First Race, First Place: Matt Sheppard Wins Olum’s ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ Presented By Rochinski Contracting Services & Husqvarna In Thunder Mountain Speedway Debut; Waterloo, NY Driver Earns $5,640 For Car Owner Norm Hansell In NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Round No. 2
CENTER LISLE, NY – First race, first place!
In his debut at Thunder Mountain Speedway, superstar Matt Sheppard drove to a hefty payday Tuesday night at the Olum’s ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ presented by Rochinski Contracting Services and Husqvarna. Sheppard, leading wire-to-wire in the 50-lap National Dirt Racing League (NDRL) Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP big-block/small-block Modified event, earned $5,640 in cash plus other incentives: $5,000 from the posted purse, $490 in lap money, $100 from Simplicity Designs and $50 as a Tonarlo’s Pizza Heat-Race Hard Charger.
Sheppard, of Waterloo, N.Y., registered his first-ever BD Motorsports Media LLC victory, becoming the 17th different winner in 21 events contested since 2006. The win was also a first for noted Pennsylvania car owner Norm Hansell, who has been a loyal supporter of the BD Motorsports Media circuit in recent years.
A huge crowd filled Thunder Mountain’s concrete grandstands to capacity for the richest event in track history. The pit area at the Center Lisle, N.Y., oval was jammed with 99 race cars: 73 NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Modifieds and 26 Sportsman. Well over $30,000 was paid out during the night.
“The hardest part about tonight was the unknown,” Sheppard said of his first Thunder Mountain start. “I hadn’t raced here before or even seen the place. I thought they did a great job with the track. It was smooth and it was wide. I don’t know what they could have done differently to make it any better. It was still tacky to walk on at the end of the night.
“It was definitely cool to win in my first race at the place.”
Despite a poor draw (97 out of a possible) that placed Sheppard ninth in the seventh heat race, he raced to second place on the track and topped the passing points chart to make the redraw.
“That was tough after they drew 97 for me,” Sheppard said of qualifying. “I think we were 72nd of the 73 cars that drew. I was really happy to end up qualifying, let alone getting to the redraw.”
The 31-year-old driver picked No. 2 of 16 available numbers for the 50-lap main event and outgunned pole starter Chad Cook to take the lead at the outset. Through a number of early restarts, Sheppard maintained his lead aboard the Hansell Motorsports No. 357 Troyer.
As the laps would down, Cook – a Thunder Mountain regular from Deposit, N.Y. – applied significant pressure to Sheppard. Cook’s most serious challenge was mounted on Sheppard in the final 10-lap stretch.
Sheppard encountered lapped traffic, slowing his pace. Cook powered to the outside lane – almost pulling even at the exit of turn two with 47 laps complete – before Sheppard prevailed. He beat Cook to the line by two car-lengths.
“My right-front tire was going away,” Sheppard said. “We went too soft and the car got tight. I knew he was right there and he was quick.”
Sheppard credited Royersford, Pa.’s Hansell and crew chief Jay Thomas for their efforts and the new partnership for special events this season.
“It’s a great deal,” Sheppard said. “Norm has the best equipment and Jay works really hard on the cars. I have to thank them for the opportunity.”
Cook, 37 years old, settled for second position driving Mike Costello’s No. 2c Bicknell.
“Yeah, I thought I had a shot at him there,” Cook said. “It felt good to be the best of the local drivers tonight and run with those guys.”
Cook earned $3,160 in cash plus other incentives as the runner-up.
Vic Coffey of Leicester, N.Y., ran inside the top-three for the entire distance, placing third in the Sweeteners Plus No. 32c ($2,410). Sixth-starter Stewart Friesen of Sprakers, N.Y., finished fourth driving Tadd Parks’ No. 1 ($1,960) and Danny Johnson of Rochester, N.Y., advanced from 14th to finish fifth driving Chris Gennarelli’s No. 86 ($1,710).
Rounding out the top 10 were Jeff Heotzler of Wallkill, N.Y., who started 10th in Mel Schrufer’s No. 2a ($1,510); 22nd-starter Duane Howard of Oley, Pa., driving Mike Petruska’s Atlas Paving No. 66 ($1,260); Andy Bachetti of Sheffield, Mass., who started 26th ($1,150); 29th-starter Matt Jester of Milford, Del. ($1,050); and Bob McGannon of Garnerville, N.Y., who started 31st via a Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP provisional. McGannon’s earnings, including the $450 Zubi’s Racing/Joe Sarvis Motorsports Hard Charger Award, totaled $1,200.
Top passing points-earners in the eight heat events were Johnson, Coffey, Brian Weaver of Windsor, N.Y., Alex Stanton of Jackson, Pa., Heotzler, Elmo Reckner of Ballston Lake, N.Y., Sheppard and Bob Hamm Jr. of Windsor, N.Y.
