Dean Shirley Night
 

Attention all Sprint car and race fans, Lincoln Speedway in Lincoln Il will be honoring a racing Legend from central Il. On Friday May 11 2012 Graue Inc. Presents Dean Shirley Night featuring the 410 winged sprints.


Hope to have more details soon.

Re: Dean Shirley Night
 

Great news! I remember those great battles he and Ronnie Milton had at Little Springfield. I really look forward to this. Many thanks to whoever is responsible for this. We seem to have forgotten the drivers of the past. It is good to see Lincoln Speedway have this.

Re: Dean Shirley Night
 

is he related to brian shirley that drives the late model?....3s

Re: Dean Shirley Night
 

Wow those battles between Dean and Ronnie were some of the best I have ever watched. Joes was the place to be on sunday night. Throw in Pennell, Amati, Standridge which ever one you want, Phil Howe and a Beechler or a Weyent you got a pretty good heat race from the late 70's or early 80's. I could back eariler when Ronnie was drivving the 3m but i don't want to show my age.:D

Re: Dean Shirley Night
 

Dean sometimes raced at Fairbury, IL back in the mid to late 1960's. Always put on a show.

I too was wondering if Dean and Brian Shirley are relatives.

Re: Dean Shirley Night
 

Dean was the USAC sprint car Rookie of the Year at the age of 53 :9: :9:

Re: Dean Shirley Night
 

I think I remember someone years ago saying that Dean and Brian weren't related, but my memory might be incorrect. Let's not forget the Moughans at Springfield either. The list could go on and on and on and then Super Weekend raised it to a whole new level, especially when they raced Friday and Saturday at Little Springfield and Sunday on the mile.

Re: Dean Shirley Night
 

I didnt forget the Moughan's but around that time they were running a lot of LM the 66 and the 666 both of Sr and Jr. but ya throw them in the mix to, both of them legends of little springfield. Super weekend was great. We could on all day those days were priceless. :6:

Re: Dean Shirley Night
 

Also throw in Bubby Jones and guys like Hershel Jenkins. Dean Shirley made it look easy sometimes against all of them. I think he got third in an Outlaw race there in the early 80's. The guy was really talented, and it is nice to see him honored.

Re: Dean Shirley Night
 

Wow! You start tossin' names around and it could go on forever. LOL!

I know when I was a snot nosed kid my Dad took us to Fairbury, IL pretty often and little did we know that we were watching a couple of guys who would eventually race in the Indy 500. And that was when it was head and shoulders above any other race in the world in exposure and prestige.

Ol' Bub and Larry "Boom Boom" Cannon were at Fairbury every week.

It was a real treat when we'd get to go to Little Springfield. I remember runnin' around The Torsion Bar after the races buggin' the drivers for autographs, etc.

Re: Dean Shirley Night
 

The best nights were the fair weekends ol AJ even showed up some nights.

Re: Dean Shirley Night
 

Don't forget on May 11th it will be Dean Shirley Night at Lincoln Speedway in Lincoln Il.

Re: Dean Shirley Night
 

Since MOWA just announced they are not going to sanction that show, does that mean a Dean Shirley night with no sprints, unsanctioned sprints, or perhaps no Dean Shirley night?

Re: Dean Shirley Night
 

There's a long story behind this, but no problems between the track and MOWA. In a snap decision following our initial rain out we talked about moving our MOWA show to the May 11th date that had been scheduled as an unsanctioned local sprint show.

After some reflection it became apparent to both parties that the events already planned and in the works that night really didn't allow for a show run by MOWA as a lot of effort had been put in by the Shirley tribute organizers that don't allow much time or space for a MOWA race - especially were there to be a very large field of cars.

We decided jointly that it was best to let the events proceed as previously planned and wait until our scheduled race in June for a MOWA sanctioned race. In a sense we are kind of stepping out of the way as an organization and letting the folks in Lincoln do what they wish on this special night paying tribute to a great hometown racer.

410 Winged Sprints will race in this unsanctioned event along with 5 other classes that are participating the night's events. No conspiracies. Just some compromising on everyone's part.

Re: Dean Shirley Night
 

Originally Posted by kidrock:
Don't forget on May 11th it will be Dean Shirley Night at Lincoln Speedway in Lincoln Il.

We fully intend to be there. Here's to hoping it's a great show and a fitting tribute to Dean!!

Re: Dean Shirley Night
 

Attention all sprint car and race fans, Lincoln Speedway in Lincoln, Il Will be honoring a racing legend from central Il. On Friday May 11 2012. Graue Inc. Presents Dean Shirley Night and featuring the 410 winged sprints.

There are many of us who either grew up or have heard about Dean Shirley racing here in the midwest and know how he became a legend in a sprint car so, come on out and help us honor Dean Shirley.

More details to follow

One of Dean's old car that he drove will be on display. Dean will be there between 5:00 - 5:15 to 6:00 at that time you will be able to talk to Dean and possibly get your picture with Dean and the old car he drove.

The pa announcer will also be doing a interview with Dean at Intermission.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...ley/web275.jpg

Re: Dean Shirley Night
 

bump to the top

Re: Dean Shirley Night
 

Update: The guy that owns the car that Dean Shirley drove called and said he may not be able to make it tomorrow.

Re: Dean Shirley Night
 

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone that came out last night to support Dean Shirley.

Ron Skelton