 |
 Brian Shirley Earns Steering Buddy Dark Horse with Brownstown TriumphDirt Late Model veteran Brian Shirley etched his name into the record books on Saturday night, capturing his first career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory at the 47th Annual WillScot Jackson 100-presented by Jackson County Visitor Center at Brownstown Speedway. With the breakthrough win, Shirley becomes the 97th different winner in series history and the fourth driver this season to earn the $1,000 Steering Buddy Dark Horse bonus. Shirley, hailing from Chatham, Illinois, charged from his ninth starting position aboard his Bob and Lisa Cullen-owned No. 3s. Taking the lead from Kyle Bronson on lap 24, Shirley led 77 of the 100 laps on Brownstown’s historic quarter-mile clay oval. He navigated heavy lapped traffic and held off fierce late-race challenges from Josh Rice following a restart with 14 laps remaining, crossing the finish line 0.646 seconds ahead to claim the $50,000 top prize. The $1,000 Steering Buddy Dark Horse award honors first-time Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series winners who outwork and outmaneuver national competition on the sport’s biggest stages. Shirley joins an elite list of 2026 honorees who have achieved their milestone series breakthroughs this season. “It sounds great to be a Lucas Oil winner,” said Shirley in Victory Lane. “There are a few things I wanted to do in my career before I hung up the hat, and one of them was to win a Lucas Oil race. This is so rewarding – we race against the best guys in the country week in and week out. Man, that was a long 100 laps, but the good Lord just said it was our night and all things came together.” “Brian’s drive at the Jackson 100 exemplifies everything the Steering Buddy Dark Horse program stands for,” said Mike Pearl, owner of Hostile Industries and Steering Buddy. “To start ninth, take the lead early, and execute under pressure against this level of talent for 100 laps is remarkable. Breaking through for your first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory at a crown jewel event like the Jackson 100 is a massive achievement, and everyone at Steering Buddy is proud to celebrate Brian and the No. 3s team.” The victory marks Shirley’s first win at Brownstown Speedway since a Summer Nationals triumph in 2008 and elevates him into the top eight of the Big River Steel Championship Standings. For the latest news, results, championship standings, and more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing, please visit LucasDirt.com. |