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Davenport Holds Off Sheppard to Win FALS Spring Shootout at Fairbury

2025-05-12 00:24

FAIRBURY, IL (May 10, 2025) - Jonathan Davenport had to fend off a furious late-race charge from Brandon Sheppard to win the 3rd FALS Spring Shootout Presented by Titan Industries on Saturday night at Fairbury Speedway.

In typical Fairbury fashion, the race was decided on the final lap when Sheppard threw a slider on Davenport heading into turn three as the duo approached the white flag. Still, Davenport crossed back over to regain the lead at the line on lap 59 and held off Sheppard on the final lap to score the $30,000 payday.

Sheppard finished 0.192 seconds behind the Blairsville, Georgia native, marking his second consecutive runner-up finish of the weekend. Bobby Pierce, who started in seventh, completed the Big River Steel Podium in third place. Tyler Bruening secured fourth, while Shannon Babb rounded out the top five drivers.

Brandon Overton led the first 16 laps of the race from his pole starting position until Davenport, who started sixth, forged ahead on lap 17. The race remained green for the first 49 laps until the first caution was issued for Donald McIntosh.

Tyler Bruening moved into second on lap 30 after a torrid battle among several drivers in the top seven spots. Bruening held second until lap 56 when Sheppard, who had fallen back as far as eighth in the running order at one point, stormed to the top and passed him.

Sheppard then proceeded to track down Davenport immediately and took the lead briefly after a slider in turn four. Still, Davenport's crossover move as the white flag waved allowed him to maintain the lead to the finish.

In Victory Lane at FALS for the first time in 10 years, when he won the Prairie Dirt Classic in 2015, Davenport collected his third Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win of the season.

"That is about how I figured it was going to happen," said Davenport, referring to the slider that Sheppard threw on him to take the lead briefly. "I kept watching the board, and I saw the 1 car get to third, and then I saw the 1 get to second, and I'm like, well, I pretty much know where he's probably going to be, so I crept up just a little bit. I don't know if it killed my exit speed coming off four, but then I heard him, so then I went ahead and set up for the crossover."

"I just barely got him back. I got into him right there at the flagstand. I hope I didn't mess him up too bad, and then I just tried to block down the back straightaway, just kind of slide myself there. I can't even talk. I think I held my breath those last two laps there. It's an awesome feeling coming back here in front of all of these fans," said Davenport after winning his 86th career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series race.

Sheppard, who led 65 laps on Friday night at Farmer City, nearly pulled off an incredible charge on the final lap but fell just short of the win.

"It's always good to be here at FALS, especially to be back in the Rocket House Car. It means the world to me that those guys gave me the opportunity to come back. I felt really good tonight, you know, we had a good car all night long. At the beginning of the race, I was trying to keep my tires underneath me. I couldn't really go that good at the beginning, and then once the track started to get slicker, the better I got."

Pierce rounded out the Big River Steel Podium in third, and was in the mix from the midpoint of the race on as he had to battle several other drivers to get to the third spot at the end.

"It was super slippery, I mean like JD shot up there pretty quick, it looked like he had a pretty good drive. If you could make it work in the middle and bottom stuff, that was good. I really didn't want to beat my stuff up there, it felt super flat, and you were just leaning on a curb. It was very tricky and technical tonight. It was a good track for some racing."

The winner's Double L Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and sponsored by Nutrien Ag Solutions, DynaGro Seed, ASC Warranty, Mark Martin Automotive, and Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas.

Dennis Erb Jr., Hudson O'Neal, Garrett Alberson, Carson Ferguson, and Daulton Wilson completed the top ten.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Race Summary

FALS Spring Shootout Presented by Titan Industries

Saturday, May 10, 2025

Fairbury Speedway - Fairbury, IL

Allstar Performance Time Trials

Fast Time Group A: Brandon Overton | 13.307 seconds

Fast Time Group B: Tyler Bruening | 13.321 seconds

Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 76-Brandon Overton[1]; 2. 93-Carson Ferguson[3]; 3. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[2]; 4. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[5]; 5. 22*-Drake Troutman[6]; 6. 1T-Tyler Erb[4]; 7. 25F-Jason Feger[7]; 8. 74X-Ethan Dotson[9]; 9. 5S-Kyle Hammer[10]; 10. 2-Cody Overton[8]; 11. 22M-Sean Mattingly[11]

Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 58-Garrett Alberson[3]; 2. 32-Bobby Pierce[5]; 3. 18D-Daulton Wilson[4]; 4. 89-Mike Spatola[2]; 5. 9-Nick Hoffman[8]; 6. 79-Donald McIntosh[7]; 7. 09-Michael Leach[6]; 8. 60-Dan Ebert[10]; 9. 8L-Jeffrey Ledford[9]; 10. 10N-Rob Sanders[11]; 11. 17A-Austin Howes[1]

