Brandon Sheppard(center), owner Mark Richards and crew chief Danny White were able to get their car back in action with some helping hands from other teams.
Things could have gone terribly wrong in Friday night’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned event at Knoxville(IA) Raceway for Brandon Sheppard and his Rocket Chassis house car team. However, quick work by his own Mark Richards-led team along with a little help from some friends turned things around and allowed the New Berlin, Illinois driver to record a heat race win and then a runner-up result in the feature.
On lap 6 of the second heat race, Sheppard ran into the back of the suddenly slowing car of Jeremiah Hurst. The three-time and defending World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series champion immediately pulled his car into the pit area with the intention of retiring for that race in hopes of possibly returning for a later B-main. However, it was evident that the radiator and other key components of the car were not damaged badly enough to stop so the crew sprang into action.
With fluid from the Hurst car laid down on the track, it was apparent that the caution period would take some time as the track crew began cleanup efforts on the historic layout.
Tyler Erb, Kyle Bronson, Shane Clanton and members from other teams including those from Clint Bowyer Racing jumped in to lend a hand. With the hood on Sheppard’s car badly crinkled, Bronson even offered one of his own which was installed. With the work completed, Sheppard hurried back on to the track just before the heat race went back to green flag conditions.
Brandon Sheppard would eventually finish second in the feature
The 28-year-old driver was able to pass by the competition and go on to the claim the heat race win. As a result, he was able to start the 25-lap feature from the front row and would eventually follow race winner Tyler Erb under the checkered flag to earn a second-place finish.
“My guys did a heck of a job putting that thing back together during the heat race,” Sheppard said in his post-race interview with MavTV Plus. “It was definitely a wild night for us. I’ve got to thank everybody that helped put that thing back together. It really meant a lot to me to be able to get back out there and get the heat win. It definitely got us a better starting spot than what we were going to have.”
Please consider also reading “Tyler Erb makes it two in a row at Knoxville“
It was noteworthy that Sheppard received help during the heat race pit stop from the very people he would be racing against later in the feature, including eventual winner Tyler Erb.
“There’s a lot of good guys in this pit area and Tyler’s one of them,” Sheppard declared. “Kyle and Shane and their crews and all Bowyer’s guys over there helped us out too. This whole Rocket team, we’re kind of like family. We’re all buddies and we all hang out together. We race hard on the track, but when it comes down to it, we’ve got each other’s back. It’s definitely pretty cool.”
After two nights of preliminary action, teams will line up on Saturday evening to contest the $50,000-to-win 17th annual Lucas Oil Knoxville Late Model Nationals in a race that will be aired live by MavTV Plus and MavTV.
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