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Written by Chris Moore
NEW EGYPT, NJ – 71 to one.
Matt Sheppard drew 71 out of 75 at the Dirt Draft pre-race draw for starting position in his heat race.
Sheppard responded by returning to Bicknell Racing Products with his second consecutive victory in the ‘Dirty Jersey’ at New Egypt Speedway.
The $6,000-plus triumph was the 37th of Sheppard’s Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco career, moving him to within one of the all-time most STSS victories.
“Hats off to Ricky (Grosso) and the track crew here,” Sheppard complimented in Victory Lane. “This was a really racy place and there were a ton of ways to get around it.”
After driving from last to second in his heat race, the Savannah, N.Y., resident drew eight in the Beyea Custom Headers Redraw, while Belle Mead, N.J.’s Justin Grosso and Walden, N.Y.’s Anthony Perrego occupied the front row.
Perrego, after winning his heat race, quickly rolled off the outside groove and paced the field in the early going.
Pipersville, Pa.’s Danny Bouc charged into the runner-up spot at the completion of the third circuit but had nothing to offer Perrego at the front of the field.
Sheppard meanwhile was working quickly, cracking the top five on lap four, and moved into a podium spot on lap 14.
Sprakers, N.Y.’s Stewart Friesen started right behind Sheppard at the drop of the green flag, coming from the 10th starting position.
Friesen stayed in lock step with Sheppard, remaining just two spots behind Sheppard throughout the first 15 laps of the race as the pair climbed to the front.
The race’s first yellow came on lap 16, as Neshanic Station, N.J.’s Matt Stangle slowed off the second corner with a right front flat tire.
Perrego led Bouc, Sheppard, Ryan Godown, and Friesen.
The next yellow flag flew just one lap later, but Sheppard had just beaten Bouc to the line on lap 17 prior to the yellow flag, giving him the runner-up spot on the restart.
Sheppard seized the opportunity when Perrego chose the outside groove and slid by Perrego and took the top spot away.
“I found just a little bit of bite on the bottom,” Sheppard said of the race winning restart. “This Wegner Automotive Engine fires great on restarts… it’s a lot easier to pass on restarts than open racetrack.”
Friesen, meanwhile, once again trailing Sheppard, raced around Bouc for the final podium spot, setting his sights on Perrego for the runner-up spot.
On the green flag run, Kings Ferry, N.Y.’s Mike Mahaney began to make his presence known, getting by Godown and Bouc and moving into the fourth position with 35 laps complete.
Bouc would bring out a yellow flag on lap 39, relinquishing his top five position with a right-rear flat tire that had been deflating.
Sheppard held off every challenge Perrego had to offer on the restart, before eventually setting sail with his second consecutive ‘Dirty Jersey.’
Perrego took home the runner-up spot.
“That 9s car (Sheppard) is really fast but we were nipping at his heels,” Perrego proclaimed. “I would’ve liked to stay with him in lap traffic because I think he was struggling to get by some guys.”
“Our car was really maneuverable… all in all it was a good night for this 4-Star team.”
Friesen rounded out the podium finishers.
“These guys in front of us have been racing a lot this season and it shows,” explained Friesen. “It’s getting to big money season, so we figured we better get racing more and get our notebook built up.”
Ringoes, N.J.’s Ryan Godown took home a fourth-place run in the R&M Motorsports No. 26 and Mahaney rounded out the top five with his George Huttig-owned No. 35.
Finishing sixth through 10th, respectively, were Boyertown Pa.’s Mike Gular piloting the Terry Fasnacht owned No. 2A; Justin Grosso in his family-owned No. J24; Covington Township, Pa.’s Alex Yankowski aboard the Stankiewicz Roofing No. 2RS; Otisville, Pa.’s Corey Cormier, who was the BDR Speed Hard Charger Award winner; and Frenchtown, N.J.’s Billy Pauch Jr. rounded out the top ten in the Rick Holsten-owned No. 96.
Heat winners, receiving $50 each courtesy of FloRacing, were Pauch Jr., Perrego, and Bouc.
Ryan Krachun won the consolation race.
Thirty-two STSS big-block/small-block Modifieds signed in for action for the ‘Dirty Jersey.’
Upper Makefield, Pa.’s Joe Toth extended his Belmont’s Garage South Region point lead, leading all 25-laps of the non-stop STSS Crate 602 Sportsman feature for the win.
The win was Toth’s second of the South Region season, with the first coming in the opener at Selinsgrove (Pa.) Speedway.
Dylan Madsen came home second, moving him to second in the South Region standings. Ryan Simmons, Kyle Smith, and Dan Fleming rounded out the top five.
Racing continues for the STSS on Tuesday, August 29, at Georgetown (Del.) Speedway for the annual ‘Blast at the Beach.’ Round No. 4 of the Rent Equip/Party Central South Region takes place with a 35-lap, $6,000-to-win feature on tap for the STSS big-block/small-block Modifieds. The STSS Crate 602 Sportsman join the program as well for Round No. 4 of the Belmont’s Garage South Region. The STSS Crate 602 Sportsman race for 25-laps and a $1,500 top prize.
