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Sheppard & Helmick Conquer Macon Firecracker 40s

MACON, Ill. – Colby Sheppard and Kyle Helmick scored big victories on 95Q/Dynagraphics Firecracker 40s night at Macon Speedway Saturday evening.

Jose Parga started on the outside of the front row for the Decatur Building Trades Pro Late Model feature. Parga, who has dominated the division this year by winning all but one feature run prior to Saturday, retired early with a mechanical issue. 

That put Braden Johnson into the lead. Johnson, the other driver to win a pro late model feature this season, looked solid for a few laps but lost power and pulled into the infield. By lap 19, the race featured four different leaders as Dakota Ewing took over. He was flying around the track on the top side, but things started to unravel with less than 10 laps remaining.

Ewing’s car shredded its right-rear tire, handing the lead to Sheppard as a result. Sheppard had a fight on his hands with Braden Bilger and Timmy Dick keeping close, but Sheppard stuck to the bottom and went to the winner’s circle after starting the race in 10th.

The BillingsleyRewards.com Modifieds went topless for their 40-lap feature race and the surprise feature winner was a pro modified car. The car is the same but the engine features less horsepower.

With Jacob Steinkoenig running away from the field from his front row starting position, the race seemed to be over. However, thanks to the extra distance 40-lap feature, pro modified competitors started to work their way up to the front. Helmick passed Alan Crowder for second and by lap 32 he caught and overtook Steinkoenig for the lead a few laps later to earn the win. 

Helmick would not have the same success at the start of the pro modified feature. His car was solid, but not good enough to win a second time. Instead, Nick Justice picked up his second victory of the year. Helmick settled for second. 

The Archer’s Alley Street Stocks brought drama and excitement with its 15-lap feature as Jeff Reed Jr., Darrell Dick and Nick Macklin held the lead at various points during the race. Dick’s car suffered a flat tire and pulled off the track. Reed and Macklin were caught in slower traffic and it slowed down the leader Macklin, allowing Reed to get the lead and pull away to the victory.

Jeremy Camp took the lead and dashed away from the 13-car Micro Sprints Presented by Bailey Chassis field. He led the rest of the way from the pole.

The racing came to a finish with Allan Harris taking the checkered flag, beating Mike Eskew in the Hornet division. Jacob Shanks was the early leader but Eskew closed in and got Shanks loose, taking the spot from him. Harris was fast enough to hold off the former Hornet champion and get the win.