Story By: RYAN DELPH / DENNIS ERB RACING – CARPENTERSVILLE, IL – Dennis Erb, Jr. scored his fourth victory of the 2023 campaign and secured his biggest payday of the year to date on Saturday evening, June 24 in the ‘Wichita Late Model Showdown’ finale at 81 Speedway in Park City, Kansas.
On Friday night during preliminary action, Dennis stopped the clock third quickest in Group B during time trials prior to finishing fourth in his 25-lap feature behind only $4,000 victor Bobby Pierce, Tanner English, and Nick Hoffman.
In Saturday’s grand finale, Dennis ran second in his loaded heat race and later started the 60-lap headliner from the inside of the fourth row. The Carpentersville, Illinois standout then drove to the front to grab the point on lap 22 and held the lead throughout the remainder of the contest to bag the $30,000 first place prize money ahead of runner-up Nick Hoffman, Tanner English, Ryan Gustin, and Bobby Pierce!
“The car was running really good and I was trying to pace myself and watch what those guys were doing in front of me,” Erb, Jr. said in victory lane after winning the Wichita Late Model Showdown. “I was able to get underneath them and get a clean track, and everything was really good there until that last lap. That caution at the end got me a little nervous. Luckily, everything fired off good, and we were able to hold them off. I have to thank Heather (Lyne), J.R. McBride Leasing, McBride Mack, Ideal Ready Mix, VoMac Truck Sales, and everyone that is involved in our program!”
The #28 team then made the overnight haul to Off Road Speedway in Norfolk, Nebraska on Sunday, June 25 for a $10,000 to win battle. Dennis laid down the ninth fastest lap overall during the qualifying session prior to grabbing the fourth transfer spot through his heat race. After starting the 40-lap main event from the outside of the sixth row, Dennis advanced up inside of the top ten before eventually winding up eleventh in the final finishing order. He currently sits ninth in the latest version of the WOOLMS point standings exiting the rare trip to the Cornhusker State.
Heartland Speedweek for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series stars will continue from June 27-July 1 with four more events in the states of Iowa, North Dakota, and Minnesota. A $10,000 top prize will be up for grabs later tonight at Mason City Motor Speedway in Mason City, Iowa and on Wednesday, June 28 at Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, North Dakota.
Following an off day on Thursday, action will then heat back up on Friday with a $12,000 to win event at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, North Dakota. A $15,000 paycheck will then be on the line in the Heartland Speedweek finale on Saturday, July 1 at I-94 EMR Speedway in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.