CRANDALL, Texas — The Summit USMTS National Championship fueled by Casey’s welcomed another first-time winner Friday night as Brandon Sheppard collected the victory on the second night of the third annual Summit Southern Nationals at RPM Speedway.
Sheppard did not compete in Thursday’s contest as he was busy collecting a trophy and $100,000 check for his second straight World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship.
He added another $3,000 to his checking account balance with his win Friday, along with another entry to his glowing résumé.
It was his 32nd victory of the season.
Terry Phillips, who captured last year’s Southern Nationals finale in a rain-shortened feature race, jumped out to an early lead in the 40-lap main event and was hoping to bag his 34th career USMTS win.
Mechanical problems, however, ended the night for Phillips on lap 14 and Sheppard was right there to take the reins, and then went on to pace the remaining laps while his teammate, Dereck Ramirez, followed him to the checkered flag in second.
In a spirited battle for third over the last half of the race, Tyler Davis held off Jake Gallardo and Chris Henigan for the spot while Tanner Mullens, Joe Duvall, Clyde Dunn Jr., Bo Day and Jason Hughes rounded out the top 10.
The finish:
Brandon Sheppard, Dereck Ramirez, Tyler Davis, Jake Gallardo, Chris Henigan, Tanner Mullens, Joe Duvall, Clyde Dunn Jr., Bo Day, Jason Hughes, Philip Houston, Carlos Ahumada Jr., Jason Ingalls, Max Eddie Thomas, Jack Sartain, Bobby Malchus, Casey Skyberg, Brooks Strength, Lucas Lee, Rodney Sanders, Manuel Williams II, James McCreery, Brandon Givens, Terry Phillips, Fito Gallardo, Cody Leonard