Firecracker Ticket Options
PENNSYLVANIA PAYBACK: Sheppard Finds Redemption with Victory on Firecracker Friday
Less than 24 hours after Thursday’s preliminary win was ruthless ripped from his grasp in the final corner, Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill. got his vengeance in the best way possible; by winning.
Drawing the pole position after he was QuickTime in his group and won his heat race, Sheppard piloted the Rocket1 Racing, Valvoline No. 1 to a dominant Friday night win at the Firecracker by leading all 25 laps around the Lernerville Speedway. His conquest at the Sarver, Pa. 4/10th-mile marked his 60th career World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series feature win.
“This track was definitely a lot different than what I’m used to, but we were still really good,” noted Sheppard on the conditions. “I could run the middle-to-high real well, didn’t try the bottom too much, but I felt comfortable down there when I did. I think tonight says a lot for tomorrow, because the big race will probably be a little bit more slicker and I don’t know if it will be this slick or not. I have a feeling we’ll be between last night and tomorrow on the track. Either way, it’s gonna be a great race.”
While Sheppard paced the 25-lap feature from the pole, the Sarver, Pa. crowd had another front row hopeful to cheer for on Friday night. Going second-quick and winning his heat race, Boom Briggs of Bear Lake, Pa. put his Chub Frank Racing, CJ’s Auto Transport, Barry Wright Race Cars No. 99B on the outside pole of the feature; his best starting spot of the season with hopes of his first-career World of Outlaws Late Model Series win on the line.
Beginning a green-to-checkered run, Sheppard immediately gained control of the top spot while Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn. wrestled the runner-up spot away from Briggs. While “The Rocket Shepp” raced into lap traffic at halfway, the battle behind him heated up as fourth-starter Mike Norris got his act together and came charging in the late running.
Passing Bloomquist for second on lap 15, “The Crusher Kid” began to track down Sheppard with ten laps remaining as the intensity picked up at Lernerville. Cutting his lead from 2.9-seconds to 1.2-seconds, it was evident that Norris was coming for Sheppard’s lead (with the aid of lap traffic), but the laps were running out while Norris still had ground to make up.
In the end, Norris ran out of time in his pursuit for Sheppard, having to sit back and watch the No. 1 take the checkered flag and keep Norris winless in Firecracker preliminary action for the first time since 2017. For Norris, being disappointed is just a reminder of how far he and his team have come.
“This is definitely a little redemption for us,” Norris said after finishing 10th on Thursday. “It’s crazy to think that when we started we just wanted to make these features and now we’re disappointed with tenth-place finishes. Tonight felt really great though. We’re in pretty good company up here on this podium. I think we’ll have something for them tomorrow. We’ll see what the weather brings and go from there.
Surviving that late rally from Norris, a Friday night win for Sheppard not only meant a milestone career win with the World of Outlaws, but he also gave Steve Baker, Rocket Chassis co-owner, a birthday present with a trip to victory lane. Even after two championships, 60 career wins, and countless other accomplishments, the New Berlin, Ill. native is still thankful to this day for Baker and Mark Richards taking their chances on him.
“They’ve got more than 40+ years of experience and notes that go as far back as possible,” said Sheppard on the success of Rocket Chassis. “That’s the key to being out here on the road. I’m so fortunate to be able to work with them. They took a chance on me back in 2012 and we’ve been working close together ever since. It’s still a dream come true for me to this day,”
Following Sheppard and Norris to the strip on Friday was Scott Bloomquist with fourth-consecutive top five finish aboard the Drydene Performance Products No. 0. The National Dirt Late Model Racing Hall of Fame Inductee is certainly one to keep an eye on in Saturday’s $30,000-to-win finale. Bloomquist has three former titles at the Firecracker and the No. 0 has been rock solid all weekend long at the Sarver, Pa. 4/10th-mile.
“I love it,” Bloomquist said on Lernerville. “We’ve been coming here for a long time, we’ve had some good runs and won some races. We’ve been making some mistakes with tires that we need to fix tomorrow. Last night we put a hard tire on and that was wrong, tonight we put a soft tire and needed a hard one. At least we know what we’re getting into tomorrow. Hopefully the weather holds off and we can get up front.”
Cade Dillard, Thursday’s runner-up finisher, ended up fourth aboard his MB Customs No. 97, giving him the best average finish of any driver through the two preliminary features. Boom Briggs, who started on the outside pole, earned a season-best finish of fifth-place aboard his No. 99B. Rounding out the top ten on Friday night was Mason Zeigler, Gregg Satterlee, Darrell Lanigan, Chase Junghans and Chris Madden.
