  |
| Thornton and Sheppard Collect Friday Night Preliminary Wins at Lernerville |
|
| SARVER, PA (June 26, 2026) – Ricky Thornton Jr. and Brandon Sheppard each earned $5,000 victories Friday night, winning their respective 25-lap preliminary features at Lernerville Speedway. The twin preliminary features set the lineups for Saturday’s four heat races, which will determine the starting field for the 20th Annual Firecracker 100 presented by Experience Butler County. The crown jewel event will pay $50,000 to the winner. Thornton claimed the opening feature for the 58th LOLMDS victory of his career in one of the season’s most eventful races. Dan Ebert recorded the best Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series finish of his career in second, while two-time Firecracker 100 winner Brandon Overton rounded out the Big River Steel podium in third. Josh Rice finished fourth, and current Midwest Sheet Metal championship points leader Hudson O’Neal completed the top five. O’Neal led the opening 12 laps before slipping in turn four, allowing Thornton – who started fourth – to take over the lead. Rice reclaimed second during the frantic lap-13 action before Overton moved into the runner-up spot on lap 17. Ebert then charged into second with five laps remaining and closed on Thornton in the final laps but came up just short. The victory positions the two-time Firecracker 100 winner for a favorable starting spot in Saturday’s heat races. “I thought we had a really good car,” Thornton said. “We built a new one coming here, and I told (Anthony) Burroughs I didn’t really want to know what was going on – just do what you think we need to do. I felt like our car was really good. Sheppy looked really good around the bottom in the second feature, so I think we’ve still got a little room to improve down there. I was just a little too tight to be as good as he was. Hats off to all the fans for coming out. Hopefully we can get tomorrow’s show in.” Thornton’s winning Koehler Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and backed by Knight’s Companies, Hoker Trucking, Coltman Farms Racing, Capital Waste, Elite Ready Mix, Certified Inspection Services, Strange Oval, SI Towing and Recovery, and Sunoco Race Fuels. Completing the top ten in the first feature were Carson Ferguson, Brian Shirley, Chub Frank, Eric Wilson, and Brenden Smith. In the second 25-lap feature, Brandon Sheppard charged from the seventh starting position and passed Devin Moran for the lead on lap seven, then pulled away to score his 41st career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory. Moran, the defending Series champion, led the opening six laps before Sheppard used the bottom groove to take command. From there, Sheppard steadily extended his advantage, crossing the finish line 2.120 seconds ahead of Moran. Max Blair slipped past five-time and defending Lernerville track champion Michael Norris on the final lap to finish third, while Garrett Alberson rounded out the top five after starting 10th. “It’s one of those deals where, starting that far back, you just go where everyone else isn’t,” Sheppard said. “I knew my car was good no matter where I put it. I was just biding my time and watching where everyone was running. The top was pretty treacherous after seeing guys go over the edge in the first feature, so I didn’t want to go up there unless I absolutely had to. Our car has been really balanced all year, and it was good again tonight. I just messed up both qualifying laps, or we probably would’ve started a little farther forward.” Sheppard’s winning Mark Richards Racing, Rocket Chassis is powered by a Durham Racing Engine and backed by Valvoline, Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metal Works, Performance Grading, Petroff Towing, Franklin Enterprises, Sunoco Race Fuels, Gunter’s Honey, Stiles Marine and Maintenance, and Collins Brothers Towing. Completing the top ten in the second feature were Dillon McCowan, Alex Ferree, Tyler Wyant, Gregg Satterlee, and Ryan Montgomery. