SUPERIOR THRILLER: Sheppard bests Madden for third win of the season

Brandon Sheppard rose from his car in Victory Lane, waving to the crowd with confidence after winning Tuesday at Gondik Law Speedway. But the New Berlin, IL driver needed everything to go his way to collect $10,000.

A caution with two laps to go put Chris Madden on Sheppard’s heels, setting the stage for an epic duel. “Smokey” dove to the inside when the green flag dropped, pulling even with Sheppard down the back straightaway on the final lap. But Sheppard carried his momentum on the top of the racetrack, finding enough bite to beat Madden to the finish by 0.180 seconds.

It’s the “Rocket Shepp’s” 72nd career World of Outlaws triumph, one that needed some luck.

“[Madden] was in the good stuff on the backstretch so I let him stay with me there and I had to really charge into Turn 3 a lot harder than I wanted to,” Sheppard said. “I slid from the bottom and luckily there was a little bit up there on top in order for us to get ahold of to get back going again.

“Our car was really good, we were able to get the lead and control most of the race, but we didn’t need those last few cautions, that’s for sure.”

Sheppard extended his points lead for the third straight event— now 68 points ahead of Madden.

Even though Madden settled for second, he enjoyed racing Sheppard for the win. The Gray Court, SC driver stated how well his car hooked up to the track.

“We were pretty good in the middle and bottom, and [Sheppard] had found him a little strip I believe up top off the corner and he just got a big run,” Madden said.  “It was an awesome race, a fun race, and we had a really good car. If we would’ve been out front, we would’ve won.”

Sheppard wrestled the lead away from Dennis Erb Jr. on Lap 24, using that same outside lane that led him to victory. Erb crossed the line third—his fifth top five in the last nine races.

The Carpentersville, IL driver is thrilled with the finish but knew what kept him from reaching Victory Lane for the second straight race.

“[Tuesday] we were running really good, the car fired off real good but we just needed to be a little bit tighter late in the race,” Erb said. “All in all, we had a good night and kept it upfront all night. We’re happy with that and we’ll go on to the next one.”

Tyler Bruening, the top Rookie of The Race finished fourth. He extended his lead in the chase for Rookie of the Year to 120 points over Ryan Gustin, who finished sixth.

James Giossi, from New Richmond, WI rounded out the top-five.

Sometimes it takes a little luck to find your way to Victory Lane, but it’s something Brandon Sheppard won’t complain about. He’s inching closer to World of Outlaws history—six wins away from tying Josh Richards for most wins all-time (78).

UP NEXT: The Most Powerful Late Models on The Planet travel west to River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, ND on Friday, July 16.

Morton Buildings Feature (40 Laps)-1. 1-Brandon Sheppard [4][$10,000]; 2. 44-Chris Madden [6][$6,000]; 3. 28-Dennis Erb [2][$3,500]; 4. 16-Tyler Bruening [3][$2,800]; 5. 11G-James Giossi [8][$2,500]; 6. 19R-Ryan Gustin [16][$2,300]; 7. 97-Jimmy Mars [13][$2,200]; 8. 22E-Kevin Eder [14][$2,100]; 9. 7-Ricky Weiss [9][$2,050]; 10. 519-Steve Laursen [1][$2,000]; 11. 11-Pat Doar [11][$1,600]; 12. 55C-Chad Mahder [19][$1,400]; 13. B1-Brent Larson [7][$1,200]; 14. 85-John Kaanta [5][$1,100]; 15. 28M-Sam Mars [22][$1,050]; 16. 44N-Darrell Nelson [21][$1,000]; 17. 99JR-Frank Heckenast [10][$1,000]; 18. 99B-Boom Briggs [23][$1,000]; 19. 31-Travis Budisalovich [12][$1,000]; 20. 16V-Derek Vesel [15][$1,000]; 21. 7H-Harry Hanson [17][$1,000]; 22. 21-Mike Bellefeuille [24][$1,000]; 23. 24L-Aaron Lillo [18][$1,000]; 24. 11D-Tim McMann [20][$1,000] Hard Charger: 19R-Ryan Gustin[+10]