The 14th rendition of the Firecracker will conclude tomorrow night at Lernerville Speedway tomorrow night with a $30,000-to-win, $1,000-to-start, 50-lap main event airing LIVE on CBS Sports Network at 9:00pm ET. Tickets are still available for purchase at the gate for those in the area.
Morton Buildings Feature (25 Laps) – 1. 1-Brandon Sheppard [1][$6,000]; 2. 72n-Mike Norris [4][$3,000]; 3. 0-Scott Bloomquist [3][$2,000]; 4. 97-Cade Dillard [5][$1,750]; 5. 99b-Boom Briggs [2][$1,500]; 6. 25z-Mason Zeigler [6][$1,400]; 7. 22-Gregg Satterlee [13][$1,300]; 8. 29v-Darrell Lanigan [15][$1,200]; 9. 18-Chase Junghans [7][$1,100]; 10. 0m-Chris Madden [9][$1,000]; 11. 18b-Shannon Babb [8][$900]; 12. 56-Russ King [10][$850]; 13. 72-Jason Covert [11][$800]; 14. 28-Dennis Erb [12][$775]; 15. 10-Jared Miley [17][$750]; 16. 12-Ashton Winger [23][$700]; 17. 1x-Chub Frank [16][$660]; 18. 20rt-Ricky Thornton [18][$640]; 19. 111-Max Blair [20][$620]; 20. 7-Ricky Weiss [22][$600]; 21. 12d-Doug Drown [14][$600]; 22. 2s-Dan Stone [21][$600]; 23. B1-Brent Larson [24][$600]; 24. 0s-Ryan Scott [19][$600]. Lap Leader(s): Sheppard 1-25. Hard Charger Award: 29v-Darrell Lanigan[+7]
[Read More]Firecracker
Friday, June 26, 2020
Lernerville Speedway
313 N Pike Rd
Sarver, Pennsylvania 16055
Event Description
The historic dirt Late Model Firecracker - 3 days; $30,000 to win; 25 laps, 25 laps, 50 laps for 100 feature laps total this year; plus the RUSH Late Model 10,000-to-win Bill Emig Memorial.
Series Racing
World of Outlaws Late Model Series
Support Divisions
RUSH Late Models
To Win Amount
$6,000.00
Feature Laps Length
25
Event Schedule
(Subject to Change)
Thursday, June 25th, 2020
Pit Gates 4pm
Grandstand Gates 5pm
Drivers Meeting 5:45pm
Hot Laps/Qualifying 6:05pm
Opening Ceremonies 7:20pm
Racing 7:30pm
ORDER OF EVENTS:
WoO Morton Buildings Late Model Hot Laps
WoO Morton Buildings Late Model Qualifying – 3 Cars / 2 Laps
RUSH Crate Late Model Hot Laps
Opening Ceremonies
WoO Morton Buildings Late Model Heat Races – 8 Laps
RUSH Crate Late Model Time Trials – 4 Cars / 2 Laps
WoO Morton Buildings Late Model Redraw
WoO Morton Buildings Late Model LCS – 10 Laps
WoO Morton Buildings Late Model Feature – 25 Laps $6,000 to win
Victory Lane
Friday, June 26th, 2020
Pit Gates 4pm
Grandstand Gates 5pm
Drivers Meeting 5:45pm
Hot Laps/Qualifying 6:05pm
Opening Ceremonies 7:20pm
Racing 7:30pm
ORDER OF EVENTS:
WoO Morton Buildings Late Model Hot Laps
WoO Morton Buildings Late Model Qualifying – 3 Cars / 2 Laps
RUSH Crate Late Model Hot Laps
Opening Ceremonies
WoO Morton Buildings Late Model Heat Races – 8 Laps
RUSH Crate Late Model Heat Races – 10 Laps
WoO Morton Buildings Late Model Redraw
WoO Morton Buildings Late Model LCS – 10 Laps
RUSH Crate Late Model Dash – 6 Laps
WoO Morton Buildings Late Model Feature – 25 Laps $6,000 to win
Victory Lane
Fireworks show
Saturday, June 27th, 2020
Pit Gates 3pm
Grandstand Gates 4pm
Drivers Meeting 5:45pm
Hot Laps/Qualifying 6:15pm
Opening Ceremonies 6:55pm
Racing 7:05pm
ORDER OF EVENTS:
RUSH Crate Late Model Non-Qualified Cars Hot Laps
WoO Morton Buildings Late Model Hot Laps – (w/ Heat Race Groups)
Opening Ceremonies
WoO Morton Buildings Late Model Heat Races – 10 Laps
RUSH Crate Late Model Last Chance Showdowns – 12 Laps
WoO Morton Buildings Late Model Redraw
WoO Morton Buildings Late Model LCS – 10 Laps
RUSH Crate Late Model Qualified Cars Hot Laps
Track Prep
