Matt Sheppard's Official Web Site

Sheppard Lights Up Utica-Rome Speedway
Captures second Super DIRTcar series win of the year
By Mandee Pauch
VERNON, N.Y. - July 3, 2016 - Fireworks capped off the night at Utica-Rome Speedway but the fireworks actually started early when the fierce battle between Matt Sheppard and Danny Johnson started on lap 30 of the main event.
"It just kind of seemed slow and steady. The car felt good at the drop of the green but not fantastic. We kind of road for quite a while," said Matt Sheppard in victory lane. "It seemed the longer the race went the slicker the track got, the better the car got. The car was really good tonight. I can't thank everybody enough." ...More

Matt Sheppard Scores in Return to Williams Grove
Scores first full-points Super DIRTcar Series victory of the season
By Mandee Pauch
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. - June 22, 2016 -Tim Fuller led early at Williams Grove Speedway on Wednesday night, but it was Matt Sheppard who battled to the lead and was dominant through much of the 100-lap Modified Mayhem at the Grove Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds feature.
In the series' first return to the track in a decade, Sheppard became the sixth different winner in six Super DIRTcar features run at the track since 1989. The defending series champion was able to lead the last 47 circuits to score the Modified Mayhem $5,000 top prize. ...More

MATT SHEPPARD SCORES ANOTHER UTICA-ROME SPEEDWAY WIN
VERNON, NY- SUNY Canton and Wilbur Duck Chevrolet sponsored an intense night of racing action at Utica-Rome Speedway on Sunday, June 12th. The day was full of events that were rescheduled from earlier dates that had been postponed due to Mother Nature, including the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints and King of Dirt series for both 602 Sportsman and Pro Stocks. Matt Sheppard found his way to victory lane again in the Gates-Cole Insurance Modified feature, making it three on the year. Joining him in victory lane was Rocky Warner for the King of Dirt 602 Sportsman, Luke Horning for the King of Dirt Pro Stocks, and Steve Way for the Broedel Energy Open Sportsman. For the Empire Super Sprints, Jason Barney won the A-Main after a wild finish. For more details, see the Empire Super Sprints official release. ...MORE

SHEPPARD MAINTAINS HIS STRANGLEHOLD ON CANANDAIGUA
CANANDAIGUA, NY….Waterloo’s Matt Sheppard continues his dominance of the DIRTcar Modified division at Canandaigua Motorsports Park, winning his fifth feature in seven outings this year. For Sheppard, who now sits fifth on the All-Time Canandaigua feature win list, it was his 56th career win at the track.
“I don’t know why I get along so good at this place,” stated Sheppard. “We started off a little tight and ended up a little lose. For sure we were running warm. But that may because the evening is so warm tonight.” ...MORE

Matt Sheppard Is “Super” With $5,240 ‘Ultimate Outlaw 50’ Victory Wednesday Night At Outlaw Speedway Driving Norm Hansell’s No. 357
DUNDEE, NY – “Super Matt” Sheppard had luck on his side during the redraw of Wednesday night’s Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP event, drawing the pole for the ‘Ultimate Outlaw 50’ at Outlaw Speedway.
And he also had plenty of speed.Sheppard, driving the Norm Hansell-owned No. 357 led from wire-to-wire, collecting a $5,240 payday for his efforts in the 50-lap event, Round No. 4 of the STSS Halmar International North Region. ...MORE

SHEPPARD BACK IN CANANDAIGUA VICTORY LANE
CANANDAIGUA, NY….Matt Sheppard continued his winning ways last Saturday at Canandaigua Motorsports Park. For Sheppard it was his fourth feature win in six races run. Dave Marcuccilli took the sportsman feature win, his second of the year at the track. ...MORE

Matt Sheppard Makes Late Race Charge For Brewerton Speedway Modified Win
By Dave Medler
BREWERTON, NY – June 3, 2016 – In a hotly contested Tracey Road Equipment DIRTcar Big Block Modified feature Friday night at the Brewerton Speedway it was defending track champion Matt Sheppard that used a late race pass for the lead to end up in victory lane at the end of 35 laps. ...MORE