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook or @ShortTrackSS on Twitter or Instagram.
The Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, FloSports, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Rent Equip/Party Central, BDR Speed, Bicknell Racing Products, Ollie’s, Penske Racing Shocks, Wegner Automotive, River Valley Builders, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, DIG Race Products, Velocita-USA, Franklin Products, Design for Vision & Sunglass Central, Belmont’s Garage, Quality Drywall, Precision Hydraulic & Oil, Prime MAC Tools, F.X. Caprara Car Companies, Algonkin Motel, Beyea Custom Headers, Dirt Track Digest, EIBACH, Electric Neon Custom Signs, Fastline Performance, Flach Performance Products, Henry’s Exhaust, Hig Fab, Schultz Racing Fuel Cells, Spyder Filters, Superior Remodeling, Teo-Pro Car, VAHLCO & Wilwood.
‘DIRTY JERSEY’ RESULTS SUMMARY – NEW EGYPT SPEEDWAY TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2023
‘Dirty Jersey’ Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Rent Equip/Party Central South Region Round No. 3 Feature Finish (50 laps): MATT SHEPPARD, Anthony Perrego, Stewart Friesen, Ryan Godown, Mike Mahaney, Mike Gular, Justin Grosso, Alex Yankowski, Corey Cormier, Billy Pauch Jr., Brandon Grosso, Jordan Watson, Danny Bouc, John McClelland, Ryan Watt, David Schilling, Kevin Borden, Kevin Vaclavicek, John Willman, Matt Stangle, Ryan Krachun, Ryan Godown Jr., Billy Osmun, Jerry Higbie, Wade Hendrickson, Jeff Strunk, Davey Sammons
Did Not Qualify: Sammy Martz Jr., Steve Davis, Cody Higbie, Danny Hieber, Ryan Riddle
American Racer/Lias Tire Bonuses (FREE Tire Certificate): Alex Yankowski (eighth) & Ryan Watt (15th)
BDR Speed Hard Charger ($250): Corey Cormier (20th to ninth)
Behrent’s Performance Warehouse Bonuses ($50 Gift Cards): Ryan Godown (fourth) & Corey Cormier (ninth)
Beyea Custom Headers Redraw Bonus ($50): Jordan Watson (Redrew 12th)
Bill Brown & Company Overall Heat-Race Hard Charger ($50): Matt Sheppard (10th to second)
Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz Halfway Leader Award ($200): Matt Sheppard
Design for Vision/Sunglass Central Bonus (Oakley Sunglasses): Matt Sheppard (winner)
EIBACH Springs Bonus ($100 Certificate): Mike Gular (sixth)
FloRacing Heat Winners ($50): Billy Pauch, Jr., Anthony Perrego, Danny Bouc Henry’s Exhaust Power Position ($50 Certificate): Brandon Grosso (11th)
Penske Racing Shocks Bonuses: Matt Sheppard (first – $150 certificate); Anthony Perrego (second – $75 certificate); Stewart Friesen (third – $50 certificate); Billy Pauch, Jr. (10th – $25 certificate)
Schultz Racing Fuel Cells Bonus ($100 Certificate): Billy Pauch, Jr. (10th)
Wilwood Brakes ‘Lucky 7’ Bonus ($100 Certificate): Justin Grosso (seventh)
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Crate 602 Sportsman Belmont’s Garage South Region Round No. 3 Feature Finish (25 laps): JOE TOTH, Dylan Madsen, Ryan Simmons, Kyle Smith, Dan Flemming, Pat Wall, Stephen Kemery, Matt Ellery, Dakota Kohler, Brian Papiez, Logan Watt, David Burns, Johnny Bangs, David Miloszar, Nick Van Wickle, Andrew Bohn, Scott Hitchens, Brandon Watkins, Tom Moore, Jr., Rick Wegner, Jr., Adrianna Delliponti, Paul Hartwig, Jr., Matt Smith, Isaac Elsner, Talan Carter
Did Not Qualify: Will Dupree, Walter McIntyre, Brenden Hires, George Gareis Jr., Paulie Hartwig III
Accurate Collision of Pompano Halfway Leader ($100): Joe Toth
American Racer/Lias Tire Bonus (FREE Tire Certificate): Dakota Kohler (ninth)
Belmont’s Garage Hard Charger Award ($100): Brian Papiez (18th to 10th)
Beyea Custom Headers Redraw Bonus ($25): Scott Hitchens (Redrew 12th)
Fastline Performance Bonuses ($100 Certificates): Dylan Madsen (second) & David Burns (12th)
Henry’s Exhaust Power Position ($50 Certificate): Logan Watt (11th)
Reigel Promotions Bonus ($25): Brandon Watkins (18th)
