MACON, Ill. -- Brian Shirley came back home and dominated the 32nd Annual Herald & Review 100 at Macon Speedway, part of the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals “Hell Tour.” With temperatures rising over 100 degrees and a sticky, humid evening, Shirley, of Chatham, nearly fell out of the car after completing the event and was quickly handed a cold bottle of water by track announcer Larry Limbach.

Breathing down the neck of Shirley for the final 30 laps was three-time winner and fellow former Macon Speedway regular Shannon Babb of Moweaqua. Shirley crawled up the track and Babb stayed alongside but couldn’t find a way past him to take control.

Shirley took the lead from Macon Speedway regular Kyle Logue of Cisco. Logue is a former multi-time Macon Speedway track champion and started front row outside. Logue had two different leads, the start of the race and took over the lead after four-time winner Kevin Weaver spun out in the fourth turn. Logue gave up the lead on lap 16 and Shirley took over until the double checkered flags hit the air from flagman Joey Webb.

Ryan Unzicker of El Paso ran consistently in the second and third positions for the entire race and finished third. Brandon Sheppard came out of the B-Main and started in the 18th starting position. Thanks to the long race, Brandon worked through the field, even stopping for a tire change on lap 56 during a caution. He would take fourth ahead of his father Steve Sheppard, Jr. He started tenth.

The race was completed in 37 minutes with five caution flags, including at the very start coming out of the fourth turn.

In the Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals feature, Kewanee’s Ray Bollinger led from start to finish as he was the pole-sitter for the race. Racing to the second place position was Sullivan’s Norm Wood. A rough race for Wood, who was beaten and banged around most of the night, cashed in on runner’s up. Matt Goulden of Springfield grabbed third place. Summit Racing Equipment points leader Mike Harrison of Highland took fourth place and extended his lead over Gabe Menser, who finished sixth. Joe Strawkas of Buffalo started ninth and finished fifth.

The biggest race of the year for the Late Models has been completed at Macon Speedway. Macon Speedway would like to thank the Decatur Herald & Review for their sponsorship of the 32nd Annual Herald & Review 100. The biggest race of the year for the Sportsman at Macon Speedway is coming this Saturday as they prepare to take their tops off and race the Topless 40, sponsored by Skeff Distributing. A 40-lapper for the Sportsman will be raced without their roofs, plus a full stock car racing show.