Sheppard Stays On Top of the World

 Tuesday night we headed out for our first mid week show of 2020, as the World of Outlaw late models invaded Ricky Kays' Davenport Speedway for the second time this season. The big difference this time would be that fans were allowed , and even with an advertised fifty percent capacity limit, an outstanding crowd filed through the gates to watch the twenty nine super late models and two dozen IMCA sport modifieds that checked in.
  Hot lap action started very close to the 6:30 advertised start time, and late model time trials soon followed. Lucas Oil late model series regular Jimmy Owens came to visit and set a new 1/4 mile track record with a lap of 13.979 seconds. Local driver Mike Guldenpfennig was a no show for his qualifying laps.
   Following three quick sport mod heats, the late models lined up for their ten lap qualifiers. Owens led the distance in heat one, topping Chris Simpson, Rich Bell, and Dave Eckrich for transfer positions. Polesitter Chad Simpson captured heat two in front of Chase Junghans, Bobby Pierce, and Garrett Alberson. Series point leader Brandon Sheppard had been fastest in group two time trials, and he paced heat three over Darrell Lanigan, Canadian Ricky Weiss, and Dirt Hall of Famer Scott Bloomquist. The final qualifier went to Cade Dillard, besting Rookie of the Year contender Ashton Winger, Jimmy Mars, and Dennis Erb Jr. Another Lucas Oil invader, Shane Clanton saw his chances effectively end when he went over the top of turn one, and he eventually failed to make the main event.
   A bit of track work was followed by the late model last chance qualifier, with the top six advancing to the fifty lap $10,000 to win main event. Matt Furman led all the way, topping Jason Rauen, Boom Briggs, Justin Kay, Brent Larson, and Spencer Diercks. With no series drivers needing provisionals, starting spots were awarded to the drivers finishing just outside the top six, Jeremiah Hurst and Daniel Hilsabeck.
   The sport mod feature was ready to go, with fifteen laps the distance. Jarrett Franzen put his #33 on the pole and jumped to the lead before a spin necessitated a complete restart. It was only a temporary set back for Franzen, who withstood another pair of yellows with eleven laps down, taking a flag to flag victory. Behind him there was plenty of action. Matt Fulton stayed close throughout, but could never get in position to grab the lead. Ben Chapman charged through the pack to third before settling in. Ryan walker crossed the line in fourth, while Dustin Schram came back to complete the top five.
   The ten minute call went out for the late models to come to staging while promoter Kay did some last minute grooming of the high groove. The result was a multi groove surface that produced as much back and forth racing as you would hope to see on the storied fairgrounds 1/4 mile.
   The four heat winners redrew for their starting spots, with Dillard and Chad Simpson on row one. Chad used the high line to jump to the lead, holding off the #97 until lap six when Dillard took control. Sheppard and Owens, the row two starters quickly asserted themselves, shuffling Simpson back to fourth by lap ten, and the race was on. As the race stayed green, slower traffic came into play by lap fifteen, with Owens and Sheppard swapping the runner up spot back and forth. Brandon took his first lead four circuits later using the low line around the track. The caution came just before halfway, as Bloomquist slowed with a flat tire. On the restart, Bell went for a spin. Back to racing, Owens moved to second, but following a final caution at lap twenty eight, Dillard hooked up on the low line and retook the runner up spot. It now became a three car battle, with Dillard married to the inside line while Sheppard and Owens plied their trade on the cushion. Meanwhile Mars stayed close with the best seat in the house in fourth. With thirty six laps scored Dillard grab the lead, and soon slower traffic again became a factor. When Sheppard was caught behind one of those cars, it looked like Cade would run away, but soon he too had to check up slightly and again the race was on. Four laps from the checkers, Shepard was able to use the high line to edge ahead, and on the closing laps he moved to the bottom to protect his lead and the win. Dillard held on for second while Owens took third. Mars was steady in fourth after starting twelfth, and Chris Simpson scored a top five. Hurst came all the way from row twelve to finish sixth ahead of Pierce, Lanigan, Erb Jr., and Junghans.
   The final checkers waved before 9:30 to put a wrap on an outstanding night of racing action.
    Company's comin', so we will play the weekend by ear and maybe see you Racin' Down the Road!