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Daily Dirt 03/29/2024 06:11:45

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January 17
FK Rod Ends Arizona Speedway,
Queen Creek, AZ
Sanction: Unsanctioned Supers (Wild West Shootout Round 4) - $5,000
Information provided by: Todd Turner (last updated January 18, 4:01 pm)
Shirley repels B-Shepp for second Arizona win
Wild West Shootout Round 4
  1. Brian Shirley
  2. Brandon Sheppard
  3. Chris Simpson
  4. Ricky Weiss
  5. Ricky Thornton Jr.
  6. Johnny Scott
  7. Frank Heckenast Jr.
  8. Chase Junghans
  9. Stormy Scott
  10. Cade Dillard
  11. Ryan Gustin
  12. Mitch McGrath
  13. Jay Morris
  14. Don Shaw
  15. Jason Papich
  16. Bobby Pierce
  17. Garrett Alberson
  18. McLain Beaudoin
  19. Clay Fisher
  20. Mike Spatola
  21. Brian Birkhofer
  22. Terry Phillips
  23. Earl Pearson Jr.
  24. Nick Deal
presented by
Tom Macht/photofinishphotos.com
Brian Shirley (3s) overtook leader Chris Simpson (32) on lap 21.
What won the race: Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., turned back Brandon Sheppard's late charge Friday at FK Rod Ends Arizona Speedway and matched Sheppard with his second $5,000 Keyser Manufacturing Wild West Shootout victory. Chris Simpson, who led the first 20 laps, settled for third.
Key notes: Every lap of Late Model, modified and X-mod action is available via pay-per-view at DirtonDirt.com. ... The six-race winter miniseries returns to the third-mile, high-banked track southeast of Phoenix for the fourth time. ... The miniseries draws an array of racers from around the country for a racing vacation. ... Title sponsor Keyser Manufacturing's Quarter-Million Challenge pays $250,000 for six victories, $100,000 for five victories, $25,000 for four victories or $10,000 for three victories in the Late Model division.
On the move: Frank Heckenast Jr. of Frankfort, Ill., started 17th and finished seventh.
Winner's sponsors: Shirley’s Bob Cullen Racing Rocket Chassis is powered by an Andy Durham Racing Engine and sponsored by Thomason Express, Cheap Cars, KBX Graphix, Kid’s Castle Learning Center, Skateland South, Jayco Construction, Kim's Autobody, Vallejo and Popejoy.
Points chase: Entering Round 4, Brandon Sheppard (249 points) led miniseries points over Brian Shirley (228), Ricky Weiss (225), Chase Junghans (216) and Frank Heckenast Jr. (207).
Current weather: Partly Cloudy, 48°F
Car count: 42
Fast qualifier: Ricky Weiss
Time: 15.231 seconds
Polesitter: Chris Simpson
Heat race winners: Cade Dillard, Ricky Weiss, Mike Spatola, Chris Simpson
Consolation race winners: Frank Heckenast Jr., Bobby Pierce
Next series race: Jan. 18, FK Rod Ends Arizona Speedway, $5,000
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.
By Todd Turner
DirtonDirt.com managing editor

QUEEN CREEK, Ariz. — A pair of Illinois drivers came to Arizona in search of desert treasure, and they’re not leaving much cash for anyone else.

Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., on Friday captured his second $5,000 Keyser Manufacturing Wild West Shootout victory at FK Rod Ends Arizona Speedway, matching the victory total of Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., as the Prairie State buddies battled in the late stages of a 30-lap feature.

Shirley, who started alongside Sheppard on the fourth row, took the lead from polesitter Chris Simpson of Oxford, Iowa, on the 21st lap and led the rest of the way at the third-mile oval southeast of Phoenix.

With two miniseries races remaining, Shirley and Sheppard both have a crack at $25,000 from the Keyser Quarter-Million Challenge, which pays $25,000 to any driver who can grab four victories. Drivers who can grab three of six victories can earn $10,000 in the title sponsor’s bonus program.

"We could both walk away with 10-grand,” a smiling Shirley said in victory lane. “I’d be perfectly happy sharing it with a friend like that.”

Simpson took the lead at the outset over Mike Spatola and Ricky Weiss with Shirley quickly getting into the mix, grabbing third on the seventh lap while Sheppard was still back in the seventh spot. After a caution, Spatola slipped out of contention as Simpson continued to lead Weiss, Shirley and then Sheppard, who reached the fourth spot on lap 12.