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary Firecracker 100 Presented by Experience Butler County | Night 2Friday, June 26, 2026Lernerville Speedway | Sarver, PA Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Dan Ebert | 16.665 seconds (Overall)Fast Time Group B: Devin Moran | 17.447 seconds Group A Results: Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, All Transfer): 1. 93-Carson Ferguson[2]; 2. 60-Dan Ebert[1]; 3. 11-Josh Rice[5]; 4. 17SS-Brenden Smith[3]; 5. 27W-Eric Wilson[8]; 6. 55-Chris Schneider[6]; 7. 93L-Cory Lawler[10]; 8. 10L-Gary Lyle[7]; 9. 9-Breyton Santee[11]; 10. 6M-Matt Martin[9]; 11. 42C-Chad Shearer[12]; 12. (DNS) 33-Josh Ferry Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, All Transfer): 1. 71-Hudson O’Neal[1]; 2. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[2]; 3. 76-Brandon Overton[5]; 4. 3S-Brian Shirley[3]; 5. 77-Tyler Dietz[6]; 6. 99B-Chub Frank[4]; 7. 29-Ken Schaltenbrand[7]; 8. 10-Jared Miley[8]; 9. B22-Bump Hedman[9]; 10. 76C-Charles Powell[11]; 11. 0-Ryan Scott[10] Firecracker 100 Presented by Experience Butler County | Night 2 Group A – Feature Finish (25 Laps):Pos – Start – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Earnings1 – 4 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – $5,0002 – 3 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – $3,0003 – 6 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – $2,0004 – 5 – 11 – Josh Rice – Crittenden, KY – $1,5005 – 2 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – $1,2506 – 1 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – $1,0007 – 8 – 3S – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – $9508 – 12 – 99B – Chub Frank – Bear Lake, PA – $9009 – 9 – 27W – Eric Wilson – Vienna, OH – $85010 – 7 – 17SS – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – $80011 – 14 – 29 – Ken Schaltenbrand – Sarver, PA – $70012 – 16 – 10 – Jared Miley – Pittsburgh, PA – $60013 – 22 – 0 – Ryan Scott – Garland, PA – $60014 – 17 – 9 – Breyton Santee – Conneaut, OH – $60015 – 13 – 93L – Cory Lawler – Hanover, PA – $60016 – 18 – B22 – Bump Hedman – Sugar Grove, PA – $60017 – 15 – 10L – Gary Lyle – Hyde Park, PA – $55018 – 19 – 6M – Matt Martin – Indiana, PA – $50019 – 20 – 76C – Charles Powell – Brookville, PA – $50020 – 21 – 42C – Chad Shearer – Leechburg, PA – $50021 – 11 – 55 – Chris Schneider – Lower Burrell, PA – $50022 – 10 – 77 – Tyler Dietz – Saxonburg, PA – $50023 – 23 – 33 – Josh Ferry – Titusville, PA – $0 Group A Race Statistics Entrants: 46Bilstein Shocks Pole Sitter: Carson FergusonMD3 Lap Leaders: Hudson O’Neal (Laps 1-12); Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Laps 13-25)Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Wieland Feature Winner: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Margin of Victory: 0.608 secondsHellraizer Jacks Cautions: Charlie Powell (Lap 9); Tyler Dietz (Lap 16); Chad Shearer, Charlie Powell (Lap 17)MyRacePass Series Provisional: n/aFast Time Provisional: n/aEmergency Provisionals: n/aTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Dan Ebert, Brandon OvertonPenske Shocks Top 5: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Dan Ebert, Brandon Overton, Josh Rice, Hudson O’NealBehrent’s One-Lap-to-Go Top 3: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Dan Ebert, Brandon OvertonPEM 4th Place Feature: Josh RiceDiversified Machine 5th Place Feature: Hudson O’NealWilwood Brakes 7th Place Feature: Brian ShirleyWehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Ken SchaltenbrandVelocity Manufacturing 13th Place Feature: Ryan ScottXS Power Batteries 15th Place Feature: Cory LawlerHoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Ryan Scott (Advanced 9 positions)MD3 Most Laps Led: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (13 Laps)Sunoco Race Fuels Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Hudson O’NealO’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: n/aPro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Hudson O’Neal | Lap 1 | 17.689 secondsFK Rod Ends Hard Luck Award: Hudson O’NealVictory Fuel Power Move of the Race: Josh RiceOuterwears Crew Chief of the Race: Anthony BurroughsARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Race EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Brandon Overton | 16.1037 secondsTime of Race: 22 minutes 46 seconds Group B Results: Cool-It Thermo-Tec Heat Race #3 Finish (8 Laps, All Transfer): 1. 