SHEPPARD BREAKS INTO THE WINNERS CIRCLE ON QUALITY HARDWOODS NIGHT

SHEPPARD BREAKS INTO THE WINNERS CIRCLE ON QUALITY HARDWOODS NIGHT

FULTON, NY...Matt Sheppard won his first 35-lap DIRT Big Block Modified feature race of the season last Saturday at Fulton Speedway on Quality Hardwoods Night. The 2005 season hasn't been kind to the young driver who was able to hold off Tim Fuller for the $2,000 payday in the G-U Hardware sponsored, Ross Motorsports owned ride.

Sean Beardsley raced out to the early lead at the start of the Quality Hardwoods DIRT Big Block Modified feature from the pole starting position. Beardsley would lead the opening seven laps. Sheppard took the top spot away from Beardsley on lap eight. With 10-laps complete Sheppard was being followed in the top five by Beardsley, Tim Fuller, Tom Sears and Pat Ward.

At the halfway mark Sheppard was being followed in the top five by Fuller, Sears, Ward and Jimmy Phelps. Ryan Phelps, Alan Johnson, Beardsley, Jeff Isabell and Billy Decker raced in positions sixth through tenth respectively at the halfway stage. Sheppard and Fuller battled for the top spot the last half of the event. Sheppard never made a mistake and earned his first victory of the season.

Fuller had to settle for a second place finish. Johnson came from the rear of the field to finish third. Ward and Tom Sears finished fourth and fifth respectively. Jimmy Phelps, Decker, Ryan Phelps, Vinnie Vitale and Isabell crossed the finish line in positions sixth through tenth respectively.

Alan Johnson earned the victory in the DIRT 358 Modified main event. Dale Planck, Matt Sheppard, Donnie Wetmore Jr. and Dave Rauscher completed the top five feature finishers. It was Johnson's third straight victory in the mini-series races.

Kevin Bates won his fifth 20-lap DIRT Sportsman feature race of the season last Saturday night. With the victory the young driver from the state of Pennsylvania increased his point lead. Shane Donath, Jeremy Pitcher, Sam Reakes IV and Roy Bresnahan followed Bates across the finish line. Bates took the top spot away from Donath on lap-18 and never gave it back.

John Pietrowicz claimed his third 20-lap DIRT Pro Stock feature race victory of the season last Saturday night. T.J. Fitzgibbons, Ron Marsden, Ray Maloney and Rick Duanehauer followed Pietrowicz across the finish line. Pietrowicz inherited the feature lead on lap-18 when leader Jason Rood had to pit with a flat tire. Pietrowicz never gave the lead back.

Brandon Warner won his first ever 20-lap Pure Stock feature race last Saturday night. Rusty Marsden, Phil Marsden, Gary Barton and Chad Crouse completed the top five feature finishers. Warner inherited the lead on lap seven when race leader Dave Emmons looped his car. Warner then earned the popular victory by beating Rusty and Phil Marsden to the finish.

Chad Guthrie earned the victory in the 25-lap Four Cylinder Enduro feature race. Matt Wetter, Skip DeGroff, Mark Johnston, Kevin Alfred finished in positions second through fifth respectively.

Action will continue this Saturday at Fulton Speedway with the DIRT Big Block Modifieds, DIRT Sportsman, DIRT Pro Stocks, Pure Stocks and Mod Lites all in competition. Show time is 7 p.m. For more information please go on line to www.fultonspeedway.com or call the track office at 315-593-6531.

QUALITY HARDWOODS FEATURE RACE SUMMARY

DIRT BIG BLOCK MODIFIEDS---Matt Sheppard, Tim Fuller, Alan Johnson, Pat Ward, Tom Sears, Jimmy Phelps, Billy Decker, Ryan Phelps, Vinnie Vitale, Jeff Isabell, Dan Vauter, Scott Prentice, Tony Buffa, Chad Phelps, John Barker, Sean Beardsley, Todd Town, Tim Harris, Donnie Wetmore Jr., Ryan Richardson, Dave Rauscher, Tim Sears, Jim Witko, Bob Holland, Dale Planck.

DIRT 358 MODIFIEDS---Alan Johnson, Dale Planck, Matt Sheppard, Donnie Wetmore Jr., Dave Rauscher.

DIRT SPORTSMAN---Kevin Bates, Shane Donath, Jeremy Pitcher, Sam Reakes IV, Roy Bresnahan, Mike Bowman, Matt Janczuk, Jim Bowman, Mark Yorker, Rob Bellinger, Alan Fink, Dave Reilley, Stewart Garrison, Ricky Quick, Mike Holmes, Brett Tonkin, Ryan Baye, Mark Davison, Joe Williams Jr., Walt McArdell, Chris Hile, Chris Higgins, Mike Entwistle, Greg Doust.

DIRT PRO STOCKS---John Pietrowicz, T.J. Fitzgibbons, Ron Marsden, Ray Maloney, Rick Duanehauer, Dave Meeks, Jim Evans, Dale Guernsey, Jason Rood, Scott Beeles, Jack Terrell, Mark Alnutt, Jerry Button, Bob Buono, Ricky Breed, Bill Clark Jr.

PURE STOCKS---Brandon Warner, Rusty Marsden, Phil Marsden, Gary Barton, Chad Crouse, Jay McGillicuddy, Ricky DeGroff, Ron Hawker, Gary Donahue, Adam Guilds Jim Donaldson, Van Grant, Justin Parkhurst, Debbie Whalen, Chuck Lacey, Rob Whipple, Bill Thomas, Zeke McKeown, Steve Woodworth, Dave Emmons, Bob Whipple, Jim Wallace, Joe Briere, Chris Smiedy, Todd Koegel.

FOUR CYLINDER ENDURO TOP FIVE---Chad Guthrie, Matt Wetter, Skip DeGroff, Mark Johnston, Kevin Alfred.