The Big Show At Albany-Saratoga Didn’t End The Way Matt Sheppard Wanted It To

Column By: JOHN DOUGLAS / RPW – MALTA, NY – What looked to be another flag-to-flag win for ‘Super Matt’ Sheppard turned into a stunning and disappointing end at Brett Hearn’s Big Show X.

Sheppard, the current Series points leader on the Super DIRTcar Series tour had been on a tear leading every lap of the prior race at Brewerton just two weeks ago on his way to his first victory on the SDS tour of 2018. Things were going much the same way at Albany Saratoga Speedway but that all changed with five laps to go.

Sheppard’s night began strong as he finished second in his heat race and gave his re-draw duties to a young child. Sheppard stayed in the car as the child went on to draw pole position for the No. 9S. It looked to be another instance of Sheppard’s good luck on the 2018 season.

Sheppard poured his machine down into turn one at the start of the 100 lap affair, taking control of the race from lap one. His dominance continued through the race’s first caution and beyond, as Sheppard led the way through the race’s 67 lap long green flag run.

Clicking off back markers with relative ease, the only small issue along the way was a bit of contact with Vernon, N.Y.’s Willy Decker. None the worse for wear, Sheppard continued on his way until a caution flag with 21 laps to go took away Sheppard’s 7.1 second margin on second place runner, and current NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competitor Stewart Friesen.

Sheppard retained the lead, but with just five laps remaining he again came upon Willy Decker’s 1X machine. This time things did not go so smoothly. Contact in turn one brought both Sheppard and Decker’s cars to a halt bringing out the race’s second to last caution, but it essentially ended the night for the Waterloo, N.Y. Native.

Sheppard’s run of 195 consecutive laps led across the series last two events came to an end five laps short of perfection. Making matters worse for Sheppard, His 12th place finish allowed his competition to shorten the gap in the overall points standings.

Jimmy Phelps, the second place runner in the Super DIRTcar Series points standings and former team mate to Sheppard finished in third place, making large gains on Sheppard for the title. Max McLaughlin, Phelps’ current team mate and fourth place in points managed a second place finish, not only gaining on Sheppard but also locking himself into this fall’s Super DIRT Week from Oswego Speedway.

Sheppard’s strong, consistent finishes race after race mean this is most likely just a hiccup along the way but in racing you always have to wonder if the momentum lost will be regained the next race. Sheppard’s experience and longevity in the sport are signs that his troubles at Albany Saratoga Speedway will be left behind and Sheppard will continue to be a strong force in the race for the Super DIRTcar Series championship for the rest of 2018. Only time will tell.