Farmer City Raceway
Sheppard survives spin to win at Farmer City
By Patrick Davis
DirtonDirt.com correspondentFARMER CITY, Ill. (April 20) — Polesitter Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., began defense of his Northern Allstars Late Model Series championship with a $2,000 victory Friday night at Farmer City Raceway.
It wasn’t a cakewalk as Sheppard at one point spun out of the lead but was reinstated to the top spot because the spin was triggered by contact with a lapped car.
Eighth-starting Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., finished a half-straightaway behind in second while Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., who held the second spot most of the way, was third. Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill., and outside front-row starter Scott Bull of Fairbury, Ill., rounded out the top five finishers.
Notes: Sheppard’s No. B5 is sponsored by S&S Racing Supplies, Fromme Enterprises, Midwest Demo, Red-E, Box Seat and Keyser Manufacturing. ... Sheppard has four career Northern Allstar victories. ... His most recent was June 4 at Federated Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, Mo. ... Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., started fifth but exited early with a broken tie rod. ... Justin Reed spun early while battling with Jason Feger and showed his displeasure with Feger during the ensuing caution period. ... In the modified feature, the car of Mark Tullis of Taylorville, Ill., launched over a competitor’s wheels, sending his car into a violent, flipping accident as the machine landed hard on its roof. He required help from the safety crew to be extricated from his car but was able to wave to the crowd before an ambulance ride to the hospital to examine neck injuries. ... Next up for the Northern Allstars is a $2,000-to-win event Sunday at Quincy (Ill.) Raceway, which had its would-be series opener postponed by rain last weekend.
Northern Allstars @ Farmer City: (1) Brandon Sheppard, (2) Shannon Babb, (3) Brian Shirley, (4) Bobby Pierce, (5) Scott Bull, (6) Jason Feger, (7) Scott Schmitt, (8) Mike Spatola, (9) Frank Heckenast Jr., (10) Kyle Logue, (11) Wes Steidinger, (12) Eric Smith, (13) Kevin Weaver, (14) Brent Kreke, (15) Justin Reed, (16) Jay Morris (complete finish unavailable). Fast qualifier (among 30 cars): Sheppard, 12.82 seconds. Heat race winners: Sheppard, Pierce, Shirley, Bull. Consolation winner: Nick Lyons.