Consolation victors were JaMike Sowle of Fultonville, N.Y., Bachetti, Brian Malcolm of Lake Ariel, Pa., and Danny Tyler of Cottekill, N.Y.
First State driver Jester was best of the four drivers missing a feature starting berth by one spot in the consolations, topping the 5-lap MjH Oilfield Wade Decker Memorial Last Chance Race. He earned his way into the feature while Dale Planck of Homer, N.Y., Scott Van Gorder of Laurel, Del., and Erick Rudolph of Ransomville, N.Y., each earned $100.
Kevin Jordan of Speedsville, N.Y., emerged from an intense battle with Billy Spoonhower to earn $1,000 in the accompanying 25-lap Sportsman feature. Spoonhower, of Berkshire, N.Y., settled for second. The event was attended by Open and Crate 602 powered cars.
Former track regular Eddie White of Candor, N.Y., returned to Thunder Mountain with a strong third-place result. Orange County (N.Y.) Fair Speedway regular Brian Krummel of Middletown, N.Y., was fourth and Andrew Ferguson of Camillus, N.Y., completed the front five driving the Cory Pike-owned No. 6.
Sportsman heat winners were John Morse, Ryan Olsommer and White.
THUNDER THOUGHTS: Pre-race fan activities included a live remote by 98.1 The Hawk, displays of the Nick Rochinski and Mike Mahaney race cars with driver meet and greets, a bounce house for kids and more. Three sets of fireworks lit up the sky during the evening….
Track owner Karl Spoonhower confirmed the night’s attendance as the largest ever in the history of Thunder Mountain Speedway, which first opened in 1992….
After post heat-race mechanical issues sidelined the Sherlock Motorsports No. TEN, Billy Van Inwegen picked up the ride in the Crash Palace No. 14 owned by Vermont’s C.G. Morey for the main….
The busy program was spun off efficiently despite the huge car count. Eight NDRL Modified heats, three Sportsman heats, four NDRL Modified consolations, the Wade Decker Memorial Last Chance Qualifier and the 50-lap NDRL Modified main event were completed by 10:14 p.m., with only the Sportsman main to follow….
Next up for the NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP is the I-88 (N.Y.) Speedway Sowle Trailer Repair ‘Crazy 8s Special’ presented by Olum’s on Wednesday, July 23 (rain date: July 24). The 48-lap big-block/small-block Modified event, Round No. 3 of the series, offers $8,888 to win from a massive purse as the richest event ever to be held at the Afton Fairgrounds facility. GRIT 602 Sportsman will complete the two-division program.
To learn more about the NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP, contact Brett Deyo at 845.728.2781, e-mail Deyo99H@aol.com or visit www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com. Like “BD Motorsports Media” on Facebook or follow @BrettDeyo on Twitter.
OLUM’S ‘LIGHTNING ON THE MOUNTAIN’ PRESENTED BY ROCHINSKI CONTRACTING SERVICES & HUSQVARNA RACE SUMMARY – MAY 20, 2014
NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Modified Feature Finish (50 Laps): MATT SHEPPARD ($5,640) Chad Cook, Vic Coffey, Stewart Friesen, Danny Johnson, Jeff Heotzler, Duane Howard, Andy Bachetti, Matt Jester, Bob McGannon, Steve Cummings, Rick Laubach, Danny Tyler, Mike Colsten, Dale Welty, Tommy Meier, Tim Hindley, Billy Decker, Ryan Watt, Brian Weaver, Bob Hamm Jr., Billy Van Inwegen Jr., JaMike Sowle, Brent Wilcox, Don Hart Jr., Elmo Reckner, Mike Clapperton, Alex Stanton, Ryan Jordan, Bobby Varin, Donnie Lawson, Brian Malcolm.
Did Not Qualify: Dale Planck, Scott Van Gorder, Erick Rudolph, Barry White, Mitch Gibbs, Alan Johnson, C.G. Morey, Paul Jensen, Kurt Hundeland, Darrell Ford, Nick Rochinski, Ken Titus, Sam Allen, Brett Hearn, Mike DuBois, Craig Hanson, John Siedlecky, Brett Tonkin, Doug Manmiller, Donnie Elliott, Gary Tomkins, Rob Rowe, Rich Eurich, Byron Worthing, Mike Kolka Jr., Alan Rudalavage, Tyler Siri, Lou Cicconi Jr., Roy Shields, Anthony Perrego, Nick Nye, Mike Ricci, Darwin Greene, Ray Jashembowski, Marcus Dinkins, Tyler Dippel, Pat Ward, Mike Mahaney, Tom Collins, Tim Currier, Danny Creeden.
