SHEPPARD FINALLY BREAKS INTO THE WINNERS CIRCLE AT FULTON SPEEDWAY

SHEPPARD FINALLY BREAKS INTO THE WINNERS CIRCLE ON PROMOTION MOTORSPORTS NIGHT

FULTON, NY...Defending Fulton Speedway DIRT 358 Modified Track Champion Matt Sheppard claimed his first win of the 2002 season last Saturday on Promotion Speed Supply Night. Sheppard had finished up front all season long, but was unable to visit the winners circle until now. Sheppard inherited the top spot on lap 22 when leader Don Spatarico was forced to the pits with mechanical problems.

Russell Hendrickson raced out to the early lead at the start of the Promotion Speed Supply DIRT 358 Modified feature from the pole starting position. The young driver from the Southern Tier of New York State was turning in his best performance of the season and after five laps he continued to lead and was followed in the top five by Spatarico, Kenny Johnson, John Barker and Gordy Button.

Hendrickson would lead the first nine laps of the main event. Spatarico took the lead away from Hendriskon on lap 10, after several circuits of trying to do so. Spatarico, another new Fulton Speedway regular this season, was easily enjoying his best outing to date. At the halfway point Spatarico was followed in the top five by Tim Fuller, Sheppard, Barker and Kenny Johnson.

It appeared that Spatarico was on his way to his first ever feature win at the Home of the Victoria 200, but it was not meant to be. On lap 22 Spatarico headed to the pits with mechanical problems. Sheppard inherited the lead at this time with Fuller, Barker, Rudalavage and Ty Hunt following in the top five. In the remaining laps Fuller stayed right with Sheppard, but was never able to take the lead.

Sheppard went on to his first Fulton Speedway win of the season in the Nick's Cafe DIRT 358 Modified. Fuller had to settle for second with Rudalavage, Barker and Tom Sears Jr. completing the top five finishers in the very competitive field. Hunt, Roy Shields, Rich Vinson, Jeremy Smith and Pete Taylor finished in positions sixth through tenth respectively.

Donnie Wetmore Jr. won his first ever DIRT Sportsman feature race last Saturday night. The win for the popular second generation driver came over Ryan Richardson, Tim Sears, Greg Doust and Jeremy Pitcher. Bob Bradt led the first two laps of the main event. Wetmore took command on lap three and led the rest of the way in the 20-lap affair.

T.J. Fitzgibbons won his third DIRT Pro Stock feature race of the season last Saturday night. Fitzgibbons was followed across the finish line by Jason Rood, Lee Burnett, Dave Bruno and Scott Moyer. Fitzgibbons took the lead away from Bruno on lap 12 and went the distance in the 20-lap event. Ricky Breed led the race in the early going.

Rusty Marsden claimed the win in the wild 15-lap Pure Stock event. It was Marsden's second win of the season. Chris Cunningham, Darren Kelso, Ken Conners and Steve Woodworth finished in positions second through fifth. Phil Marsden actually crossed the finish line first, but was penalized for rough riding.

Action continues this Tuesday, July 2 at Fulton Speedway with the 5th annual Showdown at Sundown. Burke's Home Centers will present the 100-lap Turning Stone Casino DIRT 358 Modified Series race. The Pro Stocks and Pure Stocks will also be in action. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Race time is set for 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 6 is the date of the Coors Light Holiday Spectacular. The DIRT 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Pro Stocks, Pure Stocks and Four Cylinder Enduro Racers will all be in action plus a huge fireworks display. Track gates open at 5 p.m. Race time is set for 7 p.m.

For more information on either show please call the track office at (315) 593-6531 or the race line at 668-RACE. On line information is available at www.fultonspeedway.com.

DIRT 358 MODIFIED FEATURE---Matt Sheppard, Tim Fuller, Jeff Rudalavage, John Barker Jr., Tom Sears Jr., Ty Hunt, Roy Shields, Rich Vinson, Jeremy Smith, Pete Taylor, Alan Johnson, Tim Burnett, Tom Juhl, Jim Mahaney, Russ Hendrickson, Mike Payne, Adam Smith, Justin Haers, Don Spatarico, Kenny Johnson, Jimmy Phelps, Bob Holland, Dale Planck, Gordy Button, Ryan Baye.

DIRT 358 MODIFIED "B" MAIN---Adam Smith, Tom Juhl Jr., Justin Haers, Jim Burke, Dave Rauscher, Andy Powell, Ron White, John Ventura, J.J. Michaels, John Knapp, Len Liebold, Deek Decker.

DIRT SPORTSMAN FEATURE---Donnie Wetmore Jr., Ryan Richardson, Tim Sears, Greg Doust, Jeremy Pitcher, Walt McArdell, Shane Donath, Daryl Hagen, Mike Button, Ron Loveless, Steve Way, Bob Bradt, Eric Richardson, Scott Binns, Dave Bargabos, Sam Reakes IV, J.J. Courcy, Rodney True, Shawn Donath, Steve Davis, Chad Phelps, Rich Keller, Jim Livingston.

PRO STOCK FEATURE---T.J. Fitzgibbons, Jason Rood, Lee Burnett, Dave Bruno, Scott Moyer, Ricky Breed, Jack Terrell, Dave Fox, Paul Stoneburg, Keith Butler, Ray Maloney, Jeremy Clark, Bernie Meritheu, J.B. Dockstader, Paul Bowler.

PURE STOCK FEATURE---Russ Marsden, Chris Cunningham, Darren Kelso, Ken Conners, Steve Woodworth, Curt Prevo, Kevin Raymond, John Phillips, Mark Denny, Todd Koegel, Gary Donahue, Mark Davison, Bruce Stanton, Joe Buske, Gary Barton, Jerry Button, Eric Chapman, Charlie Mettler, Jamie Glimpse, Dave Marccicculli, David Kirk.