NEW RICHMOND, Wis. — Brandon Sheppard took home a $50,000 payday on Saturday night with a win in the 31st annual USA Nationals for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wisconsin.
Sheppard grabbed the lead away from Jimmy Owens on lap 23 and held off Brian Shirley to pick up his second victory in a row.
It marked the 11th Series Feature win of the season for the New Berlin, Illinois driver and the 35th of his Outlaws career.
“This is definitely one of my top ones for sure,” said Sheppard. “We’ve been coming here for a lot of years trying to win this race. We’ve had a really good car a lot of times, but just fell short. To win it, this means the world to me. Mark Richards and Steve Baker have given me this opportunity to come drive this car, and it’s just a dream to drive.”
“I have one heck of a crew that supports me 110%. My great sponsors, everybody involved in this whole deal, everyone on this thing that helps and supports me, it really does mean the world to me,” he added.
Devin Moran started on the pole, flanked by Jimmy Owens. The two brought the 28-car field to the green flag to begin the 100-lap feature. Owens darted out ahead of Moran and the rest of the field while they positioned themselves behind the two leaders. Sheppard, who started behind Moran in third, slipped past the pole-sitter and quickly placed himself within striking distance of Owens.
As the leaders approached traffic, Sheppard went up to the top side and began building his momentum. He moved past Owens on lap 23 to take over the lead he would never relinquish.
Brian Shirley finished in second, with Owens in third, Chase Junghans in fourth and Bobby Pierce in fifth.
Mike Marlar, Shannon Babb, Dale McDowell, Chris Simpson and Frank Heckenast rounded out the top ten.
For more information on the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series, visit WoOLMS.com.
World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series
Cedar Lake Speedway – New Richmond, WI
USA Nationals – August 4, 2018
1. 1-Brandon Sheppard
2. 3s-Brian Shirley
3. 20-Jimmy Owens
4. 18c-Chase Junghans
5. 32p-Bobby Pierce
6. 157-Mike Marlar
7. 18b-Shannon Babb
8. 17M-Dale McDowell
9. 32-Chris Simpson
10. 99jr-Frank Heckenast
11. 9-Devin Moran
12. 40B-Kyle Bronson
13. 91-Tyler Erb
14. 54-David Breazeale
15. 5-Don O’Neal
16. 98-Jason Rauen
17. 7W-Ricky Weiss
18. 44-Chris Madden
19. 7-Rick Eckert
20. 28-Jimmy Mars
21. B1-Brent Larson
22. 16-Tyler Bruening
23. 49-Jonathan Davenport
24. 25F-Jason Feger
25. 25-Shane Clanton
26. 15-Nick Anvelink
27. 58-A.J. Diemel
28. 37-Rob Mayea
