2/10/2024
Brandon Sheppard
Sheppard grabs $5,000 payday in Monday's rain-delayed prelim at East Bay
For the final Wieland Winternatinoals at the Florida oval, Brandon Sheppard rolled into East Bay Raceway Park (Tampa, Fla.) on Tuesday to pilot to the Longhorn Factory Team No. B5 Late Model.
Drawing 75 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (LOLMDS) entries, Sheppard stormed into Tuesday’s preliminary with a sixth-to-second showing in his heat. Improving three more spots in the 30-lap opener, Brandon recorded an eighth-place finish.
After Wednesday’s program came to an early end with a 10th-place finish in his B-Main, Brandon qualified seventh-fastest in his group on Thursday before placing third in his heat. Starting the $10,000-to-win A-Main in 13th, Sheppard climbed seven positions to finish sixth.
With Monday’s originally scheduled program ran on Thursday, Sheppard raced into the A-Main with a runner-up heat finish. Making an impressive charge to the front, Brandon started in ninth and overtook Brian Shirley for the lead on lap 20, en route to his first win of the season and 32nd career LOLMDS triumph. He earned $5,000 for his efforts.
Using a provisional into Friday’s feature after missing a transfer spot by one car in his B-Main, Brandon marched through the field 21 spots in the 50-lap affair to register an impressive seventh-place finish.
The 48th annual Wieland Winternationals wrapped up on Saturday with Sheppard rolling to a second-place finish in the $15,000-to-win finale. He trailed Daulton Wilson across the line in the 50-lapper with Tyler Erb rounding out the podium.
Full results from the events are available at www.LucasDirt.com.
Article Credit: Heath Lawson image
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