Story By: RYAN DELPH / DENNIS ERB RACING – CARPENTERSVILLE, IL – Dennis Erb Racing tackled a trio of high-profile events in the states of Illinois and Iowa from July 7-10 and finished inside of the top six in all three battles over the extended weekend.
Things kicked off at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois last Friday night, as a $10,000 top prize was on the line with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour. After clicking off the second quickest time in Group A during qualifying and winning his heat race, Dennis Erb, Jr. ultimately placed fourth in the 40-lap feature event behind only race winner Brian Shirley, Ryan Unzicker, and Tanner English.
On Saturday evening, the dirt-slinging action quickly turned to Fairbury Speedway in downtown Fairbury, Illinois for the ‘Bob Harty Memorial.’ Dennis stopped the clock second quickest overall during the qualifying session before securing a victory in his heat race. After rolling off from the outside of the front row in the 38-lap feature event, the Carpentersville, Illinois native took the lead on lap 33 and appeared headed towards a $5,000 triumph. However, Frank Heckenast, Jr. swept by his #28 machine on the final circuit and Dennis was forced to settle for a strong runner-up performance.
Following a day off on Sunday, Dubuque Speedway in Dubuque, Iowa was next on Monday for the $20,000 to win ‘Key City Clash,’ which was sanctioned by the XR Super Series. Dennis timed in fifth quickest in Group A during qualifying and later grabbed the third transfer spot through his loaded heat race. After starting ninth on the grid in the 50-lapper, Dennis vaulted up inside of the top five before ultimately placing sixth at the checkered flag behind only winner Bobby Pierce, Devin Moran, Brandon Sheppard, Ricky Thornton, Jr., and Hudson O’Neal. He now finds himself tied for tenth in the latest version of the XR Super Series point standings exiting the Hawkeye State.
Next up for the #28 team will be a pair of World of Outlaws CASE Construction Late Model Series shootouts on July 14-15 in the states of Kentucky and Indiana. Dennis has dipped south to Ponderosa Speedway in Junction City, Kentucky tonight for the $15,000 to win ‘Johnny Mulligan Classic.’ Another $15,000 top prize will be up for grabs on Saturday evening at Brownstown Speedway in Brownstown, Indiana in the 40th edition of the ‘Hoosier Dirt Classic,’ which Dennis has won twice back in 2013 and 2015. He comes into the doubleheader weekend ninth in the latest version of the World of Outlaws point standings.