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Dan Shepherd First to Commit for Sunoco Rookie of the Year Chase |
Media Contact: Trenton Berry Wheatland, MO (December 19th, 2014) - For the third year in a row, Sunoco Race Fuels will present the Lucas Oil MLRA Rookie of the Year program. Travis Dickes and Scott Lewis each captured the honor the past two seasons. As we move closer to 2015 and the start of the season, the first name has been thrown in the hat to challenge for the award and its spoils. Denver, Colorado's Dan Shepherd recently declared his intentions to follow the tour. Shepherd has 12 previous years of racing experience, but less than 50 total starts in a Late Model, by his estimation. Shepherd has won some heats and trophy dashes, but the Dirt Late Model checkered flag has eluded him to this point. Shepherd's story is not the typical racers bio. He started a trucking company 24 years ago in the Denver area, and raced off and on at I-76 Speedway and the now defunct Rocky Mountain Speedway, both in his home state. Shepherd began with the Econo division and then moved onto Super Stocks. His introduction to Late Models came when he purchased a car from Kelly Boen. However, at the same time his trucking business, Shepherd Enterprises, began to demand more of his time and the focus was never completely on the racing program. There was even a stretch where Shepherd sat completely idle for a few seasons. Armed with two brand new 2015 Rocket Chassis, and 3 fresh Jay Dickens power plants, Shepherd is certainly up to the task equipment wise. His children are now at the point where they can oversee the 80 trucks the family has on the road. "I'm really looking forward to this challenge," said an excited Shepherd. "I'm of an age where I can finally focus on racing. This is something I've always wanted to do, but it was important that my business be in a position to succeed without me looking over it all day, every day. I also knew I had to be able to afford to do it the right way, or it wasn't worth pursuing. It seems like everything is in place right now. I'm looking to run against great competition with guys who race clean." Shepherd chuckled as he continued, "I know this series will be tough, but I didn't sign up for a bowling league!" His #68 carries sponsorship from Shepherd Enterprises, Kuchar Electric and TRB Excavatiing. Former Boen crew member Doug Hoffman will fill the role of Crew Chief, and Johnathan Lindquist will assist Hoffman in prepping the equipment in the shop and at the track. Once again the Sunoco Rookie of the Year will pay the winner six barrels of fuel and a $2,500 check, in addition to the series point fund and contingencies. Second place will receive $1,500, with third collecting a $500 check. "Sunoco Race Fuels have made a huge impact on our rookie program over the past two seasons," said Series Director Dan Robinson. "We are thankful to renew this partnership for another season. It helps us attract new teams to the series, and we appreciate their support immensely." For all of the latest news and information fans are encouraged to visit the series website at www.MLRARacing.com. Fans may also "like" the Lucas Oil MLRA Facebook page by clicking www.Facebook.com/lucasoilmlra or follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/MLRA. CONTACT: Dan Robinson |
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