RPW Exclusive: Matt Sheppard Finds Way To Victory Lane In Ted Siri Memorial At Outlaw Speedway
News Director 
Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – DUNDEE, NY – Matt Sheppard knows his way around the Outlaw Speedway.
Even though he’s not a track regular anymore, when he does make his way to the Dundee, NY oval, the driver of the #9s knows how to get it done.
He proved that in fine fashion on Friday night during the second annual Ted Siri Memorial for Modifieds.
After winning his heat race and firing from 11th to start the 35-lap main event, Sheppard showed why he’s a former track champion at the speedway and has made plenty of visits to victory lane.
He was able to catch leader Cory Costa on the 13th lap and used a high / low crossover to slide under the winningest driver at the speedway this season as the two entered the third corner.
From there, nobody was catching Sheppard as the Savannah, NY native went back-to-back in the marquee event for the Siri family.
“It feels so good to get back to victory lane at Outlaw,” Sheppard said. “I was starting to think we were snake bit here this year. This was the first feature I’ve finished.”
Over the last few seasons, Sheppard has switched his Friday night home to Utica-Rome Speedway. This coming week, Utica will run on Saturday evening with Fonda shuttind down for the annual fair.
That opened up Friday night in Sheppard’s schedule and allowed him to attend the race at his former stomping grounds. It ended up becoming quite profitable as he took home the $4,321.18 top prize in honor of the promoter’s late father.
“I’m just glad that the schedules worked out,” he said. “I’m happy we could be here with the All Stars for the Ted Siri Memorial because this is a big night for Outlaw Speedway. It’s a big night for everybody.”
Having to start 11th meant Sheppard had to be cautiously aggressive during the event. He had to pick and choose his runs to get to the front while not wasting any time as 35 laps at Outlaw can go quickly.
Aided by track ideal conditions, Sheppard was able to get to the top spot as the race neared halfway.
“The track was in fantastic shape tonight,” he said. “It actually blew off more than I thought it was going to. I wasn’t prepared for it. This car was very good and I feel very fortunate that we got it to victory lane.”
Even though he wasn’t ready for how the track appeared in the feature, Sheppard was able to read it quickly and adapt.
“It really got burned up,” he said. “It became a momentum deal in the middle of the race and it was tough to pass. About the only move I had was to get a really good run down the backstretch and try to send it into (turn) three. I’m just thankful everything worked out.”
Once out front, the only thing separating Sheppard from victory lane was back markers.
“The lap traffic really held their lines,” he said. “Everyone did a good job tonight. It feels good to get to victory lane. It’s been a good stretch for us the last couple of weeks and hopefully we can keep it rolling.”
Bobby Varin, driving a Teo Pro Car out of the Siri Racing camp, came home with a very impressive second place finish. Costa, who led laps in the event was third.
Alex Payne, who also invaded from Utica-Rome Friday evening, finished fourth and the only other leader on the night, Will Shields, who led the early portion of the race, rounded out the top five in fifth.
Other winners on the night included Brandon Grover in Sportsman, Dylan Cecce in Street Stocks, Marc Minutolo in Hobby Stocks and Willy Easling in Four-Cylinder.
