Where will Matt Sheppard end up?

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Where will Matt Sheppard end up?

By: Pete MacDonald

This we do know, Matt Sheppard will not be back behind the wheel of the Heinke-Baldwin Racing #9h in 2016.

After two seasons with HBR that amassed 6 Championships, 52 wins, 129 Top-5’s, 165 Top-10’s in 183 starts, Sheppard is currently without a ride for the 2016 season. Matt will end up on his feet somewhere, in the dirt modified world that is the equivalent  to Jimmie Johnson or Kevin Harvick looking for a NASCAR ride, it’s just going to happen and he will win races where ever he lands.

But, where will Sheppard end up?

Gypsum? There is a huge rumor going around that Billy Decker wants to cut back on his racing to spend more time at his family’s business and Sheppard wants to race more. This seems like it will be the best fit. The Gypsum cars run anywhere and everywhere that they can on any given night during the season. Perfect for someone who makes their living racing dirt modifieds.

Jeff Brownell? Another rumor that after two seasons apart Jeff Brownell Sr. is getting the itch to put a team together. Brownell and Sheppard went on a tear together starting in 2008 picking up three Super DIRTcar titles and six track championships to go along with their 114 Wins, 267 Top-5’s and 433 Top-10’s in 521 Starts.
Dave Rauscher? Matt is very tight with the Rauscher family, they’ve been a loyal sponsor to him for numerous years. Could we see them team up to form a two car team as a teammate to Tim Fuller for 2016. This also seems like it could be a very good fit for Matt.

Norm Hansell? Norm Hansell is looking for a driver for his potent No. 357 machines. Hansell and Sheppard have worked well in years past, and have picked up some pretty big wins including the 2014 Coalcracker at Big Diamond worth $10,000.

Mike Payne Racing? Mike Payne and Matt Sheppard could be a lethal combination. Mike Payne has proven year after year that he’s not afraid to spend the coin to run up front. Mike is very loyal to Bicknell Chassis and when Matt went on his tear with Jeff Brownell they were in Bicknell cars.

Halmar? With all the money that Halmar is putting into the dirt modified community, could we see Sheppard as a team mate to Stewart Friesen in 2016 leaving the two best dirt modified drivers in the country under one banner?

Time will tell, I think we all need to stop speculating and let the cards fall where they fall. Let’s let Matt enjoy getting married this week and his honeymoon. I’m sure he’s tired of hearing about it at this point.

Where do you think Matt Sheppard will end up? I can be reached at racersguide@gmail.com or found on Twitter @PMacDonald51. Thanks for reading!

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