Shirk wins CMS track championship

Points titles also won by Mike South Jr. at Kil-Kare, Rob Yelton at Shady Bowl.

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By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer 10:56 PM Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Springfield racer Shane Shirk won his first track championship this season, winning the points title in the modifieds division at Columbus Speedway.

“Every week was nerve-wracking,” Shirk said.

Shirk won five features at Columbus this season, and finished second seven times.

“When you’re racing, like anything competitive, you want to win,” Shirk said.

“I knew I could probably take a chance (to win more races), but I didn’t want to lose points. I always had (Crew chief Dick Ater) in my ear telling me do not take any risks.”

He’ll be honored at the Columbus Motor Speedway awards banquet on Jan. 7 at the Berwick Manor Party House in Columbus at 6 p.m.

Shirk said he plans to have a more relaxed season next year, and will likely race at both Shady Bowl and Columbus.

“We’re going to travel around a bit,” Shirk said.

Two other area drivers, Selma native Mike South Jr. and Quincy native Rob Yelton, also won track championships this season.

South Jr. won the sports stocks division at Kil-Kare Speedway, while Yelton won the compacts division at Shady Bowl Speedway.

It was the first track championship in eight seasons for South.

“It was pretty awesome, something I’ve always wanted to accomplish,” South said. “I definitely couldn’t have done it without my family, friends and sponsorship.”

He’s excited to make a run at defending his title starting next spring.

“We’re going to go after it,” South said. “We’re going to try to defend it.”

The Kil-Kare Speedway awards banquet will be Jan. 14 at Kettering American Legion Post 598, while the Shady Bowl awards banquet will be Jan. 21 at the Champaign County Fairgrounds.

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