Brandon Sheppard beat Max Blair by .075 seconds
The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series kicked off a four-race weekend on Thursday night with an event at the Orange County Fair Speedway. At the end of an intense night of racing, it was Brandon Sheppard who scored the victory. The Rocket Chassis driver from New Berlin, Illinois earned $10,000 for his efforts.
A total of 22 cars were signed in for competition.
Bryan Bernheisel was fastest in qualifying after the toured the 5/8 mile clay layout in 20.072 seconds to beat out Ryan Gustin, Kyle Strickler, Chris Madden, Rick Eckert, Amanda Robinson, Brandon Sheppard and Boom Briggs.
Brandon Sheppard outran Chris Madden, Ricky Weiss and Bryan Bernheisel in the first heat race of the night then Rick Eckert was the winner of the second heat over Max Blair, Boom Briggs and Brent Larson.
Kyle Strickler captured the third heat ahead of Dennis Erb Jr., Stewart Friesen and Jimmy Bernheisel.
WoO Late Models redraw placed Sheppard on the pole with Eckert, Madden, Strickler, Blair and Erb filling out the first three rows.
At the start of the 40-lap feature it was Eckert who bolted to the lead with Sheppard, Erb, Madden and Blair. On the second circuit it was Madden who would pass by Erb to assume the third spot.
Madden moved in to challenge Sheppard for the runner-up position on lap 5 but the racing action was slowed when Eckert slowed from the lead of the race to bring out a caution. Shortly after the restart, Blair took third away from Erb while Madden moved in to offer and assault on Sheppard for the race lead.
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series star Stewart Friesen entered the top-5 on lap 10 when he moved by Briggs on lap 10. Madden continued to apply pressure on Sheppard as he moved inside in an attempt to pass on multiple occasions between lap 11 and 16. Further back Friesen moved forward again as he took fourth away from Erb.
A lap 16 yellow flag waved when Jimmy Bernheisal slowed. Blair got by Madden for second on the restart. On lap 19, Madden returned the favor to regain second. At the same time, Weiss entered the top-5 as he passed by Erb.
As the race passed the halfway point, Madden continued to keep Sheppard in his sights. However, a lap 28 caution for Ross Robinson allowed the field to reset. On the restart, Blair again moved to second while Weiss took fourth away from Friesen.
Blair then set about the task of challenging Sheppard for the lead until Weiss had apparent failure on his car caused him to slam into the outside wall in turn three.
When green flag racing resumed, Blair continued to hound Sheppard for the lead by diving to the inside lap after lap. It looked as if all was lost for the No. 111 when Blair bobbled on lap 34 and lost ground. But Blair rebounded and again began to harass Sheppard.
Third running Madden slowed to bring out a caution with just two laps remaining.
Blair again went after Sheppard over the final two laps but Sheppard used the high line to his advantage and ultimately held to lead to beat Blair to the checkered flag by .075 seconds.
It was the 74th career World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series win for Sheppard which ties him for second all-time with Darrell Lanigan.
Feature Finish: 1. Brandon Sheppard, 2. Max Blair, 3. Tyler Bruening, 4. Stewart Friesen, 5. Dan Stone, 6. Kyle Strickler, 7. Brent Larson, 8. Max McLaughlin, 9. Dylan Yoder, 10. Bryan Bernheisel, 11. Dennis Erb Jr., 12. Jimmy Bernhesel, 13. Chris Madden, 14. Boom Briggs, 15. Ricky Weiss, 16. Ross Robinson, 17. Pancho Lawler, 18. Danny Snyder, 19. Rick Eckert, 20. Jon Rohacevich, 21. Amanda Robinson, 22. Ryan Gustin
