With a great 3 days of racing, now behind us, we can relish
in the memories of the weekend that was for Bicknell Racing Products.
Thursday night was a great start to the weekend. The Big
Block Modifieds ran their hot laps and qualifying heat races to set the field
for Friday and Saturday’s events. Bicknell racing products customers showed yet
again that they are the ones to beat, picking up 8 of the 10 heat wins. Matt
Williamson, Matt Sheppard, Justin Haers and Larry Wight all picked up heat wins
to qualify them for Friday night’s Feature event and get them a spot in the
redraw. While Pat Ward, Justin Haers, Billy Decker and Larry Wight all picked
up heat wins to qualify them for Saturday night’s A main. It was impressive to
see a few drivers pick up qualifying spots in both their heat events. The
beginnings of a great weekend for BRP were starting to fall into place.
Friday night saw those that did not qualify through their
heat events, relegated to the B main, where yet again it was all Bicknell
Racing Products. JR McGinley, Gary Tompkins and Chris Hile would all transfer
to Friday nights feature.
Once the 40 lap feature started late on Friday night, it was
all Bicknell Racing Products. Justin Haers, who had dominated since rolling his
#3 out of the trailer on Thursday, would start alongside Sheppard on the front
row. Larry Wight, Matt Williamson all battling up at the front as well. It was
Matt Sheppard though as by lap 8 he had caught the back of the field. Sheppard
would strategically get around lap cars, but Haers was quick to follow and
would continue to close the gap between him and Sheppard. Haers would pressure
Sheppard until lap 32 when the caution would fly for the first time. A few
cautions would follow, but nobody was able to phase Matt Sheppard as he would
be able to roll his number 9 into victory lane for the first time at Charlotte.
It was an impressive finish for Bicknell Customers as they took home 1st
to 6th (Sheppard, Haers, Decker, Ward, Danny Johnson, Wight)
As the sun started to set over Charlotte on Saturday, it was
once again time for the Big Block Modifieds to put on an impressive display.
Both B main events saw Bicknell Racing Products customers dominate with Keith
Flach, Frank Cozze and Billy Pauch Jr. all gaining a spot in the feature event.
Once the 40 lap feature was underway, Justin Haers would be the one to lead the
field through lap number one starting from the outside pole. The first caution
of the night was on lap 11. Pat Ward and Haers would restart side by side.
Haers would jump out to the lead again but it would be short lived as the
caution would fly once again the following lap. With the laps winding down,
Haers was still showing the way, Ward was trying to apply pressure but did not
have enough momentum to get by the #3. With 7 laps to go Sheppard, who had been
quietly moving up through the field till this point, now moves into the third
spot, and is beginning to come on strong. Sheppard is quick to get to the bumper
of Pat Ward and with 5 to go moves into the second spot. Sheppard would not
stay in second for long as the next lap he would get under Haers for the lead.
The caution flag would come out one last time with 2 laps to go. Haers would
have one last run at Sheppard to regain the lead. The restart saw Sheppard jump
back out front to a commanding lead to sweep the weekend. Again it was an
impressive finish for Bicknell Racing Products. Sheppard picking up his second
win of the weekend, Pat Ward and Justin Haers would round out the top 3. Two
podium finishes for Justin Haers was a great way to cap off the 2016 season.
Congratulations to all drivers on an outstanding weekend.