Sheppard squeezes out victory at Davenport
Brandon Sheppard —-Photos my Mike Ruefer
DAVENPORT, Ia. (May 29, 2020) – Night one of the World of Outlaws Late Model “Inside Out Weekend” at the Davenport Speedway was run on the quarter-mile oval. The feature was captured by Brandon Sheppard, by the smallest margin of victory.
Sheppard, an Illinois native, was side by side with Ricky Thorton Jr. as the pair approached the finishline. At the stripe, it was B-Shepp by .007 seconds over Thorton, with Ricky Weiss finishing third. Ryan Unzicker and Shannon Babb finished fourth and fifth respectively.
The 30-lap A-main started with pole sitter and fast time qualifier Bobby Pierce taking the early lead. On lap 12, Sheppard took the top spot briefly. Three laps later, Thorton made his way to the point. As the high line started to go away, Sheppard and Thorton would swap the lead several times en route to the checkered flag.
Heat race wins went to Sheppard, Pierce, Chris Simpson, and Ryan Unzicker. Darrell Lanigan and Rich Bell captured the last chance qualifiers. Pierce set quick time in qualifying 14.415 seconds, a new track record.
The Petersen Plumbing & Heating IMCA Late Models were also in action Friday. Justin Kay scored his first victory of the year at Davenport. Justin was one of two drivers doing double-duty on the evening, scoring a sixth place finish in World of Outlaw competition.
Kay drove from ninth starting position to the lead in just six laps and led the rest of the way to the checkers. Joe Zrostlik crossed the finish in second, but was disqualified in post-race inspection. Matt Ryan was credited with second, followed by Chuck Hanna, Jeff Aikey, and Andy Nezworski, in that order. Kay and Jocob Waterman were heat race winners.
The Morton Building World of Outlaw Late Models return to Davenport Speedway on Saturday, for night two of “Inside Out Weekend”. This time the racing action will be on the big half-mile track. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the grandstand will remain closed to fans. The racing program will be available on DIRTVISION.
When weekly racing returns to Davenport Speedway on Friday, June 5th, the grandstand will be open to race fans, with all five weekly classes in action.
Results:
Davenport Speedway
May 29, 2020 –
World of Outlaws Late Models
Fast Time Qualifier: Bobby Pierce – 14.415 seconds
Heat #1: 1. Bobby Pierce; 2. Cade Dillard; 3. Ricky Thorton Jr.; 4. Jimmy Mars; 5. Dennis Erb ;
Heat #2: 1. Brandon Sheppard; 2. Chase Junghans; 3. Ricky Weiss; 4. Justin Kay; 5. Darrell Lanigan;
Heat #3: 1. Chris Simpson; 2. Brian Birkhofer; 3. Chris Madden; 4. Jason Feger; 5. Spencer Diercks;
Heat #4: 1. Ryan Unzicker; 2. Shannon Babb; 3. Bob Gardner; 4. Boom Briggs; 5. Brent Larson;
LCS #1: 1. Darrell Lanigan; 2. Scott Bloomquist; 3. Frank Heckenast Jr.; 4. Dennis Erb; 5. Ashton Winged;
LCS #2: 1. Rich Bell; 2. Dave Eckrich; 3. Joel Callahan; 4. Jonathan Brauns; 5. Blair Nothdurth;
Feature: 1. Brandon Sheppard; 2. Ricky Thorton Jr.; 3. Ricky Weiss; 4. Ryan Unzicker; 5. Shannon Babb; 6. Justin Kay; 7. Jason Feger; 8. Bobby Pierce; 9. Chris Simpson; 10. Brian Birkhofer; 11. Darrell Lanigan; 12. Chase Junghans; 13. Cade Dillard; 14. Chris Madden; 15. Jimmy Mars; 16. Dennis Erb Jr.; 17. Ashton Winger; 18. Rich Bell; 19. Scott Bloomquist; 20. Matt Cosner; 21. Bob Gardner; 22. Kody Evans; 23. Boom Briggs; 24. Brent Larson; 25. Frank Heckenast; 26. Dave Eckrich; 27. Joel Callahan.
IMCA Late Models
Heat #1: 1. Justin Kay; 2. Joel Callahan; 3. Jill George; 4. Kelly Pestks; 5. Chuck Hanna;
Heat #2: 1. Jacob Waterman; 2. Andy Nezworski; 3. Matt Ryan; 4. Joe Ross; 5. Joe Zrostlik;
Feature: 1. Justin Kay; 2. Matt Ryan; 3. Chuck Hanna; 4. Jeff Aikey; 5. Andy Nezworski; 6. Bobby Richey Jr.; 7. Matt Strassheim; 8. Joe Ross; 9. Dave Wada; 10. Don Pataska; 11. Jacob Waterman; 12. Gary Webb; 13. LeRoy Brenner; 14. Stacy Griffs; 15. Brian Webb; 16. Jill George; 17. Kelly Pestka; 18. Joel Callahan; (1-DQ).
Category: Iowa
