WIN #6!!!

July 2, 2016 - Buddy and his stellar team earned their sixth win at KCRP!!!

After earning yet another fast qualifying award, fifth for the season, Buddy rolled an eight for the invert in the 40 lap main event.  Starting from the fourth row outside, Buddy took the lead by lap 6!  A yellow stacked the field close to the end, and Buddy was able to hold off the second place car to capture his sixth win in six races at KCRP!

He was quick to thank his entire crew and all his sponsors for a very fast hot rod, the fans and wished USA a Happy Birthday!

Next Race:  July 16, 2016 @ Madera Speedway - SRL Southwest Tour.

Race On!!! 

5-4-5 in Dedication to Wounded Heroes Night at KCRP

June 18, 2016 - Before Buddy earned his fifth win in five consecutive races at KCRP, he was so honored for Johnny Bedingfield to ask him to give three Wounded Hero veterans, Aaron, Jeremy and Casey ride-a-longs in the KCRP two seater late model.  He was so proud to be such a big part of their night that he dedicated his race to all our men, women, K-9's and their families who are currently serving, have served or have given the ultimate sacrifice for their service.  Without their service he would not be able to to live in a free country, and racing would be non existent.

Buddy earned another fast qualifier notch on his already impressive resume, earned the roll for the invert, rolling a three but somehow was told that he would be starting the 40 lap main event in the sixth starting position.  

When the green flag flew he maneuvered his way from the third row outside into P3 coming out of turn two, took the lead on the first lap and never looked back.  There were two yellows during the 40 laps which bunched the field up twice.  Buddy restarted on the outside front row on both restarts.  He managed to make two very clean restarts to find himself leading going into turn one for both.

With yet another crew celebration in Raymond's Trophies Victory Lane in their HALL AMBULANCE, H&M MOTORSPORTS, D'ANGELOS Automotive and Industrial Coatings & AXALTA, Advanced Distribution, Bakersfield Muffler, Ron's Rear Ends, H&S Body Works and Towing, Schaeffer's Racing Oil, RTS, VDL Fuel Systems, Cow-Boy Bail Bonds, Crystal Pools, Campbell Motorsports, Dragster Joe and John Bentley CPA hot rod!

And thanks to my crew:  Dick, Mike, Andy, Darin, Tony, Gary, Bo, John, Joel, Tom and Derek.

Next Race:  July 2, 2016 @ Kern County Raceway Park.

Race On!!!

4-for-4 at KCRP!!!

June 4, 2016 - The talented 16 year old driver and his amazing crew are on a roll, making it four wins in four consecutive race nights at Kern County Raceway Park!

Buddy topped the qualifying  board making it his third fast time of the season on a blistering 107 degree race day, rolled P5 for the invert, and raced to his fourth win of the season!

He had his hands full in his HALL AMBULANCE, H&M MOTORSPORTS, D'ANGELO'S, AXALTA hot rod starting inside the third row for the 40 lap feature.  The competition was stout as he raced side-by-side for several laps before taking over the lead on lap 31 earning yet another Victory Lane celebration!

Thanks to my newest fans from Hort School for the poster with memories of Buddy's meet-and-greet with students who participated in their "Driven-to-Read" program. Kudos to all of you stellar readers and teachers!!!

During Buddy's super busy race day, he also drove the two-seater KCRP race car, giving two passengers, Kylie and Darin thrill rides around the track.  

Next Race:  June 18, 2016 @ Kern County Raceway Park.

Race On!!!

Top 5 finish in Buddy's first official SRL start!

May 21, 2016 - Buddy and his team celebrated in Victory Lane with a 5th place finish in the SRL Spears Southwest Tour Series WESTEX 150 at Kern County Raceway Park.

The boys worked hard all week with the help of Derrick Griffin of Missouri setting up the #22 HALL AMBULANCE, H&M MOTORSPORTS, D'ANGELOS Automotive and Industrial Coatings, AXALTA hot rod. Their efforts were well rewarded with a P2 on the board during practice on Friday night.

