OSWEGO, N.Y. — Super DIRT Week’s popular Friday Night Lights qualifying program saw Jimmy Phelps, Matt Sheppard and Mat Williamson notch $4,000 victories in the headlining big-block modified Triple 30s portion of the program.
Tim Fuller got the drop on fast-timer Belly Decker when round one went green but the third-starting Phelps soon flexed his muscle, jumping to second the next time around, then snaring the lead on lap nine.
From there, he was home free, with the crowd turning their attention to Mike Mahaney, who was working on Fuller for second. It took a few dives into the turns, but he finally got under Fuller and started closing on Phelps but couldn’t quit catch him.
They finished that way with Decker third, ahead of Fuller, Max McLaughlin, Marc Johnson, Demetrious Drellos, Tim Sears Jr, Kyle Coffey and Jessey Mueller.
The top eight, not counting Decker and Fuller who were already locked in, made the feature.
“That’s some car,” said Phelps. “We’ve got to tweak on it but we’re definitely in the ballpark for Sunday!”
Polesitter Matt Sheppard dominated the second 30-lapper, with Eric Rudolph’s charge from fifth to second providing the interest. He got close to Sheppard late in the race in traffic but a lap-22 yellow flag got Sheppard out of traffic and from there he and Rudolph ran in line to the checkers.
Anthony Perrego was third, ahead of Duane Howard, Pat Ward, defending 200 winner Larry Wight, Ryan Godown, Chris Hile, Brett Hearn from 26th and ageless Jimmy Horton.
“We were lucky in traffic a few times,” declared Sheppard. “It was a bit scary at times, but it was good practice for Sunday.”
In the nightcap, Williamson ran unchallenged from green to checkers, though Billy Dunn did get close to him once when he got bogged down in heavy traffic.
But once he saw clear track, the young Canadian was gone, leading Dunn, Tom Sears Jr., Dave Marcuccilli, Kenny Tremont Jr., Ryan Susice, Danny Johnson, Jack Lehner, Gary Tomkins and Alan Johnson into the 200.
“I’m just the lucky one who gets to drive this thing,” offered Williamson. “It’s a pleasure to drive for Buzz Chew and his guys.”