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Speed Week: Sheppard shows consistency in capturing Illinois Speedweek event

rocky ragusa
·4 min read
Brandon Sheppard (right) from New Berlin, with his son, Jase, won the opening Illinois Speedweek race at Spoon River, finished second at Lincoln and Fairbury, and had a fifth place finish at Farmer City. For his efforts, Sheppard was crowned the Illinois Speedweek champion.
Brandon Sheppard (right) from New Berlin, with his son, Jase, won the opening Illinois Speedweek race at Spoon River, finished second at Lincoln and Fairbury, and had a fifth place finish at Farmer City. For his efforts, Sheppard was crowned the Illinois Speedweek champion.

There were 11 drivers who made all four features during last week's Illinois Speedweek for late model drivers, which included stops at Fairbury and Farmer City. With four top-five finishes, including one win, Brandon Sheppard was crowned the champion of the series and received $10,000.

Mike Chasteen Jr. scored an emotional victory at Peoria Speedway last week, two weeks after his father, Mike Sr., passed away.
Mike Chasteen Jr. scored an emotional victory at Peoria Speedway last week, two weeks after his father, Mike Sr., passed away.

Mike Chasteen Jr. took an emotional win last Saturday night at the Peoria Speedway in the late model division. Chasteen’s father, Mike Sr., an accomplished racer in his own right, passed away on May 1.

Mooresville, N.C., driver, Nick Hoffman won three of the four modified races during Illinois Speedweek.
Mooresville, N.C., driver, Nick Hoffman won three of the four modified races during Illinois Speedweek.

Kart racing opened this past Sunday at Bohmer’s Rt. 66 Raceway. Winners included: Baby Champ — Jackson Rich (Pontiac); Rookies — Canon Stipp (Fairbury); Jr. 1 — Hudson Seckler (Germantown Hills); Jr. 2 — Leo Cleary (Odell); Jr. 3 and Jr. Predator — Blaise Garner; Wing Champ — Charlie Harbeck (Riverside); and Clone 360 — Billy Eaton. The next race is planned for May 29 with the Clone 360 and Clone 400 racing in a $250-to-win special.

Bobby Pierce, McKay Wenger and Tommy Sheppard are point leaders in their respective divisions for MARS and Alkota.

MARS series point standings: Bobby Pierce, 135; Hudson O’Neal, 130; Brandon Sheppard, 125; Ricky Thornton Jr., 120; Tyler Erb, 107; Dennis Erb Jr., 105; Mike Marlar, 89; Devin Moran, 88; Brian Shirley, 86; McKay Wenger, 86.

MARS Rookie of the Year: McKay Wenger, 86; Myles Moos, 84; Kyle Hammer 65; Taylor Scheffler, 61; Bob Gardner, 53.

Alkota: Tommy Sheppard Jr. 14, McKay Wenger, 13; Victor Strong, 13; Joe Brown, 13; Shaun Wiltjerhunt, 13; Allen Weisser, 12; Nick Seplak, 12; Tanner Sullivan, 12; Jerrad Krick, 12; Michael Ledford, 11; Mike Learman, 11; Tommy Duncan, 11.

Friday Racing

Farmer City Raceway

A full show is scheduled, plus the pro modified and Kid Mods will be racing this week. Located at the Dewitt County Fairgrounds, stands will open at 4 p.m., hot laps start at 6:30, and will be followed by qualifying and then racing. Call the track phone at 309-928-9110 for more information.

Last week, Tyler Erb made a pass on the last lap to win the third night of Illinois Speedweek. Cole Falloway snared $2,000 for his win in the modified race. Ian Keller made it two straight in the stock car class and Timmy Dick got his second win of the young season in the pro late model class.

Grundy County Speedway

The Midwest Super Cup Series, will join late models, sportsman, street stocks, pure stocks, and the always entertaining Spectator Drags on the ⅓-mile paved oval. Stands will open and practice starts at 5 p.m. Qualifying is at 6:45 and racing takes place at 8. The track is located off of Rt. 47 1 mile north of I-80 at the fairgrounds in Morris. 815-942-5958 is the speedway phone.

Jim Weber took last week’s late model feature. Kevin Murphy was the winner of the MASS Sportsman race.

Kankakee County Speedway

The quarter-mile, high-banked dirt oval will have its season-opener, featuring a $5,000-to-win the MARS late model series race, as well as $1,000 going to the modified race winner. Pro late models will have $800 on the line, plus stock cars and factory stocks will be competing. The track phone is 815-935-9000.

Lincoln Speedway

The Vintage Racing of Illinois series will open its season at the Logan County Fairground dirt track. Pro late model, modified, street stock, midgets and hornets will also be in action. Stands open at 5 p.m., practice is at 6 and racing starts at 7. Call 217-735-1833 for more information.

Saturday Racing

Fairbury Speedway

On this week's slate will be a FALS Cup/Alkota “Keep it Clean” series night of racing on the quarter-mile, semi-banked dirt track. CIT Trucks will be the presenting sponsor that will see five classes in action — late models (30 laps), modified (25 laps), stock cars (15 laps) and sportsman (15 laps). In addition to their track points, drivers will battle for an Alkota pressure washer, courtesy of Rural Route Repair and M&M Pump at season’s end. The entry level hobby-modified class will also be racing in a 12-lap feature. Gates open at 2 p.m., hot laps/ time trials are at 5:45 followed by racing at 7. The track phone is 815-692-3222.

Macon Speedway

The speedway will honor all active and retired military veterans on “Armed Forces Night” with free admission with proper ID. Seven classes will be racing on the ⅕-mile, high-banked dirt track as the pro late models, modifieds, pro mods, stock cars, sportsman, hornets and micros take to the dirt. Stands open at 5 p.m., practice starts at 6 and racing at 7. Call 217-764-3000 for more info.

This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Brandon Sheppard Illinois Speedweek Fairbury Speedway