NEW EGYPT, N.J. — Matt Sheppard drew 71 out of 75 at the Dirt Draft pre-race draw for starting position in his heat race.
Sheppard responded by scoring his second consecutive victory in the ‘Dirty Jersey’ at New Egypt Speedway.
The $6,000-plus triumph was the 37th of Sheppard’s Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco career, moving him to within one of the all-time most STSS victories.
“Hats off to Ricky (Grosso) and the track crew here,” Sheppard complimented in victory lane. “This was a really racy place and there were a ton of ways to get around it.”
After driving from last to second in his heat race, the Savannah, N.Y., resident drew eight in the Beyea Custom Headers Redraw, while Belle Mead, N.J.’s Justin Grosso and Walden, N.Y.’s Anthony Perrego occupied the front row.
Perrego, after winning his heat race, quickly rolled off the outside groove and paced the field in the early going.
Pipersville, Pa.’s Danny Bouc charged into the runner-up spot at the completion of the third circuit but had nothing to offer Perrego at the front of the field.
Sheppard meanwhile was working quickly, cracking the top five on lap four, and moved into a podium spot on lap 14.
Sprakers, N.Y.’s Stewart Friesen started right behind Sheppard at the drop of the green flag, coming from the 10th starting position.
Friesen stayed in lock step with Sheppard, remaining just two spots behind Sheppard throughout the first 15 laps of the race as the pair climbed to the front.
The race’s first yellow came on lap 16, as Neshanic Station, N.J.’s Matt Stangle slowed off the second corner with a right front flat tire.
Perrego led Bouc, Sheppard, Ryan Godown, and Friesen.
The next yellow flag flew just one lap later, but Sheppard had just beaten Bouc to the line on lap 17 prior to the yellow flag, giving him the runner-up spot on the restart.
Sheppard seized the opportunity when Perrego chose the outside groove and slid by Perrego and took the top spot away.
“I found just a little bit of bite on the bottom,” Sheppard said of the race winning restart. “This Wegner Automotive Engine fires great on restarts… it’s a lot easier to pass on restarts than open racetrack.”
Friesen, meanwhile, once again trailing Sheppard, raced around Bouc for the final podium spot, setting his sights on Perrego for the runner-up spot.
On the green flag run, Kings Ferry, N.Y.’s Mike Mahaney began to make his presence known, getting by Godown and Bouc and moving into the fourth position with 35 laps complete.
Bouc would bring out a yellow flag on lap 39, relinquishing his top five position with a right-rear flat tire that had been deflating.
Sheppard held off every challenge Perrego had to offer on the restart, before eventually setting sail with his second consecutive ‘Dirty Jersey.’
Perrego took home the runner-up spot.
“That 9s car (Sheppard) is really fast but we were nipping at his heels,” Perrego proclaimed. “I would’ve liked to stay with him in lap traffic because I think he was struggling to get by some guys.”
“Our car was really maneuverable… all in all it was a good night for this 4-Star team.”
Feature Finish (50 Laps)
MATT SHEPPARD, Anthony Perrego, Stewart Friesen, Ryan Godown, Mike Mahaney, Mike Gular, Justin Grosso, Alex Yankowski, Corey Cormier, Billy Pauch Jr., Brandon Grosso, Jordan Watson, Danny Bouc, John McClelland, Ryan Watt, David Schilling, Kevin Borden, Kevin Vaclavicek, John Willman, Matt Stangle, Ryan Krachun, Ryan Godown Jr., Billy Osmun, Jerry Higbie, Wade Hendrickson, Jeff Strunk, Davey Sammons