Sheppard and Marlar Win Night Two Duels at Mansfield

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Sheppard and Marlar Win Night Two Duels at Mansfield

Story By: Jeremy Shields/LOLMDS

Photos By: Heath Lawson/LOLMDS

MANSFIELD, Ohio (August 23, 2019) – Brandon Sheppard and Mike Marlar won Duel feature events on Friday night of the 2nd annual Dirt Million – Presented by Arizona Sport Shirts at Mansfield Motor Speedway.

Each driver earned $10,000 for their 30-lap victories and are guaranteed a starting spot in Saturday night’s Dirt Million finale.

Sheppard took the lead on lap two from pole-sitter Kent Robinson and led the rest of the way to win the first Duel. It was not an easy win for the 26-year-old Illinois racer, as he had to hold off both a charging Jimmy Owens and the defending Dirt Million winner, Earl Pearson Jr. Brandon Overton was fourth, with Hudson O’Neal coming from the fifteenth starting spot to register a fifth-place finish at the checkers.

“It was really hard staying out front,” said Sheppard. “They have got the track really good right now. You had to have a line where the car would go best. With traffic in front of us, we really didn’t know where to go. My crew guys are awesome, they kept me up to date on where I needed to be on the track. It was tricky out there. I felt good around the top of three and four and in one and two I felt good all over.”

“This car is just phenomenal right now. They have it really tuned in. We had a car that was capable of winning last night. It was just a little harder to pass last night,” said the winner, who recorded his 13th career Lucas Oil win and his first since winning the Indiana Icebreaker at Brownstown (IN) Speedway in March.

Owens was in the hunt for the win from the halfway mark and came home in second after passing Pearson on lap 21. “It is hands down better than we ran here last night. It felt good to be battling for the win. Brandon [Sheppard], he is one of the toughest guys in the country right now, and to have him moving around and looking over his shoulder the whole race was pretty awesome.”

Pearson; who collected over $202,000 for his win in the Dirt Million a year ago; returned to the Lucas Oil podium with his third-place finish: “It wasn’t too bad tonight. We got up on the cushion and did our thing, which is unusual for me to go to the cushion. We weren’t bad up on the cushion either. When Brandon moved up there, we couldn’t do much after that.”

The winner’s Mark Richards Racing, Rocket Chassis is powered by a Durham Racing Engine and sponsored by: Valvoline, Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metals Works, Gunter’s Honey, Keyser Manufacturing, Sunoco Race Fuels, and Integra Racing Shocks.

Completing the top ten were Kent Robinson, Shannon Babb, Shane Clanton, Max Blair, and Gordy Gundaker.

Marlar claimed his fourth Lucas Oil win of the season, leading all 30-laps for a convincing victory. Chase Junghans; for the second night in a row; recorded a second-place finish. Michael Norris, in the Clint Bowyer Racing #5 entry, posted his best career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series finish rounding out the podium. Jonathan Davenport finished fourth with Tyler Erb crossing the finish line in fifth.

Marlar who also started on the pole of a Thursday night duel was not going to be denied tonight as he stormed to the lead early on over Norris and Junghans. Norris, who like Junghans, was seeking his first career Lucas Oil win, closed on Marlar in heavy traffic with twelve laps scored. Junghans made the pass on Norris for second on lap 20.

Marlar held steady in lapped traffic as Junghans and Norris could not get close enough in the waning laps to challenge for the win. Like Sheppard, the win also marked Marlar’s thirteenth career win with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.

Marlar led every lap for his win. “Last night was a bummer when you get a good starting spot like that. It’s tough when you win a heat and get to start up front like we did. The car was something I could deal with today better than last night. It was definitely ‘elbows up’ early. Last year we had a real good shot for the win and a carburetor spring broke I think I was running second when it broke and I had to start lifting on the gas pedal.”

Junghans was pleased with another runner-up finish. “The third times the charm, right? Mikey is hard to beat. I wish the track would have gotten a little wider for us. We still have a little bit of tuning on the car to do yet. But it’s really good right now. We just need to build off of last night and tonight.”

Norris was thrilled with his podium finish. “Just to run with these guys is pretty awesome. The car was really good there. I thought we might actually have a shot at Mikey. The car got a little snug at the end there and that kind of played a factor. Congrats to him. We are glad to have two solid nights here.”

The winner’s Ronnie Delk-owned, Rocket Chassis is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and sponsored by: Marathon Oil, Mark Martin Timber and Farms, Franklin Enterprises, RS Equipment Sales and Rentals, Integra, VP Fuels, and Delk Equipment Sales.

