TAMPA, FL (February 13, 2017) Defending Dirt Track World Champion, Brandon Sheppard picked up his first career East Bay Raceway Park victory on Monday night during the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned Wrisco Industries Winternationals - Presented by E3 Spark Plugs. Sheppard - who started fourth on the grid - drove the Mark Richards Racing, Valvoline, Rocket Chassis’ House Car to the win after taking the lead on the fifth lap.
Trailing Sheppard across the finish line were Earl Pearson Jr., Devin Moran, Kyle Bronson, and Brian Shirley.
Shirley led the first four circuits of the 25-lap main event until Sheppard came from the outside of the second row to take over the top spot. Sheppard then held off Pearson, who had started seventh, for the victory. It was Sheppard’s fifth career LOLMDS win.
“It’s good to finally get a win at East Bay. We have been coming here for several years and to do it on opening night this year feels great. In a short race like this you must get to the front as soon as you can. The car was good all night long. We could pass cars low and high and then we finally cleared Shirley. It was a good race up front. This Rocket XR-1 Chassis is just fabulous and the Durham Race Engine was flawless.”
Once Sheppard had the lead, he had to wait through two caution flags inside the final five laps of the race. Pearson slipped under Moran on a lap 20 restart and held that spot to the finish in the Carlton and Kemp Lamm-owned, Dunn-Benson Ford, Longhorn Chassis.
“These young guys are wearing me out,” said Pearson, a 3-time East Bay winner who was among only seven drivers in the starting field who had ever won at the track. “It was a total turnaround from Golden Isles. The crew has worked hard on this car and the Larry Wallace Racing Engine was super-strong tonight as well. To come from where we did in just 25 laps we should be set-up well for the rest of the week.”
Moran realized that his slipping out of the groove with five laps to go cost him a shot at the win. “It was driver error. But I had fun tonight running up front like I did. Hopefully this bodes well for the rest of the season,” said the driver of the Tye Twarog Racing entry.
Completing the top ten were Austin Hubbard, Josh Richards, Tyler Erb, Hudson O’Neal, and Gregg Satterlee.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Monday, February 13th, 2017
Wrisco Industries Winternationals – presented by E3 Spark Plugs
East Bay Raceway Park – Tampa, FL
Miller Welders Fast Time Group A: Brian Shirley / 15.111 seconds
Miller Welders Fast Time Group B: Austin Hubbard / 14.794 seconds
Eibach Springs Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Brian Shirley, Devin Moran, Tyler Erb, Ricky Weiss, Steve Francis, Tim McCreadie, Hudson O'Neal, Stephen Breeding, Kenny PettyJohn, Todd Frank, Bob Gardner
FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Kyle Bronson, Earl Pearson, Jr., Austin Rettig, Dennis Erb, Jr., Tim Dohm , Frank Heckenast, Jr., Boom Briggs, Brent Larson, Gordy Gundaker, Mason Zeigler, Brian Ligon
Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Doug Drown, Austin Hubbard, Gregg Satterlee, Jared Miley, Davey Johnson, Corey Conley , David Breazeale, GR Smith, Tyler Carpenter, Craig Wolford, Chad Hollenbeck
