2/10/2023
Brandon Sheppard
Pair of top-five's in Wieland Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park
Brandon Sheppard entered his Sheppard Riggs Racing No. B5 Late Model into battle with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (LOLMDS) at East Bay Raceway Park (Gibsonton, Fla.) on Monday afternoon as the 1/3-mile oval hosted the Wieland Winternationals.
Drawing a stout field of 58 Late Models for six consecutive nights of racing, Sheppard’s sixth-place finish in his heat race relegated him into one of three consolation races. Sending the top-three into the $5,000-to-win prelim, Brandon’s night was over after moving up two spots to finish fourth.
Firing out of the gate on the right foot on Tuesday, Brandon laid down the second-fastest lap in his time trial group before placing first in his heat. Inching forward one spot in the 30-lap feature, Sheppard notched a third-place finish, which came behind Ashton Winger and Hudson O’Neal.
With the field inflated to 65 cars on Wednesday, Sheppard followed up a second-place showing in his heat with a ninth-to-fourth run in the main event. He chased Ryan Gustin, Tyler Erb, and Kyle Bronson across the line with Jonathan Davenport coming in fifth.
For the fourth round of the Wieland Winternationals on Thursday, Brandon was granted a provisional into the show after missing a transfer spot in his heat and B-Main. Running into trouble early in the 40-lapper, Sheppard was sidelined on fourth circuit with engine woes.
On Friday, Sheppard raced his way into the $12,000-to-win A-Main via runner-up performance in his consolation race. Starting in 23rd, Brandon advanced forward 10 spots in the 50-lap affair to register a 13th-place finish.
An unfavorable forecast for Saturday’s Weiland Winternationals program washed out the finale.
Full results from the event are available at www.LucasDirt.com.
Article Credit: Heath Lawson image
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