CHALLENGER’S ARRIVAL: Erb Confident in Early Push Toward World of Outlaws Championship
The Carpentersville, IL driver scored his first Series win of 2022 during DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park
GAFFNEY, SC – March 11, 2022– Dennis Erb Jr. made a statement at this year’s DIRTcar Nationals. He’s prepared to contend for the 2022 World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models Championship.
However, that statement quietly began last year.
The Carpentersville, IL driver’s rise started in June when he won at Circle City Raceway and then continued throughout the year, picking up two more World of Outlaws wins, and carried into Florida where he got his first win at Volusia Speedway Park and earned five top-10s in six starts.
“We’ve been working really hard, especially since the middle of last season, and toward the end there, we really started running pretty good,” Erb said. “That really carried some momentum over into this season.
“To be able to go down [to Florida] and pick up a win and have some good runs, it definitely helps get things going.”
Another key to his success is the variety of tracks he’s won on, showcasing his ability to adapt. Erb has three victories in 2022, one at a 1/2-mile (Volusia), one at a 1/4-mile (Clarksville), and one at a 1/3-mile (East Bay).
“The smaller track and the bigger track stuff is getting closer to where it needs to be all the time,” Erb said. “I’m pretty satisfied with going down there and getting a good start. We’ve got a good handle on some stuff, and we’re looking forward to the rest of this year.”
While Dennis Erb is the man behind the wheel, his accolades don’t happen without 2021 World of Outlaws Crew Chief of the Year Heather Lyne by his side.
Lyne is usually the first person to arrive at driver’s meetings throughout the season, and her attention to detail is key to the team’s organization.
What makes their accomplishments together even more impressive is Lyne travels on the road while juggling a full-time job—an electrical engineer for a defense contractor with the military.
“That’s my crew right there,” Erb said. “I count on her to get things done on the car, and I need her to get our tires, shocks, and springs ready and combinations.
“For her to be out on the road with me, she’s got to juggle around her full-time job, and it’s quite a chore for her to put in all the time and dedication into it.”
READ MORE: FULFILLING A DREAM: ONE ‘HELLO’ LED TO 20-YEAR LATE MODEL CAREER FOR HEATHER LYNE
The early-season success from the dynamic duo has them primed for a chance to dethrone fellow Illinois competitor and reigning Series champion Brandon Sheppard.
The driver from the Land of Lincoln is confident in his abilities to become the 11th champion in World of Outlaws CASE Late Models history.
“I think we’ve been going good; I think we’ve been to a lot of places now that we’re going back to again,” Erb said.
“To come out of Florida being right there, that’s kind of what the plan was for this year. Now we just have to go ahead and start putting it together each week. I definitely think we can battle for it this year.”
The next stop for Erb and the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models is Cherokee Speedway, March 25-26 for the 2nd annual Rock Gault Memorial. The event will be co-sanctioned along with the Xtreme DIRTcar Series. For Tickets, CLICK HERE.
If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online on with the DIRTVision App.
The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: CASE Construction Equipment (Official Construction Equipment), DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider) VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, Fox Factory (Hard Charger Award), MSD, Penske Racing Shocks, Quarter Master, Slick Woody’s (Quick Time Award), Swift Springs, and Wrisco–Wieland Metal Services (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including Dirt Car Lift, Capital Race Cars, FIREBULL, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics, Reliable Painting, Rocket Chassis, and Sea Foam.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. Annually, the two series race nearly 140 times at tracks across the United States and Canada. CBS Sports Network is the official broadcast partner of the World of Outlaws. DIRTVision® also broadcasts World of Outlaws events over the Internet to fans around the world. Learn more about the World of Outlaws.
Sources: Mike Warren, World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR