Matt Sheppard Takes The Win, Yet Again, At Outlaw Speedway

Story By: KENNY SHUPP / OUTLAW SPEEDWAY – DUNDEE, NY – Mother Nature has not been very kind to virtually every race venue in the northeast throughout the early part of the 2018 season. However, for the first time this season the weather turned out absolutely perfect for the Friday night, May 18, 2018 action at the Outlaw Speedway and the cars and fans turned out in droves with 171 cars packing the pit area representing a number of different classes of competition and the grandstands rocking with anxious race fans.

In the Lucas Oil ESS Sprint division, Sunbury, Pa Sprint Car specialist, Mark Smith made short work of the 25 lap A Main event which was slowed only one time in the early going for a chain reaction brake check between turns one and two causing some minor contact. From there on out it was a green to checkered run with the top five competitors all weaving their way thru lap traffic for most of the event. With Smith at the point and such hard charging competitors as Davey Franek, Jason Barney, Jared Zimbardi, Lucas Wolfe and Coleman Gulick all working several different lines trying to find an advantage to run down the high flying Smith it was all for naught as Mark Smith was not to be denied a trip to victory lane in a feature that was finished in record time with lap times around the 13 second bracket all night long on the 4/10 of a mile oval that remained tacky and wide all night long. Franek did finish in the runner-up spot followed by Barney, Zimbardi with Lucas Wolfe rounding the top five finishers.

Matt Sheppard was looking to keep his 3 consecutive feature win streak alive in the 30 lap Friendly CDJR Modified Division. Brady Fultz jumped into a quick lead off his inside pole starting position and with only one caution flag on lap one Fultz looked poised to pick-up his first feature win in a Modified at the Yates County oval in quite some time. Driving the bottom of the speedway to perfection, Fultz continued his blistering pace throughout the non -stop feature and was able to outduel Greg Birosh in the early part of the feature as the duo ran away and hid from the rest of the field, but all eyes were on the twelfth place starting machine of Matt Sheppard. Throughout the entire event both Sheppard and eleventh place starter, Alan Johnson methodically worked their way thru traffic in their run to the front. With inside of ten laps remaining Sheppard hit the “Go Baby Go” button and after a fierce battle with Johnson moved to the top of the speedway and started too real in Fultz. With five to go Fultz still maintained a 4 car length advantage over Sheppard and Cory Costa who like Fultz was running his race to perfection. With three to go Sheppard was able to clear Costa and set his sights on Fultz who still looked poised to pick up the win. However, “Super Matt” kicked on the after burners and was able to get around Fultz with just a lap and a half remaining and went on for his fourth consecutive feature win at Outlaw Speedway and remains perfect in feature action for 2018. A disappointed Fultz did hang on for a well-deserved second place finish followed across the line by Cory Costa, Alan Johnson with Eric Fisher rounding the top five.

In Crate Sportsman action, 2017 Outlaw Speedway Track Champion, Karl Comfort was finally able to shake the gremlins that had plagued his team throughout the early part of the “18” season. Comfort who started seventh on the grid was able to use the bottom of the speedway to perfection as he easily got to the front and from that point there was no looking back for the Penn Yan, NY native as he cruised to his first feature win of the season. Dale Welty put on another one of his patented driving clinics coming from the sixth starting row to claim second at the finish. Nick Quererri rim rode his was to a solid third place finish at the end of the 25 lap feature as he was followed by Tommy Collins Jr. and last week’s feature winner, Brian Fish. Only a couple cautions slowed the event and like every other feature event the track was tacky and wide offering a multitude of racing grooves.

The Doug Gross Construction Crate Late Models may have seen a little short in numbers; however the drivers that took the opening green flag were all former feature winners either in Crate Late Model for 360 Late Model action so the experience factor was certainly there. After a lap one incident in turn one that sent Jason Knowles and Kurt Stebbins pit side for a quick look see at their damage the remainder of the 20 lap affair was a green to checkered run with both Knowles and Stebbins able to rejoin at the tail of the field. With Homan setting a blistering pace, multi time track and series champion, John Waters was slowly reeling in the race leader and with just a handful of laps remaining was able to move around Homan and claim the win. For Waters it was his first feature win at Outlaw Speedway in 2018 and vowed to return when his hectic Crate Late Model touring schedule would permit. Chad Homan was able to hold on for second with Damien Bidwell third. Jason Knowles made a nice recovery and fought an ill handling machine to claim fourth followed by Jason McGregor. Fans will be treated to a full contingent of Crate Late Models on June 1 when the Sweeney Rush Late Model Touring Series will make their lone engagement at Outlaw Speedway in 2018 for the 2nd Annual Gary Montgomery Memorial Event.

The Decker Farmers Insurance Agency sponsored IMCA Modifieds had a strong showing with some seventeen cars taking opening green from head starter Raymond Kennerup. Rodney Morgan made the long tow from Troy, Pa and after a spirited race long battle with Will Ward was able to claim the win. Todd Stone took off at the opening green flag and lead throughout the first half of the 20 lap feature go. However, Morgan worked the outside lane to perfection and moved to the top spot and after holding Ward off on a couple of late race restarts was able to claim the win. Will Ward was credited with second as the checkered flag waved followed across the line by Todd Stone, Billy Ward and Keith Jack Lamphere.

The mighty 4 Cylinder division boasted a full field of 24 cars and at the drop of the opening green flag it was 2017 Track Champion Mike Stone leading the parade. A fee caution flags and one red flag stoppage for a turn four incident that saw several cars exit the track at the exit of turn four slowed the event. But, throughout the event Stone drove a steady race hitting his marks to perfection and came home for the win after then race leader, Ray Hyer was disqualified in a post-race rules infraction. Like Karl Comfort before him, Mike Stone was relieved to finally find victory lane after a sluggish start to the 2018 season in his quest to defend his title. Female and crowd favorite, Erica Bell drove a flawless race and finished second followed across the line by last week’s winner, Adam Austin who came from deep in the field. Chris Woodard who started alongside Austin in the ninth starting row finished fourth with Scott Lehman claiming fifth.

The Decker Farmers insurance Hobby Stock Division continues to grow in numbers with fifteen cars taking the opening green flag. Veteran racer, Dave Yehl set the early pace and behind him fans were treated to a fierce battle with no less than a half dozen cars running two and three wide looking to advance. A late race caution wiped out an insurmountable advantage held by Yehl and that is all Marc Minutolo needed to close the gap and take advantage on the ensuing restart. Minutolo was able to clear Yehl and went on for the win, but credited Dave Yehl in victory lane for his outstanding driving performance. Yehl did hold on for a disappointed runner up finish chased across the line by Justin Elbridge and Aaron Miller. Allison Pierce continues to improve and ran an impressive 15 lap feature to round out the top five.

The Classy Looking Street Stocks wrapped up the action packed night with their 20 lap feature. A full field of 24 cars took the opening green flag and with the race track still showing plenty of bite and width it was veteran Dundee, NY native Carl Cleveland showing that last week’s feature win was no fluke as he bested a stellar field of veteran Street Stock competitors. Glen Whritenour was all over Cleveland throughout the final one quarter of the feature and tried every trick in the book to get around the high flying Clevelend but came up just one spot short and had to settle was a well-deserved second. Kurt Stebbins chased Whritenour across the line followed by C.J. Guererri with veteran full fendered competitor Gene Balmer claiming fifth.

Next Friday, May 25 the Outlaw Speedway will kick off the Memorial Day Weekend with a Super 7 Show. Also on the card it will be the first 1 on 1 Spectator Races of the 2018 season. It will be United Way night sponsored by Sunrise Insulation of Dundee and fans are encouraged to bring along their campers and stay the night with free parking.

Pit gates open at 4:00 pm with the main grandstand seating area swinging the gates at 5:00 pm. Free rides on Outlaw Crusher, the tracks monster truck will start at 5:30 pm.

Friendly Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram Modifieds. (18 cars)

Heats. Brady Fultz, Joe Dgien, Derrick Podsiadlo

30 lap feature. Matt Sheppard, Brady Fultz, Cory Costa, Alan Johnson, Eric Fisher, Justin Wright, Derrick Podsaidlo, Joe Dgien, Steve Paine, Greg Birosh, Kyle Coffey, Jim LaRock, Tyler Siri, Brent Ayers, Eldon Payne, Donnie Lawson, Marcus Dinkins

Lucas Oil ESS 360 Sprints. (36 cars)

Heats. Jeff Cook, Jared Zimbardi, Lucas Wolfe, Joe Trenca

B Main. Paul Kinney

Dash. Paulie Colagiovanni

25 lap A Main. Mark Smith, Davey Franek, Jason Barney, Jared Zimbardi, Lucas Wolfe, Coleman Gulick, Jeff Cook, Matt Billings, Chuck Hebing, Mike Mahaney, Billy VanInwegen, Paulie Colagiovanni, Jonathan Preston, Parker Evans, Paul Kinney, Jason Schultz, Tommy Wickham, Matt Tanner, Alain Bergeron, Dave Axton, Chad Miller, Dalton Harrick, Steve Hutchinson Jr., Dan Douville, Joe Trenca, Brett Wright

Crate Sportsman. (28 cars)

Heats. Karl Comfort, Dale Welty, Brian Fish, Tim Guild

Consi. Mike Buchanan

25 lap feature. Karl Comfort, Dale Welty, Nick Guererri, Tommy Collins Jr., Brian Fish, Todd Hayward, Chris Fisher, Jimmy Zacharias, Ajay Potrzebowski Sr., Tim Guild, Doug Kline, Nicole Hoag, Doug Smith, Rich Talada, Mike Buchanan, Darryl Krebbs, Chris Hall, Bob Buono, Adam Taft, Dean Laughlin Jr, Cole Youse, Billy Bowers, Loren Lincoln, Jordan Bacon, Chris Silvers

Doug Gross Construction Crate Late Models. (8 cars)

Heats. Chad Homan

20 lap feature. John Waters, Chad Homan, Damien Bidwell, Jason Knowles, Jason McGregor, T. J. Downs, Kurt Stebbins, Brian Knowles

Decker Farmers Insurance IMCA Modifieds. (17 cars)

Heats. Rick Karlnoski, Todd Stone.

20 lap feature. Rodney Morgan, Will Ward, Todd Stone, Billy Ward, Keith Jack Lamphere, Phil Yaw, Mark Griffin, Brandon Smith, Sparky Hills, Logan Terry, Billy Deming, Brad Smith, Keith Lamphere, Ray McClure, J. W. Lamphere, Tony Harris, Rich Karlnoski

4 Cylinders. (24 cars)

Heats. Adam Austin, Ray Hyer, Mike Stone

20 lap feature. Mike Stone, Erica Bell, Adam Austin, Chris Woodard, Scott Lehman, Joshua Oles, Dan Smart, Kane Stebbins, Shawn Gleason, Mike Ferris, Scott Lehman, Rob Roessel, Jack Ormsby, Timmy VanEtter, Harold Fentin, Steve Perkins, Timmy Borden, Justin McClain, Nate Freeland, Craig Mahrt, Michael Merrill, Desi Force, Nick Wesneski, DQ Ray Hyer

Decker Farmers Insurance Hobby Stocks. (15 cars)

Heats. Jason Clugstone, Bruce Kinner

15 lap feature. Marc Minutolo, Dave Yehl, Justin Elbridge, Aaron Miller, Allison Peirce, Jamie Eldridge, Dave Decker, Doug DeKay, Jason Clugstone, Amber Pierce, Dennis French, Jeremy Perkins, Eric Williams Shaun Lloyd (DNS)

Street Stocks (25 cars)
Heats. Gene Balmer, Jared Hill, Quinn Sutherland

20 lap feature. Carl Cleveland, Glen Whritenour, Kurt Stebbins, C.J. Guererri, Gene Balmer, Jayson Smart, LaVerne Knickerbocker, Jeremy Trank, Jared Hill, Trevor Dudley, Quinn Sutherland, Nate Daggett, James Kreidler III, Bob Benjamin, Jaredd Dennis, Bob Maynard, Marcus Springer, John Rekczis, Allison Teed, Willy Grant, Jimmy Grant, John Burritt, Zach Teed, Gene Sharpsteen