QA1 Heat Race #4 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Brandon Sheppard, Billy Moyer, Jr., Michael Lake, Josh Richards, Nick Davis, Greg Oakes, Pancho Lawler, Timothy Culp, Jimmy Owens, John Gardner, Dustin Linville
Penske Racing Shocks B-Main #1 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Tim Dohm , Hudson O'Neal, Tim McCreadie, Steve Francis, Frank Heckenast, Jr., Kenny PettyJohn, Boom Briggs, Gordy Gundaker, Brent Larson, Mason Zeigler, Stephen Breeding, Bob Gardner, Todd Frank, Brian Ligon
Fast Shafts B-Main #2 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Nick Davis, Tyler Carpenter, Corey Conley , Greg Oakes, Timothy Culp, Pancho Lawler, Chad Hollenbeck, Craig Wolford, David Breazeale, GR Smith, Davey Johnson, Jimmy Owens-DNS, John Gardner-DNS, Dustin Linville-DNS
Feature Finish (25 Laps):
| FINISH | START | CAR # | DRIVER NAME | HOMETOWN | EARNINGS |
| 1 | 4 | 1S | Brandon Sheppard | New Berlin, IL | $5,000 |
| 2 | 7 | 1 | Earl Pearson, Jr. | Jacksonville, FL | $3,000 |
| 3 | 5 | 9 | Devin Moran | Dresden, OH | $2,000 |
| 4 | 3 | 40B | Kyle Bronson | Brandon, FL | $1,500 |
| 5 | 1 | 3s | Brian Shirley | Chatham, IL | $1,000 |
| 6 | 6 | 11 | Austin Hubbard | Bridgeville, DE | $800 |
| 7 | 16 | 1R | Josh Richards | Shinnston, WV | $750 |
| 8 | 9 | 91 | Tyler Erb | New Waverly, TX | $700 |
| 9 | 19 | 71 | Hudson O'Neal | Martinsville, IN | $650 |
| 10 | 10 | 22 | Gregg Satterlee | Rochester Mills, PA | $600 |
| 11 | 21 | 39 | Tim McCreadie | Watertown, NY | $550 |
| 12 | 12 | 27 | Michael Lake | Uniontown, PA | $500 |
| 13 | 8 | 21JR | Billy Moyer, Jr. | Batesville, AR | $500 |
| 14 | 15 | 28E | Dennis Erb, Jr. | Carpentersville, IL | $500 |
| 15 | 17 | 6T | Tim Dohm | Cross Lanes, WV | $500 |
| 16 | 23 | 22G | Greg Oakes | Franklinville, NY | $500 |
| 17 | 26 | 15 | Steve Francis | Bowling Green, KY | $500 |
| 18 | 18 | 92 | Nick Davis | Millsboro, DE | $500 |
| 19 | 2 | 240 | Doug Drown | Wooster, OH | $500 |
| 20 | 22 | 14c | Corey Conley | Wellsburg, WV | $500 |
| 21 | 13 | 7w | Ricky Weiss | Headingley, MB | $500 |
| 22 | 14 | H1 | Jared Miley | South Park, PA | $500 |
| 23 | 24 | B1 | Brent Larson | Lake Elmo, MN | $500 |
| 24 | 25 | 20 | Jimmy Owens | Newport, TN | $500 |
| 25 | 11 | 94 | Austin Rettig | Sikeston, MO | $500 |
| 26 | 20 | k0 | Tyler Carpenter | Parkersburg, WV | $500 |
Race Statistics
Entrants: 44
Lap Leaders: Brian Shirley (Laps 1 – 4); Brandon Sheppard (Laps 5 – 25)
Cautions: Tyler Carpenter (Lap 7); Jared Miley (Lap 19); Steve Francis (Lap 20)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Jimmy Owens, Steve Francis
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: n/a
Wrisco Winternationals Provisional: Greg Oakes
Strawberry Dash Provisional: Brent Larson
Wrisco Feature Winner: Brandon Sheppard
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Hudson O’Neal (Started: 19th; Finished: 9th; Advanced 10 Positions)
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: n/a
Allstar Performance Power Move of the Race: Tim McCreadie
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Brandon Sheppard
Hot Rod Processing Rookie of the Race: n/a
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Durham Racing Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket Chassis
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Taylon Center (Earl Pearson Jr.)
