Sheppard Slings to Brighton Victory; Illinois Driver Scores First Career Win in Canada

Sheppard Slings To Brighton Victory

Illinois Driver Scores First Career Win In Canada

(BRIGHTON, ON, CAN - June 17, 2017) - Brandon Sheppard stole the lead from Frank Heckenast Jr. in traffic on lap 10 and then dominated the final 40 laps to earn his first career win on Canadian soil and the 12th of his career with the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series in the Mud Slingin' 50 at Brighton Speedway on Saturday night. Sheppard's second straight win moved him to 11th on the Series' all-time win list.

"This is a heck of a racetrack," Sheppard said. "I've had a quite a few first time racetrack's this year and this is another one that hasn't disappointed me. I watched some video from the last time these guys were here and it looked really racey and I didn't really know what to expect, but I thought it was amazing. Hats off to the track guys and everyone at Brighton."

Heckenast started on the pole for the 50-lap Craftsman Club Feature with Tyler Erb on the outside of the front row. Sheppard quickly jumped past Erb for second while Heckenast opened a slim advantage out front. The gap closed as Heckenast worked into traffic on lap seven and Sheppard began to size up his move.

Sheppard capitalized on an opportunity to dart past Heckenast amongst a group of slower traffic in turn one and on lap 10 took over the point. Before Sheppard could gain any advantage, the first caution of the race waved before lap 11 was complete when Andy Mayhew spun in turn one. The ensuing restart did not produce a completed lap as Chub Frank slowed in corner four with a flat tire on his No.1*.

The second attempt at a lap 11 restart saw Rick Eckert and Charlie Sandercock of Trenton, Ontario, Canada race past Heckenast for second and third, respectively. Heckenast retook third on lap 18, two laps before the third yellow of the race when Morgan Bagley came to a stop in turn four with a flat tire.

On the restart, Sandercock and Devin Moran raced past Heckenast and challenged Eckert for second. The race was slowed though on lap 23 when Greg Oakes and Robbie Wilson tangled and spun in turn four after a chain reaction of cars braking in front of them.

Sandercock used the next restart to get by Eckert and take second in the outside lane and briefly challenged Sheppard for second before engine issues for Chris Madden ended his night and brought a caution on lap 26.

Moran, Erb and Eckert all drove past Sandercock on the restart while Bagley began his methodical move through the field after pitting to change a flat tire on lap 20.

"It took a while to find a good line," Erb said. "Once the No.57 car (of Sandercock) passed us up top, I figured I'd give it a shot. I just didn't want to be the first one to go out there. Luckily we got on the top on the last restart and were able to run the top and then protect down there."

Sheppard grew his lead to 2.16 seconds over Erb with 20 laps to go and pulled away further over the next five laps while Erb and Morran battled each other for second amongst the lapped traffic.

Erb came away with the second spot, but only after Sheppard had extended his lead to a full straightaway. With 10 laps to go, Bagley raced past Moran for third, but wasn't in position to get past Erb for second.

Sheppard had completely checked out in front of the field with five laps to go, leading by nearly a half lap with a gap of 5.9 seconds over Erb. The Illinois native cruised to the victory for the sixth time this year.

"All of the guys were on the sidelines keeping me pumped up, telling me to keep my elbows up," Sheppard said when asked about his late-race lead. "I just kept digging."

Edited from World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series press release.

Contact: Clayton Johns -World of Outlaws PR  - (289) 314-5186 | cjohns@DIRTcar.com