Driver Intro
Firecracker – 50 Laps $30,000 to win
Victory Lane
RUSH Crate Late Model Bill Emig Memorial – 50 Laps $10,000 to win
Victory Lane
RUSH Crate Late Model Non-Qualifier Race – 15 Laps
Victory Lane
*Rain Date will be Sunday, June 28th, 2020*
*All times Eastern
Event Hashtag
#FIRECRACKER
Options And Prices
Free Fan Pit Upgrade for Thursday and Friday with purchase of 3-day Reserved Package
3-Day Reserved Adult Package: $69
3-Day Reserved Students (17 and under): $45
3-Day General Admission Adult: $69
3-Day General Admission Student (11-17): $45
3-Day General Admission Kids (10 and under): Free
Thursday Reserved: $34
Thursday General Admission Adult: $34
Thursday Reserved Student (11-17): $30
Thursday General Admission Student (11-17): $20
Thursday Reserved Kids (10 and under): $20
Thursday General Admission Kids (10 and under): Free
Friday Reserved Adult: $34
Friday General Admission Adult: $34
Friday Reserved Student (11-17): $20
Friday General Admission Student (11-17): $20
Friday Reserved Kids (10 and under): $30
Friday General Admission Kids (10 and under): Free
Saturday Reserved Adult: $40
Saturday General Admission Adult: $40
Saturday Reserved Student (11-17): $25
Saturday General Admission Student (11-17): $25
Saturday Reserved Kids (10 and under): $25
Saturday General Admission Kids (10 and under): Free
See and download latest schedule.
Grandstand Type
Bleachers
Family Section Location
Sec AA
Handicapped Seating Location
In front of main concession stand
Pit Pass Price
3-day Pit Pass is $90.00 for members, $95.00 for non-members • Thursday or Friday Pit Pass: $40.00 non-members, $35.00 for members • Saturday Pit Pass: $45.00 non-members, $40.00 for members
Pit Age Requirement
No age Requirement
Pit Gate Location
North side of the track
Parking Cost
$0.00
Handicapped Parking Location
In front of main gate
Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite, waste services
Camping Cost
$75 (ALL Weekend)
RUSH Late Models
To Win Amount
$6,000.00
Type of Grandstand
Bleachers
Stadium Seating
Small stadium seats are allowed
Handicapped Seating
In front of main concession stand
Handicapped Parking
In front of main gate
Pit Age Limit
No age Requirement
Pit Gate Location
North side of the track
Personal Coolers
Small (14") coolers are permitted, no glass or alcohol
ATMs
1
Alcohol Sales
Alcohol is available at the track
Smoking Policy
No smoking in the grandstands
Family Section
Sec AA
Parking Cost
$0.00
Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite, waste services
Camping Cost
$75 (ALL Weekend)
Lernerville Speedway
313 N Pike Rd
Sarver, Pennsylvania 16055
Track Phone
(724) 353-1511
Track Email
[email protected]
Track Type
0.400;
Sprint Car Track Record
12.334 seconds by Joey Saldana on 5/15/02
Late Model Track Record
14.812 seconds by Mike Marlar on 6/22/18
Closest Airport
Pittsburgh International
Other Airport
Latrobe
Pit Gate Location
North side of the track
Track Map
https://www.dirtcarmembers.com/downloads.php
Competitor Info
Technical/Safety Rules:
Will be under the guidelines of the 2020 World of Outlaws Rulebook
{Heat races, Last Chance Showdowns, and Feature you will get one (1) pound per lap burn-off. (Not in Qualifying)}
Tire Rule: (Hoosier Tire: 1300 & 1425 on all four (4) corners. 1600 RR Option)
{Grooving and Siping is Allowed}
Work Area:
Infield all weekend long
2 laps for flat tires only
Driver Radio
454.0000
Race Control
451.9250