Tyler Erb (left) and Brandon Sheppard (right) scored World of Outlaws CASE Late Model Series victories over the weekend at Atomic Speedway. Photo: Jacy Norgaard
Tyler Erb and Brandon Sheppard both made trips to victory lane in World of Outlaws CASE Late Model Series action in the Buckeye State over the weekend.
Erb was a winner on Friday night at Atomic Speedway in Chillicothe, Ohio, while Sheppard scored the victory on Saturday night at the 3/8-mile dirt track.
On Friday night, Erb held off a challenge from Sheppard to take the opening night victory.
Erb, from New Waverly, Texas, led handily until the closing laps, when Sheppard began to challenge him. Erb was up to the task, as he went on to score his third career series triumph, and a $10,000 payday.
The victory is Erb’s third career World of Outlaws triumph — all coming at Atomic Speedway. He stated he needed a strategy to walk away with the $10,000 prize in the closing laps.
“I could see in (turns) 1 and 2 obviously he was beneath me, but I couldn’t figure out how (Sheppard) was getting a run on me,” Erb said. “Before that, I was entering in the middle/top of 3 and 4 and just kind of carrying my momentum. Then when I seen him beneath me, I just kept chopping the corners.
“I was really searching in 3 and 4, and I could never really figure out the right line, and I figured if I ran on top in 1 and 2 the last 10 laps, he’d have to be really good in 3 and 4 to pass me.”
Sheppard crossed the line second, but was disqualified after failing the droop check in post-race technical inspection.
That moved Josh Rice to second, with Tanner English in third, Dennis Erb. Jr. in fourth, and Jacob Hawkins in fifth.
On Saturday night, Brandon Sheppard scored a historic victory – the 78th of his series career.
The win ties the New Berlin, Illinois racer with Josh Richards for most all-time victories series victory.
“When I started, my dad and grandpa gave me everything I needed to get going,” Sheppard said. “I’m just thankful for them and Mark Richards picking me up back in 2012, and everyone that’s backed me for my whole career.
“I think it’s my first win (at Atomic), so that’s exciting, too. I feel like I’ve had a fast car here a lot and just haven’t been able to get the job done.”
Sheppard wrestled the lead away from Max Blair on a lap 16 restart. It looked like he had everything in hand, but came under fire late from Dennis Erb, Jr..
Sheppard, pulled away from the field until he couldn’t carry the same momentum he had early in the race. That’s when Erb, Jr. set himself up to strike.
Erb, Jr.’s best shot came with three laps remaining as he made his move in turn 2, but Sheppard crossed him back over to keep control. Sheppard held on during the final three laps to win his first series feature of 2022.
Erb, Jr. crossed the line second, with Blair, Gordy Gundaker, and Devin Moran rounding out the top five.
The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models returns to action on April 28-30 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. For more information, check https://WorldOfOutlaws.com.
WoO CASE Late Model Series
Atomic Speedway – Chillicothe, OK
Race Results – April 22, 2022
1. 1T-Tyler Erb
2. 11R-Josh Rice
3. 81E-Tanner English
4. 28-Dennis Erb, Jr.
5. 37-Jacob Hawkins
6. 111V-Max Blair
7. 71-Hudson O’Neal
8. 9-Devin Moran
9. 29-Darrell Lanigan
10. 1R-Josh Richards
11. 19R-Ryan Gustin
12. 11-Gordy Gundaker
13. C9-Steve Casebolt
14. B1-Brent Larson
15. 99-Chub Frank
16. 16-Tyler Bruening
17. 29C-Clint Keenan
18. 99B-Boom Briggs
19. 95-Jerry Bowersock
20. 45-Kyle Hammer
21. 53C-Andy Bond
22. 20-Todd Brennan
23. 44H-Dave Hess, Jr.
24. 1AM-Austyn Mills
DQ: 1-Brandon Sheppard
WoO CASE Late Model Series
Atomic Speedway – Chillicothe, OK
Race Results – April 23, 2022
1. 1-Brandon Sheppard
2. 28-Dennis Erb, Jr.
3. 111V-Max Blair
4. 11-Gordy Gundaker
5. 9-Devin Moran
6. B1-Brent Larson
7. 11R-Josh Rice
8. 16-Tyler Bruening
9. 71-Hudson O’Neal
10. 45-Kyle Hammer
11. 81E-Tanner English
12. 29-Darrell Lanigan
13. 99JR-Frank Heckenast, Jr.
14. C9-Steve Casebolt
15. 44B-Colten Burdette
16. 71R-Rod Conley
17. 19R-Ryan Gustin
18. 99B-Boom Briggs
19. 1R-Josh Richards
20. 1T-Tyler Erb
21. 53C-Andy Bond
22. 37-Jacob Hawkins
23. 44H-Dave Hess, Jr.
24. 1AM-Austyn Mills
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