ROCKET RED GLARE: Sheppard takes night one of the Firecracker

Brandon Sheppard had a game plan. He implemented it. Stuck to it. And it worked.

The three-time and defending Series champion led all 30-laps during Thursday night’s Firecracker 100 opener at Lernerville Speedway, cashing in on a $6,000 payday.

Sheppard’s preparation for the weekend put him in a position to strike on a slick surface.

“We had a plan to start off the night whether [the track] was wet or slick, and we just stuck with our game plan,” Sheppard said. “We’ve been working with the [slick track] program a lot, and we’ve been getting better. Hopefully, tonight is the start of a good little run.”

Even though he led the entire race, the win didn’t come easy. Sheppard struggled to get around slower cars toward the end of the race.

“Whenever you’re following [slower cars] in the rubber, and the track is that slow and slick, you hope you can get by to put a lap car between you and second place,” Sheppard said. “Sometimes you have to ride behind them and hope for the best.”

Sheppard’s win is his second of the 2021 season, and his 71st career World of Outlaws win. He also extended his point lead over championship rival Chris Madden, who finished second.

Madden closed on Sheppard during the last few laps, searching for his fifth win of the season.

“Smokey” felt he had a shot to pass Sheppard in traffic but couldn’t make it work.

“There was only one lane when I got back to second and got to Sheppard,” Madden said. “We had one shot at him, and I knew he wouldn’t know I was on the outside of him (when he looked to go around the outside of Sheppard off Turn 2). But I thought better of it and lifted and got back in line.”

Madden thought he had a car capable of winning, but a bad decision cost him during the race’s only yellow flag.

“[Sheppard] had a real good car tonight, and I did too,” Madden said. “I just chose the wrong line on the restart and fell back to third.”

Scott Bloomquist, the 2004 Series champion, crossed the line third. The Mooresburg, TN driver passed Madden on the restart but lost the spot back to him in traffic.

Despite losing the position, Thursday’s Feature gave “Black Sunshine” some optimism for the rest of the weekend.

“The track got kind of narrow, and everyone was running on the bottom,” Bloomquist said. “We ended up getting into that lap car and it got us a little messed up and slowed us down, but we have something we can work with now to keep us moving forward.”

Tyler Bruening, the top Rookie of the race finished fourth. The Decorah, IA driver extended his lead in the chase for Rookie of the Year over Ryan Gustin, who finished 22nd – after a rough start to the night when he spun in his Heat Race, trying to take the lead from Bruening. Gustin had also set Quick Time for the night.

Spencer Hughes crossed the line fifth.

With two more nights ahead at Lernerville, Sheppard is poised to use his opening as momentum to go after his first Firecracker 100 victory.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models return to Lernerville Speedway on Friday June 25th, for another 30-lap Feature paying $6,000-to-win.

Every Lap Matters during this year’s Firecracker 100, with drivers accumulating points on Thursday and Friday, to set up Saturday’s Drydene Heat Race Lineups.

Here are the Top-6 in Firecracker points, so far, heading into Friday’s event:

1. Brandon Sheppard
2. Chris Madden
3. Tyler Bruening
4. Spencer Hughes
5. Mike Norris
6. Scott Bloomquist

Morton Buildings Feature (30 Laps)-1. 1-Brandon Sheppard [1][$6,000]; 2. 44-Chris Madden [2][$3,000]; 3. 0-Scott Bloomquist [5][$2,000]; 4. 16-Tyler Bruening [7][$1,750]; 5. 11H-Spencer Hughes [3][$1,500]; 6. 25Z-Mason Zeigler [4][$1,400]; 7. 97-Cade Dillard [6][$1,300]; 8. 72-Mike Norris [8][$1,200]; 9. 119-Chub Frank [10][$1,100]; 10. 29-Darrell Lanigan [9][$1,000]; 11. 76-Brandon Overton [15][$900]; 12. 72C-Jason Covert [14][$850]; 13. 22-Gregg Satterlee [18][$800]; 14. 111V-Max Blair [11][$775]; 15. 1C-Alex Ferree [12][$750]; 16. 17M-Dale McDowell [17][$700]; 17. 7-Ricky Weiss [22][$660]; 18. 0E-Rick Eckert [20][$640]; 19. 28-Dennis Erb [23][$620]; 20. B1-Brent Larson [13][$600]; 21. 58-Mark Whitener [19][$600]; 22. 19R-Ryan Gustin [25][$600]; 23. 99B-Boom Briggs [26][$600]; 24. 10-Jared Miley [21][$600]; 25. 2-Dan Stone [24][$600]; 26. 77-Tyler Dietz [16][$600] Hard Charger:22-Gregg Satterlee[+5]

