Another Outlaw Speedway Checkered Flag For Matt Sheppard
Story By: KENNY SHUPP / OUTLAW SPEEDWAY – DUNDEE, NY – Super Matt Sheppard made it a quartet of feature wins and remained undefeated in 2019 in the Friendly Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram Modified Division at the Outlaw Speedway.
This one however was a bit more difficult for the 2017 Outlaw Speedway Champ as he had to start well behind his top rivals in the 30 lap feature. Derrick Podsaidlo and Zeke the Streak, Ray Bliss Jr. brought the field to the opening green flag and Podsaidlo wasted little time in jumping out in front and led for the opening 13 laps As “Dpod” began to fade Bliss then took over the top spot which he would only hold for 2 laps as Sheppard took over control and went on to record his fourth straight feature at Outlaw Speedway and remain undefeated in regular season action.
Hurricane Steve Paine and Eric Rudolph who both started in the fifth starting row put on great drives to finish second and third respectfully with Zeke the Streak Bliss recording his best finish of the season by finishing fourth as Kyle Coffey rounded the top five in another consistent run.
Only 1 caution flag on lap 20 slowed the pace,
Heats went to Boss Man Tyler Siri, Bliss and Sheppard.
The Doug Gross Construction sponsored May 31 show found the Sweeney Chevrolet Rush Late Models make their third stop at the Outlaw Speedway in as many years and with them brought along many of the top names in the division all looking to take home the prestigious Gary Montgomery Memorial Trophy.
John Waters has raced very sparingly thus far in 2019, however he wasted little time is showing that he still knows how to wheel a Late Model as he completely dominated his qualifying heat, Dash for Cash and the early part of the 30 lap feature event.
A large crash on lap 3 stopped the action as a lengthy red flag was required to clear the carnage and when it was all over some 6 machines including local favorite Jason Knowles were all eliminated from the action.
When the racing resumed Waters continued to set the pace but 2018 Rush Late Model Series Champion Mr. Excitement, Jeremy Wonderling was closing in fast and on lap 13 took over the top spot which he would not relinquish.
One final late race caution with only 3 laps remaining put the hard charging Kyle Lukon right on the rear spoiler of Wonderling, but he was able to keep Lukon at bay and pick up his second consecutive win in the Montgomery Memorial. Lukon was able to cap off a great night by holding on to the runner up spot as 2018 Outlaw Speedway Track Champion, Chad Homan completed the podium finishers. Ryan Freese and Jon Rivers rounded the top five.
Heat wins went to Waters, Wonderling and Michael Duritsky. Waters claimed the Dash as Sam Pennacchio won the B Main.
Alex Hoag led the Sunrise Insulation American Racer Tire Sportsman feature to the opening green flag and for the third generation pilot he looked poised to pick up his first win on dirt in several years after stints on pavement and a brief retirement. Hoag led several laps in the early stages of the event, however Tommy Collins Jr. was on a mission and was not going to be denied his first trip to victory lane at Outlaw Speedway since the end of last season. With only a few quick cautions to slow the pace the feature was whipped off in short order as Collins picked up the win by just a full second as he was chased across the line by Hoag. 2018 Sportsman Track Champion, Chris Fisher nailed down the third spot followed by Billy Paine and Chris Zacharias. For Paine it was his best finish of the season as he continues to do double duty in both the Sportsman and Modified Divisions.
Earlier evening heat races were picked up by Collins Jr. and Hoag.
For the third time this season Dylan Cecce showed a stout field of Street Stocks the fast way around the 4/10 of a mile clay oval as he picked up the win in the Stan’s No Tubes Street Stock Division. Cecce, who has been a threat to win every night this year was followed to the checkered flag by veteran driver, Quinn Sutherland who had by far his best run of “19”. Like Cecce, CJ Guererri continues to run up front each and every week as he claimed third at the finish chased there by other veteran Stan’s No Tubes Street Stock competitors in Carl Cleveland and Jared Hill.
Heat wins went to Hill, Kurt Stebbins and Cecce.
Bad Brad Smith was victorious in the Marion Decker Insurance IMCA Modified feature besting a short but competitive field of competitors as he picked up the popular win. Brandon Smith in the MOPAR came home for second as Rodney Morgan, last week’s winner, Dick in the Dirt Karlnoski and Ray McClure completed the top five finishers.
Brad Smith won the lone qualifying heat race.
The numbers in the Marion Decker Insurance Hobby Stock Division continue to grow as some 16 cars took the opening green flag for their feature event. In usual side by side, rubbin’ and racin’ style the highly competitive Hobby Stocks put on a great show and when the checkered flag dropped Wayne Ellison was standing in victory lane for the second time in 2019. He was followed to the checkered flag by Marc Minutolo who continues to knock down top five finishes in his quest to back up his 2018 track title. Aaron Miller, Jason Clugstone and Eric Williams completed the top five finishers.
Heat wins were claimed by Bruce Kinner and Justin Eldredge.