Shirley dove under Weiss in turn three on the 14th lap to grab second and they swapped the runner-up spot the next two laps as the high-running Simpson held on up front. As the frontrunners faced traffic, Simpson, Shirley and Weiss were nearly three wide for a few laps before Shirley worked under Simpson to take control on lap 21 with Sheppard dropping Simpson to third a lap later.

Two late cautions reset the field with Sheppard hot on Shirley’s heels, but Shirley fought off a few challenges and won by 1.162 seconds for his second victory in seven days.

Shirley knew he had to hang on “when you’ve got the No. 1 guy in the country behind you,” adding that “he’s my friend and obviously we race as hard as we can against each other when we’re on the track. I love them guys to death.”

Sheppard, who saw his two-race winning streak come to an end, fought his way into position to challenge but couldn’t find a way past Shirley.

“We had a really good race car there. He could momentum better than I could, being out in front of me up high,” Sheppard said. “I could stick with him up high, but I couldn’t really make any ground on him, so I was trying the bottom and trying the bottom and hoping he was going to make a mistake or something.

“But, like I said, we had a really good race car. We needed to start up front, but I think he started seventh and and we started eighth. I guess I needed to pass him early in the race and hold him off there. It was a heckuva a race and it’s cool to see my ol’ buddy Squirrel win. Good job to him.”

Simpson led 20 laps and posted his best finish of the week.

“(Sponsor) Hoker (Trucking) really wants us (in victory lane), so I gave it all I had,” the Iowan said. “I didn’t set up for the bottom — not that I didn’t set up (to run the bottom), I just didn’t know how the track was — and I left the car a little free, and it just killed me on (corner) exit. It is what it is. I tried to get up on the wheel.

“I told the (crew) I wouldn’t let ’em down, so I got up there and rode as long as I could. But when I slid (past) Earl (Pearson Jr.) down here, it really ruined my momentum and they got a run on me, and it was kind of over from there. But, we’ll take it. We were 15th the other night, so to come back third, the car’s close and we’ll work from there.”

The 30-lapper was slowed by three cautions with the lone multicar incident on the 25th lap when Brian Birkhofer spun in turn two while battling with Bobby Pierce. The first yellow appeared on the eighth lap when sixth-running Cade Dillard made contact with Ricky Thornton Jr. in turn four and spun out of contention. The second caution appeared on lap 22 when first-time WWS starter McLain Beaudoin nosed into a turn-two tire barrier.

Action resumes Saturday with another $5,000-to-win event with the $15,000-to-win miniseries finale set for Sunday. Hot laps begin at 3 p.m. each day with modifieds and X-mods on the undercard.

Notes: Shirley, whose wife Shannon suffered a seizure a week earlier, said she’s improving and has help at home, but it’s still difficult being away. “(Crew chief) Anthony (Burroughs) has a brother-in-law that’s hurting right now, so we’re both just toughing it out and can’t wait until Feb. 16 to get home,” Shirley said. … Eighteen of 24 starters finished on the lead lap. … Nick Deal was towed off the track during the lap-eight caution. … Wednesday’s runner-up Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., had engine issues when firing up the powerplant and sat out Friday’s action; the team made an engine swap to get ready for Saturday’s racing. … Kenny Densman got into the frontstretch wall in time trials and also scratched for the night. … Cody Laney of Torrance, Calif., retired early in his heat race after running second early; he scratched for the remainder of Friday’s action. … Home-state driver John Cornell got into the backstretch wall during the first consolation race, ending his night.

Main event lineup

(30 laps)
Row 1: Chris Simpson, Mike Spatola
Row 2: Ricky Weiss, Cade Dillard
Row 3: Ricky Thornton Jr., Chase Junghans
Row 4: Brian Shirley, Brandon Sheppard
Row 5: Don Shaw, Terry Phillips
Row 6: Johnny Scott, Garrett Alberson
Row 7: Jay Morris, Earl Pearson Jr.
Row 8: Brian Birkhofer, Stormy Scott
Row 9: Frank Heckenast Jr., Bobby Pierce
Row 10: Mitch McGrath, Ryan Gustin
Row 11: Jason Papich, Nick Deal
Row 12: McLain Beaudoin, Clay Fisher

Consolation results

(12 laps; top four transfer)

First consolation: Frank Heckenast Jr., Mitch McGrath, Jason Papich, McLain Beaudoin, Kyle Beard, Lyndon Bolt, Jimmy Whisler, Steve Stultz, Matt Sparby, Richard Wallace, John Cornell. Scratched: Jimmy Mars, Kenny Densman.