Fastest Lap of the Race: Brandon Sheppard (Lap #22 – 15.7457 seconds)
Safecraft Most Laps Led: Brandon Sheppard (26 Laps)
PFC Brakes Pole Award: Brian Shirley
Time of Race: 15 minutes 8 seconds
Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:
| POS | CAR # | DRIVER NAME | HOMETOWN | POINTS | EARNINGS |
| 1 | 116 | Brandon Overton | Evans, GA | 480 | $13,700 |
| 2 | 1R | Josh Richards | Shinnston, WV | 450 | $15,250 |
| 3 | 49 | Jonathan Davenport | Williamson, SC | 410 | $5,300 |
| 3 | 39 | Tim McCreadie | Watertown, NY | 410 | $7,850 |
| 5 | 1S | Brandon Sheppard | New Berlin, IL | 375 | $9,475 |
| 6 | 20 | Jimmy Owens | Newport, TN | 370 | $5,800 |
| 7 | 0 | Scott Bloomquist | Mooresburg, TN | 355 | $7,300 |
| 8 | 7m | Donald McIntosh | Dawsonville, GA | 345 | $2,075 |
| 9 | 91 | Tyler Erb | New Waverly, TX | 335 | $2,825 |
| 9 | 7 | Rick Eckert | York, PA | 335 | $2,075 |
| 9 | 14 | Darrell Lanigan | Union, KY | 335 | $3,200 |
| 12 | 240 | Doug Drown | Wooster, OH | 320 | $2,400 |
| 12 | 38 | Kenny PettyJohn | Millsboro, DE | 320 | $2,400 |
| 12 | 5 | Don O'Neal | Martinsville, IN | 320 | $2,925 |
| 15 | 1 | Earl Pearson, Jr. | Jacksonville, FL | 305 | $5,950 |
| 15 | 9 | Devin Moran | Dresden, OH | 305 | $3,300 |
| 17 | 99B | Boom Briggs | Bear Lake, PA | 295 | $1,500 |
| 18 | 71 | Hudson O'Neal | Martinsville, IN | 275 | $1,825 |
| 19 | 3s | Brian Shirley | Chatham, IL | 270 | $3,850 |
| 19 | 28E | Dennis Erb, Jr. | Carpentersville, IL | 270 | $3,000 |
| 19 | 15 | Steve Francis | Bowling Green, KY | 270 | $1,500 |
| 22 | B1 | Brent Larson | Lake Elmo, MN | 265 | $1,975 |
| 23 | 21JR | Billy Moyer, Jr. | Batesville, AR | 260 | $2,400 |
| 23 | 7F | Jason Fitzgerald | Middleburg, FL | 260 | $1,200 |
| 25 | 22* | GR Smith | Statesville, NC | 255 | $1,150 |
| 26 | 99JR | Frank Heckenast, Jr. | Frankfort, IL | 245 | $1,050 |
| 27 | 30K | Ryan King | Seymour, TN | 235 | $1,100 |
| 28 | 75 | Colton Flinner | Allison Park, PA | 230 | $700 |
| 29 | c81 | Timothy Culp | Prattsville, AR | 225 | $300 |
| 30 | 18J | Chase Junghans | Manhattan, KS | 220 | $200 |
| 30 | 87 | Ross Bailes | Clover, SC | 220 | $900 |
*Points are unofficial until Close of Business on the Tuesday following Race Day*
For the latest breaking news concerning the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, including the latest series standings, 2017 tour schedule, driver information, and more visit the official website at: www.lucasdirt.com.
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Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Official Sponsors Include:
ASi Racewear - "The Official Merchandise Vendor" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Bad Boy Mowers - "The Official Mower" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Dunn Benson Ford - "The Official Pace Truck" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
E3 Spark Plugs - "The Official Spark Plug" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Fast Orange - “The Official Hand Cleaner” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
GEICO - "The Official Insurance" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
General Tire - "The Official Tire" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Hoosier Tire - "The Official Race Tire" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
K&N Engineering - "Official Sponsor" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Lucas Oil Products - "The Official Oil" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Lucas Oil Racing TV - "Official Sponsor" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
MAVTV Motorsports Network - "The Official TV Network" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Miller Welders - "The Official Welder" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Nitro-Bee PLUS - "The Official Race Receiver" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Optima Batteries - "The Official Battery" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
ProtectTheHarvest.com - "Official Sponsor” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Ram Mounts - “Official Sponsor” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
RhinoAg - “Official Sponsor” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Rugged Radios - “The Official Communications” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Safecraft - "The Official Fire Suppression System" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Sunoco Race Fuels - "The Official Fuel" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Spray Nine - “Official Sponsor” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Super Clean - “Official Sponsor” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
United Rentals - “Official Sponsor” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Wrisco Aluminum - “Official Sponsor” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Zotto - “Official Sponsor” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Marketing Partners Include:
Allstar Performance, Andy Durham Race Engines, AR Bodies, Black Diamond Chassis, Sweet-Bloomquist Race Cars, Boyd Bilt Fabrication, BRODIX, Capital Race Cars, COMP Cams, Cornett Racing Engines, CV Products, DirtonDirt.com, Earnhardt Technologies Group, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, FK Rod Ends, Heath Lawson Photography, Hot Rod Processing, JRi Shocks, Keyser MFG, Longhorn Chassis, Midwest Sheet Metal, Öhlins Shocks, Outerwears, Performance Bodies, Penske Shocks, PFC Brakes, Pierce Race Cars, Pro Power Racing Engines, QA1, Rocket Chassis, Simpson Race Products, Sweet Manufacturing, Wallace Engines, WELD Racing, 5150 Race Trailers
About Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Founded in 2005, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is the nation’s premier dirt late model sanctioning organization. In 2016, the LOLMDS will sanction 53 events in 19 states. The series is owned by the parent company Lucas Oil Products Inc. and receives national exposure through a TV package filmed, produced and edited by Lucas Oil Production Studios. LOLMDS events will be broadcast on four TV Networks including CBS, NBC Sports, CBS Sports Network and the MAVTV Motorsports Network. For more information about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series visit the official website at: www.LucasDirt.com.