Completing the top ten were Rick Eckert, Ricky Weiss, Jared Landers, Josh Richards, and Darrell Lanigan.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Friday, August 23, 2019
Mansfield Motor Speedway – Mansfield, Ohio

Duel 1: Miller Welders Fast Time: Jimmy Owens 17.217 seconds
Duel 2: Miller Welders Fast Time: Tyler Erb 17.350 seconds

Penske Race Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish: Jimmy Owens, Bobby Pierce, Shane Clanton, Ryan Markham, Doug Drown, Dan Angelicchio, Stormy Scott, Brent Bee, Robby Hensley

FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Finish: Brandon Sheppard, Earl Pearson, Jr., Max Blair, Brian Shirley, Shannon Babb, Johnny Scott, David Scott, Steve Sabo, Eddie Carrier, Jr.

Simpson Race Products Heat Race #3 Finish: Kent Robinson, Brandon Overton, Gordy Gundaker, Scott Bloomquist, Hudson O’Neal, Mike Benedum, Donald McIntosh, Greg Oakes, Ryan Missler

Duel 2:
Lucas Oil Products Penetrating Oil Heat Race #1 Finish: Chase Junghans, Tyler Erb ®, Rick Eckert, Ricky Weiss, Kyle Bronson, Dennis Erb, Jr., Mason Zeigler, Chris Ferguson, Gregg Satterlee

Sunoco Race Fuels Heat Race #2 Finish: Mike Marlar, Boom Briggs, Josh Richards, Tim McCreadie, Steve Casebolt , Billy Moyer, Dale McDowell, Matt Irey, Jason Miller

Arizona Sport Shirts Heat Race #3 Finish: Michael Norris, Jonathan Davenport, Jared Landers, Darrell Lanigan, Billy Moyer, Jr., Shanon Buckingham, Devin Moran ®, Ryan Scott, Justin Chance

Duel 1:
Lucas Oil Products Red “N” Tacky Spray Grease B-Main Finish: Stormy Scott, David Scott, Donald McIntosh, Greg Oakes, Eddie Carrier, Jr., Ryan Missler, Robby Hensley, Brent Bee, Steve Sabo

Duel 2:
FAST Shafts B-Main Finish: Dale McDowell, Mason Zeigler, Devin Moran ®, Matt Irey, Jason Miller, Chris Ferguson, Gregg Satterlee, Ryan Scott, Justin Chance

Duel 1:
Lucas Oil 
Feature Finish (30 Laps):

FINISHSTARTCAR #DRIVER NAMEHOMETOWNEARNINGS
121SBrandon SheppardNew Berlin, IL$10,000
2320Jimmy OwensNewport, TN$5,000
341Earl Pearson, Jr.Jacksonville, FL$2,000
452Brandon OvertonEvans, GA$1,000
51571Hudson O’NealMartinsville, IN$900
617RKent RobinsonBloomington, IN$800
71418Shannon BabbMowequa, IL$750
8725Shane ClantonZebulon, GA$700
98111Max BlairCenterville, PA$650
10911GGordy GundakerSt. Charles, MO$600
11211MDevin Moran ®Dresden, OH$590
12113sBrian ShirleyChatham, IL$580
13171stJohnny ScottLas Cruces, NM$570
14188BxMike BenedumSalem, WV$560
151614ADan AngelicchioMt. Pleasant, PA$550
16105mRyan MarkhamAshland, OH$540
171312dDoug DrownWooster, OH$530
18204sDavid ScottGarland, PA$520
19632PBobby PierceOakwood, IL$510
20120Scott BloomquistMooresburg, TN$500
21192sStormy ScottLas Cruses, NM$500

DUEL 1:
Race Statistics
Entrants
: 56 
Lap Leaders: Kent Robinson (Lap 1); Brandon Sheppard (Laps 2 – 30)
Wrisco Feature Winner: Brandon Sheppard
Margin of Victory: 0.724 seconds
Cautions: Scott Bloomquist (Lap 9) 
Series Provisionals: Devin Moran
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Hudson O’Neal (Advanced 10 Positions) 
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader
: Jonathan Davenport
Allstar Performance Power Move of the Race: Mike Benedum
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Brandon Sheppard 
Eibach Springs Rookie of the Race: Devin Moran
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Durham Racing Engines 
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket Chassis 
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Austin Hargrove (Brandon Sheppard)
Dirty Girl Racewear Fastest Lap of the Race: Brandon Sheppard (Lap #3 – 18.3008 seconds)
Hot Rod Processing Tough Break of the Race: Stormy Scott
STEEL-IT Most Laps Led: Brandon Sheppard (29 Laps)
PFC Brakes Pole Award: Kent Robinson 
Time of Race: 11 minutes 29 secondsDuel 2:
Lucas Oil 
Feature Finish (30 Laps):