99-Devin Moran[1]; 2. 8-Dillon McCowan[2]; 3. 72-Michael Norris[5]; 4. 1-Brandon Sheppard[8]; 5. 40B-Kyle Bronson[9]; 6. 10*-Levi Yetter[3]; 7. 24T-Tyler Wyant[7]; 8. 555-Brock Pinkerous[6]; 9. 12M-Ryan Montgomery[10]; 10. 24-Rick Eckert[4]; 11. J4-John Garvin Jr[11]; 12. 14R-Clay Ruffo[12] Simpson Race Products Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, All Transfer): 1. 1C-Alex Ferree[3]; 2. 111-Max Blair[8]; 3. 157-Mike Marlar[1]; 4. 22G-Gregg Satterlee[10]; 5. 58-Garrett Alberson[4]; 6. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[9]; 7. 14-Dan Angelicchio[11]; 8. 1D-Braeden Dillinger[2]; 9. 6-Clay Harris[5]; 10. 15K-Lane Snook[6]; 11. (DNS) 48F-Colton Flinner Firecracker 100 Presented by Experience Butler County | Night 2 Group B – Feature Finish (25 Laps):Pos – Start – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Earnings1 – 7 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – $5,0002 – 1 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – $3,0003 – 4 – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA – $2,0004 – 5 – 72 – Michael Norris – Sarver, PA – $1,5005 – 10 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – $1,2506 – 3 – 8 – Dillon McCowan – Urbana, MO – $1,0007 – 2 – 1C – Alex Ferree – Saxonburg, PA – $9508 – 13 – 24 – Tyler Wyant – Oil City, PA – $9009 – 8 – 22G – Gregg Satterlee – Indiana, PA – $85010 – 17 – 12M – Ryan Montgomery – Fairmont, WV – $80011 – 15 – 555 – Brock Pinkerous – Ellenville, NY – $70012 – 18 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – $60013 – 12 – 22 – Daniel Hilsabeck – Earlham, IA – $60014 – 11 – 10* – Levi Yetter – Cabot, PA – $60015 – 6 – 157 – Mike Marlar – Winfield, TN – $60016 – 16 – 1D – Braeden Dillinger – Dawson, PA – $60017 – 22 – 48F – Colton Flinner – Allison Park, PA – $55018 – 14 – 14 – Dan Angelicchio – Mt. Pleasant, PA – $50019 – 19 – 24 – Rick Eckert – York, PA – $50020 – 20 – 15K – Lane Snook – Port Royal, PA – $50021 – 23 – 14R – Clay Ruffo – Brookfield, OH – $50022 – 21 – J4 – John Garvin Jr. – Sarver, PA – $50023 – 9 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – $500 Group B Race Statistics Entrants: 46Bilstein Shocks Pole Sitter: Devin MoranMD3 Lap Leaders: Devin Moran (Laps 1-6); Brandon Sheppard (Laps 7-25)Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Brandon SheppardWieland Feature Winner: Brandon SheppardMargin of Victory: 2.120 secondsHellraizer Jacks Cautions: Kyle Bronson (Lap 5)MyRacePass Series Provisional: n/aFast Time Provisional: n/aEmergency Provisionals: n/aTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Brandon Sheppard, Devin Moran, Max BlairPenske Shocks Top 5: Brandon Sheppard, Devin Moran, Max Blair, Michael Norris, Garrett AlbersonBehrent’s One-Lap-to-Go Top 3: Brandon Sheppard, Devin Moran, Max BlairPEM 4th Place Feature: Michael NorrisDiversified Machine 5th Place Feature: Garrett AlbersonWilwood Brakes 7th Place Feature: Alex FerreeWehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Brock PinkerousVelocity Manufacturing 13th Place Feature: Daniel HilsabeckXS Power Batteries 15th Place Feature: Mike MarlarHoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Ryan Montgomery (Advanced 7 positions)MD3 Most Laps Led: Brandon Sheppard (19 Laps)Sunoco Race Fuels Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Brandon SheppardMidwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Hudson O’NealO’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: n/aPro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Devin Moran | Lap 1 | 17.728 secondsFK Rod Ends Hard Luck Award: Kyle BronsonVictory Fuel Power Move of the Race: Brandon SheppardOuterwears Crew Chief of the Race: Danny WhiteARP Engine Builder of the Race: Durham Race EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Ryan Montgomery | 16.3334 secondsTime of Race: 10 minutes 05 seconds Firecracker 100 Preliminary Points:Pos – Car # – Driver – Friday Points – Tie Breaker (Fastest Lap in Time Trials)1 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton, Jr. – 