{"id":4502,"date":"2008-12-12T19:33:24","date_gmt":"2008-12-13T01:33:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/100.24.212.105\/?p=4502"},"modified":"2011-06-12T11:32:13","modified_gmt":"2011-06-12T16:32:13","slug":"annual-ump-dirtcar-summer-nationals-%e2%80%98hell-tour%e2%80%99-showcases-27-dirt-late-model-races-in-31-days","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dirtcar.com\/divisions\/late-models\/annual-ump-dirtcar-summer-nationals-%e2%80%98hell-tour%e2%80%99-showcases-27-dirt-late-model-races-in-31-days\/","title":{"rendered":"Annual UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals \u2018Hell Tour\u2019 Showcases 27 Dirt Late Model Races in 31 Days"},"content":{"rendered":"
ORLANDO, FL \u2014 Dec. 12, 2008 \u2014 The 21st annual UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour is the most grueling month in any form of motorsports. The 2009 series \u2014 also known as the \u201cHell Tour\u201d \u2014 is one of the most challenging in history with 27 Super Dirt Late Model races in 31 days. More than anything, the schedule released this week at the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show is a matter of survival, a true reality show.<\/p>\n
The Summer Nationals is a journey that pits man and his machine against the best dirt tracks in the Midwest. It\u2019s the series that helped to launch the legendary careers of Billy Moyer and Scott Bloomquist, as well as current World of Outlaws Late Model Series star Shannon Babb.<\/p>\n
\u201cRunning the Summer Nationals tour is one of the toughest things a Dirt Late Model team can attempt,\u201d said UMP DIRTcar Racing Director Sam Driggers. \u201cTo accomplish the feat, to survive to finale at Oakshade, is an accomplishment that won\u2019t be forgotten. Whether it\u2019s the racers, the officials or the fans, the tour showcases everything that\u2019s great about dirt track racing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The month of hell kicks off June 11 at Indiana\u2019s Brownstown Speedway. It winds through Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee and Missouri before reaching the championship night on July 11 with the 12th Annual \u201cBirthday Race\u201d at Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, Ohio.<\/p>\n
Among the tracks visited along the 4,500 miles on this year\u2019s circuit are new and familiar. Farmer City Raceway and Macon Speedway, which have each featured an amazing 21 Summer Nationals races since 1988, are again on this year\u2019s slate.<\/p>\n
Three new dates also tag this year\u2019s UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour. For the first time, the \u201cHell Tour\u201d will invade Clay Hill Motorsports Park, Shepp Speedway and Waynesfield Motorsports Park.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are still tracks out there that really want a date, but we\u2019ve found that this is about as far as anyone can go for a month straight,\u201d Driggers said.<\/p>\n
Illinois leads the way with 18 events on the schedule, followed by three events in Indiana, two events in Ohio and Tennessee and one each in Missouri and Kentucky.<\/p>\n
Two-time and defending UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model and Summer Nationals champion Dennis Erb Jr., of Carpentersville, Ill., is expected to defend his title. Erb\u2019s attempt at the \u201cthree-peat\u201d won\u2019t be easy, facing not only the grueling schedule but also tough drivers like Jason Feger, of Bloomington, Ill.; Wes Steidinger, of Fairbury, Ill.; and Jeep Van Wormer of Pinconning, Mich.<\/p>\n