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Contact: Colby Gorniewicz
DIRTcar Racing PR
704-707-0229 | cgorniewicz@dirtcar.com

Sheppard Seals the Championship in Grand Fashion with a Win at Textron Off Road World Finals

Matt Sheppard caps off comeback en route to sixth Super DIRTcar Series Title

CONCORD, NC - Nov. 4, 2017 - During the final night of competition at the Textron Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals, Matt Sheppard capped off one of the greatest comebacks in Super DIRTcar Series history. The Waterloo, NY driver who was looking down and out after serving a suspension halfway through the season, clawed his way back to the top. In true champion fashion, Sheppard went out by visiting Victory Lane for the 12th time this year and secured his third straight and sixth overall Super DIRTcar Series championship.

After the re-draw to determine the top-five starting positions, Matt Sheppard drew the pole and would lead the field to the green flag for the 40-lap Feature event. Looking determined as ever to pick up that 12th victory to tie his own record of most wins in a single-season, Sheppard rocketed out to a commanding lead over Ravena, NY's Keith Flach.

Early in the 40-lap event, Sheppard's closest championship competitor Billy Decker made his way up inside the top-five after starting eighth on the grid.

Setting a blistering pace, the leaders started to make their way through lap traffic. Sheppard took some risky-chances as he was maneuvering his way through and was able to expand his lead over Flach to over two seconds.

As the race went on, the pressure on Sheppard started to lift as Decker started to fade through the field.

"We were moving up but then we had that long caution and a tire just quit after that and had a bottom restart and couldn't get going," said Billy Decker.

Much like the hot summer months, Matt Sheppard just proved to be too strong as Super Sheppard would drive the Dendis Companies/West Moreland Golf Club/Extreme Lubricants No. 9s to the 12th victory of 2017 Super DIRTcar Series season.

"What a crowd here tonight, wow this is unreal," said Matt Sheppard. 'You can't take a lap off here; you have to be on the gas running as hard as you can every single lap. It's awesome to be able to put on a show like that in front of a crowd like this, this makes our season."

Flach showed speed all weekend at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway picking up two heat race wins and was rewarded with his first ever Super DIRTcar Series podium finish in the feature.

"It's been a great weekend, great way to end the year," said Keith Flach. "To finish second to guy like Matt [Sheppard] a multi-time champion is just phenomenal. We definitely had our struggles this year but we're still relatively new and this is our first podium since we started with the Series. Just very thankful."

It was when the Series visited Utica-Rome Speedway in early-July that things flipped upside down in the championship point standings.

Super Matt Sheppard and Lightning Larry Wight in a closely-contested battle made contact after running inches away from each other for several laps. The contact sent Wight flipping end-over-end. The ensuing result: an on-track scuffle that all but closed the door on the championship for Sheppard.

Before the on-track incident at Utica-Rome, it was looking like Sheppard had the team pointed towards a sixth Super DIRTcar Series title, holding a 58-point lead over second place Decker. Following the incident at Utica-Rome, the 35-year-old driver was hit with a two-race suspension and lost all money and points from the race. Wight was placed on probation for 90 days.

"It kind of took all the pressure off," added Sheppard. "When you're leading the points all season you're worried every race about finishing good and it kind of took the pressure off and we just went out and said we want to win as many races as we can and that's what we did."

With the point standings scrambled from the penalties after Utica-Rome Speedway, Sheppard had a BIG hole to climb out of in order to repeat a Series championship. Following the event at Sharon Speedway on July 20, Sheppard was as low as ninth in the championship point standings, and a whopping 185 points behind the leader. Sheppard's hard work during hot summer months paid off with a victory at NAPA Super DIRT Week that finally put him back in the points lead over three-time Super DIRTcar Series Champion Decker, who finished a dismal 16th-place in the Billy Whittaker Cars 200,

Exiting NAPA Super DIRT Week, Decker was behind Sheppard by 46 points, but the Unadilla, NY driver wasn't going down without a fight. The following week at Brockville Ontario Speedway, Decker made a late-race pass en route to his fourth victory of the 2017 season, closing the points gap to just 30 points as the Series enters the final weekend of competition at the Textron Off Road World Finals in North Carolina.

That points gap grew ever so slightly over the course of the three-day mega-event at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Through the qualifying events and Friday Night's Feature, Sheppard increased the points lead to 37 points before the Series Finale.

