FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeremy Shields (shields@msrmafia.com)
October 12, 2020

Brian Shirley Banks $5,000 at Peoria Speedway
Claims MARS Racing Series Championship

CHILTON, Wis. (10/12/20) – Brian Shirley put a wrap on the 2020 MARS Racing Series campaign over the weekend with a tripleheader in the Land of Lincoln.

It proved to be an exceptional weekend for the driver of the Bob Cullen Racing No. 3s Hoker Trucking/ Thomason Express/ J&J Ventures Gaming/ Rocket Chassis/ Durham Racing Engine Super Late Model.

After being sidelined for nearly a month following a string of bad luck, Brian Shirley returned to the driver’s seat Friday to kick off the MARS Racing Series Championship weekend.

A strong field of 42 entries converged at Peoria (Ill.) Speedway. Brian qualified third in his group and grabbed a heat race win to earn the second-starting position for the 40-lap feature.

In dominating fashion, Shirley took the lead at the drop of the green flag and never looked back. He cruised to the $5,000 victory over Brandon Sheppard, Dennis Erb Jr., Jason Feger, and Bobby Pierce.

“We had three weeks in a row where we unfortunately had some issues that took us out of racing for a couple weeks," Shirley said. "To sit at home and watch everybody is really tough and humbling. But me and (crew chief) Aaron (Mitchell) worked our butts off even through we weren’t at the the racetrack every weekend and made sure our cars were good.”

Saturday took the team to Fairbury (Ill.) Speedway for the annual FALS Frenzy. Shirley posted the fourth fastest time in his qualifying group and finished second in his heat race behind Myles Moos.

Starting the $15,000-to-win main event in seventh, Brian slipped to a ninth-place finish in the 50-lap affair.

LaSalle (Ill.) Speedway closed out the three-race weekend on Sunday. In a field of 29, Shirley set fast time in qualifying group and went on to a second-place finish in his heat race. He earned the fifth starting spot for the $10,000-to-win finale.

Shirley was in contention the entire 50-laps but would ultimately settle for third in the final rundown behind Brandon Sheppard and Chris Simpson. Josh Richards and Bobby Pierce rounded out the Top-5.
“We was definitely on Chris the whole time. We just needed a couple little breaks,” Shirley said. “Honestly, we’re just happy to put in a good solid night here. Last night was a little bummer not to run as good as we needed (he was ninth at Fairbury).”

While Sunday’s program was dubbed the “Season Finale,” Saturday’s race was the final points event for the MARS Racing Series 2020 campaign. Shirley nipped Frank Heckenast Jr. by seven points to claim the series title.

To learn more about these events, please visit www.MARSRacingSeries.com.

The team is currently undecided on their plans for the upcoming weekend. Keep your browsers pointed to www.BobCullenRacing.com for the latest updates.

Brian Shirley and Bob Cullen Racing would like to thank all of their marketing partners which include: Hoker Trucking, Thomason Express, J&J Ventures Gaming, Kid’s Castle Learning Center, KBC Graphix, Cheap Cars, Bass Livestock Nutrition, Allgaier Motorsports, Integra Shocks, East Central Coin, Cheers, Cen-Pe-Co Racing Oil, Durham Racing Engines, Rocket Chassis, Jayco Construction, Larry’s Distributing, Hope For A Cure, Midwest Sheet Metal, Ted Brown’s Quality Paint & Body Shop, Peterson Fluid Systems, Hooker Harness, Willy’s Carburetor, Fast Shafts, Keyser Manufacturing, Dyers Top Rods, Wehrs Machine, Sweet Manufacturing, Swift Springs, Allstar Performance, The Joie of Seating, Simpson, Hoosier Racing Tire, Quarter Master, Wilwood Disc Brakes, KKM, Speedwerx, Daugherty Motorsports, Multi Fire, Strange Oval, FK Rod Ends, and MSR Mafia Marketing Services.

For the latest team news and updates on Bob Cullen Racing, please visit www.BobCullenRacing.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeremy Shields (shields@msrmafia.com)
October 12, 2020

Brandon Sheppard Doubles Down in MARS Action
40th Dirt Track World Championship Up Next

NEW BERLIN, Ill. (10/12/20) – Brandon Sheppard returned to the seat of his family-owned Dennis G. Woodworth Attorney at Law No. B5 Valvoline/ The Goddard School for Early Childhood Development/ Pro Power Racing Engines/ Rocket Chassis Super Late Model over the weekend.

With the World of Outlaws Late Model Series idle for the weekend, the driver known as “B-Shepp” used the opportunity to enter a three-race stretch with the MARS Racing Series in the “Land of Lincoln.”

Opening the weekend at Peoria (Ill.) Speedway, Brandon was second-quick in his qualifying group. He later picked up a heat race win to earn the third starting position for the $5,000-to-win main event.

Sheppard was able to pull alongside race-long pacesetter Brian Shirley on multiple occasions but could never complete the pass. He would finish second behind Shirley at the checkered flag with Dennis Erb Jr., Jason Feger, and Bobby Pierce rounding out the Top-5.

