World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series ChampionShepp - Brandon Sheppard Earns Championship Title

(CONCORD, NC-Nov. 7, 2017)  -   Brandon Sheppard's standout 2017 World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series season officially came to a close on Nov. 5 at the annual banquet, where he was awarded the Championship title.

The 24-year-old from New Berlin, IL was rewarded with a $100,000 points-fund check, a black and red Craftsman toolbox, a championship ring, and the traditional World of Outlaws trophy for his record year.

Sheppard and the Rocket 1 Racing team were nearly unstoppable this season, totaling an impressive 18 wins, 37 top-fives, and 41 top-10 performances in 43 races, and collecting a total earning of $398,800 after the points-fund check.

"First of all, I have to thank the World of Outlaws, everyone at Craftsman, and everybody involved in the tour that makes this deal happen. This is really an awesome deal, and I hope to be involved with it for many years to come; so thank you, guys," said Sheppard. "I also have to thank my crew. Man, what a crew. Mark [Richards], Dan [White], Austin [Hargrove], Joel [Rogers] - you all are the best group of guys I've ever been involved with. We've had a heck of a year."

The Rocket 1 Racing team also received the Crew of the Year Award. In the past, this award has been given to the crew chief, but this year the award recognized the team effort that made this dream season happen.

"One thing I've learned over the years is that if you put good people together, good things can happen. And these guys are great guys," said team owner Mark Richards. "Brandon has done an awesome job ever since the first day of testing this year, all the way until [the final night at World Finals]. We are really thankful for what he's done for keeping this team going and keeping Rocket 1 up front... This has been such a year."

Throughout the season, every time Sheppard appeared on the podium he credited his success to his hard-working crew. It was no different when reflecting on his overall season at the banquet as he gave heartfelt thank you to Richards, Crew Chief White, Hargrove and Rogers.

"The first night at Volusia, we had just a little conflict. I thought we needed to change something on the car. Mark thought it was me. It was just the heat of the moment," explained Sheppard. "We were dang near ready to load up and call it a night after the heat race, and we ended up running the B-Main. We finished out the night and we were hooting and hollering, throwing stuff and everything else. Right then and there I knew that my crew had my back. I didn't know any of them that well until we went to Florida."

Contact: Kayla May-World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series PR-704-254-7929 | KMay@DIRTcar.com

Edited from WoO press reelase.

**If you wish to reproduce this article we kindly ask to please provide credit and link back to the original article.** (www.woolms.com/news/268-2017-news/2297-brandon-sheppard-clinches-championship)