At the end, since July 25 Sheppard averaged a third-place finish and capped off a dream season in thrilling fashion with a trip down victory lane and his third consecutive championship by 71 points over Billy Decker.

While it may not have been Billy Decker's time to climb back to the top of the standings, the three-time championship still had a stellar season. The Unadilla, NY driver was able to visit victory lane four times with wins coming at Fulton Speedway, Outlaw Speedway, Eldora Speedway and Brockville Speedway.

"I'm so proud of this whole team, they worked really hard to overcome some obstacles," said Billy Decker. "We dug and clawed and fought. I'm disappointed we didn't get the championship but I don't want to take anything away from their efforts and second place in points."

With the conclusion of the 2017 Super DIRTcar Series season, the Big-Block Modifieds will returns to action at Volusia Speedway Park in February during DIRTcar Nationals. New for the 2018 will be an expanded schedule for the Super DIRTcar Series showcasing the 800 horsepower machines for five nights. DIRTcar Nationals begins Feb. 6 and runs 12 straight nights to Saturday, February 17, 2018. For ticket visit DIRTcarNationals.com.

Textron Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals Night Three Results:

Feature (40 Laps): 1. 9s - Matt Sheppard, 2. 43 - Keith Flach, 3. 88 - Mike Mahaney, 4. 27J - Danny Johnson, 5. 19 - Tim Fuller, 6. 21a - Peter Britten, 7. 91 - Billy Decker, 8. 66 - Ryan Godown, 9. 42p - Pat Ward, 10. 25R - Erick Rudolph, 11. 3 - Justin Haers, 12. 98H - Jimmy Phelps, 13. 1 - Tyler Dippel, 14. 7m - Mike Maresca, 15. 99L - Larry Wight, 16. 20 - Brett Hearn,17. 66x - Carey Terrence, 18. 84 - Gary Tomkins, 19. 6h - Max McLaughlin, 20. 6m - Mat Williamson, 21. 111 - Demetrios Drellos, 22. 5* - Tyler Siri, 23. 5H - Chris Hile, 24. 109 - Billy Whittaker, 25. 25 - Chad Jeseo, 26. 22 - Brandon Walters, 27. 83 - Brian Swatzlander, 28. 19W - Justin Wright, 29. 18b - Dave Blaney,

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Contact: Colby Gorniewicz
DIRTcar Racing PR
704-707-0229 | cgorniewicz@dirtcar.com

Williamson Capitalizes on Opportunity with Win at Textron Off Road World Finals

Sheppard increases point lead; Decker Still within striking distance for the Championship

CONCORD, NC - Nov. 3, 2017 - A near capacity crowd at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway witnessed the underdog take on the Series Champ. At the end, it was the feel good story of Mat Williamson who wasn't sure if he was going to race after losing an engine during Thursday Night's qualifying. With the help of fellow competitors in the Super DIRTcar Series, the No. 6m was able to get back on track for the first night of Feature racing. Williamson made the most of his opportunity and knocked off Super Matt Sheppard to take night two at the Textron Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals.

Matt Sheppard received the best seat in the house when he drew the Frisbee with the pole starting position during the re-draw Friday Night. The driver of the No. 6m - Mat Williamson would line up alongside the Waterloo, NY driver and seemed poised and up for the challenge to take on the defending Super DIRTcar Series champion. The driver that swept the program on Thursday night would roll off the starting grid in the third starting position.

The first start of the race was called back after the No. 83 of Brian Swatzlander lost control of his Big-Block Modified in Turn 3. A second yellow flag slowed the field once again this time for the No. 32 of Jim Rasey with smoke trailing him from machine. Finally, the 29-car field would settle down and get some laps logged in the books.

Mat Williamson went to school on the three previous starts and stuck right with Sheppard as the two dove into Turn 1. Williamson held strong on the outside and cleared Sheppard as the two exited Turn 2, the field would come to complete lap five. Sheppard however, would stay within striking distance on the No. 6m.

"I knew Matt [Sheppard] would be right there, he's a hell of a racecar driver. We had to capitalize on that restart," said Mat Williamson.

The bigger picture was on the championship battle. Billy Decker would start the 40-lap feature from the 10th position. The Unadilla, NY driver quickly worked his way through the field was threatening for a top-three running spot.

