RPW Exclusive: Brandon Sheppard Bests Moran, Marlar For WoO LM Series Win At Outlaw Speedway
Column By: ROBERT SYMONDS / RPW – DUNDEE, NY – The World of Outlaws Late Models traveled back up to Dundee NY Sunday after the completion of the Late Model National Open in Selinsgrove on Saturday night. The original scheduled event was Friday evening Sept 21st but rain ultimately forced the cancellation of the event.
After hot laps earlier in the night, the field was set to duo for 50 laps to complete the Outlaw Fall Nationals for the inaugural WoO Late Model event. At the drop of the green, Mike Marlar used the bottom lane of the Speedway to pass Shane Clanton for the lead.
As the battle remained for a couple laps, Clanton would take the lead for the next 6 laps until Marlar came back up to take the lead once again. While Marlar was able to get away for the better part of the next ten laps, Brandon Sheppard was able to go from his 5th starting spot to the lead on lap 20. Running on the inside groove, BShepp was able to secure his spot while making his way around lap traffic.
Trying to work lap traffic, BShepp maintained his race lead until lap 30 when the Rocket House Car was in a battle for the lead again with Marlar. Marlar ran back down BShepp as lap traffic slowed down the pace for the race leader. Though Marlar was side by side with Sheppard for a few laps, Marlar never actually led a lap.
After the race leaders crossed the line for lap 33, caution flag waved for the spin of Doug Eck in turn 2. As the field stacked up for a Delaware double file restart, Marlar chose the outside for the ensuing restart. As the field roared back to life, Marlar took the Mark Martin 157 to the top side of turns 1 and 2 and gain some length between him and Sheppard.
Marlar leading lap 34 seemed to have gained more confidence but Sheppard thought differently, making the Rocket Chassis stick back down on the bottom and lead lap 35. As the two dueled it out for a couple more laps, BShepp ended up with the race lead ultimately…until a slowing Brent Larson drew the caution with 10 to go.
Though the field went to a single file restart, Marlar attempted his best effort. Running the top, Marlar got to the back bumper of Sheppard but was never able to pull alongside. Meanwhile Moran came from his 8th place starting position and was on the back bumper of Marlar. In the closing laps, Moran was able to seal off Marlar for second but it was Brandon Sheppard who was first to the checkered flags.
World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Models (50 Laps): BRANDON SHEPPARD (12), Devin Moran, Mike Marlar, Shane Clanton, Tyler Erb, Chase Junghans, Tyler Bare, Rick Eckert, David Breazeale, Mike Maresca, Coleby Frye, Brent Larson, Mike Wonderling, Jason Knowles, Bryan Bernheisel, Doug Eck, Bob Dorman, Chris Madden, Brad Mesler, Brian Knowles, Michael Smith
