Matt Sheppard slid up front of Stewart Friesen in the final turn to clinch a three-race sweep and a $20,000.00 payday on the final night of the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series fueled by Sunoco’s Cajun Swing at Chatham Speedway this past Saturday night.
“This feels really good,” Sheppard said. “Stewy scared the crap out of me on the final lap but when you are racing against him, you have to be up on the wheel at all times.”
On Friday night, Friesen won his heat race but redrew ninth of nine cars. On Saturday he quickly advanced to the front before eventually taking the lead only to see Sheppard take command and hold off Friesen who had charged to within a half a car length as they passed the checkered flag.
“I am really proud of our guys that we held pace with Sheppard tonight,” said Frieson. “It’s been a really fun couple of days down here and I am happy to have met a lot of awesome people.”
From his outside pole starting spot Sheppard led the opening lap ahead of Jeff Strunk, Mike Gular and Tyler Siri. With 40 laps to go Sheppard led Mike Gular, Friesen, Matt Strunk, Jeff Heotzler and Tyler Siri when Gular was forced to the pits. When the green flag flew once more Friesen scooted around Sheppard who retook the lead six laps later as the front runners battled through slower traffic.
When the two leaders stormed down the backstretch for the final time, Sheppard elected to stay in the middle of the track while Friesen put it all on the table by taking an extreme outside line. Coming off of turn four the two made contact as Sheppard slid up and Friesen made contact with Sheppard’s right rear. Jack Lehner nailed down the final spot on the podium, finishing third.
Mods in the Marsh 75 sees Freisen, Strunk and Rauscher win heat races
Stewart Friesen, Jeff Strunk and Dave Rauscher shined on Mons in the Marsh 75 qualifying races this past Friday night at the Chatham Speedway. The three heat races locked nine drivers in a redraw for Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series feature race on Saturday. Additional starters for the Saturday feature race after the three Friday night heats were Eric Williams, Matt Sheppard, Mike Gular, John Willman, Derrick McGrew Jr. and Tyler Siri.