Qualifying –1. B1-Brent Larson, 15.847; 2. 16-Tyler Bruening, 15.902; 3. 28-Dennis Erb, 16.002; 4. 1-Brandon Sheppard, 16.048; 5. 11G-James Giossi, 16.133; 6. 7-Ricky Weiss, 16.181; 7. 97-Jimmy Mars, 16.185; 8. 44-Chris Madden, 16.209; 9. 31-Travis Budisalovich, 16.227; 10. 99JR-Frank Heckenast, 16.24; 11. 22E-Kevin Eder, 16.393; 12. 21-Mike Bellefeuille, 16.393; 13. 85-John Kaanta, 16.399; 14. 7H-Harry Hanson, 16.434; 15. 16V-Derek Vesel, 16.435; 16. 55C-Chad Mahder, 16.445; 17. 99B-Boom Briggs, 16.472; 18. 11D-Tim McMann, 16.493; 19. 19R-Ryan Gustin, 16.559; 20. 11-Pat Doar, 16.561; 21. 519-Steve Laursen, 16.584; 22. 28M-Sam Mars, 16.617; 23. 6M-Jeff Massingill, 16.659; 24. 24L-Aaron Lillo, 16.659; 25. 44N-Darrell Nelson, 16.664; 26. 11B-Jody Bellefeuille, 16.925; 27. 54-Keith Niemi, 16.954

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World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models
July 13, 2021
Gondik Law Speedway
4700 Tower Avenue
Superior, WI 

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Late Model Series

Late Model Track Record
15.460 seconds by Kevin Eder

To Win Amount
$10,000.00

Event Schedule
TICKET PRICES:
Grandstands: $40
Pits: $40
**Get your Tickets Today!!!**

TIMES:
4:00pm Pit Gates Open
5:00pm Grandstands Open
4:30pm Pill Draw (closes at 6:15pm)
6:15pm Driver's Meeting
6:45pm Hot Laps
Racing to Follow

ORDER OF EVENTS
1. A-Mod Hot Laps
2. World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Hot Laps
3. Hornets Hot Lap
4. World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Qualifying - 2 Cars/2 Laps
5. Opening Ceremonies
6. A-Mod Heats - 10 Laps
7. World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Heats - 10 Laps
8. Hornets Heats - 8 Laps
9. World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Redraw
10. World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model LCS - 10 Laps
11. A-Mod Feature - 20 Laps
12. World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Feature - 40 Laps
13. Hornets Feature - 15 Laps

Options And Prices
Grandstands - $40


Pit Pass Price
$40

Parking Cost
FREE

Camping Availability
electric hookup, non-electric, onsite, sanitary facility, showers, waste services

Camping Cost
$20 for electric hookup spots

To Win Amount
$10,000.00

Type of Grandstand
Bleachers

Handicapped Seating
Wheelchair ramp is located in the first section upon walk-in.

Handicapped Parking
Both sides of ticket booth.

Pit Gate Location
Through main gate, take a right, behind turns 1&2.

Personal Coolers
Coolers are allowed, ice only. No outside beverages or food.

Credit Card Use
Concessions, Ticket Window

Alcohol Sales
Alcohol sold at track only; no carry-in alcohol allowed.

Smoking Policy
Non-smoking section is available.

Family Section
Section A

Parking Cost
FREE

Camping Availability
electric hookup, non-electric, onsite, sanitary facility, showers, waste services

Camping Cost
$20 for electric hookup spots

Closest Airport
Duluth International (DLH)

Other Airport
Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)

Gondik Law Speedway
4700 Tower Avenue
Superior, WI 

Track Phone
(715) 394-7223

Track Email
[email protected]

Track Size & Type
0.375; banked red clay oval

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

Event Payout: 40 Laps
1. $10,000; 2. $6,000; 3. $3,500; 4. $2,800; 5. $2,500; 6. $2,300; 7. $2,200; 8. $2,100; 9. $2,050; 10. $2,000; 11.$1,600; 12. $1,400; 13. $1,200; 14. $1,100; 15. $1,050; 16. $1,000; 17. $1,000; 18. $1,000; 19. $1,000; 20. $1,000; 21. $1,000; 22. $1,000; 23. $1,000; 24. $1,000 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: M30 or W30
RIGHT REAR OPTION: M40
GROOVING AND SIPING IS ALLOWED
**You must qualify, heat race, and LCS on the same tires. You may change right rear tire for the Feature.