| 10-Jul | Florence Speedway | Union, KY | |
| 11-Jul | Brushcreek Motorsports | Pebbles, OH | |
| 12-Jul | Terre Haute Action Track | Terre Haute, IN | |
| 13-Jul | Attica Raceway Park | Attica, OH | |
| 14-Jul | Oakshade Raceway | Wauseon, OH |
The DIRTcar Summer Nationals (The Hell Tour) is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Racing Electonics (Official Communication), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to these fine contingency sponsors: Beyea Headers, Butlerbuilt, Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Dominator Race Products, Chevy Performance Parts, Intercomp, JE Pistons, Klotz Lubricants, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Quartermaster, Superflow Dyno’s, UNOH (University of Northwestern Ohio), Wix Filters, and Wrisco Aluminum.