The action shifted to Fairbury (Ill.) Speedway Saturday for the annual FALS Frenzy. Much like the previous night, after posting a solid qualifying effort, Sheppard grabbed a heat race victory to lock his spot into the 50-lap feature.

Starting from the outside pole, Sheppard grabbed the lead at the initial green flag and never looked back. Holding off a hard-charging Josh Richards in the second half of the race, Brandon earned the $15,000 top prize over Richards, Shannon Babb, Kyle Strickler, and Jimmy Mars.

The MARS Racing Series would wrap up their 2020 campaign on Sunday at LaSalle (Ill.) Speedway. Charging to a heat race victory, Brandon earned the fourth-starting position for the 50-lap main event.

Sheppard inherited second place on lap 28 when Rusty Schlenk dropped out of the race. From there, he began working Chris Simpson for the top spot, which proved to be no easy task.

His initial attempt to overtake Simpson with a crossover move off turn four on lap 43 was rebuffed, but after taking the five-to-go signal Sheppard executed a slider on Simpson entering turn one and assumed command.

Sheppard drove away to a 1.760 second lead in the final circuits to claim the $10,000 victory. Simpson was second, with Brian Shirley, Josh Richards, and Bobby Pierce rounding out the Top-5.

For complete results from these events, please visit www.MARSRacingSeries.com.

Brandon Sheppard returns to the seat of the Rocket1 this weekend – October 16-17 – to compete in the 40th Annual Dirt Track World Championship at Portsmouth (Ohio) Raceway Park. Sheppard, a three-time winner of the annual Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event, will chase the $100,000 top prize.

To learn more about the Dirt Track World Championship, visit www.LucasDirt.com.

Brandon Sheppard would like to thank all of his marketing partners, which include Dennis G. Woodworth Attorney at Law, Valvoline, The Goddard School for Early Childhood Development, Keyser Manufacturing, 34 Raceway, Budda Dirt Cars Transmission Sales & Service, Mark Richards Racing, Inc., Print Worx, Sheppard Auto Sales, Speedwerx, Bill West Enterprises, Fromme Enterprises, Hoosier Racing Tire, Integra Racing Shocks, Performance Bodies & Parts, Peterson Fluid Systems, Pro Power Racing Engines, Rocket Chassis, Shepp’s Bar & Grill, Simpson, Strange Oval, Stealth Racing Carburetors, Sunoco Race Fuels by Corrigan, Waterman Racing Components, Weld Racing, Wiles Racing Driveshafts, Wilwood Brakes, XS Power, and MSR Mafia Marketing Services.

For the latest information on Brandon Sheppard and his family-owned team, please visit their official website at www.SheppardRacing.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeremy Shields (shields@msrmafia.com)
October 12, 2020

Ricky Thornton Jr. Becomes 3-Time Race for Hope 71 Champ 
40th Annual Dirt Track World Championship Next

ADEL, Iowa (10/12/20) – Debuting a new Certified Inspection Service No. 20RT Excel Floor Covering/ D&E Outside Services/ Lethal Chassis Modified, Ricky Thornton Jr. became a 3-time champion of the Race for Hope 71 Sunday.

In commanding fashion, Thornton set fast time on won his qualifying feature before claiming the $12,000 finale at Batesville (Ark.) Motor Speedway’s annual event.

“A huge thanks to everyone for their continued support,” an elated Thornton said. “This was the first weekend in our new Lethal Chassis and it was flawless. It’s an honor to be a three-time champion of this special event. I’m looking forward to this weekend’s Dirt Track World Championship. Hopefully we can bring home another big check.”

Kicking off the weekend on Wednesday, Ricky posted the fastest lap in his qualifying group to earn the fourth starting spot for the preliminary night feature. Thornton went on to finish second behind Peyton Taylor at the checkered flag.

However, Thornton would inherit the victory after Taylor failed post-race technical inspection. Tripp Gaylord, David Stremme, Richie Tosh, and Casey Findley completed the Top-5.

With points from each of the preliminary night’s determining the line-up for Saturday, Ricky earned the pole position for the unique three-wide start. Unfortunately, steady rain throughout the day would push the finale to Sunday afternoon.

Holding off Jake O’Neil on Sunday, Thornton soared to the $12,000 payday over O’Neil, Tom Berry Jr., Tanner Black, and Jack Sullivan.

For complete results from the weekend, please visit www.BatesvilleMotorSpeedway.com. 

This weekend – October 16-17 – Ricky will be back at the helm of the SSI Motorsports No. 20RT Dyno One Inc./ Excel Floor Covering/ Sub-Surface of Indiana/ Longhorn Chassis/ Clements Racing Engine Super Late Model.

He’ll chase the $100,000 top prize in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned 40th Annual Dirt Track World Championship at Portsmouth (Ohio) Raceway Park.

To learn more about this event, please visit www.LucasDirt.com. 