"We 10th but the car was really good; digging and clawing, certainly not going to fall out of the seat, going to keep the elbows up and keep digging," said Billy Decker. "I think we had as good of a car as anybody the last half of that Feature. Some of the lap cars were using a lot of the track and it was a lot about momentum and once you cleared them we were going ok."

With the leaders entering heavy lap traffic, Williamson stuck to the top side the track with Sheppard closely in tow.

As the laps clicked down, Williamson that runs at Merritville Speedway in Thorold, Ontario, Canada and Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, PA was looking for another Super DIRTcar Series victory and a big one at that.

"This is pretty cool, there is a lot of people here," added Williamson. "We've won some big races back home but nothing like this - this is pretty awesome."

Entering Friday, the 6m team wasn't sure how they were going to race after having a motor expire on them following qualifying on Saturday.

Randy Williamson [Mat's Dad] told DirtTrackDigest.com on Friday, "We were going to use Justin Haers car, but then that changed. There was some discussion over the rules for a replacement car, but that got sorted out. Jamie Mills offered to drive a motor down from Delaware or we could use another car that he owned. Keith Flach offered a car, as did Justin Haers."

Williamson and the No. 6 was able to get a motor on loan from the 99L team of Larry and John Wight.

"I gotta thank a lot of people, John, Larry, and Laura Wight, without them I wouldn't have a power plant in that thing tonight," said Mat Williamson "I can't think everyone enough for the endless support in the pit area."

While Sheppard was able to get close, Williamson was able to hold off Sheppard and take home the $8,000 payday and arguably one of his biggest wins of his career.

While Sheppard was able to bring home a second-place finish, he was able to gain five more points on Billy Decker as the Series heads into the final race of the season. With one race left, Sheppard holds a 37-point lead over Sheppard.

"It was a good run for us tonight, we just came up a few car lengths short but definitely happy with second," said Matt Sheppard. "Congrats to Mat [Williamson] and his team. I guess we're one race closer to the end here It will come down to tomorrow night - hopefully we can keep the wheels on her for 40 more laps and see what happens."

Textron Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals concludes Saturday, November 4 with the the final day of the 2017 season. Both Matt Sheppard and Billy Decker are separated by 37 points as the two drivers aim to sit on top of the mountain as Super DIRTcar Series Champion. For information and ticket info, visit www.WorldofOutlawsWorldFinals.com

FEATURE (40-laps): 1.6m – Mat Williamson;2. 9s – Matt Sheppard;3.91 – Billy Decker ;4.43 – Keith Flach; 5. 88– Mike Mahaney; 6.27J – Danny Johnson;7.19 – Tim Fuller;8. 99l – Larry Wight;9.42p – Pat Ward;10.6H – Max McLaughlin; 11.20 – Brett Hearn;12.21a – Peter Britten; 13.66 – Ryan Godown;14.3 – Justin Haers;15.7m – Michael Maresca;16.98H – Jimmy Phelps;17.21Y – Yan Bussiere;18.109 – Billy Whittaker; 19.43H – Jimmy Horton;20.19W – Justin Wright;21.35 – Frank Cozze; 22. 22 – Brandon Walters; 23. 8 – Rich Scagliotta; 24. 5* - Tyler Siri; 25. 111 – Demetrios Drellos; 26. 83 – Brian Swatzlander; 27.07 – Tim Kerr; 28. 84 – Gary Tomkins; 29.32 – Jim Rasey;

Last Chance Showdown No. 1: 1. Mike Maresca, 2. Jim Rasey 3. Tyler Dippel, 4. Carey Terrance, 5. Regalski, 6. J.F. Corriveau, 7. Kody Graham, 8. Max McLaughlin, 9. Jimmy Phelps, 10. Brandon Walters, 11. Gary Edwards Jr., 12. Jeremiah Shingledecker

Last Chance Showdown No. 2: 1. Tim Kerr, 2. Brett Hearn, 3. Frank Cozze, 4. Erick Rudolph, 5. Rich Scagliotta, 6. Chad Jeseo, 7. Joe August, 8. Rick Richner, 9. Dave Blaney, 10. Louie Jackson, 11. Chris Hile, 12. Pierre Herbert, 13.Dave Rauscher