May 30
Farmer City Raceway,
Farmer City, IL
Sanction: Sunoco American Late Model Series West (Douglas Dodge 50) - $5,000
Information provided by: Patrick Davis and staff reports (last updated May 31, 2:17 pm)
Sheppard earns $5,000 for Farmer City victory
Douglas Dodge 50
- Brandon Sheppard
- Brian Birkhofer
- Rodney Sanders
- Jason Feger
- Bobby Pierce
- Ryan Unzicker
- Jason Jaggers
- Scott Schmitt
- Mike Spatola
- Daren Friedman
- Derek Chandler
- Daniel Flessner
- Bob Gardner
- Justin Reed
- Billy Hough
- Jay Morris
- Kevin Weaver
- McKay Wenger
- John Gardner Jr.
- Pete Parker
- Brian Shirley
- Joe Harlan
presented by
Brendon Bauman
Crew members join winner Brandon Sheppard in victory lane.
What won the race: The third of three leaders, outside front-row starter Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., made an outside move on Rodney Sanders for the lead on the 37th lap amid traffic, then stayed ahead of a late charge from eighth-row starter Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, for a $5,000 victory at the quarter-mile oval. The 50-lapper ran caution-free.
Quotable: "It was definitely a tough one ... we had to work hard to get it. Sanders, he did a good job. The lapped traffic there was probably really the only reason I got past him," Sheppard said. "I feel like I had a little bit better car than he did, but he could roll the bottom all the way around the track."
Key notes: Sheppard notched his first career ALMS victory. ... Runner-up Brian Birkhofer wasn't sure what position he was in late in the race in coming from the rear, but he matched his best finish since switching to a new Rocket Chassis for 2014. His father Dave, a former Iowa racer, is steering the team's hauler for the weekend. ... Polesitter Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., led early but retired his smoking car before the halfway mark. ... Third-starting Rodney Sanders of Happy, Texas, maintained control until Sheppard, right with Sanders most of the race, overtook him in lapped traffic on lap 37. ... Sanders was competing his second weekend in a Club 29 Race Car; he'd planned to compete at Tri-City, but when that track rained out he headed to Farmer City. ... Shirley was competing at Farmer City after abandoning his chase on the Lucas Oil tour, which competed Friday in Tazewell, Tenn.
On the move: Runner-up Brian Birkhofer rallied from the 16th starting position.
Winner's sponsors: Sheppard's Rocket Chassis is sponsored by Valvoline, Kid's Castle Learning Center, Petroff Towing and Keyser Mfg.
Points chase: Entering the race, Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill., had 426 points to lead Ryan Unzicker (299) and Kevin Weaver (279).
Car count: 31
Fast qualifier: Derek Chandler
Time: 12.94 seconds
Heat race winners: Brian Shirley, Brandon Sheppard, Rodney Sanders, Jason Feger
Consolation race winners: Daren Friedman
Provisional starters: Joe Harlan,
Next series race: June 21, Oakshade Raceway (Wauseon, OH) $5,000
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.