Qualifying Flight-A –1. 19R-Ryan Gustin, 15.337; 2. 1-Brandon Sheppard, 15.749; 3. 97-Cade Dillard, 15.753; 4. 16-Tyler Bruening, 15.982; 5. 76-Brandon Overton, 16.041; 6. 111V-Max Blair, 16.048; 7. 58-Mark Whitener, 16.06; 8. 29-Darrell Lanigan, 16.225; 9. 17M-Dale McDowell, 16.269; 10. 42-Chad Finley, 16.283; 11. 99B-Boom Briggs, 16.34; 12. 28-Dennis Erb, 16.391; 13. 0-Scott Bloomquist, 16.429; 14. 7-Ricky Weiss, 16.448; 15. 0E-Rick Eckert, 16.49; 16. 48-Colton Flinner, 16.544; 17. 93-Pancho Lawler, 16.565; 18. 44P-Joe Petyak, 16.634; 19. B1-Brent Larson, 16.736; 20. 42K-Cla Knight, 16.865; 21. 9-Levi Yetter, 16.999; 22. 4-Gary Stuhler, 17.038; 23. 29S-Ken Schaltenbrand, 17.073; 24. 11-Joshua Powell, 17.339; 25. 66-Todd Bachman, 17.53; 26. 1Z-Logan Zarin, 17.567; 27. 33X-Eric Hamilton, 19.17

Qualifying Flight-B-1. 72-Mike Norris, 16.123; 2. 119-Chub Frank, 16.411; 3. 10-Jared Miley, 16.467; 4. 44-Chris Madden, 16.677; 5. 11H-Spencer Hughes, 16.709; 6. 1C-Alex Ferree, 16.869; 7. 22F-Chris Ferguson, 16.91; 8. 2-Dan Stone, 16.913; 9. 22-Gregg Satterlee, 16.926; 10. 14-Dan Angellicchio, 16.946; 11. 77-Tyler Dietz, 17.002; 12. 25Z-Mason Zeigler, 17.084; 13. 72C-Jason Covert, 17.19; 14. 7R-Ross Robinson, 17.247; 15. 0S-Ryan Scott, 17.391; 16. 25-Mike Benedum, 17.406; 17. 16H-Clinton Hersh, 17.47; 18. 94-Charles Powell, 17.487; 19. 8S-Tommy Schirnhofer, 17.652; 20. 10L-Gary Lyle, 17.69; 21. 23-Ahnna Parkhurst, 17.986; 22. C02-Kyle Lukon, 18.006; 23. 26-Shawn Schaltenbrand, 18.07; 24. 2T-Rich Wicker, 18.133; 25. 0G-Deshawn Gingerich, 18.453; 26. 311-Ken Monahan, 18.688

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Firecracker 100
June 24, 2021 to June 26, 2021
Lernerville Speedway
313 N Pike Rd
Sarver, PA 

Event Description
The historic World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series Firecracker 100 featuring $6,000-to-win 30 lap features Thursday and Friday, the Uncle Sam 30, and a$30,000-to-win 100 feature lap feature Saturday; plus the RUSH Late Model 10,000-to-win 50 lap Bill Emig Memorial.

