Matt Sheppard is super at New Egypt Speedway

ERIC SUCAR staff The No. 24 super stock car rounds turn four during New Egypt Speedway's racing action on Saturday night.

NEW EGYPT - Matt Sheppard of Waterloo, N.Y., turned in a stupendous performance on Saturday night at New Egypt Speedway as he captured the 30-lap DIRTcar Modified feature.

Starting 14th on the grid, Sheppard charged through the pack, taking the lead with three to go and claimed the $3,000 top prize in the nonstop event.

"I really want to thank the track crew," praised Sheppard during the post race interview. "They have really gone to work on the track surface and tonight the fans saw a track with at least three racing grooves. This is the way racing should be."

At the start of the event, John Keller led the field to the green flag with Tim Tanner Jr. jumping out in front quickly. Tanner looked quick in the early going as he opened up a comfortable lead. Defending champ Jimmy Horton had other ideas as he worked his way up from ninth starting spot to second by lap 11. Horton then chased Tanner until lap 17 when he was able to complete his pass for the lead. Horton seemed as though he would be headed to his second win of the season, when suddenly all eyes turned to the #44s of point leader Matt Sheppard. Sheppard, who was in ninth at this point, appeared to be on a rail as he raced through traffic. With five to go, he got by Tanner for second, and two laps later, made the winning pass on Horton. Sheppard then cruised to his second win of the season. Horton held on to finish second with Keith Hoffman crossing the line third. Ryan Godown, who was also very fast over the last 10 laps of the race, came home fourth with Tanner finishing fifth.

John McClelland of Martinsville used the far outside groove in the 20-lap Sportsman feature to pull off a spectacular two-car pass with just two laps remaining to get his first win of the year. John Romano Jr. settled for second on this night, followed by Rich Scagliotta in third, Chad Barney fourth and Willie Osmun fifth.

Al Cheney of Cranbury, took his second feature win of the season in the 20-lap Super Stock feature event. Cheney wrestled the lead away from race long leader Don Shipley with seven laps to go and drove to victory. Shipley finished a career best second, with Bill Liedtka third, Kory Fleming fourth and George Quinlan fifth. In the make-up feature held over from May 19, Bryan Reed of Howell won his first of the year, beating Mick Search to the stripe. Quinlan, Cheney and Jason Bubeck rounded out the top five results.

In the final race of the Advantage Financial/Cradle Rock Developers Rookie Sportsman series, Danny Bouc of Plumsteadville, Pa. capped off graduation night as he won for a record eighth time. With this win Bouc becomes the 2007 NES Rookie champion. Joe Systo was second over Dan Waisempacher, Eddie Prentice Jr. and Wayne Bechtel.

The Crate-1 Sportsman feature was won by second generation driver Scott Cranstoun. Mike Fattori was second with Dave Gorbatuk third. In the Outlaw Stock 10 lap event, Gary Klimeczak won his first of the season over Brian Ludwig and Rob Longo.

Saturday night, June 9, it will be a full card of DIRTcarBig-Block Modifieds, Super Late Models, Sportsman, Super Stocks, and the Lucas Ford SS Sprints. In addition, we will have the vintage stock cars of the Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club on hand. Gates open at 4 p.m. with first green at 5:30 p.m. Adult admission is $16, children 7-12 are $5.50, and kids 6 and under are always free. For more information, call the speedway office at (609) 758-1900 or log on to www.newegyptspeedway.net.

New Egypt schedules 358 Mod Special, WoO Late Models scrubbed

New Egypt Speedway management announced this past Saturday that they have scheduled a special midweek 358 Modified show for the end of this month. The First Annual 358 Modified "Summer Dash for Cash" will take place on Wednesday night, June 27. This 40-lap event, which features many of the best drivers in the Northeast, will pay a cool $5,000 to win.

Competitors will be able to enter any 358 engine which is legal at their home track. All engines must be carburetion only, gas or alcohol will both be permitted and there will be no rev-limiters required. Cars must weigh 2450 pounds with steel heads, and 2350 pounds with aluminum heads. Also, any make 92" spec tire will be permitted in competition on this night, however, no drag rubber will be allowed.

For the fan-friendly race night admission of only $15.00 (tax included), fans can look forward to heat race qualifying beginning at 7:30 p.m., followed by the heat winners doing battle in a special dash for the pole. The night will be capped off by the 40-lap feature event paying $200 to start, and $5,000 to win. With such quality talent competing on the multi-groove racing surface, it is guaranteed to be an exciting experience for fans and competitors alike. Also included on the night's racing card will be the fan-favorite Outlaw Stocks competing in a 15-lap feature event.

Track management further announced that the World of Outlaw Late Model Tour Event which was originally scheduled for June 21 has been canceled due to a scheduling conflict. Anyone who purchased advance tickets for this show, may contact the track office at (609) 758-1900, and exchange each WoO Late Model ticket for two tickets to the 358 Modified special event on June 27. Fans may also request a full refund if so desired.