{"id":6112,"date":"2024-02-17T02:33:49","date_gmt":"2024-02-17T06:33:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/volusiaspeedwaypark.com\/uncategorized\/lucky-gator-matt-sheppard-scores-chaotic-dirtcar-nationals-win-at-volusia\/"},"modified":"2024-04-24T20:56:07","modified_gmt":"2024-04-25T00:56:07","slug":"lucky-gator-matt-sheppard-scores-chaotic-dirtcar-nationals-win-at-volusia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/volusiaspeedwaypark.com\/recap\/lucky-gator-matt-sheppard-scores-chaotic-dirtcar-nationals-win-at-volusia\/","title":{"rendered":"LUCKY GATOR: Matt Sheppard Scores Chaotic DIRTcar Nationals Win at Volusia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Matt Sheppard found himself in the right place at the right time Friday night at Volusia Speedway Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 10-time Super DIRTcar Series champion inherited first place after Larry Wight\u2019s misfortune, leading the final seven laps to score his second Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLady luck was definitely on my side tonight,\u201d Sheppard said. \u201cOn my side in the [Heat Race]. On my side in the Feature. Some nights, I\u2019d definitely rather be lucky than good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFlorida hasn\u2019t been good in the past, but it was definitely good for me this year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Demetrios Drellos, the pole sitter, led the first 12 laps of the Feature before Erick Rudolph wrestled the lead away in lap traffic on Lap 13. Rudolph drove away as the #111 faded through the field. The Ransomville, NY driver started pulling away until Matt Caprara stopped in Turn 4, bringing out the caution on Lap 17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That yellow flag played into Wight\u2019s favor, who restarted fifth. When the green came back out, Wight immediately drove to the top of the track and started picking cars off one by one. Using the cushion to his advantage, he passed Matt Sheppard for third on Lap 20 and Mat Williamson for second on Lap 21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLightning Larry” then turned his attention to Rudolph. And like Sheppard and Williamson, Wight stormed past Rudolph as they crossed the start\/finish line on Lap 22.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wight set a blistering pace for the next 13 laps and seemed destined to score his first gator since 2020 until everything changed on Lap 34.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Wight entered Turn 4, he made heavy contact with Brett Hearn, sending them both over the cushion. Wight\u2019s car stalled after the contact, but once he got it re-fired, his momentum slid him down the track and into the right side of Rudolph\u2019s car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n