Sheppard, Phelps Score Pole Awards on World Finals Qualifying Night
Matt Sheppard scored the Billy Whittaker Fast Time Award in Friday’s Qualifying round to extend his points lead to 77
CONCORD, NC (NOV. 1, 2023) – The Super DIRTcar Series Big Blocks kicked off four nights of racing at the World of Outlaws World Finals with the Low-E Insulation Qualifying night to lock in positions for Thursday and Friday’s Heat Races.
Jimmy Phelps earned the Billy Whittaker Cars and Trux Fast Time Award in Thursday’s qualifying session with a 16.296-second lap, while nine-time and defending Series champion Matt Sheppard earned the pole award in Friday’s qualifying session with a 16.676-second lap.
Both will also be on the pole for their Heat Races on Thursday and Friday as Sheppard timed second quickest overall in Thursday’s Group A session and Phelps was quickest in Friday’s Group B session.
“(The Dirt Track at Charlotte) is one of those places where you really never know what you have,” Phelps said. “It’s exciting to come off the truck fast. Hopefully, we can translate that into a Friday night top-qualifying effort that’s just as good and we can keep ourselves up front. Anytime you can put yourself up front in the Heat Race, it’s definitely where you want to be.”
Their qualifying efforts also helped boast their points prospects with Fast Time awarding five points. Phelps bumped himself from fifth to fourth place in points with his Fast Time Award, giving him a three-point advantage over now fifth-place Mike Mahaney.
Sheppard extended his points lead over second-place Mat Williamson to 77 going into Thursday’s Heat Races. Williamson won two of three races at the 2022 event and will look to replicate the same success as the week progresses.
“I think (tonight) was our best Qualifying effort down here,” Williamson said. “Obviously, we lost five points to Matt (Sheppard) with him going (Fast Time) in the second session there, but I think our car is going to race better than we time. It always does. So, we’ll see. All we can do is try to go out and win three races.”
Williamson will also be a Heat Race polesitter on Thursday and Friday by timing first quick in Thursday’s Group B session and second quick in Friday’s Group A session.
Alex Payne will be the fourth pole-sitter for Thursday’s Heat Races and Anthony Perrego will be the fourth pole-sitter for Friday’s Heat Races.
UP NEXT: The Super DIRTcar Series Big Blocks will return for night two of the World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Thursday, Nov. 2, in a 30-lap, $10,000-to-win, showcase event.
The Super DIRTcar Series is brought to fans by many important sponsors and partners, including: CASE Construction Equipment (Official Construction Equipment), CASE No.1 Engine Oil™ (Official Oil and Lubricant), DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider), Toyota (Official Vehicle), VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel), Chevy Performance Parts, iRacing (Official Online Racing Game) and Low-E Insulation. Contingency sponsors include: ARP (Automotive Racing Products), ASI Race Wear, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Bicknell Racing Products, Billy Whittaker Cars & Trux, Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DIG Race, Fox Factory, MSD, SRI / SCAS, Swift Springs, and Wieland Metal Services (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including: ButlerBuilt, FIREBULL, HYTORC of New York, Intercomp, and Racing Electronics.
Sources: Michelina Friss, Super DIRTcar Series PR