Lincoln Speedway
Young Sheppard grabs his first NALMS victory
By Patrick Davis
DirtonDirt.com correspondentLINCOLN, Ill. (May 27) — Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., outjumped his father for the lead at the outset and cruised to a flag-to-flag victory Friday at Lincoln Speedway for his first career triumph on the Northern All Stars Late Model Series. The 18-year-old Sheppard earned $2,000.
Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., finished second followed by the polesitting winner's father, Steve Sheppard Jr. of New Berlin. Consolation race winner Bobby Pierce of Oakwood was fourth and Donny Walden of Towanda was fifth as Illinois drivers swept the top five at the quarter-mile oval.
The most serious accident of the night came in the third heat when Dillan White tangled with Eric Smith. White's car rolled two and a half times and was heavily damaged, but the Crofton, Ky., driver was unhurt.
Notes: The winner's Pierce Race Car is sponsored by Fromme Enterprises, Sheppard's Car Crushing and Shepp's Bar & Grill. ... The event drew a big crowd. ... Rain threatened a few times but the show went on. ... Tim Lance of Brimfield, Ill., piloted the Russ Adams-owned No. J1. ... The Northern Allstars move to Macon (Ill.) Speedway on Monday for a $3,000-to-win Memorial Day event.
Northern Allstars @ Lincoln: (1) Brandon Sheppard, (2) Ryan Unzicker, (3) Steve Sheppard Jr., (4) Bobby Pierce, (5) Donny Walden, (6) Mark Burgtorf, (7) Jake Meier, (7) Billy Drake, (9) Roger Brickler, (10) Jimmy Dehm, (11) John Gardner Jr., (12) Greg Kimmons, (13) Brian Diveley, (14) Mike Spatola, (15) Tim Lance, (16) Mark Larson, (17) Michael Kloos, (18) Ryan Little, (19) Jay Sparks, (20) Kevin Weaver. Fast qualifier (among 33 cars): B. Sheppard, 13.079 seconds. Heat race winners: Brickler, B. Sheppard, S. Sheppard,� Unzicker. Consolation winners: Kloos, Pierce.
Correction: Fixes finishing order.