Wight and Sheppard Kick-Off 2016 Season with Impressive Wins at Utica-Rome
VERNON, NY- The Utica-Rome Speedway kicked off it’s 2016 season this past Sunday, April 17th, with a pair of 20-lap feature events for the Gates-Cole Insurance Modifieds. The two events were won by familiar faces as Larry Wight picked up the win in the first and Matt Sheppard made an exciting pass at the end of the race for the win in the second. ...MORE

SHEPPARD TAKES BIG GATOR IN DIRTCAR NATIONALS
Hearn won the battle but it was Sheppard who won the war as he captured his second career DIRTcar Nationals title. Throughout the four days of Big Block action, Sheppard never finished outside the top five. He finished fifth on opening night and then took home a win before a second and a third to conclude the week.Sheppard’s third place finish was enough for him to claim the championship. He battled Friesen for the final five laps and nearly pulled off the last lap pass for second. Although he was denied the position he enjoyed his second career DIRTcar Nationals title. His last came back in 2010.
“We had an awesome race car all week,” said Sheppard. “We had another good car tonight. Brett snookered us on tires a little bit. We were really coming on Stewie there at the end. I couldn’t be prouder of all those guys standing over there that stepped up to help out. To come down here out of the box to have a first, second, third and a fifth is pretty good, pretty consistent. Hopefully we can keep it going all season.”

It Only Takes Two for Sheppard
When Matt Sheppard made his Florida debut two years ago driving for Heinke-Baldwin Racing it only took him to the fourth race to get a win. Many people, this writer included, were amazed that Sheppard and company were able to gel that quickly to get a win that early.Thursday night Sheppard upped the ante and improved upon his four races from two years ago. This time he won in only his second appearance behind the wheel of his own Bicknell powered by a C.C. Performance engine.“I never had any doubt,” said Sheppard when asked if this win justifies his decision to start his own team. “It’s a long season. This is only the second race, but it definitely feels good to get that first one.”As he usually does, Sheppard searched and searched until he found a line that would give him the advantage. That happened to be a line in which he cut the corner to get a better run down the backstretch.“We were maintaining there for a little bit,” he said. “We were pretty good but we weren’t getting to where we needed to be. I stumbled onto a different groove in turns one and two. I started diamonding it off more and it gave me such a good run down the bottom of the backstretch. I was able to get out and catch some bite in the center of one and two and diamond it off. I just started making up some serious time. Once I found that groove we were going to get it.”

Sheppard Wins DIRTcar Nationals Barn Burner on Thursday Night
By MIKE MALLETT
BARBERVILLE, FL – Thursday night’s 30-lap Modified DIRTcar Nationals main-event at Volusia Speedway Park came down to a battle between two of the best Super DIRTcar Series drivers in the Northeast. Matt Sheppard and Larry Wight duked it out for the final 10 laps of the feature race with Sheppard coming out on top at the checkered flag. Sheppard’s win came behind the wheel of his self-owned No. 9s Bicknell. ...MORE

Sheppard Ready for Challenge of Running His Own Team in ’16
By MIKE MALLETT
Matt Sheppard has been fortunate over the course of his career to drive for some very good car owners including his most recent stint with Heinke-Baldwin Racing. As has been well documented that team split nearly three weeks ago leaving Sheppard looking for something for the upcoming 2016 season. After mulling over his options and looking at things, Sheppard has decided it’s time to start his own team. ...MORE

Sheppard Moves On from HBR
WEEDSPORT, NY – The 2016 racing season will see team owner Al Heinke continuing his focus on completing the improvements at Weedsport Speedway, which weighed heavily in the decision to return HBR to a one driver team, led by Jimmy Phelps. Heinke stated that “Matt Sheppard created additional excitement and intensity over the past two racing seasons, as he competes at the highest possible level. His contributions to our sport are immeasurable. He assisted in bringing the entire HBR organization to new heights and we appreciate his commitment to us. Matt will continue to excel throughout his racing career and we wish him nothing but success as he moves on.” Heinke has owned HBR racing since 1999.