Second consolation: Bobby Pierce, Ryan Gustin, Nick Deal, Clay Fisher, Allen Murray, Casey Skyberg, Tony Toste, Blair Nothdurft, Terry Carter, Justin Duty, Dan Deibele, Thomas Hunziker. Scratched: Cody Laney.

Consolation lineups

(12 laps; top four transfer)
First consolation
Row 1: Mitch McGrath, Frank Heckenast Jr.
Row 2: Kyle Beard, John Cornell
Row 3: Jason Papich, Lyndon Bolt
Row 4: Steve Stultz, Jimmy Whisler
Row 5: McLain Beaudoin, Matt Sparby
Row 6: Richard Wallace, Kenny Densman
Row 7: Jimmy Mars
Second consolation
Row 1: Bobby Pierce, Allen Murray
Row 2: Nick Deal, Ryan Gustin
Row 3: Clay Fisher, Casey Skyberg
Row 4: Blair Nothdurft, Terry Carter
Row 5: Tony Toste, Thomas Hunziker
Row 6: Dan Deibele, Justin Duty
Row 7: Cody Laney

Heat results

(Eight laps; top four transfer)

First heat: Cade Dillard, Ricky Thornton Jr., Don Shaw, Jay Morris, Mitch McGrath, Kyle Beard, Jason Papich, Steve Stultz, McLain Beaudoin. Scratched: Jimmy Msrs, Kenny Densman.

Second heat: Ricky Weiss, Chase Junghans, Terry Phillips, Earl Pearson Jr., Bobby Pierce, Nick Deal, Clay Fisher, Blair Nothdurft, Tony Toste, Dan Deibele, Cody Laney.

Third heat: Mike Spatola, Brian Shirley, Johnny Scott, Brian Birkhofer, Frank Heckenast Jr., John Cornell, Lyndon Bolt, Jimmy Whisler, Matt Sparby, Richard Wallace.

Fourth heat: Chris Simpson, Brandon Sheppard, Garrett Alberson, Stormy Scott, Allen Murray, Ryan Gustin, Casey Skyberg, Terry Carter, Thomas Hunziker, Justin Duty.

Heat lineups

(Eight laps; top four transfer)
First heat
Row 1: Ricky Thornton Jr., Cade Dillard
Row 2: Jay Morris, Don Shaw
Row 3: Mitch McGrath, Kyle Beard
Row 4: Jason Papich, Kenny Densman
Row 5: Steve Stultz, McLain Beaudoin
Row 6: Jimmy Mars
Second heat
Row 1: Ricky Weiss, Cody Laney
Row 2: Chase Junghans, Terry Phillips
Row 3: Blair Nothdurft, Earl Pearson Jr.
Row 4: Nick Deal, Clay Fisher
Row 5: Bobby Pierce, Tony Toste
Row 6: Dan Deibele
Third heat
Row 1: Brian Shirley, Mike Spatola
Row 2: Johnny Scott, Brian Birkhofer
Row 3: Frank Heckenast Jr., John Cornell
Row 4: Jimmy Whisler, Lyndon Bolt
Row 5: Richard Wallace, Matt Sparby
Fourth heat
Row 1: Stormy Scott, Chris Simpson
Row 2: Garrett Alberson, Brandon Sheppard
Row 3: Casey Skyberg, Allen Murray
Row 4: Ryan Gustin, Justin Duty
Row 5: Terry Carter, Thomas Hunziker

Time trials (unofficial)