250 – 17.0042 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – 250 – 17.9393 – 60 – Dan Ebert – 240 – 16.6654 – 99 – Devin Moran – 240 – 17.4475 – 76 – Brandon Overton – 220 – 17.2646 – 111 – Max Blair – 220 – 18.0547 – 11 – Josh Rice – 210 – 17.2578 – 72 – Michael Norris – 210 – 17.8049 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – 205 – 16.78610 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – 205 – 17.79111 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – 200 – 16.94812 – 8 – Dillon McCowan – 200 – 17.58513 – 3s – Brian Shirley – 195 – 17.17614 – 1C – Alex Ferree – 195 – 17.71215 – 99B – Chub Frank – 190 – 17.23316 – 24 – Tyler Wyant – 190 – 17.90317 – 27W – Eric Wilson – 185 – 17.66918 – 22G – Gregg Satterlee – 185 – 18.20119 – 17SS – Brenden Smith – 180 – 17.09620 – 12M – Ryan Montgomery – 180 – 18.10321 – 29 – Ken Schaltenbrand – 175 – 17.66422 – 555 – Brock Pinkerous – 175 – 17.84623 – 10 – Jared Miley – 170 – 17.82324 – 6 – Clay Harris – 170 – 17.84125 – 0 – Ryan Scott – 165 – 18.07226 – 22 – Daniel Hilsabeck – 165 – 18.127 – 10* – Levi Yetter – 160 – 17.68328 – 9 – Breyton Santee – 160 – 18.24229 – 157 – Mike Marlar – 155 – 17.48530 – 93L – Cory Lawler – 155 – 18.02931 – 1d – Braeden Dillinger – 150 – 17.67332 – B22 – Bump Hedman – 150 – 18.02233 – 10L – Gary Lyle – 145 – 17.61734 – 48F – Colton Flinner – 145 – 17.92835 – 6M – Matt Martin – 140 – 17.84936 – 14 – Dan Angelicchio – 140 – 18.51537 – 24 – Rick Eckert – 135 – 17.79138 – 76C – Charlie Powell – 135 – 18.41939 – 42C – Chad Shearer – 130 – 040 – 15K – Lane Snook – 130 – 17.8841 – 55 – Chris Schneider – 125 – 17.55342 – 77 – Tyler Dietz – 125 – 17.58243 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – 125 – 18.05744 – J4 – John Garvin, Jr. – 125 – 18.20345 – 14R – Clay Ruffo – 125 – 19.00646 – 33 – Josh Ferry – 50 – 17.193 Penske Shocks Heat 1 Line-Up (8 Laps | Top 4 Transfer)Row – Car # – Driver – Hometown – Car # – Driver – Hometown1 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA2 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 3S – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL3 – 27W – Eric Wilson – Vienna, OH – 29 – Ken Schaltenbrand – Sarver, PA4 – 0 – Ryan Scott – Garland, PA – 157 – Mike Marlar – Winfield, TN5 – 10L – Gary Lyle – Hyde Park, PA – 24 – Rick Eckert – York, PA6 – 55 – Chris Schneider – Lower Burrell, PA – 14R – Clay Ruffo – Brookfield, OH Summit Racing Heat 2 Line-Up (8 Laps | Top 4 Transfer)Row – Car # – Driver – Hometown – Car # – Driver – Hometown1 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA2 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 1C – Alex Ferree – Saxonburg, PA3 – 22G – Gregg Satterlee – Indiana, PA – 555 – Brock Pinkerous – Ellenville, NY4 – 22 – Daniel Hilsabeck – Earlham, IA – 93L – Cory Lawler – Hanover, PA5 – 48F – Colton Flinner – Allison Park, PA – 76C – Charles Powell – Brookville, PA6 – 77 – Tyler Dietz – Saxonburg, PA – 33 – Josh Ferry – Titusville, PA Cool-It Thermo Tec Heat 3 Line-Up (8 Laps | Top 4 Transfer)Row – Car # – Driver – Hometown – Car # – Driver – Hometown1 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – 11 – Josh Rice – Crittenden, KY2 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – 99B – Chub Frank – Bear Lake, PA3 – 17SS – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – 10 – Jared Miley – Pittsburgh, PA4 – 10* – Levi Yetter – Cabot, PA – 1D – Braeden Dillinger – Dawson, PA5 – 6M – Matt Martin – Indiana, PA – 42C – Chad Shearer – Leechburg, PA6 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – – Simpson Race Products Heat 4 Line-Up (8 Laps | Top 4 Transfer)Row – Car # – Driver – Hometown – Car # – Driver – Hometown1 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 72 – Michael Norris – Sarver, PA2 – 8 – Dillon McCowan – Urbana, MO – 24T – Tyler Wyant – Oil City, PA3 – 12M – Ryan Montgomery – Fairmont, WV – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL4 – 9 – Breyton Santee – Conneaut, OH – B22 – Bump Hedman – Sugar Grove, PA5 – 14 – Dan Angelicchio – Mt. Pleasant, PA – 15K – Lane Snook – Port Royal, PA6 – J4 – John Garvin Jr – Sarver, PA – – |