‘Lucky 7’ Lap Money Distribution ($1,508): Matt Sheppard ($490), Vic Coffey ($168), Jeff Heotzler ($165), Chad Cook ($160), Stewart Friesen ($160), Danny Johnson ($120), Steve Cummings ($105), Duane Howard ($60), Billy Decker ($40) & Tim Hindley ($40),
Accord Speedway ‘Battle of the Bullring’ Complimentary Passes: Mike Ricci, Darrell Ford & Rob Rowe
Allstar Performance Bonuses ($50 certificates): Vic Coffey (third) & Andy Bachetti (eighth)
American Racer/Lias Tire Bonuses (free tire each): Matt Jester (ninth) & Rick Laubach (12th)
Amsoil/Bud Leizear Longest Distance Towed (Oil Change Supplies): Scott Van Gorder
ATL Fuel Cell Bonus ($100 credit): Danny Johnson (fifth)
Behrent’s Performance Warehouse Bonuses ($50 each): Stewart Friesen (fourth) & Matt Jester (ninth)
BFP Specialty Bonus ($100 shock servicing credit): Danny Tyler (13th)
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Bonuses ($100 credits): Vic Coffey (third), Steve Cummings (11th) & Barry White (DNQ)
Diversified Machine Inc./Bulldog Rear End Bonuses ($50 credits): Steve Cummings (11th) & Mike Kolka Jr. (DNQ)
DRACO ‘Spring Forward’ Award (free spring): Bob McGannon
Finish Line Web Design $150 Credit: Chad Cook (second)
Fulton Speedway Outlaw 200 Guaranteed Starting Position: Matt Sheppard
Hoosier Racing Tire Bonus (free tire): Darwin Greene
Manmiller Electric DNQ Bonuses ($100 cash): Danny Creeden & Rich Eurich
PM3 Digital Imaging Hard Charger Bonus ($25 credit): Bob McGannon
Recycle Your Entry Fee Program: All drivers unable to qualify will receive complimentary car entry to the July 23 ‘Crazy 8s Special’ at I-88 Speedway
Schaeffer Racing Oil Bonus (two cases of oil): Matt Sheppard
Shiley Fabrication Hard Luck Award (bumpers and rubrails): Craig Hanson
Simplicity Designs $100 Winner’s Bonus (added to the $5,000): Matt Sheppard
S&W Awards Custom Trophy: Matt Sheppard
Tonarlo’s Pizza Heat-Race Hard Charger Awards ($50 cash each): Danny Johnson, Steve Cummings, Rick Laubach, Andy Bachetti, Brian Malcolm, Dale Planck, Matt Sheppard, Bob Hamm Jr.
VP Racing Fuels DNQ Bonus (Drum of VP Racing Fuel): Doug Manmiller
Whirlpool Appliances $250 Halfway Leader Bonus: Matt Sheppard
Zubi’s Racing/Joe Sarvis Motorsports Hard Charger Award ($450 cash): Bob McGannon (31st-to-10th)
Sportsman Feature Finish (25 Laps): KEVIN JORDAN ($1,000), Billy Spoonhower, Eddie White, Brian Krummel, Andrew Ferguson, John Morse, Ryan Olsommer, Marshall Balzer, Chance Spoonhower, Randy Green, Lanson Albanese, Larry Hillis, Kenny Hammond, Chris Jordan, Charlie Hendrickson Jr., Josh Butler, Mike Decker, Colton Wilson, Butch Green, Randy Gates, Alec Gennarelli, Mike Wilmot, Rich Powell, Tyler Ward.
Did Not Start: Claude Hutchings Jr., Randy Brokaw.
Turn 5 Podcast Hard Charger ($55.55): Brian Krummel (15th to 4th)
Trackside Products Best Appearing Cars ($100 credits): Ryan Olsommer (Crate 602) & Andrew Ferguson (Open)
Shiley Fabrication Certificates ($50 credits): Randy Green (10th) & Claude Hutchings Jr. (DNQ)
The ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ special is presented by Olum’s, Rochinski Contracting Services, Husqvarna, Zubi’s Racing, Accord Speedway, Whirlpool Appliances, Manmiller Electric, Trackside Products, MjH Oilfield, VP Racing Fuels and many other fine marketing partners
The National Dirt Racing League (NDRL) Short Track Super Series is presented by VP Racing Fuels, Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc., East Coast Speed/ECS Auto, Rochinski Contracting Services, Allstar Performance, American Racer/Lias Tire, Art’s Radiator, ATL Fuel Cells, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, BFP Specialty, Bicknell Racing Products, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, COMP Performance Group, Dirt Track Digest, DMI/Bulldog Rear Ends, DRACO Springs, Driven Racing Oil, ERK Steering, Finish Line Web Design, FOX Shox, H.B. Steele & Son, Henry’s Stainless Steel Exhaust, Hig Fab Chassis, Hoosier Racing Tire, Jack’s Used Race Car Parts & More, Kirkey Racing Products, PM3 Digital Imaging, Quarter Master, Race Pro Weekly, Schaeffer Racing Oil, Shiley Fabrication, Sleepy Hollow Golf, Teo-Pro Car, Troyer Race Cars & Vahlco Wheels.
Sources: BD Motorsports Media