Langhorne, PA — March 10, 2008 – By Bob Miller, Speedway Promotions
Popular DIRTcar Modified driver Matt Sheppard from Waterloo, New York has big plans for 2008. First and foremost, Sheppard will be chasing the premier Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series and ultimately a win at the New York State Fairgrounds in the Rite Aid 200 during Super DIRT Week in October of ‘08.
After winning the 2007 DIRTcar Big-Block title at New Egypt (NJ) Speedway, Sheppard and long time friend and car owner Randy Ross have dissolved their race team. “If it had to come to an end, I’m glad we were able to win the title for Randy. I can’t say enough for all the good things he has done for me,” Sheppard commented.
As Sheppard plans for 2008, he will be driving a blue and white Finger Lakes Auto Machine powered Bicknell Chassis that will car Matt’s original car number (9). Matt will be a teammate with Jeff Brownell Jr. driving for car owner Jeff Brownell Sr. Sponsorship support includes the familiar name of BPG/Chad Sinon Motorsports as well as Magee Transportation, Seneca Auto Sales & Service, Bicknell Racing Products and Scott Keyser from Integra Racing Shocks.
“I want to thank Jeff Brownell for this opportunity in the coming season. I raced for Jeff in the past and greatly appreciate our long time friendship. Special thanks also go to the many people who stepped up to put this deal together, including my Dad, Chad Sinon, Dave Rauscher, Randy Williamson and Scott Keyser.”
“I’m really excited about the coming season. I want to go out there and have some fun and win some races. Jeff has only top notch equipment and I can’t wait for the season to get underway.”
“Our biggest challenge is trying to build an entire race team in three weeks. Everyone is really working hard and we’re having fun doing it, but honestly, I want to get to the track and go racing,” Sheppard added.
The Jeff Brownell #9 will make its debut with Sheppard at Hagerstown Speedway on March 22 and there is no doubt that Sheppard has high expectations and why not? It was at Hagerstown in 2004 when he won both the Big-Block and Small-Block Modified features in the same day. “I like Hagerstown and yes, our new team has high expectations for our first outing,” Sheppard said.
At the age of 25, the accomplishments of Matt Sheppard include:
1999 – DIRTcar Sportsman Rookie of the Year with 6 wins;
2003 – Winning the Sunoco 150 Lap Small Block Modified Championship on the Mile at Syracuse;
2003 – DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Rookie of the Year;
2004 – Winner of both the Big-Block and Small-Block Modified features in the same day at Hagerstown;
2007 – New Egypt Speedway DIRTcar Track Champion (8 feature wins).
Features won at: Cayuga County, Canandaigua, Syracuse, Rolling Wheels, Fulton, Brewerton, Hagerstown, New Egypt, Utica-Rome, Albany-Saratoga.
