PORTSMOUTH, OH (July 4, 2015) – Brandon Sheppard rocketed around the high-side to win the Independence 50 on Saturday Night at Portsmouth Raceway Park. Sheppard is currently leading the Lucas Oil Products Rookie of the Year chase and becomes the first Rookie to win a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event this season.

Sheppard started seventh and made a late-race charge to the lead following a long 3-wide battle for the top spot between himself, Earl Pearson Jr. and Dennis Erb Jr. Jared Landers came from the tail, following a tire change to finish second. Erb started 13th and finished third, followed by Jimmy Owens and Pearson. Pearson had already led 41 laps of the event when he relinquished the point late in the race.

“We went kind of soft of tires, softer than we did when we won here two years ago. Thanks to the fans for coming out tonight and for their support. I saw on the scoreboard that we had 15 laps to go and I knew I really need to get going. Jimmy [Owens] and I battled hard for several laps, then I finally cleared him to get to fourth.”

“I’m so grateful to my sponsors: Kid’s Castle Learning Center, Valvoline, Keyser, Integra, Sunoco, Petroff Towing, Pro Power Engines, Champion Spark Plugs, Sheppard Auto Sales, and Rocket Chassis. I also couldn’t do this without my dad, grandpa, my crew Joe and Aaron, and Chuck back at the shop.”

Jackie Boggs started on the pole and led the first two laps of the race. A red flag flew on lap three for a multi car wreck in turn one. All drivers walked away safely from the wreck. Boggs then slowed and left the race on lap three.

Pearson picked up the lead and battled Landers for several laps until Landers slowed with a flat tire. Pearson then set a steady pace over the field with Scott Bloomquist holding the second spot. Bloomquist ran second until his left rear wheel broke forcing him to spin and go to the pits for a tire change.

Sheppard and Erb then chased down Pearson for the lead, at one point running 3-wide for the top spot coming out of turn number four. Sheppard forged ahead and went on to become the 12th different winner this season on the LOLMDS tour.

Landers rebounded after his flat tire and was satisfied with his run to second. “We are so close to winning one of these races! I can’t keep the tires on it for some reason. We had a car good enough to win tonight. I was racing hard with Earl. Man, our luck has to turn around soon. I want to thank Crop Production Services, Mark Martin Automotive, Bad Boy Mowers, and all of my great sponsors.”

Erb always seems to run well at PRP and had another strong finish tonight. “We need to start closer to the front here. You can’t spot these guys a lot of positions. I thought I had a chance to win tonight. I would like to thank McBride Mack Leasing, M&S Concrete, Jay Dickens Racing Engines, and Black Diamond Chassis.”

Completing the top ten were Steve Francis, Don O’Neal, Eddie Carrier Jr., Chris Brown, and Scott Bloomquist.

In preliminary action, Jackie Boggs set the overall Miller Welders Fast Time (Group A) amongst the 37 entrants, with a lap of 14.607 seconds. Scott Bloomquist set the fastest time in Group B with a time of 14.982 seconds. Jackie Boggs, Earl Pearson Jr., Steve Francis, and Jared Landers won their respective heat races. Don O’Neal and RJ Conley won their respective B-Mains.

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Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Race Summary
Saturday, July 4th, 2015
Independence 50
Portsmouth Raceway Park – Portsmouth, OH

Miller Welders Fast Time Group A: Jackie Boggs / 14.607 seconds

Miller Welders Fast Time Group B: Scott Bloomquist / 14.982 seconds

Eibach Springs Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Jackie Boggs, Eddie Carrier, Jr., Devin Moran, Dennis Erb, Jr., Ben Adkins, Steve Casebolt, Kenny Christy, Tommy Bailey, Kirk Phillips

FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Earl Pearson, Jr., Brandon Sheppard, Jonathan Davenport, Duane Chamberlain, Don O’Neal, Shannon Thornsberry, Doug Kenworthy, Kenneth Howell, JT Conley
Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Steve Francis, Scott Bloomquist, Mason Zeigler, Chris Brown, RJ Conley, Rod Conley, Audie Swartz, Avery Taylor, Daniel Williams, Paul Wilmoth, Jr.-DNS
QA1 Heat Race #4 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Jared Landers, Davey Johnson, Jimmy Owens, Stephen Breeding, Delmas Conley, Kevin Wagner, Dave Hornikel, Craig Wolford, Mike Sark

Fast Shafts B-Main #1 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Don O’Neal, Ben Adkins, Steve Casebolt ,Kenny Christy, Kirk Phillips, Tommy Bailey, Doug Kenworthy, Shannon Thornsberry, Kenneth Howell, JT Conley-DNS

Keyser MFG B-Main #2 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): RJ Conley, Delmas Conley, Rod Conley, Audie Swartz, Daniel Williams, Dave Hornikel, Avery Taylor, Mike Sark, Craig Wolford, Kevin Wagner, Paul Wilmoth, Jr.-DNS

Feature Finish (50 Laps):

Race Statistics

Entrants: 37

Lap Leaders: Jackie Boggs (Laps 1 – 2); Earl Pearson Jr. (Laps 3 – 5); Jared Landers (Laps 6 – 7); Earl Pearson Jr. (Laps 8 – 45); Brandon Sheppard (Laps 46 – 50)
Cautions: Kenny Howell, Davey Johnson, Jonathan Davenport, Shannon Thornsberry, Steve Casebolt (Lap 2); Jackie Boggs (Lap 3); Devin Moran (Lap 14); Jared Landers (Lap 17); Delmas Conley (Lap 21); Scott Bloomquist (Lap 38)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: n/a
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: n/a
Miller Welders Fast Time Provisionals: Shannon Thornsberry, Kenny Howell
Wrisco Feature Winner: Brandon Sheppard
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Don O’Neal (Started: 17th; Finished: 7th; Advanced 10 Positions)
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Jonathan Davenport
Allstar Performer of the Race: Dennis Erb Jr.

Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Brandon Sheppard

Rookie of the Race: Brandon Sheppard
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Pro Power Racing Engines

Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket Chassis

Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Aaron Faugust (Brandon Sheppard)

CV Products Fastest Lap of the Race: Earl Pearson Jr. (Lap #15 – 15.743 seconds)
Hot Rod Processing Most Laps Led: Earl Pearson Jr. (41 Laps)
PFC Brakes Tough Break Award: Jonathan Davenport

Time of Race: 60 minutes 05 seconds

Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:

*Points are unofficial until Close of Business on the Tuesday following Race Day*