Driver (car no.), hometown
First group
Ricky Thornton Jr. (20rt), Chandler, Ariz., 15.408
Cade Dillard (97), Robeline, La., 15.509
Jay Morris (77M), Watseka, Ill., 15.664
Don Shaw (42S), Ham Lake, Minn., 15.678
Mitch McGrath (74), Waukesha, Wis., 15.688
Kyle Beard (86), Trumann, Ark., 15.740
Jason Papich (91P), Nipomo, Calif., 15.778
Kenny Densman (75), Lolita, Texas, 15.810
Steve Stultz (78), Peoria, Ariz., 16.033
McLain Beaudoin (17), Lebanon, Ore., 16.346
Jimmy Mars (28), Menomonie, Wis., no time
Second group
Ricky Weiss (7W), Headingley, Manitoba, 15.231
Cody Laney (32B), Torrance, Calif., 15.297
Chase Junghans (18), Manhattan, Kan., 15.304
Terry Phillips (75), Springfield, Mo., 15.331
Blair Nothdurft (76), Sioux Falls, S.D., 15.549
Earl Pearson Jr. (1), Jacksonville, Fla., 15.561
Nick Deal (55D), Walnut, Iowa, 15.724
Clay Fisher (99), DeWitt, Ark., 15.752
Bobby Pierce (32), Oakwood, Ill., 16.022
Tony Toste (91T), Pismo Beach, Calif., 16.029
Dan Deibele (74), Lebanon, Ore., 16.173
Third group
Brian Shirley (3S), Chatham, Ill., 15.259
Mike Spatola (89), Manhattan, Ill., 15.332
Johnny Scott (1st), Las Cruces, N.M., 15.399
Brian Birkhofer (15B), Muscatine, Iowa, 15.489
Frank Heckenast Jr. (99jr), Frankfort, Ill., 15.491
John Cornell (28), Phoenix, Ariz., 15.831
Jimmy Whisler (28), Otis, Ore., 16.184
Lyndon Bolt (3x), Rapid City, S.D., 16.754
Richard Wallace (7m), Gold Coast, Ore., 16.974
Matt Sparby (81), Bemidji, Minn., no time
Fourth group
Stormy Scott (2s), Las Cruces, N.M., 15.390
Chris Simpson (32), Oxford, Iowa, 15.443
Garrett Alberson (1), Las Cruces, N.M., 15.447
Brandon Sheppard (1), New Berlin, Ill., 15.497
Casey Skyberg (6), Rapid City, S.D., 15.592
Allen Murray (2), San Antonio, Texas, 15.627
Ryan Gustin (19), Marshalltown, Iowa, 15.657
Justin Duty (15), Mulino, Ore., 15.996
Terry Carter (6T), Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, 16.254
Thomas Hunziker (38), Bend, Ore., 16.293

Prerace setup

Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., will be gunning for his third straight miniseries victory Friday with a potential five-figure payday in sight via the Keyser Quarter-Million Challenge. Sheppard, who won Sunday and Friday at the third-mile oval southeast of Phoenix, could earn $100,000 if he can win the remaining miniseries events.

The bonus program also pays $25,000 for four victories (opening race winner Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., still has a shot at that) or $10,000 for three victories in the Late Model division.

Friday’s Super Late Model program pays $5,000-to-win with more than 40 entrants expected. The field will be split into four groups for time trials with officials employing combination hot-lap/time trials to set the lineups for four heat races. Drivers start heats straightup by time.

The top four finishers in each of four heats transfer to the 30-lap main event with the winners redrawing for the first two rows of the feature lineup. Consolation races will transfer four drivers apiece to the 24-car main event.

Friday’s event kicks off a tripleheader weekend that continues with another $5,000-to-win program on Saturday and the $15,000 finale on Sunday with hot laps at 3 p.m. MST each day.

Friday’s schedule

2:30 p.m. - Pit gate opens
4 p.m. - Drivers’ meeting
4:30 p.m. - Grandstands open
5 p.m. - On-track action begins
- X-mod hot laps
- Modified hot laps
- Late Model (combo hot laps/time trials)
6:20 p.m. - National anthem
6:25 p.m. - Racing begins
- X-mod heats (eight laps)
- Modified heats (eight laps)
- Late Model heats (eight laps)
- X-mod consolations (10 laps)
- Modified consolations (12 laps)
- Late Model consolations (12 laps)
- X-mod feature (20 laps)
- Modified feature (25 laps)
- Late Model feature (30 laps)

Feature lineup

Row 1: Simpson, Spatola
Row 2: Weiss, Dillard
Row 3: Thornton, Junghans
Row 4: Shirley, Sheppard
Row 5: Shaw, Phillips
Row 6: J. Scott, Alberson
Row 7: Morris, Pearson
Row 8: Birkhofer, S. Scott
Row 9: Heckenast, Pierce
Row 10: McGrath, Gustin
Row 11: Papich, Deal
Row 12: Beaudoin, Fisher

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