Fresh Start: Matt Sheppard wheels new HBR ride to fast time in Florida

Super DIRTcar Series racing continues Wednesday at Volusia Speedway Park

BARBERVILLE, FLA. – February 18, 2014 – A new year means new beginnings, at least for many of theSuper DIRTcar Series racers at DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment. The Big-Block Modified tour opened its 2014 season Tuesday, Feb. 18, with practice laps at Volusia Speedway Park, and it was some newcomers that wowed the crowds in the grandstands.

For the first of three hot laps sessions, Anthony Perrego of Montgomery, N.Y., sat behind the wheel of a Big-Block Modified for the first time. Just a couple laps later Perrego claimed fast time with a 17.005-second lap.

“I was pretty nervous going out for that first one,” Perrego recollected. “We were sitting out on the infield and I had Brett around me, and I had those guys around me. You get a little jittery when you see those guys.”

Despite the stiff competition and the nerves, Perrego rose to the top in both the first and second practice sessions. He finished third in the final session after three-time series champion Matt Sheppard and eight-time series champion Brett Hearn.

“The first time in a Big-Block, I was pretty impressed to be able to get a fast time in one and two,” said Perrego, who started in the Sportsman class and moved up to a small block mid-year 2013.

Defending Super DIRTcar Series Champion Hearn was strong all night, placing second in each practice session. Sheppard made fast time in the third round, showing off his new ride with Henke-Baldwin Racing (HBR).

“Everything’s been good; the team’s been good, the car has felt good,” Sheppard said of the change. “I’m just excited to get into a real race and see how we stack up.”

Sheppard racked up three consecutive Super DIRTcar Series championships before joining HBR and has been quick to acclimate to the FX Caprara Car Companies sponsored No. 9h. He finished 18^th in time the first round and 15^th the second, but made the right changes to claim fast time the final time around with a 18.018-second lap.

“The car wasn’t so good in the second session, but we made a few adjustments and I think we’ll be right there this week,” said Sheppard, anticipating a strong showing for the 9h both at DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment and the remainder of the Super DIRTcar Series.

The Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series returns to Volusia Speedway Park Wednesday, Feb. 19, for the first of four doubleheaders rounding out DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment. Tickets will be available for purchase at the gate and include a FREE Fan Pit Pass!

Live video coverage is also available for purchase on DIRTvision.com for $21.99 per night. DIRTvision also offers a special package including all four upcoming Super DIRTcar Series races, along with accompanying UMP Late Models and World of Outlaws Late Models races, for just $69.99. For more information, visit www.DIRTvision.com

Hot Lap Session 1 Best Lap Times:

Hot Lap Session 2 Best Lap Times:

Hot Lap Session 3 Best Lap Times:

The Super DIRTcar Series and DIRTcar Racing in the Northeast Region is brought to fans by several sponsors and partners including Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, Chevy Performance Parts, NAPA Auto Parts, Safety-Kleen, and Velocita USA. Contingency partners include the University of NorthwesternOhio, Contingency sponsors are ASI, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix, ButlerBuilt, Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, JE Pistons, JRI Shocks, KSE Racing Products, Motorsports Safety Systems, MSD LLC, Fox Shocks, Racing Electronics, Superflow and Wrisco Industries.