After choosing to set out last night, and drawing criticism from many of the fans, Shannon Babb looked relaxed and rejuvenated tonight for the 20th stop of the 2005 summer cross country trek known as the Summer Nationals.

 

Babb of Moweaqua, Illinois set the all-time UMP Summer Nationals win record tonight as the UMP traveling contingent made their first ever visit to the Lincoln Speedway in Lincoln, Illinois. The 20th stop on the 29 city tour produced the best racing ever witnessed by fans at the fairgrounds track and was beautifully prepared under the supervision of Bob Sargent and his Track Enterprises crew.

 

As Babb rolled into victory lane tonight amongst a mix of cheers and jeers, Babb poked a little fun at those fans who criticized his decision last night to sit out at the Macon Speedway Herald-Review 100 after rain showers pelted the track and left it a muddy mess. Babb said "Bob Sargent really knows how to prepare a race track and we had one great track tonight to race on so I thought I would give it my best to give my fans a show." those comments drew a loud applause from the true Shannon Babb race fans and left a smile on Babb's face.

 

In post race conversation with Babb, he stated that the only thing missing to complete this years Summer Nationals would be the fact that Bob Memmer (founder and longtime operator of UMP who passed away during last years Summer Nationals after a long fought health battle) wasn't able to be here to see the new record as it was established.

 

Babb was once again behind the wheel of his favorite car that bears the moniker of "Full Pull" a C.J. Rayburn Race Cars chassis, the only chassis proven to be stronger than dirt and the choice of the winners on the 2005 UMP Summer National Tour, which sports a Jay Dickens Engine with sponsorship from CAR CITY, G&C Enterprises, PRC, Watters Autoland, J&J Steel, KARL Chevrolet, Outlawd Motorsports, Platinum Motors & RV, ALLSTAR Performance, Sunoco Race Fuels, Triple B Outfitters, Outlawd Motorsports, Mike Mudd Tractor and Combine Repair, Wick Racing, Hoosier by Smash, Indy Screen Print, Petersen Systems, Weld Wheels, IMPACT Safety Equipment, Dyers Rods, Bert Transmission, Sweet Manufacturing, Chubby's Meals on Wheels and Petroff Towing.

 

Rodney Melvin began the evening by recording the fastest qualifying lap with a time of 13.762.

 

The dash was won by Dennis Erb over Babb, Billy Moyer, Rodney Melvin, Jeep Van Wormer, Jimmy Mars, Brian Shirley, Randy Korte and Mike Mullvain.

 

Heat races were captured by Shirley over Terry English, Mike Marlar, Tim Lance, Jay Johnson, Bruce White, Shane Allen, Jerry Reeder and Billy Drake, Randy Korte over Steve Hillard, Mark Voigt, Patrick Sheltra, Christian Rayburn, Craig Richards, Rick Haley and Ron Bauman and Mike Mullvain over Kevin Weaver, Johnny Johnson, Ryan Unzicker, Joe Ross, Jr., Donnie Walden, Chad Smith, Russ Adams and Kellen Conover.

 

The consi was won by Ross, Jr. over Jay Johnson, Christian Rayburn, Richards, Smith, Conover, White and Reeder.

 

Billy Drake was added as the UMP Summer Nationals provisonal to round out the 21 car starting field.

 

When the green dropped on the 40 lap main event Erb would roll out to the lead with Babb, Moyer, Melvin and Van Wormer in tow. On lap 5 Moyer made hard contact to the rear of Babb as the duo exited turn 2. Moyer spun and drew the caution and was relegated to the rear of the field and would retire for the night 2 laps later.

 

On lap 23, babb would take the point from Erb with Shirley, Korte, English and Hillard having worked their way into position.

 

Babb would never look back, lapping up to 7th place when the checkered flag flew. Following Babb at the stripe were Erb, Shirley, English, Korte, Mars, Hillard, Drake, Sheltra and Weaver to complete the top 10.

 

A-Main Finish 40 Laps
 
 1. Babb
 2. Erb
 3. Shirley
 4. English
 5. Korte
 6. Mars
 7. Hillard
 8. Drake
 9. Sheltra
10. Weaver
11. Lance
 12. Ross, Jr.
13. Unzicker
14. Mullvain
15. Johhny Johnson
16. Melvin
17. Voigt
18. Moyer
19. Van Wormer
20. Marlar
21. Jay Johnson