(June 22, 2024) Pevely, MO – Tyler Erb continued his dominant streak on the 39th annual DIRTcar Summer Nationals by securing his sixth Feature win of the season on Saturday night at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55. This victory marked the 10th Hell Tour win of his career, with Erb taking the lead from Jason Feger in the early laps and maintaining his position until the checkered flag, earning a $10,000 prize.
Building Confidence
Erb, a 27-year-old from New Waverly, TX, expressed how these consistent wins have significantly boosted his confidence, translating into more trips to Victory Lane.
“You say you have the same level of confidence but when you can actually do it and have the proof of it every night, that definitely helps,” Erb said. “I feel like deep down, subliminally you feel like you actually can win, and sometimes you can tell yourself and try to talk yourself into it, but you just know deep down you don’t got it. Right now, I feel like we do have it, which is a good feeling.”
Race Strategy and Execution
After winning his Heat Race, Erb started the 40-lap main event from the second position, lining up next to Feger. Feger initially took the lead, but Erb quickly adapted, using the high banking to his advantage. By Lap 4, Erb made his move, overtaking Feger through Turns 3 and 4.
“We were like the same speed, and I was like, ‘I gotta figure out how to get around, I can’t just follow him,’” Erb said. “I started pounding the top of [Turns] 1 and 2 a little bit harder, a little bit harder. Not putting myself out of the race but trying to find the edge and finding out how hard was too hard.”
Managing Lapped Traffic
Once Erb took the lead, he built a significant gap over Feger until encountering lapped traffic. The congestion allowed Feger to close in, but a timely caution on Lap 25 reset the field, giving Erb a clear path on the restart. He maintained his lead, eventually pulling away to secure his third Summer Nationals victory of the week.
“In lapped traffic, it was getting kind of sketchy there,” Erb said. “Luckily, we had the caution. That was the second caution all week, and it played into our favor. The other caution this week did not make me happy. This one made me happy.”
Upcoming Events
The 39th DIRTcar Summer Nationals continues on Sunday, June 23, with a visit to Lincoln Speedway in Lincoln, IL. The event will feature racing alongside the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals.
Tickets are available at the gate. Fans unable to attend in person can stream every lap live on DIRTVision.
Abbreviated Results (40 Laps):
- Tyler Erb (2)
- Jason Feger (1)
- Garrett Smith (3)
- Shannon Babb (9)
- Tanner English (5)
- Daryn Klein (7)
- Jordan Bauer (13)
- Tyler Clem (17)
- Billy Moyer Sr (18)
- Dillon McCowan (4)
- Kye Blight (10)
- Jeff Herzog (11)
- Frank Heckenast Jr (19)
- Rickey Frankel (16)
- Trevor Gundaker (6)
- Matt Bailey (8)
- Rusty Griffaw (21)
- Will Roland (12)
- Kayden Clatt (14)
- Mark Voigt (22)
- Blaze Burwell (20)
- Michael Kloos (15)
For more details and complete results, visit the official DIRTcar website.