Ricky Thornton Jr. would like to thank all of his marketing partners, which include: Dyno One Inc., Excel Floor Covering, Certified Inspection Service Co. Inc., D&E Outside Services, Deines-Nitz Soultions & Powdercoating, West Side Tractor Sales Co., SSI Motorsports, Shelby Materials, Slicker Graphics, Lethal Chassis, Dylan Earven Foundation, Tire Demon, Hoker Trucking, Tanner Racing, High Performance Lubricants, Sub-Surface of Indiana, Midwest Sheet Metal, Dirtvision, Simpson Race Products, JE Pistons, Edelbrock, MSD, iRacing, E-Z-GO, Powers Performance, COMP Cams, Quarter Master, Cometic Gasket, Drydene, Winters Performance Products, Snap-on by Ryan Marsh, NGK Spark Plugs, Schoenfeld Headers, NAPA, Swift Springs, Penske Racing Shocks, Winning Edge Carburetion, Longhorn Chassis, Clements Racing Engines, Dynamic Drivelines, Superior Fuel Cells, Finish Line Body & Parts, Wehrs Machine, Dirt Defender, EMD Wraps, CPD racing Shocks, Bassett, Integra Racing Shocks, and MSR Mafia Marketing Services.

Visit the team’s official website at www.TwentyRT.com often for the latest team information. You can also stay connected with Ricky Thornton Jr. on social media at https://www.facebook.com/rickythorntonjrracing on Facebook, and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RThornton20rt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 12, 2020

The New Deal Strikes a Big Deal; Hudson O’Neal to Double Down Motorsports for 2021!

(MARYVILLE, TENNESSEE)  As the 2020 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series season comes to a close this upcoming weekend (October 16-17) in the $100,000 to win ‘Dirt Track World Championship’ at Portsmouth (OH) Raceway Park, Double Down Motorsports owner Roger Sellers and driver Hudson O’Neal are both excited to announce a partnership that will take them back out on the road with the premier national touring series in 2021! Tennessee-based Double Down Motorsports followed the entire Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series campaign back in 2019 with driver Shanon Buckingham and most notably picked up a $12,000 triumph at Tazewell Speedway in Tazewell, Tennessee on the way to finishing tenth in the final series point standings. The DDM team was also a fixture on the LOLMDS tour through much of 2020 until pulling the plug in late August when Buckingham’s work commitments – in part – forced him off the series schedule.

Hudson, who was the 2017 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Rookie of the Year, has been a stalwart on the tour since his rookie campaign and has finished as high as seventh in the final point standings in 2019. The twenty-year-old rising star from Martinsville, Indiana has seven career LOLMDS victories including wins in the 2019 ‘Jackson 100’ at Brownstown (IN) Speedway worth $15,000, the 2019 ‘Mountain Moonshine Classic’ at Roger Sellers’ own Smoky Mountain (TN) Speedway worth $15,000, and the 2018 ‘Clash at the Mag’ at Magnolia (MS) Motor Speedway worth $20,000. Much like Double Down Motorsports, Hudson started out the 2020 season with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series driving the MasterSbilt House Car, but pulled off the tour in mid-July.

“I can’t express just how excited I am to have Hudson (O’Neal) on board and driving our equipment in 2021 and beyond,” exclaimed team owner Roger Sellers recently. “Hudson is an exceptional talent behind the wheel, but is also a very polite and well-spoken young man that will be very marketable to our current group of partners, as well as potential sponsors in the future. We have a lot of details to still figure out heading into 2021, but I think the pieces will all come together to have a terrific season, as we vie for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Championship!”

One detail that has already been decided is that the driver known as “The New Deal” will wheel a XR1 Rocket Chassis throughout the 2021 season – adorned by his familiar #71. Roger and Double Down Motorsports would like to thank Longhorn Chassis for their tremendous products and great customer service over the past several years. With Hudson accustomed to and finding the XR1 Rocket Chassis to his liking, the team will go in that direction for cars in 2021.

“First off, I have to thank Craig and Shannon Sims and the entire Sims family for stepping up and fielding a car for the past couple of months,” commented O’Neal earlier today via telephone. “I am very excited about this new deal and it will be an honor to represent Double Down Motorsports in first class fashion both on and off the racetrack in 2021. I can’t thank Roger (Sellers) and everyone associated with Double Down Motorsports enough for believing in me and providing me with such an awesome opportunity. Roger pours his heart and soul into that race program and has such great equipment – it is going to be an incredible year I believe!”

The new-look Double Down Motorsports team, who will still field a second car in regional events with Sellers’ son-in-law Robby Moses, will kick off their 2021 campaign on January 22-23 with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series in the annual running of the ‘Super Bowl of Racing’ at Golden Isles Speedway near Brunswick, Georgia. From there, the #71 team will compete in “Speedweeks” events with the series at East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Florida, Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Florida, and All-Tech Raceway in Ellisville, Florida from January 25-February 6.

More information will be made available throughout the off-season on www.DoubleDownMotorsports.net and www.HudsonONeal.com – both of which will be completely re-designed in the upcoming months as the ’21 season draws near. You can also “Like” both Double Down Motorsports and Hudson O’Neal Racing on Facebook and follow Hudson on Twitter at @HudsonONeal71.

Media Contact: Ryan Delph - Delph Communications