---

Summer Nationals points battle heads to tradition rich Herald&Review 100 tonight

Shannon Babb is the defending champion. Photo by Lisa Morrison/Herald&Review

MACON, Ill. – The crown jewel of the Summer National Tour races tonight when history could be made at the 34th running of the Herald&Review 100 at legendary Macon Speedway. Late model aces Shannon Babb and Kevin Weaver both shoot for a record fifth victory in the 100-lap race rich in tradition, pageantry and atmosphere. The race is expected to draw more than 3,000 fans as the Summer Nationals heads toward crowning a champion.

Babb, the Moweaqua Missile, is the defending race champion. He’s battling for the points title with Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., and Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill.. Sheppard won the Summer Nationals title last summer, and Pierce is the 17-year-old phenom who took the checkered flag in the St. Louis U-Pic-A-Part 100 at Macon Speedway in May.

The action will be furious in the Herald&Review 100 -- the only 100-lapper in the Summer Nationals -- these dirt trackers know their way around the fifth-mile high banked oval known for two grooves of racing. Local drivers such as Kyle Logue, who recently won two late model features at Macon Speedway, will make the night even more interesting. Dirt track legend Billy Moyer won the Summer National event at Terre Haute, Ind., on Wednesday, holding off Shirley, Babb, Sheppard and Daytona 500 polesitter Austin Dillon. Now the crews much shift from the big half-mile layout at the Action Track to the tight confines of Macon Speedway.

Babb, Weaver and Pierce’s father, Bob, all have won wins in the Herald&Review 100.

The Summit Modified Nationals will also race for $1,000 to win, and Macon Speedway co-owner Ken Schrader is always tough to beat on a track he likes to call a home away from home.

The Herald-Review 100 annually is a circle-the-date race. Fans pack the stands early, and campers began arriving Wednesday. It’s a horsepower carnival with some of the best racing in the Midwest. Tickets are only $25 for adults and $5 for children 11-under. Pit passes are $35.

Parking is free. Camping is available. Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 7.

For more information, follow Macon Speedway at (www.maconracing.com), Facebook  (www.facebook.com/maconracing) and Twitter (@maconspeedway). It’s easy to join the Macon Speedway text service. Fans can text MSFANS to 74574 to receive fan information. Drivers can text MSDRIVERS to 74574 to receive driver information. Message and data rates may apply. Updates are also available by calling Macon Speedway at 217-764-3000. Macon Speedway is located nine miles south of Decatur on U.S. 51, then 0.6 miles west on Andrews Street and south to 205 N. Wiles.

 

 

Back to News