Moyer Jr. Kicks Off Late Model Week at DIRTcar Nationals with Victory

Moyer Jr. Kicks-Off Late Model Week at DIRTcar Nationals with Victory

Leads flag-to-flag for first career DIRTcar Nationals victory

(BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 15, 2016) – Billy Moyer Jr. survived a late race challenge from Dennis Erb Jr. and Shane Clanton as he captured the DIRTcar Late Models checkered flag on opening night of Late Model Week at DIRTcar Nationals.

Moyer Jr., a World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series rookie of the year contender and son of legendary late model driver Billy Moyer Sr., started from the outside of row one in his Crop Production Services/Dyna-Gro Seed 21JR for the 30-lap, $7,000-to-win feature at Volusia Speedway Park. Moyer easily made his way around pole-sitter Erb once the green flag fell.

Erb, driving the Black Diamond Chassis number 28E, had his hands full with fourth place starter Clanton, whom he battled with side-by-side for most of the race. Clanton utilized the outside line to stay even with the bottom-running Erb as the leader pulled away.

As the laps dwindled down, Erb and Clanton pulled within striking distance of the leader who was having trouble navigating lapped traffic. With 10 laps to go, the top three were separated by less than a second.

Clanton faded in the closing laps, but Erb stayed glued to Moyer’s rear bumper. Moyer maintained his lead for the remaining laps, leading flag-to-flag and claiming his first career DIRTcar Nationals victory.

“I’ve never ran good in a feature here,” the Batesville, Ark.-native said. “The car was perfect - my dad did a heck of a job. Just having my dad here means more than anything. Growing up he didn’t always get to be there, he had to go out and make a living, so this means a lot.

“I’m really excited, we finally got a Gator and that means a lot to me. The car was phenomenal, I tend to overtighten myself a lot, so it was great having my dad here to help me on the adjustments. We’ll go to work tomorrow and hopefully get another one.”

Erb finished in the runner-up position after doing everything he could to muscle his way around the leader, but came up just short of capturing a coveted Gator trophy.

“I had a really good car and I was running him down there,” Erb said. “[Moyer Jr.] did a really good job of staying on his line and his car was really good. We will take a second place here and build on it for this week.”

Clanton faded during the latter parts of the race as 2014 World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year Frank Heckenast Jr. maneuvered around him for the third position.

By Jordan Morris