Shirley Sweeps Hawkeye 100 Weekend

Photo Credit - Mike Ruefer Photo

Brian Shirley makes it three World of Outlaws Series wins a row as he sweeps the Hawkeye 100 at Maquoketa Speedway. Shirley regained the lead after Bobby Pierce suffered a right rear flat with 14 laps to go. Nick Hoffman and Brandon Sheppard rounded out the podium.

Rain once again pushed the program back but once the rain left and the track crew reworked the track Bobby Pierce would set fast time. He would go on to win his heat as other heat race winners were Shirley , Sheppard , and Cody Overton. B Main wins went to Brent Larson and Dustin Walker.

Cody Overton drew the pole and would lead the first four laps before Shirley took the lead. The caution would wave for Ryan Gustin on lap 20 with a tire issue. After replacing the tire Gustin would restart in the 20th position.

When the green replaced the yellow Shirley was still in control of the race until Pierce took the lead on lap 33. It was a lead that was short lived as Pierce went into turn 2 on lap 36 and pulled up as he exited the turn with his flat tire.

Meanwhile Gustin was working his way back up through the field but would run out of time to race with the leaders and finished 4th.

In the closing laps Hoffman and Sheppard were battling for the runner up spot as Shirley stretched his lead out. Hoffman would close the deal to take second to regain the second spot in the series standings with his finish combined with Pierce's 12th place finish.

Shirley would say in victory lane that he went soft on his tire compound and Bobby had a harder tire and said the good Lord was looking over him tonight. He also dedicated his win to Scott Bloomquist.

The series will travel to Atomic Speedway next weekend for two separate shows with Brandon Sheppard holding a 64 point advantage over Hoffman. Nick won a ALMS Iron-Man Series race earlier in the year at Atomic and will look to tighten up the point race. Bobby Pierce won one of the two nights last year at the big fast high banked track located in Alma , Ohio.

Hawkeye 100 Finish

1. BRIAN SHIRLEY

2. Hoffman

3. Sheppard

4. Gustin

5. Chris Simpson

6. Overton

7. Bruening

8. Bronson

9. Dillard

10. Feger

11. Chad Simpson

12. Pierce

13. Laney

14. Erb Jr

15. McCowan

16. Larson

17. Sorensen

18. Chamberlain

19. Blight

20. Walker

21. McLaughlin

22. Heckenast Jr

23. Babb

24. Gundaker