5 Drivers To Watch: Will Matt Sheppard Continue Hot Streak At Brewerton?

5 Drivers To Watch: Will Matt Sheppard Continue Hot Streak At Brewerton?

The Super DIRTcar Series stars and cars take on the “D-Shaped Demon” for the Showdown at Sundown 100 this Friday at Brewerton Speedway in New York.

Jun 12, 2018 by John Boothe
5 Drivers To Watch: Will Matt Sheppard Continue Hot Streak At Brewerton?

By Mandee Pauch


The Super DIRTcar Series stars and cars take on the “D-Shaped Demon” for the Showdown at Sundown 100 this Friday at Brewerton Speedway in New York.

Last year saw Waterloo, NY, driver Matt Sheppard tame the Demon in high fashion by making a late race pass by Larry Wight for the win.

On Friday, the Super DIRTcar Series drivers will make their first of two scheduled stops at Brewerton Speedway this year.

Stewart Friesen won the series-opening Heroes Remembered 100 at New York’s Weedsport Speedway on Memorial Day and currently sits atop the points chart. However, he will not be in attendance this coming Friday, leaving the points chase up for grabs.

WATCH REPLAY: Heroes Remembered 100

Can Max McLaughlin move up the ranks? Will Wight defend his home turf? Will Sheppard defend his title?

Here are five drivers you’ll want to keep your eyes locked on come Friday night at sundown…

Max McLaughlin (6h)

Super DIRTcar Series Standings: 2nd

The young gun out of Mooresville, NC, came extremely close to collecting his first career Super DIRTcar Series race at Weedsport Speedway. “Mad Max” gave quite the performance during the series-opening race and currently sits second in the points standings.

McLaughlin won a feature event last year at Brewerton Speedway, his second career Big-Block Modified victory, and looks to be a strong contender going into the next series race at his Friday night home track.

Larry Wight (99L)

Super DIRTcar Series Standings: 7th

Larry Wight, the current points leader at Brewerton Speedway, will give the series regulars a strong run for their money. With two points races in the books at Brewerton, Wight has come out on top of the scoreboard both times.

Wight, a familiar face on the tour, rounded out the top three in the Super DIRTcar Series points in 2017. Wight will be guaranteed to put on a show and defend his home track.

Matt Sheppard (9s)

Super DIRTcar Series Standings: 5th

Reigning series champion “Super” Matt Sheppard has been on fire this season, collecting a total of 12 victories so far but is still scratching for his first series victory of 2018.

The series opener at Weedsport Speedway saw Sheppard lead the way with the fastest time overall in time trials and went on to win his heat race. After a fifth-place showing, Sheppard currently sits fifth in the standings. 

Sheppard is no stranger to the D-Shaped Demon, as he has visited victory lane in three out of the last five races at Brewerton Speedway.

Jimmy Phelps (98h)

Super DIRTcar Series Standings: 3rd

The Baldwinsville Bandit’s steady results have him sitting second in points at his Friday night home track, Brewerton Speedway. Jimmy Phelps had a strong showing at Weedsport Speedway by placing on the podium and lining him up third in the series point standings leading into Brewerton.

With extra track time under his belt at Brewerton Speedway, Phelps will be a strong force to defend his home turf.

Chris Hile (5H)

Super DIRTcar Series Standings: 11th

Chris Hile made some big gains at Weedsport Speedway with his 11th-place finish from 19th on Memorial Day. Hile, who is a Brewerton Speedway regular, currently sits fifth in the overall standings at Brewerton with two top-10 finishes. Even though Hile has yet to crack into the top five at Brewerton, consistency and experience will play a huge factor which can benefit Hile and his No. 5H team Friday night.