B-Shepp plans WoO sprint car debut
Four-time World of Outlaws Case Late Model Series champion Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., announced today he intends to make his NOS Energy World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series debut on May 1 at Jacksonville (Ill.) Speedway.
Sheppard will be teamed with fellow New Berlin, Ill., driver Jake Neuman and his Midwestern-based racing team as both drivers intend to compete at the Jacksonville quarter-mile oval, just 20 miles from their hometown.
Neuman has opened his season primarily competing in sprint car midgets, though he does have several starts behind the wheel of a 410 cubic inch-powered winged sprint car, while Sheppard will be making his second-ever open-wheel start after finishing 14th in a Midwest Open Wheel Association-sanctioned event in 2011 at Alexander, Ill.'s Shepp's Speedway.
Through a social media post, Sheppard announced he will have his merchandise trailer at Jacksonville Speedway and confirmed they will have sprint car apparel for sale. A rendering of Sheppard’s car shows continued support from longtime sponsors, Valvoline, Sheppard Auto Sales, Salvage & Demolition, Guse’s Pub & Eatery, Realtree, Denny Woodworth Attorney at Law, Storm Shane Beiler, Paulson-Stussy and Nightowl Design.
Jacksonville was the site of Sheppard’s 79th career WoO victory on June 26, 2022, that made him the tour’s all-time winningest driver.