Cool-It Thermo-Tec Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 1-Brandon Sheppard[2]; 2. 49-Jonathan Davenport[3]; 3. 16-Tyler Bruening[1]; 4. 99-Devin Moran[5]; 5. 71-Hudson O'Neal[4]; 6. 6-Clay Harris[8]; 7. 19M-Spencer Hughes[6]; 8. 55-Jeep VanWormer[11]; 9. B12-Kevin Weaver[7]; 10. M27-Mike Provenzano[12]; 11. 93L-Cory Lawler[9]; 12. 130-Chase Osterhoff[10]

Simpson Race Products Heat Race #4 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 3S-Brian Shirley[1]; 2. 18-Shannon Babb[4]; 3. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[3]; 4. 24-Ryan Unzicker[5]; 5. 99W-Mckay Wenger[2]; 6. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[11]; 7. 40B-Kyle Bronson[6]; 8. 157-Mike Marlar[8]; 9. 38J-Jake Little[9]; 10. 33 4-Billy Hough[10]; 11. 75-Mike McKinney[7]

Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 25F-Jason Feger[5]; 2. 9-Nick Hoffman[2]; 3. 1T-Tyler Erb[3]; 4. 79-Donald McIntosh[4]; 5. 5S-Kyle Hammer[9]; 6. 22*-Drake Troutman[1]; 7. 2-Cody Overton[11]; 8. 10N-Rob Sanders[12]; 9. 60-Dan Ebert[8]; 10. 09-Michael Leach[6]; 11. 22M-Sean Mattingly[13]; 12. 8L-Jeffrey Ledford[10]; 13. 74X-Ethan Dotson[7]; 14. (DNS) 17A-Austin Howes

UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 71-Hudson O'Neal[1]; 2. 6-Clay Harris[3]; 3. 157-Mike Marlar[8]; 4. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[4]; 5. 19M-Spencer Hughes[5]; 6. 99W-Mckay Wenger[2]; 7. M27-Mike Provenzano[11]; 8. 55-Jeep VanWormer[7]; 9. B12-Kevin Weaver[9]; 10. 33 4-Billy Hough[12]; 11. 93L-Cory Lawler[13]; 12. 130-Chase Osterhoff[15]; 13. 38J-Jake Little[10]; 14. 40B-Kyle Bronson[6]; 15. (DNS) 75-Mike McKinney

FALS Spring Shootout Presented by Titan Industries Feature Finish (60 Laps):

Pos - Start - Car # - Competitor - Hometown - Pay

1 - 6 - 49 - Jonathan Davenport - Blairsville, GA - $31,200

2 - 2 - 1 - Brandon Sheppard - New Berlin, IL - $15,700

3 - 7 - 32 - Bobby Pierce - Oakwood, IL - $7,000

4 - 10 - 16 - Tyler Bruening - Decorah, IA - $5,500

5 - 8 - 18 - Shannon Babb - Moweaqua, IL - $4,500

6 - 12 - 28 - Dennis Erb Jr - Carpentersville, IL - $3,500

7 - 18 - 71 - Hudson O'Neal - Martinsville, IN - $3,800

8 - 3 - 58 - Garrett Alberson - Las Cruces, NM - $3,200

9 - 5 - 93 - Carson Ferguson - Lincolnton, NC - $3,100

10 - 11 - 18D - Daulton Wilson - Fayetteville, NC - $3,000

11 - 22 - 157 - Mike Marlar - Winfield, TN - $2,200

12 - 1 - 76 - Brandon Overton - Evans, GA - $2,800

13 - 17 - 25F - Jason Feger - Bloomington, IL - $2,000

14 - 16 - 24 - Ryan Unzicker - El Paso, IL - $1,900

15 - 19 - 9 - Nick Hoffman - Mooresville, NC - $1,800

16 - 20 - 6 - Clay Harris - Jupiter, FL - $2,450

17 - 25 - 79 - Donald McIntosh - Dawsonville, GA - $1,100

18 - 4 - 3S - Brian Shirley - Chatham, IL - $1,650

19 - 26 - 60 - Dan Ebert - Lake Shore, MN - $900

20 - 13 - 20RT - Ricky Thornton Jr - Chandler, AZ - $2,750

21 - 15 - 89 - Mike Spatola - Manhattan, IL - $1,550

22 - 14 - 99 - Devin Moran - Dresden, OH - $2,500

23 - 23 - 22 - Daniel Hilsabeck - Earlham, IA - $2,200

24 - 24 - 19M - Spencer Hughes - Meridian, MS - $2,200

25 - 9 - 99JR - Frank Heckenast Jr - Frankfort, IL - $1,500

26 - 21 - 1T - Tyler Erb - New Waverly, TX - $1,500

Race Statistics

Entrants: 45

Victory Fuel Pole Sitter: Brandon Overton

MD3 Lap Leaders: Brandon Overton (Laps 1-16); Jonathan Davenport (Laps 17-60)

Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Jonathan Davenport

Wieland Feature Winner: Jonathan Davenport

Margin of Victory: 0.192 seconds

Coltman Farms Racing Cautions: Donald McIntosh (Lap 49); Dan Ebert (Lap 49 Restart); Mike Spatola (Lap 51); Ricky Thornton, Jr., Devin Moran (Lap 54

Series Provisionals: Daniel Hilsabeck; Spencer Hughes

Fast Time Provisional: n/a

Emergency Provisional: Donald McIntosh; Dan Ebert

Track Provisional: n/a

Big River Steel Podium Top 3: Jonathan Davenport, Brandon Sheppard, Bobby Pierce

Penske Shocks Top 5: Jonathan Davenport, Brandon Sheppard, Bobby Pierce, Tyler Bruening, Shannon Babb

PEM 4th Place Feature: Tyler Bruening

DMI Rearends 5th Place Feature: Shannon Babb

Wilwood Brakes Lucky 7th Place Feature: Hudson O'Neal

Wehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Mike Marlar

Deatherage Opticians Lucky 13th Place Feature: Jason Feger

MD3 24th Place Feature: Spencer Hughes

Hoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Hudson O'Neal (Advanced 11 Positions)

MD3 Most Laps Led: Jonathan Davenport (44 Laps)

Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Ricky Thornton, Jr.

Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Ricky Thornton, Jr.

O'Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: Donald McIntosh

Pro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Shannon Babb (Lap 5 | 13.399 seconds)

Slicker Graphics Slickest Move of the Race: Brandon Sheppard

Fresh Roof Hard Luck Award: Devin Moran

Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Cory Fostvedt

ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Cornett Racing Engines

Miller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn Chassis

Dirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Shannon Babb (13.013 seconds)

Time of Race: 23 minutes 16 seconds

Big River Steel Chase for the Championship Presented by ARP Point Standings:

Pos - Car # - Competitor - Hometown - Points - Pay

1 - 20RT - Ricky Thornton Jr - Chandler, AZ - 2965 - $154,750

2 - 99 - Devin Moran - Dresden, OH - 2845 - $140,349

3 - 49 - Jonathan Davenport - Blairsville, GA - 2835 - $114,700

4 - 58 - Garrett Alberson - Las Cruces, NM - 2580 - $53,150

5 - 76 - Brandon Overton - Evans, GA - 2535 - $58,850

6 - 71 - Hudson O'Neal - Martinsville, IN - 2520 - $53,475

7 - 1 - Brandon Sheppard - New Berlin, IL - 2460 - $61,000

8 - 18D - Daulton Wilson - Fayetteville, NC - 2395 - $46,550

9 - 1T - Tyler Erb - New Waverly, TX - 2160 - $31,600

10 - 93 - Carson Ferguson - Lincolnton, NC - 2150 - $33,175

11 - 22 - Daniel Hilsabeck - Earlham, IA - 2065 - $24,050

12 - 79 - Donald McIntosh - Dawsonville, GA - 2020 - $22,000

13 - 19M - Spencer Hughes - Meridian, MS - 2015 - $26,550

14 - 60 - Dan Ebert - Lake Shore, MN - 1835 - $16,650

15 - 6 - Clay Harris - Jupiter, FL - 1795 - $20,600

16 - 93L - Cory Lawler - Hanover, PA - 1605 - $10,575

About Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing

Founded in 2005, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing showcases the talents of the top dirt late model drivers from across the country. In 2025, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will sanction 58 events across 16 states, including some of the biggest marquee events in the industry, providing dirt slinging, sideways, door-to-door racing action lap after lap.

The series receives national exposure through a television package streamed live via FloRacing, with select broadcasts on RACER Network.

The in your face excitement of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing is second to none in motorsports. For more information, including the latest news, tour schedule, driver information, and more, visit the official website at: www.LucasDirt.com.

Official Marketing Partners

Associate Marketing Partners

Advanced Powder Coating, Behrent's Performance Warehouse, Black Diamond Chassis, Boyd Bilt Fabrication, Brodix, Capital Race Cars, Clements Racing Engines, Coltman Farms Racing, Dave Warren Powersports, Deatherage Opticians, DMI Rearends, Fast Shafts, Fire Suppression Engineering, FOX Shocks, Fresh Roof Shingle Rejuvenation, Heartbeat Hot Sauce, Heath Lawson Photography, Hellraizer Jacks, Hoker Trucking, Keyser Manufacturing, Longhorn Chassis, MD3, Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas, Midwest Sheet Metal, MSD, Outerwears, PEM - Performance Engineering Mfg, Penske Racing Shocks, ProFabrication Headers, Pro Power Racing Engines, Rocket Chassis, Schoenfeld Headers, Simpson Race Products, Slicker Graphics, Strange Oval, Swift Springs, Thermo-Tec Automotive Products, Vic Hill Race Engines, Victory Fuel, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Wilwood, Xceldyne, and 5150 Race Trailers