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Late Model Series

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

To Win Amount
$6,000.00

Feature Laps Length
30

Event Schedule
ORDER OF EVENTS
*All times and events subject to change*

Tuesday, June 22nd 2021
12 Noon Camping Opens

Wednesday, June 23rd 2021
11:00pm Camper load in continues
3pm – 5pm Vendor Parking
4pm-8pm Hauler Parking

Thursday, June 24th 2021
Noon – 4pm Vendor Parking Continues
4:00pm Pits Gates Open
5:00pm Main Gates Open
5:30pm Drivers Meeting
6:00pm World of Outlaw Late Model Hot laps (GWC)
World of Outlaw Late Model Qualifying (3 Cars/2 Laps)
RUSH Late Model Hot Laps (GWC)
Opening Ceremonies
World of Outlaw Late Model Heat Races (8 Laps)
RUSH Late Model Time Trials (4 Cars/2 Laps)
World of Outlaw Late Model Last Chance Showdowns (10 Laps)
World of Outlaw Late Model Feature (30 Laps) $6,000 to win
Victory Lane
Pits Open to all Fans
DJ Concert @ The Fan Stage

Friday, June 25th 2021
11:00am Pit Parking Begins
3:00pm Judging of the best tailgating & camp site party
3:30pm Ticket Box Office Opens
4:00pm Pit Gates Open
5:00pm Main Gates Open
5:30pm Drivers Meeting
6:00pm World of Outlaws Late Model Hot Laps (GWC)
World of Outlaws Late Model Qualifying (3 Cars/2 Laps)
RUSH Crate Late Model Hot Laps
Opening Ceremonies
World of Outlaws Late Model Heat Races (8 Laps)
RUSH Late Model Heat Races (10 Laps)
World of Outlaws Late Models Last Chance Showdowns (10 Laps)
RUSH Late Model Dash (6 Laps)
World of Outlaws Late Model Feature (30 Laps) $6,000 to win
Victory Lane
Firework Show
Pits Open to all Fans
Concert @ The Fan Stage

Saturday, June 26th 2021
Noon Slick Woody’s Corn Hole Tournament
3:00pm Pit Gates Open
3:30pm Advanced Ticket Gate opens for Autograph Session line-up
4:00pm Main Gates Open/ Autograph Session Starts
5:30pm Drivers Meeting
6:00pm RUSH Late Model Non-Qualified Cars Hot lap (GWC)
World of Outlaws Late Model Hot laps (W/ Heat Race Group)
Opening Ceremonies
World of Outlaws Late Model Heat Races (10 Laps)
RUSH Late Model Last Chance Showdowns (12 Laps)
World of Outlaws Late Model Last Chance Showdowns (10 Laps)
RUSH Late Model Qualified Cars Hot laps (GWC)
“Uncle Sam 30” ($2,000 to win or start the Firecracker 100)
Track Prep (if needed)
Driver Intro/Fireworks
“Firecracker 100” ($30,000 to win)
Victory Lane
RUSH Late Models “Bill Emig Memorial” (50 Laps) $10,000 to win
RUSH Late Model Non-Qualifier Race (15 Laps)
Pits Open to all Fans

**Sunday, June 27th 2021 – Firecracker 100 Rain Date**
*All times Eastern

Event Hashtag
#FIRECRACKER

Options And Prices
Free Fan Pit Upgrade for Thursday & Friday with purchase of a 3-day Reserved Package in advance
3-Day Reserved Adult: $69 ($74 on day of race)
3-Day Reserved Students: $45 (17 and under)
3-Day GA Adult: $69 ($74 on day of race)
3-Day GA Student: $45 (11-17)
3-Day GA Kid: FREE (10 and under)
Thursday Reserved Adult: $34 ($39 on day of race)
Thursday Reserved Student: $20 (17 and under)
Thursday GA Adult: $34 ($39 on day of race)
Thursday GA Student: $20 (11-17)
Thursday GA Kid: FREE (10 and under)
Friday Reserved Adult: $34 ($39 on day of race)
Friday Reserved Student: $20 (17 and under)
Friday GA Adult: $34 ($39 on day of race)
Friday GA Student: $20 (11-17)
Friday GA Kid: FREE (10 and under)
Saturday Reserved Adult: $40 ($45 on day of race)
Saturday Reserved Student: $25 (17 and under)
Saturday GA Adult: $40 ($45 on day of race)
Saturday GA Student: $25 (11-17)
Saturday GA Kids: FREE (10 and under)

See and download latest schedule.

