Shepard Claims STSS Battle at Buds Creek

The Short Track Super Series held their first post pandemic points race “The Battle at Budds Creek”.  Due to northeast state regulations in place for COVID-19 the STSS South region’s point race # 2 for the modifieds and 602 Crates was moved to Potomac Speedway in Maryland which is open for racing.

Matt Shepard returned to his 2019 form and got his first STSS win of the pandemic adjusted season.  Shepard quickly worked his way to the front from his 9^th starting position in the 50 lap feature and led the final 36 laps to earn a much anticipated return to victory lane for the 9S entry.

It became clear as the event unfolded that the “Battle at Budds Creek” that was going to be a showdown between Stewart Friesen and Matt Shepard.  Shepard returned to dominate form with a heat race win with Friesen running second in the same heat race.  Friesen drew the pole position while Shepard drew 9^th starting position. 

Friesen took the lead from the pole position but not for long as Billy Pauch Jr. powered past Friesen for the lead on lap 4.  By lap 7 Shepard was on the move and already in 4^th from his 9^th starting position.  On a lap 10 restart Shepard kept the 9S train rolling with a two for one pass on both Friesen and Larry Wight moving into second place and setting his sights on leader Billy Pauch Jr.  By lap 14 Shepard gained the lead and from there he managed lapped traffic and restarts flawlessly to drive back into the STSS series winner’s circle to start his post pandemic 2020 South Region title defense.  A strong group of STSS regulars rounded out the top five with Stewart Friesen, Billy Pauch Jr, Mike Gular and Larry Wight.

In victory lane Shepard recounted “The car was really working tonight and the big moment was the 4^th to 2^nd right through the middle on the lap 10 restart.  I didn’t think the car would stick but it did and that’s when I knew we really had something tonight”.

The crate modified started all 30 cars on the grounds in the 25 lap feature event.  The wrecker crews were pretty busy for about hour while there were 10 cautions in the first 8 laps.  The next 17 laps were green and pole sitter Tim Hartman checked out on the field leaving a battle for second place which went to Scott Hitchens with Jim Houseworth taking 3^rd place.  Rounding out the top 5 were James Hill and Brad Roberts.

Pit Notes – Modified @ Battle of Budds Creek

In recent history of the STSS Billy Pauch Jr has regularly been a force to contend and this first trip to Potomac Speedway was no different.  He won his heat race in convincing fashion and took the lead in the feature for a few laps only to fall to third behind Shepard and Friesen at the checkered flag of the 50 lap feature.  Another solid outing on the big stage of the STSS for Billy Pauch Jr. as he contends for the 2020 South Region championship.

Alex Yankowski has quietly become a consistent factor whenever and where ever he shows up.  Yankowski grabbed a solid heat race win over a field of drivers most of who have been racing before the 16 year old youngster was born.  Yankowski stayed out of trouble on the 50 lap feature and drove to a 6^th place finish from his 8^th place starting position.

This was the first time on the Potomac Speedway 3/8 mile for all the STSS modified and crate drivers.   Jordon Watson’s goals for this season is to become a better driver at the bullrings away from the confines of his double Delaware home tracks of Delaware International Speedway and Georgetown Speedway.  Jordon got a 10^th place finish on his first trip to Potomac Speedway.  But, before lap 3 of the 50 lap feature there were 3 cautions and Jordan was involved in all 3 and ended up at the tail of the field.  Despite being involved in 3 consecutive yellow flag incidents; Watson maintained his perspective and finished the race without any further incidents and secured a solid 10^th place finish.

Tyler Dipple has returned to modified racing from Nascar Infinity racing and is running both the South and North Region of the STSS.  Dipple had a less then memorable heat race with two trips to the pits for tow separate flat tires in one 8 lap race.  Dipple started the feature in 18^th starting position and was able to run through the field for a solid 7^th place finish.

Ryan Watt decided to bring his spec small block to the 3/8 mile at Potomac speedway.  The heat race saw Watt start 6^th and end up with a 5^th place finish which was limited movement forward for the usual high side charging Watt.  In the feature Watt was collected in a lap 2 incident and hit broadside in both the back and front quarter panels and left the track on the hook of a tow truck.  Two immediately subsequent and consecutive yellows held the lap count down while Watt was able to secure repairs and get back onto the track without losing a lap but had to go to the tail of the 21 car field.  Watt used his traditional high side rim riding to secure an 8^th place finish with the only spec 358 in the field.

Dan Cogdill made his first STSS modified appearance.  The Bridgeport Speedway regular started south on Saturday and made a stop at Delaware International Speedway were he secured a solid 7^th place finish.  Cogdill started the 50 lap feature in the 21^st starting position and was able to secure a 13^th place finish on his first STSS appearance.

Pit Notes – 602 Crates

The point’s battle is already tight after only two events.  2^nd place Scott Hitchens and 3^rd place Jim Houseworth are tied for 1^st place in points with 190 points while tonight’s winner Tim Hartman is in 3^rd with 176 points.

Tanner Van Doren had his best STSS crate finish of the season with a 9^th place finish in the feature at Potomac.  Tanner also won his heat race.  The night before he got a 7^th place finish at OCFG at Middletown, NY.  The twelve year old and his crew (Dad) were up at 6:00 AM to prep car for a second consecutive day of crate racing and a long drive to Maryland.

Modified Results – Battle at Budds Creek

Name	Finish	Start
Matt Shepard	1	9
Stewart Friesen	2	1
Billy Pauch Jr	3	5
Mike Gular	4	11
Larry Wight	5	4
Alex Yankowski	6	8
Tyler Dipple	7	18
Ryan Watt	8	14
Jeff Strunk	9	13
Jordan Watson	10	6
Craig Von Doren	11	16
Brandon Grasso	12	12
Don Cogdill	13	21
Clay Tatman	14	19
Ryan Riddle	15	2
David Van Horn	16	10
Bobby Watkins	17	7
Danny Bouc	18	3
Rich Laubach	19	17
Jimmy Horton	20	15
Andy Bachetti	21	20
Richie Pratt	DNS-22	22