RPW Column: Even Though The Title Eluded Him, Matt Sheppard Still Had A Kick Ass Year In ’19

RPW Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – SYRACUSE, NY – Anytime you can grab eight victories on the Super DIRTcar Series trail, you’d be hard pressed not to be sitting at the head table at the banquet when the season was over.

However, after one of the most hotly-contested championship battles in series history, Matt Sheppard sat 28 points behind Mat Williamson for the crown.

Even with the disappointment of seeing his string of Super DIRTcar Series championships end at four, Sheppard knew he had an amazing year, capturing 36 total victories and nailing down seven titles, including the Short Track Super Series ‘Grand Championship’ worth $57,500.

However, his eighth tour crown wasn’t one of them, but he’s okay with that.

“I’ve had some kick ass years and this was definitely one of them,” Sheppard said. “I’ve had worse years where we’ve won the (Super DIRTcar) series championship too, so it just goes to show what a year Mat had.”

Sheppard was quick to give credit to the Championship team, Buzz Chew Racing, for their accomplishments in 2019.

“To lose it this year, just shows you how good Matty (Williamson), Buzz (Chew), Randy (Williamson, Spot (Ron Ste-Marie) and the whole 6/88 team were,” he said. “They were just spot on this year and you can’t take that away from them.”

Sheppard finished with eight victories on tour and 17 top 5 finishes. He only finished outside the top 10 on two occasions, however one was a 31st place finish in the Big Block Championship at Super DIRT Week…an event that Williamson won. If not for the massive point swing in that race, who knows what might have happened. It could have been Sheppard hoisting the massive championship trophy once again.

“I felt like we were on top of our game this year,” he said. “Those guys just beat us. My hat’s off to them.”

Since the 2015 season on the Super DIRTcar Series, Sheppard has been the standard that every team strives to be. Not only has he captured four straight titles up to 2019, he has also accumulated 40 series wins. The 9s team has raised the bar.

“I appreciate everyone saying that we’ve taken things to the next level,” he said. “I couldn’t do it without my team, though. They work hard to have us running up front and I can’t thank them enough.”

Now, the focus shifts to 2020 and another chance for Matt Sheppard to capture his eighth Super DIRTcar Series crown.