About Lucas Oil Racing TV
The Future of Motorsports is HERE! Get Lucas Oil Racing TV and experience racing excitement like you've never seen! Lucas Oil Racing TV is the online app for all your favorite devices like Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Android Devices and more! No matter where you are or when you want to watch, you can stream the best and most exciting motor racing on the planet!
Lucas Oil Racing TV has all your favorite motorsports - from grass roots to international competition, as well as exclusive LIVE EVENTS and behind the scenes interviews and footage that you won't see anywhere else! But that's just the beginning! Lucas Oil Racing TV brings you some of motorsports greatest broadcasters and build specialists... from Dave Despain to the mechanics of Two Guys Garage, as well as all the latest news, reviews, and interviews from every genre of racing.
Lucas Oil Racing TV is the Exclusive, Unlimited, 24/7 All-Access Motorsports App and it's available NOW! For more information or to sign up, go to: www.LucasOilRacing.TV.
About MAVTV Motorsports Network
Owned and operated by Lucas Oil Products, MAVTV is a television network with its roots deep in the automotive world. MAVTV offers an unparalleled line-up of exclusive motorsports, that includes prestigious events such as the Chili Bowl, The AMA Pro Motocross series, the Lucas Oil Challenge Cup and NHRA Drag Racing. But MAVTV goes far beyond the national mainstream events and also covers multitudes of grassroots series' from across the globe: Drag boats, sprint boats, drag racing, pro pulling, rally racing, drifting, dirt racing, ice racing and everything in between.
MAVTV also knows you don't have to be a race fan to be an automotive enthusiast, which is why we have developed a package of automotive reality and custom build shows that is truly second to none. If it has a motor, it's on MAVTV...MAVTV is THE motorsports network. To learn more about MAVTV go to: www.MAVTV.com.
About Lucas Oil Products
Founded in 1989 by Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, Lucas Oil Products, Inc. has established itself as one of the fastest-growing lubrication product lines in the consumer automotive aftermarket, featuring a line of engine oils, greases, gear lubes, problem-solving additives, and car-care products. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil has established itself as a worldwide leader in the lubrication industry. Motorsports has always been part of the Lucas Oil culture and the cornerstone of the company's marketing strategy. Such passion for motorsports has inspired Lucas Oil to sponsor many race teams, events and series at all levels, including, NHRA, IRL, ASCS, NASCAR, IHRA and many more. Lucas Oil has also taken ownership and operational control of a number of high profile racing properties, such as: Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, Lucas Oil Drag Boat Series, Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Lucas Oil Modified Series, Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO. and the Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway in Blythe, CA.
In 2007 Lucas Oil founded its own production house, Lucas Oil Production Studios, dedicated to producing high action motorsports television. Currently Lucas Oil Production Studios produces over 300 hours of original programming for networks such as CBS, CBS Sports, NBC Sports and MAVTV. More information about Lucas Oil Products, Inc. visit the company website at: www.LucasOil.com.
2021 Championship Points
| Pos | Competitor | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Brandon Overton (#76) | 1155 |
| 2nd | Hudson O'Neal (#71) | 1090 |
| 3rd | Devin Moran (#9) | 1065 |
| 4th | Tim McCreadie (#39) | 1050 |
| 5th | Brandon Sheppard (#1s) | 1045 |
| 6th | Kyle Bronson (#40B) | 1015 |
| 7th | Ricky Thornton (#20RT) | 1005 |
| 8th | Mike Marlar (#157) | 1000 |
| 9th | Josh Richards (#14) | 990 |
| 10th | Brian Shirley (#3s) | 985 |
