TOP GUN TERBO: Tyler Erb Claims the Pole for 32nd annual USA Nationals

It’s been a slow start for Tyler Erb in 2019 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series crown jewel competition. After jumping ship to the Best Performance Motorsports team in the winter of 2018, the New Waverly, Texas-native grabbed his newfound racing home by the horns and clicked off a bunch of wins to get his 2019 campaign started. But after failing to qualify for the two previous World of Outlaws crown jewel events at Lernerville Speedway (Firecracker 100) and Fairbury Speedway (Prairie Dirt Classic), “Terbo” has secured the pole in this Saturday’s 100-lap, $50,000-to-win USA Nationals Feature.

Accumulating a total of 120.56 passing points across two rounds of Drydene Heat Races with finishes of third and first, Erb earned himself a spot in the redraw, where he pulled the pole for the ensuing eight-lap Dash event. From lap one, Erb seemed to be on rails, flying around the 3/8-mile and turning in the fastest lap of the race.

He took the checkered after leading each lap, going virtually unchallenged for the top spot. He and his new team are firing on all cylinders, and it really shows. On Saturday night, they’ll go for $50,000 against most of the best Dirt Late Model competition in the country, and knowing they’ll lead the field to the green will certainly allow Erb to sleep a little better the night before.

“Drawing the pole was a big part of it,” he said. “I don’t know what it looked like behind me, but to pass here, you’ve kind-of got to bonzai people. And it’s exciting to watch, but driving and being around it, you’re just kind-of on eggshells the whole time.”

It’s 100 laps in distance, and anything can happen in that time. But the big ‘polesitter’ target on Erb’s back certainly doesn’t have him worried.

“It’s nothing new, it’s another race. We race all of these same guys for $5,000 or $50,000. Sometimes, it’ll bring out the best or worst in people. But we’re going to race tomorrow just as we would any other night,” he said.

Rookie of the Year contender Cade Dillard seems to be shedding his ‘rookie’ stripes already, putting his Joel’s Auto Sales, MB Customs Race Cars #97 to Erb’s outside for Saturday’s big dance. Finishes of second and fourth in his Drydene Heats accumulated 109.04 passing points, good enough to earn him the final spot in the Dash.

Redrawing P2, Dillard kept up his momentum in the sprint race to ensure himself a front-row starting spot for Saturday’s main event as the highest-starting full-time World of Outlaws driver.

DIRTcar Summer Nationals regular and 2014 World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year Frank Heckenast Jr. had arguably the fastest car in the pit area on Friday night, setting a new event record for most passing points accumulated in two rounds of Drydene Heat racing and being the only driver on the roster to win both Heats he competed in.

The Frankfort, Illinois-native was riding a wave and showed no signs of falling off on Friday night. After a third-place draw and Dash finish, Heckenast will take his Rocket XR1 into tomorrow’s main event with a load of confidence and great feelings about his driving and his team that backs him.

“It was one of those nights where the draw went well and a lot of things went our way,” he said. “The car was good; we made the right changes all night and we all worked together. It was just one of those nights where everything just clicks.”

All of that Summer Nationals experience he acquired in the last two seasons, racing a different track every single night, has really helped his skillset behind the wheel and his crew’s ability to make the right changes when necessary. The #99jr team cashed in on that this weekend, and Heckenast is grateful for every minute he spent on the road, learning the ins-and-outs of his new ride.

“You just learn so much about your car,” Heckenast said. “With this car being new this year, it’s just been unbelievable learning that much in 30 days. It really is a blessing to be able to go out and do that, as I know a lot of people can’t.”

Fellow Summer Nationals veteran and 2010 Champion Jason Feger claimed a guaranteed-starter spot in Saturday’s main event with his victory in the FANSFund Dash event over Chris Simpson, Ricky Weiss, Chris Ferguson and Brian Shirley. “The Highside Hustler” led all 12 laps and became a two-time winner of the event.

UP NEXT

The Outlaws saddle up at Cedar Lake Speedway one final time in 2019 on Saturday night for the 100-lap, $50,000-to-win USA Nationals Feature event. Don’t miss a moment of the action, LIVE on DirtonDirt.com and DIRTVision with Hot Laps starting at 6:30 p.m. central!

