TAMPA, Fla. - Brandon Sheppard passed Devin Moran coming off turn four on the final lap to win the opening night of the 42nd Annual Winternationals Monday night at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Florida.
The 30-lap, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event saw four different leaders. Moran held the top spot at two different points and finished in second, with Earl Pearson, Jr. claiming the third position. Blairsville, Georgia’s Jonathan Davenport was in contention for the win until the end when he came home fourth. Scott Bloomquist romped from his 18th place starting spot to finish fifth.
“I really didn’t find anything, it was treacherous getting off the corners,” Sheppard said. “I had to get off the bottom in the brown. It’s tricky. I guess I never lifted on that last lap. My dad texted Mark (Richards) before the race and told him to get on me and that I needed to get up on the wheel more
“I knew my dad was at home watching on television. I can’t thank Mark Richards and Steve Baker enough for what they have done for me, and everybody at Rocket Chassis as well. It’s a dream come true to drive for them. My dad and my grandpa have always supported me, and I appreciate that.”
Kyle Bronson started from the pole and led the first lap of the event until Moran forged ahead. Josh Richards then picked up the pace as he took the lead for the first time on lap 13. Richards led three circuits until Sheppard appeared at the head of the field for the first time on lap sixteen.
Two circuits later, Moran regained the point and looked to be on his way to first career win at East Bay. However, Moran was forced to battle lapped traffic entering turn three on the final lap, allowing Sheppard to go high on the track and beat Moran to the finish line by a narrow margin.
Richards, Billy Moyer, Jr., Tyler Erb, Austin Hubbard, and Corey Conley rounded out the top ten.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
East Bay Raceway Park – Tampa, FL
East Bay Winternationals – February 5, 2018
| FINISH | START | CAR # | DRIVER NAME | HOMETOWN | EARNINGS |
| 1 | 9 | 1s | Brandon Sheppard | New Berlin, IL | $5,000 |
| 2 | 3 | 9 | Devin Moran | Dresden, OH | $3,000 |
| 3 | 7 | 1 | Earl Pearson, Jr. | Jacksonville, FL | $2,000 |
| 4 | 6 | 49 | Jonathan Davenport | Blairsville, GA | $1,500 |
| 5 | 18 | 0 | Scott Bloomquist | Mooresburg, TN | $1,000 |
| 6 | 2 | 1R | Josh Richards | Shinnston, WV | $900 |
| 7 | 8 | 21JR | Billy Moyer, Jr. | Batesville, AR | $750 |
| 8 | 5 | 91 | Tyler Erb | New Waverly, TX | $700 |
| 9 | 19 | 11 | Austin Hubbard | Bridgeville, DE | $650 |
| 10 | 22 | 14C | Corey Conley | Wellsburg, WV | $600 |
| 11 | 24 | 71 | Hudson O’Neal | Martinsville, IN | $550 |
| 12 | 12 | 28 | Dennis Erb, Jr. | Carpentersville, IL | $500 |
| 13 | 4 | 32 | Bobby Pierce | Oakwood, IL | $500 |
| 14 | 1 | 40B | Kyle Bronson | Brandon, FL | $500 |
| 15 | 20 | 0 | Jesse Stovall | Billings, MO | $500 |
| 16 | 17 | 22 | Gregg Satterlee | Indiana, PA | $500 |
| 17 | 14 | 56 | Jonathan Rowan | Jackson, TN | $500 |
| 18 | 10 | 6T | Tim Dohm | Cross Lanes, WV | $500 |
| 19 | 21 | 7m | Donald McIntosh | Dawsonville, GA | $500 |
| 20 | 11 | 25Z | Mason Zeigler | Chalk Hill, PA | $500 |
| 21 | 15 | 33 | Jeff Mathews | Brandon, FL | $500 |
| 22 | 25 | 22G | Greg Oakes | Franklinville, NY | $500 |
| 23 | 26 | 87 | Walker Arthur | Forest, VA | $500 |
| 24 | 23 | 39 | Tim McCreadie | Watertown, NY | $500 |
| 25 | 16 | 25B | Mike Benedum | Salem, WV | $500 |
| 26 | 13 | 22* | Brian Shirley | Chatham, IL | $500 |
