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The Short Track Super Series paid a visit to Port Royal last weekend and Matt Sheppard won his second consecutive $50,000-plus victory and it was his ninth STSS victory of the 2022 season.
The Savannah, N.Y., resident came back from a flat right rear in the early laps of the race to pass Stewart Friesen, with less than two laps to go to win the newest addition to the crown jewels of Modified racing. By lap 60, Sheppard's charge from the back was quickly becoming apparent, as the No. 9s was into the top-10.
The more yellows that flew, the more Sheppard was able to pick his way forward. Sheppard would restart on the outside of the second row with 10 laps to go.
When STSS starter Joe Kriss flashed the two-to-go sign, Sheppard made his move. He built up the momentum to pull up alongside Friesen for the lead down the back straightaway.
Sheppard cleared Friesen off the fourth turn and led the final two laps, his only two of the race, to claim the $50,000 top prize.
Friesen, of Sprakers, N.Y., would settle for second.
"We just ran out of tires at the end," said a dejected Friesen following the race. "It's a privilege to be here at Port Royal though and hopefully we get to try again next year."
Jimmy Phelps would settle for the final podium position.
On Friday night they ran the make-up Labor Day Classic and Justin Whittall had saved the best for last as he picked up his first career Port Royal Speedway victory for $6,000. It was the final 410 sprint car race of the year.
Danny Dietrich scored his sixth win of the season and the 61st win of his career at Lincoln Speedway on Saturday night in the Night of Champions. Dietrich lined up third for the feature and after battling Buddy Kofoid, took over the lead on lap 12.
Danny closed out the season with a $5,000 win.
"This thing was just so much fun to drive. Its just fun to get this thing in victory lane and finish off the season with a win."
Lapped traffic would not come into play before the checkered flag for the leaders. Dietrich crossed the line .730 seconds ahead of Kofoid. Wolfe finished third and the 2022 Track Champion, Freddie Rahmer, was fourth. Kyle Moody completed the top five.
In 358 action, Pole-sitter Justin Foster took the lead when the green flag waved with Jeff Rohrbaugh getting under Hayden Miller for second. Nash Ely was running fourth and holding off Doug Hammaker and David Holbrook.
Ely caught Miller and was looking to take third. Ely made the pass for third on lap 3. Hammaker followed, taking fourth. The 2022 track champion, Steve Owings, wasn't far behind and got by Miller for fifth on lap 5. Owings was challenging Hammaker for fourth while Ely was working on Rohrbaugh for second. Hammaker and Owings caught Ely making it a four-car battle for second.
Foster had a straightaway lead when he caught lapped traffic on lap 14. Hammaker got by Ely for third on lap 15 and then Rohrbaugh for second on lap 16. Ely followed to take third, but the caution came out before the pass was official. Hammaker took the lead by inches on lap 18. Hammaker took the checkered flag .942 seconds ahead of Owings who made a last lap pass for second. Foster crossed the line third and Rohrbaugh was fourth. Ely completed the top five.
The rescheduled diamond anniversary National Open for World of Outlaws sprint cars is coming up this Saturday at Williams Grove Speedway. The 60th annual National Open will pay $75,000-to-win the 40-lap main with general admission gates opening at 4 p.m.
Saturday's event will culminate with the crowning of the 2022 Williams Grove Speedway 410 sprint car track champion. Current point leader, Freddie Rahmer will be trying to hold back Danny Dietrich for track title laurels in the race.