Sheppard pulls away for PDTR victory

Two-time and defending Morton Buildings World of Outlaws Late Model series champion Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., ran his winning streak at the Plymouth Dirt Track (PDTR) to three straight as he scored a convincing victory in the 50-lap main event at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth on Saturday.

The third appearance of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series at the Plymouth one-third-mile clay oval drew a strong field of 39 competitors, but its was Sheppard who stood tall above the competition by earning his 35th career series fast qualifier award, winning the first 10-lap heat race and steering his Valvoline-sponsored blue No. 1 machine to his eighth A-main victory of the 2020 season and 63rd career main event triumph in World of Outlaws Series competition.

“Our car is so consistent right now,” Sheppard said. “I can run it really anywhere on the race track and feel confident about it right now. The guys work so hard to give me a great car. It is really a pleasure to drive and a thrill to race in front of great race fans on a nice track like this.”

Jimmy Mars of Menomonie was second.

“It was a good night for the local guys with myself in second and Justin Ritchie also doing very well,” Mars said. “It is neat to see the locals doing well when the Outlaws come to town. Brandon was obviously real good the whole race and he was really hard to keep up with once he got out front.”

Justin Ritchie took third but was penalized three spots by World of Outlaws officials following a quarter panel height check in post-race inspection, which moved him back to sixth in the official running order. The result was still Ritchie’s best career finish in World of Outlaws Late Model Series competition.

Chase Jughans of Manhatten, Kan., was credited with third. Ricky Weiss of Headingly, Manitoba, Canada, was fourth.Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., was fifth.

In other races:
• Aaron Stolp of Milwaukee led flag to flag en route to his front career 25-lap PDTR Klips & Tips Grand National A main victory.
Dick Hed of Plymouth was second, fifth-starter Luke Scholten of Oostburg finished third, Jeff Muehlbauer of Elkhart Lake was fourth and sixth-starter Donny Kulow of Elkhart Lake placed fifth.
• Defending PDTR Cellcom B Mod track champion Tim Warner of Fond du Lac started last but finished first in the 25-lap B Mod A main.
Steve Lorier of Sheboygan was second, Aaron Butterbrodt of Milwaukee was third, Brian Wieland of Sheboygan was fourth and Barry Maas of Cascade was fifth.
• World of Outlaws last chance qualifier race winners were Brent Larson and two-time and defending PDTR Late Model champion Justin Schmidt of Cleveland.

A total of 78 cars checked into the pit area in three divisions, including 39 Morton Buildings World of Outlaws Series cars, 19 Grand Nationals and 20 B mods.

Track to host IRA Sprint Car Series events

On Saturday, the PDTR will host the first of four scheduled Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series events of the 2020 season, along with the PDTR 360 Sprint Cars and IRA Lightning Sprints.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 5:30 p.m. and qualifying and racing to follow.