FINISHSTARTCAR #DRIVER NAMEHOMETOWNEARNINGS
11157Mike MarlarWinfield, TN$10,000
2318JChase JunghansManhattan, KS$5,000
325Michael NorrisSarver, PA$2,000
4549Jonathan DavenportBlairsville, GA$1,000
561TTyler Erb ®New Waverly, TX$900
670ERick EckertYork, PA$800
7107wRicky WeissHeadingley, MB$750
89777Jared LandersBatesville, AR$700
9814Josh RichardsShinnston, WV$650
101229Darrell LaniganUnion, KY$600
111139Tim McCreadieWatertown, NY$590
1214C9Steve CaseboltRichmond, IN$580
13499BBoom BriggsBear Lake, PA$570
141628Dennis Erb, Jr.Carpentersville, IL$560
151850Shanon BuckinghamMorristown, TN$550
162025ZMason ZeiglerChalk Hill, PA$540
171340BKyle BronsonBrandon, FL$530
18918mDale McDowellChickamauga, GA$520
191721Billy MoyerBatesville, AR$510
201521JRBilly Moyer, Jr.Batesville, AR$500

DUEL 2:
Race Statistics
Entrants
: 56Lap Leaders: Mike Marlar (Laps 1 – 30) Wrisco Feature Winner: Mike Marlar
Margin of Victory: 0.738 seconds
Cautions: n/a 
Series Provisionals: n/a
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Mason Zeigler (Advanced 4 Positions) 
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader
: Jonathan Davenport
Allstar Performance Power Move of the Race: Chase Junghans
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Chase Junghans 
Eibach Springs Rookie of the Race: Tyler Erb
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Cornett Racing Engines 
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket Chassis 
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Josh Davis (Mike Marlar)
Dirty Girl Racewear Fastest Lap of the Race: Mike Marlar (Lap #1 – 18.6536 seconds)
Hot Rod Processing Tough Break of the Race: Boom Briggs
STEEL-IT Most Laps Led: Mike Marlar (30 Laps)
PFC Brakes Pole Award: Mike Marlar 
Time of Race: 9 minutes 47 seconds      Saturday DIRT MILLION Heat Race Line Ups:
Penske Race Shocks
 Heat Race #1 Line Up:

DRIVERINSIDEOUTSIDEDRIVER
Josh Richards1429Darrell Lanigan
Shannon Babb18111Max Blair
Mike Benedum8Bx22Gregg Satterlee
Eddie Carrier Jr.28c94MJason Miller
Zack Dohm17d  

FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Line Up:

DRIVERINSIDEOUTSIDEDRIVER
Ricky Weiss7w2Brandon Overton
Jared Landers77718mDale McDowell
Kyle Bronson40B1stJohnny Scott
Donald McIntosh7m8bBrent Bee
Dave Hess Jr.44  

Simpson Race Products Heat Race #3 Line Up:

DRIVERINSIDEOUTSIDEDRIVER
Jimmy Owens200ERick Eckert
Bobby Pierce32P50Shannon Buckingham
Mason Zeigler25z99BBoom Briggs
Gregg Oakes22G92Justin Chance


Lucas Oil Products Penetrating Oil
 Heat Race #4 Line Up:

DRIVERINSIDEOUTSIDEDRIVER
Hudson O’Neal7139Tim McCreadie
Kent Robinson7R3sBrian Shirley
Doug Drown12d21JRBilly Moyer Jr.
Matt Irey360RRyan Scott

Sunoco Race Fuels Heat Race #5 Line Up:

DRIVERINSIDEOUTSIDEDRIVER
Tyler Erb1T28Dennis Erb Jr.
Devin Moran1M11GGordy Gundaker
Chris Ferguson22F2sStormy Scott
Robby Hensley21H16Steve Sabo

Arizona Sport Shirts Heat Race #6 Line Up:

DRIVERINSIDEOUTSIDEDRIVER
Earl Pearson Jr.1C9Steve Casebolt
Shane Clanton2521Billy Moyer
David Scott4s14ADan Angelicchio
Ryan Missler50Y5mRyan Markham


DIRT MILLION Dash Line Up:

DRIVERINSIDEOUTSIDEDRIVER
Brandon Sheppard1s49Jonathan Davenport
Mike Marlar15718JChase Junghans
Scott Bloomquist05Michael Norris

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