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

Parking Cost
$0.00

Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite, waste services

Camping Cost
$75 (ALL Weekend)

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

Credit Card Use
Pit Gate, Ticket Window

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)

Closest Airport
Pittsburgh International

Other Airport
Latrobe

Lernerville Speedway
313 N Pike Rd
Sarver, PA 

Track Phone
(724) 353-1511

Ticket Phone
(844) 347-8849

Track Email
[email protected]

Track Size & Type
0.400;

Sprint Car Track Record
12.334 seconds by Joey Saldana on 5/15/02

Competitor Downloads
 https://www.dirtcarmembers.com/downloads.php

Competitor Info
Event Format:
1-20 Entries = Overall Qualifying | Two Heats | All Cars Transfer | Top 2 from each heat redraw
21-24 Entries = Overall Qualifying | Three Heats | All Cars Transfer | Top 2 from each heat redraw
25-27 Entries = Overall Qualifying | Three Heats | Top 6 Transfer | Top 2 from each heat redraw | One LCS | Top 4 Transfer
28-31 Entries = A/B Group Qualifying | Four Heats | Top 4 Transfer | Top 2 from each heat redraw |One LCS | Top 6 Transfer
32-47 Entries = A/B Group Qualifying | Four Heats | Top 4 Transfer | Top 2 from each heat redraw |Two LCS | Top 3 Transfer
48+ Entries = A/B Group Qualifying | Six Heats | Top 3 Transfer | Heat Race Winner Redraws | Three LCS | Top 2 Transfer

Thursday Event Payout: 30 Laps
1. $6,000; 2. $3,000; 3. $2,000; 4. $1,750; 5. $1,500; 6. $1,400; 7. $1,300; 8. $1,200; 9. $1,100; 10. $1,000; 11.$900; 12. $850; 13. $800; 14. $775; 15. $750; 16. $700; 17. $660; 18. $640; 19. $620; 20. $600; 21. 600; 22. $600; 23. $600; 24. $600 Tow Money: $110 - MUST start LCS in order to receive Tow Money

Friday Event Payout: 30 Laps
1. $6,000; 2. $3,000; 3. $2,000; 4. $1,750; 5. $1,500; 6. $1,400; 7. $1,300; 8. $1,200; 9. $1,100; 10. $1,000; 11.$900; 12. $850; 13. $800; 14. $775; 15. $750; 16. $700; 17. $660; 18. $640; 19. $620; 20. $600; 21. 600; 22. $600; 23. $600; 24. $600 Tow Money: $110 - MUST start LCS in order to receive Tow Money

Saturday Event Payout: 100 Laps
1. $30,000; 2. $15,000; 3. $7,000; 4. $6,000; 5. $5,000; 6. $4,500; 7. $4,000; 8. $3,500; 9. $3,000; 10. $2,500; 11.$2,300; 12. $2,200; 13. $2,100; 14. $2,000; 15. $1,800; 16. $1,700; 17. $1,600; 18. $1,550; 19. $1,500; 20. $1,500; 21. $1,500; 22. $1,500; 23. $1,500; 24. $1,500 Tow Money: $110 - MUST start LCS in order to receive Tow Money

Technical & Safety Rules:
GENERAL RULES: Under the guidelines of Chapter 1
TECHNICAL & SAFETY RULES: Under the guidelines of Chapter 3
Weight Rule is 2350. Pound per lap burn off in the Feature event ONLY

Tire Rules:
ALL FOUR (4) CORNERS: 1300 & 1425
RIGHT REAR OPTION: 1600
GROOVING AND SIPING IS ALLOWED
**All weekend you must qualify, heat race, and LCS on the same tires. Thursday and Friday you may change right rear tire for the Feature. Saturday you may change RR tire for the Uncle Sam 30 and (4) tires for the Firecracker 100.