In 4 cylinder feature action it was once again second generation driver, Adam Austin picking up the popular win making it two trips to victory lane in a row as like Minutolo before him in the Hobby Stocks, Austin also looks to back up his 2018 track title. Following Austin across the line it was 2017 Track Champion Mike Stone who had his best finish in recent memory. Scott Lehman Jr. bested his dad, Scott Lehman as they claimed the next two spots with Erica Bell rounding the top five finishers.
4 Cylinder heat wins were claimed by Austin and Lehman Jr.
Finally in the Winners Circle Deli Youth Bandit Feature it was Steve Perkins III remaining undefeated as he was able to pick up the victory.
Congratulations to all competitors.
Up next at Outlaw Speedway it will be a high powered show as the Tony Stewart Ollies Bargain 410 All Star Circuit of Champions Sprints will make a return engagement to the Yates County Facility. Also on the card it will be Modifieds and another event in the Sunrise Insulation Outlaw Speedway American Racer Tire Series.
For a complete list of all participating classes, all gate and ticket admission prices simply go the www.facebook.com/OutlawSpeedwayLLC/.
Free Camping, free parking, kids under 14 are free and complementary rides are available on the Outlaw Crusher Monster Truck.
Chicken BBQ and DJ will also be available on Friday.
QUICK RESULTS. OUTLAW SPEEDWAY 5/31/2019
3rd Annual Gary Montgomery Memorial presented by Doug Gross Construction
Friendly Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep Ram Modifieds. (21 cars)
Heats. Tyler Siri, Ray Bliss Jr., Matt Sheppard
Feature. Matt Sheppard (4), Steve Paine, Eric Rudolph, Ray Bliss Jr., Kyle Coffey, Tyler Siri, Cory Costa, Derrick Podsaidlo, Danny Johnson, Justin Wright, Alan Johnson, Brady Fultz, Billy Paine, Alex Payne, Garrett Rushlow, Greg Birosh, Eldon Payne, Donnie Lawson, Kirk Reynolds, Jim LaRock, Walt Chyrywaty
Doug Gross Construction, Sweeney Rush Crate Late Models. (28 cars)
Heats. John Waters, Jeremy Wonderling, Mike Duritsky
B Main. Sam Pennacchio
Dash. John Waters
Feature. Jeremy Wonderling, Kyle Lukon, Chad Homan, Ryan Frazee, Jon Rivers, Brian Knowles, Jason Genco, Kurt Stebbins, Braeden Dillinger, J.J. Mazur, Michael Duritsky, Andy Michael, Kyle Murry, John Waters, Steve LeBarron, TJ Downs, Sam Pennacchio, Chris Fleming, Jason Knowles, Scott Waters, Logan Zarin, Zach Wiech, Bill Kessler, Billy DuBois. DNS, Wayne Robertson
Sunrise Insulation American Racer Crate Sportsman. (17 cars)
Heats. Tommy Collins Jr., Alex Hoag
Feature. Tommy Collins Jr., Alex Hoag, Chris Fisher, Billy Paine, Jimmy Zacharias, Stacy Jackson, Brett Buono, Todd Hayward,, Will Shields, Jake Dgien, Karl Comfort, Brian Fish, Jerry Aldrich Jr., Dean Laughlin, Allison Teed, Brandon Butler, Chris Hall
Stan’s No Tubes Street Stocks. (17 cars)
Heats. Jared Hill, Kurt Stebbins, Dylan Cecce
Feature. Dylan Cecce (3), Quinn Sutherland, CJ Guererri, Carl Cleveland, Jared Hill, Gene Balmer, Aksel Jensen, John Burritt, James Kreidler III, Zach Teed, Jeremy Trank, Glen Whritenour, Jayson Smart, John Rekczis, Jake Karlnoski, Bill Tice, Artie Teed.
Marion Decker Insurance IMCA Modifieds. (8 cars)
Heats. Brad Smith
Feature. Brad Smith, Brandon Smith, Rodney Morgan, Rich Karlnoski, Ray McClure, Tony Harris, Rich McNeal, Kevin Smith
Marion Decker Insurance Hobby Stocks. (16 cars)
Heats. Bruce Kinner, Justin Eldredge
Feature. Wayne Ellison (2), Marc Minutolo, Aaron Miller, Jason Clugstone, Eric Williams, Frank Burnell, Bruce Kinner, Amber Pierce, Dalton Decker, James Eldredge Jr., Brandon Schweigert, James Eldredge, James Hollister, Casey Wagner, Allison Pierce, Justin Eldredge.
4 Cylinders. (19 cars)
Heats. Adam Austin, Scott Lehman Jr.
Feature. Adam Austin (2), Mike Stone, Scott Lehman Jr., Scott Lehman, Erica Bell, Bob Doolittle, Joshua Oles, Jack Ormsby, Desi Force, Derrick Puryear, Wesley Demming, Austin LaBar, Chris Percy, Eric Stinson, Lee Fritz, Robert Gardner, Steve Perkins, Rich Cone, Jeremy Bunn.
Winners Circle Deli Bandits.
Feature. Steve Perkins III
126 cars total in adult classes.