Thursday

JAMAICA, Va. — ‘Super’ Matt Sheppard was just that Thursday night at Virginia Motor Speedway as the Central New York standout opened the 2008 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series with a narrow victory worth a whopping $10,000 in the second annual Paul Sawyer Memorial.
The second-generation driver started fifth in the 30-car field, reeled in early pace-setter Duane Howard on lap 39, and held off the popular Pennsylvanian to capture the 60-lap Thursday Thunder for big-block modifieds at the half-mile dirt track.
The race was slowed by eight caution periods with Sheppard outlasting Howard by .83-second to claim his fifth-career Advance Series triumph.
“The competition here was extremely tough, it took me a while to find the right groove, but once I did I was able to get past Howard and then hold him off for the win,” Sheppard said. “I have to thank the Sawyer’s for putting on such a great event, this track and facility is awesome.”
Defending overall Hoosier Tire Mr. DIRTcar Champion Brett Hearn and tour regulars Steve Paine and Billy Decker filled out the front five.
The finish:
Matt Sheppard, Duane Howard, Brett Hearn, Steve Paine, Billy Decker, Gary Tomkins, Jimmy Phelps, Larry Wight, Billy Pauch, Wade Hendrickson, Danny Johnson, Billy Pauch, Jr., David VanHorn, Rick Laubach, Justin Haers, Frankie Caprara, Alan Johnson, Dale Planck, Josh Richards, Ryan Phelps, Mike Storms, Steve Downs, Stewart Friesen, Billy Dunn, Tim Fuller, Pat O’Brien, Jim Horton IV, Kevin Bates, Kevin Bolland, Jeff Brownell, Jr., Kenny Wallace.

Sunday

ELBRIDGE, N.Y. — Billy Decker successfully defended his title for the second-straight year and Dale Planck scored his first victory at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park as they each captured a leg of the Dig Safely New York 28th annual DIRT Challenge Cup Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series event Sunday evening.
The twin 50-lap big-block modified aces awarded the winners $3,000 each as well as valuable points in the 25-race Advance Auto Parts Series that culminates with the crowning of the Hoosier Tire Mr. DIRTcar Champion for the 33rd-straight year in October.
Brett Hearn was the best on the day, securing runner-up honors in the first round, then placing fourth in the nightcap to overtake opening day winner Matt Sheppard atop the standings through three races.
Decker started on the pole in John Wight’s Gypsum Wholesalers No. 91 entry and led the entire distance in Rolling Wheels’ 40th season opener. Only three caution periods slowed the race.
Hearn was second, followed by Jimmy Phelps, Gary Tomkins and Sheppard.
The top-12 positions were inverted to start the second 50-lapper and outside-polesitter Steve Paine took advantage of his front row spot to jump ahead of point man Alan Johnson on the initial circuit. Paine led until Planck finally tracked him and took the lead on lap 33.
Paine came home second, chased by Danny Johnson, Hearn and Phelps.
The finishes:
Race One: Billy Decker, Brett Hearn, Jimmy Phelps, Gary Tomkins, Matt Sheppard, Frankie Caprara, Ryan Phelps, Dale Planck, Danny Johnson, Justin Haers, Steve Paine, Alan Johnson, Jeff Brownell, Jr., Pat O’Brien, Kevin Bates, Vince Vitale, Chuck Bower, Mike Bowman, Derrick Podsiadlo, Mike Storms, Rob Bellinger, Keith Flach, Jason Potter, Billy Dunn, Steve Hulsizer, Tom Sears, Jr., Sean Beardsley, Larry Wight, Shannon Whaley, Dave Rauscher. 
Race Two: Dale Planck, Steve Paine, Danny Johnson, Brett Hearn, Jimmy Phelps, Alan Johnson, Justin Haers, Frankie Caprara, Gary Tomkins, Billy Decker, Ryan Phelps, Billy Dunn, Matt Sheppard, Vince Vitale, Jeff Brownell, Jr., Chuck Bower, Mike Storms, Larry Wight, Rob Bellinger, Jason Potter, Keith Flach, Kevin Bates, Derrick Podsiadlo, Mike Bowman, Tom Sears, Jr., Shannon Whaley, Sean Beardsley, Pat O’Brien, Steve Hulsizer, Dave Rauscher.