(February 16, 2024) Barberville, FL – Matt Sheppard capitalized on an unexpected turn of events to win Friday night’s Super DIRTcar Series race at Volusia Speedway Park. The 10-time Series champion took the lead with seven laps remaining, following Larry Wight’s misfortune, and claimed his second Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals victory of the season.
“Lady luck was definitely on my side tonight,” Sheppard said. “On my side in the [Heat Race]. On my side in the Feature. Some nights, I’d definitely rather be lucky than good. Florida hasn’t been good in the past, but it was definitely good for me this year.”
Race Highlights
Demetrios Drellos led the first 12 laps from the pole before Erick Rudolph took the lead in traffic on Lap 13. Rudolph began to pull away until a caution on Lap 17 for Matt Caprara’s stop in Turn 4. The restart allowed Wight, who started fifth, to make his move. Using the high line, he passed Sheppard and Mat Williamson, and then Rudolph to take the lead on Lap 22.
Wight maintained a strong lead until Lap 34 when he collided with Brett Hearn in Turn 4, causing his car to stall. As he restarted, he slid down the track and collided with Rudolph, ultimately flipping his car in Turns 1 and 2. This incident handed the lead to Sheppard, who stayed in front for the final laps to secure the win and the $6,250 prize.
Key Quotes
“I honestly don’t know what happened,” Sheppard said. “I started running Erick back down a little bit and I was concentrating on that. Then I saw Larry get together with Hearn. He kind of came across the track to the bottom, and I think Erick collected him. Somehow, I snuck by both of them and was able to beat Erick to the scoring loop. Then I went down into Turn 1, came off Turn 2, and heard ‘red, red, red.’ I guess Larry got up into the wall. It was just a crazy turn of events.”
Rudolph, who finished second, expressed his surprise at Wight’s maneuver. “I saw Larry ran into Brett, and they were up against the wall,” Rudolph said. “Then he made a 90-degree turn straight down the track. I never thought he would be on the outside wall and then be all the way against the inside wall. I thought it was safe down there, but it turns out it wasn’t. From there, it was just track position.”
Williamson finished third, securing his third top-five finish of the DIRTcar Nationals. “I was trying to worry about my own race and keep my nose clean,” Williamson said. “I felt really good at the start, and then toward the end, I was kind of just hanging on. A fifth, a third, a first. Hopefully, we can get another win [Saturday].”
Upcoming Event
The Super DIRTcar Series concludes its 2024 visit to Volusia Speedway Park on Saturday, Feb. 17, with a 40-lap, $6,250-to-win finale. For tickets, visit DIRTcarNationals.com. Fans can also watch the action live on DIRTVision.
Feature Results (40 Laps)
DIRTcar Nationals Night 3
- Matt Sheppard [2]
- Erick Rudolph [3]
- Mat Williamson [6]
- Alex Payne [17]
- Anthony Perrego [21]
- Demetrios Drellos [1]
- Rick Laubach [11]
- Justin Stone [9]
- Marc Johnson [22]
- Justin Haers [13]
- Garrett Krummert [4]
- Alex Yankowski [12]
- Billy Pauch Jr [5]
- Jimmy Phelps [8]
- Dan Creeden [19]
- Billy Decker [14]
- Darren Smith [10]
- CG Morey [23]
- Peter Britten [18]
- Louden Reimert [26]
- Danny Johnson [24]
- Rex King Jr [15]
- Brett Hearn [16]
- Matt Caprara [20]
- (DNF) Larry Wight [7]
- (DNF) Jack Lehner [25]
- (DNF) Felix Roy [27]
