May 22
Adams County Speedway,
Quincy, IL
Sanction: MARS Racing Series - $7,000
Information provided by: Series and track reports (last updated May 24, 2:27 pm)
Rookie scores MARS upset at Adams County
- Tommy Sheppard Jr.
- Ryan Unzicker
- Jason Feger
- Mike Spatola
- Jake Little
- Hunt Gossum
- McKay Wenger
- Dewayne Kiefer
- Justin Reed
- Bob Gardner
- Joe Godsey
- Doug Tye
- Paul Stubber
- Chad Walter
- Derek Fetter
- Mark Voigt
- Alan Westling
- Rickey Frankel
- Kayden Clatt
- Darin Weisinger
- Spencer Coats
Gregg Teel
Tommy Sheppard Jr. earned $7,000 for his victory in Quincy, Ill.
What won the race: Division rookie Tommy Sheppard Jr. of New Berlin, Ill., scored a MARS Racing Series upset Sunday at Adams County Speedway, rallying from the fifth row to lead the last five laps at the 3/10-mile oval for a $7,000 payday. The low-running Sheppard survived a pack of lapped cars on the final lap to outrun Ryan Unzicker.
Quotable: "Man, the bottom just kept getting better and better," Sheppard said. "And the whole track was slicking up across it, which is kinda uncharacteristic, but I was able to make it stick and get the job done."
Key notes: The hub-hugging Sheppard, a cousin to four-time WoO champion Brandon Sheppard, notched his fifth Super Late Model victory of his rookie season. ... Along with winning tow nights earlier at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway, he'd won previously at Fairbury (Ill.) Speedway and has a pair of victories at Highland (Ill.) Speedway. ... Jason Feger cruised early, leading the first 23 laps before fellow front-row starter Ryan Unzicker took command when Feger got too high in turn three. ... Sheppard, who has raced for more than 20 years, primarily in modifieds in recent seasons, went under Unzicker on the 36th lap. ... Eleven drivers completed 40 laps. ... After rainouts at Kankakee (Friday) and Charleston (Saturday), the MARS Racing Series headed to Adams County Speedway (formerly Quincy Raceway), now promoted by Jimmy Lieurance. ... Young modified standout Hunt Gossum of Mayfield, Ky., made his Super Late Model debut and finished sixth. … A four-car frontstretch pileup scratched the the first start. … Kayden Clatt slowed the action with a pair of spins.
On the move: Winner Tommy Sheppard Jr. started 10th.
Winner's sponsors: Sheppard’s Rocket Chassis is sponsored by Brandon Sheppard Racing, VP Racing Fuels, Ed Bauman, GTS Race Supplies, Phenom Apparel & Wrap, NCP Speed & Machine and Joe's Security Photo.
Points chase: After Adams County: 1. McKay Wenger (134); 2. Jason Feger (129); 3. Ryan Unzicker (129); 4. Tommy Sheppard Jr. (127); 5. Dennis Erb Jr. (105).
Current weather: Clear, 63°F
Car count: 24
Fast qualifier: McKay Wenger
Time: 12.862 seconds
Polesitter: Ryan Unzicker
Heat race winners: Ryan Unzicker, Jason Feger, Joe Godsey
Next series race: May 27, Farmer City Raceway (Farmer City, IL) $3,000
Editor's note: Corrects Sheppard’s victory total.