ABBREVIATED RESULTS (click here for full results)

USA Nationals Dash (8 Laps) 1. 1T-Tyler Erb [1]; 2. 97-Cade Dillard [2]; 3. 99jr-Frank Heckenast [3]; 4. 28-Dennis Erb Jr. [5]  5. OM-Chris Madden [8]; 6. 1-Brandon Sheppard [7]; 7. 7-Ricky Weiss [6]; 8. 25z-Mason Zeigler [4]

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USA Nationals
Friday, August 02, 2019
Cedar Lake Speedway
2275 County Road CC
New Richmond, Wisconsin 54017 

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Late Model Series

Support Divisions
USRA Limited Late Models

Event Schedule
THURSDAY
6:30 Hot Laps
7:00 Complete show of World of Outlaw Late Model show & USRA Limited Late Models.
After race party in the Cedar Lake Arena!

FRIDAY
8:30 Breakfast served in east and west restaurants
11:00 or 12:00 Tubing down the Apple River
1:00 Trout Fishing
6:30 Hot Laps
7:00 Double Heat Races & Dash for USA Nationals & complete show of local Late Models
After race party in the Cedar Lake Arena

SATURDAY
8:30 Breakfast served in east and west restaurants
11:00 or 12:00 Apple River Tubing
12:30 FansFund Luncheon
3:00 Lawn Mower Racing in Arena
4:30 Driver Autograph/Meet & Greet
6:30 Hot Laps
7:00 B Mains & 100 lap, $50,000 to Win USA Nationals and complete show of local Late Models
*All times Central

Ticket Phone
(612) 363-0479

Tickets On Sale
2018-08-08

Options And Prices
Thursday only at gate $25 Adults, $12 Student, $35 Pits
Friday only at gate $30 Adults, $15 Students, $40 Pits
Saturday only at gate $35 Adults, $17 Students, $45 Pits
Advance Friday / Sat Pass* $60 Adults, $30 Students
Advance Thu/Fri/Sat Pass* $80 Adults, $40 Students

* Note: Reduced 2 or 3 day advanced tickets available online or by calling 612-363-0479. Must be purchased at least 2 days before the event starts.

Grandstand Type
Bleachers / chairbacks

Family Section Location
all areas are family friendly

Handicapped Seating Location
Both sides of stadium have wheel chair accessible seating

Pit Age Requirement
NO age restriction for pits. 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent/ guardian.

Parking Cost
$0.00

Handicapped Parking Location
Outside the front gate

Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite, sanitary facility, showers, waste services

Camping Cost
$60 for the Weekend

Support Divisions
USRA Limited Late Models

Tickets On Sale
2018-08-08

Type of Grandstand
Bleachers / chairbacks

Stadium Seating
Stadium seats are allowed.

Handicapped Seating
Both sides of stadium have wheel chair accessible seating

Handicapped Parking
Outside the front gate

Pit Age Limit
NO age restriction for pits. 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent/ guardian.

Personal Coolers
Coolers are permitted at the speedway, however you are NOT ALLOWED to bring in any alcoholic beverages or glass containers.

ATMs
1

Alcohol Sales
Beer and wine will be available to purchase

Smoking Policy
No smoking in Grandstands

Family Section
all areas are family friendly

Parking Cost
$0.00

Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite, sanitary facility, showers, waste services

Camping Cost
$60 for the Weekend

Cedar Lake Speedway
2275 County Road CC
New Richmond, Wisconsin 54017 

Track Phone
(715) 248-7119

Ticket Phone
(612) 363-0479

Track Email
[email protected]

Track Size
0.375

Sprint Car Track Record
10.775 seconds by Terry McCarl on 9/11/04

Late Model Track Record
12.950 by Shannon Babb on 8/3/23

Closest Airport
Minneapolis, MN (MSP / KMSP) Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport

Other Airport
Eau Claire, WI (EAU / KEAU) Chippewa Valley Regional Airport

Track Map

Competitor Downloads
 https://www.dirtcarmembers.com/downloads.php

Competitor Info
Competitor Notes:
https://www.dirtcarmembers.com/upload/969c92019%20Cedar%20Lake%20Speedway%20Competitor%20notes%20final.pdf

Order Of Events:
Thursday 8-1-19
https://www.dirtcarmembers.com/upload/b7e09Cedar%20Lake%20Speedway%20order%20of%20events%208-1.pdf

Friday 8-2-19
https://www.dirtcarmembers.com/upload/17e9cCedar%20Lake%20Speedway%20order%20of%20events%208-2.pdf

Saturday 8-3-19
https://www.dirtcarmembers.com/upload/72478Cedar%20Lake%20Speedway%20order%20of%20events%208-3.pdf

Weekend Tire Rule:
Hoosier LM40s all four (4) corners only