With only 1 one hour afternoon practice session on race day, the team once again had to go back to square one, learning of a change that had to be made to comply with the SRL rule book and not the Winter Showdown rules.  A much appreciated call was received alerting us to it.

By the end of the hour, Buddy's hot rod was close.  He qualified P9, starting him in the 5th row of the race.  Buddy had his hands full with a loose handling car, and the talent of the 23 car field.  He dropped back in the beginning, only to drive back up to P9 by the end of the first 75 laps. During the break only minor adjustments could be made before heading out to race the remaining 75 laps.  Note: ALL cars had to race on the same tires the entire 150 laps.

He dropped back once again in the field on the start from his fifth row starting position.  The track became very slick, his car was again very loose but capitalized on his dirt racing experience and passed several cars during the last 15 laps and making up some ground on the top four cars in front of him.  He wished there were more laps to run, to possibly achieved a podium finish.

Buddy was ecstatic with his Top 5 finish in his first official start in the SRL Spears Southwest Tour!

A shout out to his remaining sponsors: Advanced Distribution, H&S Body Works and Towing, RTS, Bakersfield Muffler, Cow-Boy Bail Bonds, Crystal Pools, Schaeffer's Racing Oil, VDL Fuel Systems, Campbell Motorsports, Dragster Joe Die Cast, Ron's Rear Ends, John & Susan Bentley.

Buddy's boys:  Dick, Joel, Tom, Gary, Darin, Andy, John, Bo, Mike, special guest Derrick Griffin.

Next Race:  June 4, 2016 @ Kern County Raceway Park.

Race On!!!

3-FOR-3 AT KCRP!

May 7, 2016 - The kid raced to his third win at Kern County Raceway Park on Mother's Day Eve, but only after a very challenging day for the KCRP team.

Just when you think the weather couldn't get any crazier, a storm blew through on Friday leaving several feet of water and mud on the track surface, flooded the drive thru tunnel to the pits which left quite a mess to be cleaned up.  With the dedication of track personnel, owners and several volunteers they were able to get all classes on the track for one practice at 6:30pm.  Once practice concluded main events began, due to time restraints there was not any qualifying for any of the classes.

In the one and only practice for the day and with practice being cancelled on Friday night, Buddy and his team decided to make a short run to scuff tires for the main and a brief pit stop during to switch tires and shake down the car.

Their plan was an excellent choice as they earned their third win in three races, leading 118 laps of 120 since the 2016 season began.  It didn't come easy though...yellows brought the field back together twice, and he had a fellow competitor breathing down his neck most the race. At times you could throw a blanket over the top three cars!

A HUGE THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE KCRP CLEAN UP CREW!

Next Race:  May 21, 2016 @ Kern Co. Raceway Park - SRL Southwest Tour.

Race On!!!

TWO WINS-IN-A-ROW AT KCRP!

April 23, 2016 - Buddy and his team made it two wins in a row at Kern County Raceway Park!

Once again, no practice on Friday night prior to Saturday's Race Day due to a crazy weather system that brought in wind kicking up so much dust that it had to be cancelled.  Buddy qualified second fastest, as luck would have it, a two was rolled for the invert.  Buddy started on the outside of the front row and led all 40 laps of the caution free main event.  Since opening night, he has led 76 of the 80 laps in the late model division! 

He celebrated in victory lane with his crew and family:  Joel Askew, Tom Barton, Andy Worley, Gary Spangle, Darin Grantham, Bo Bohanon, John Worley, Mike Keen, mom and dad for all their dedication.  And, Beau!

Buddy's sponsors:  HALL AMBULANCE, H&M MOTORSPORTS, D'ANGELOS, AXALTA, Bakersfield Muffler, H&S Body Works and Towing, Crystal Pools, Cow-Boy Bail Bonds, Advanced Distribution, RTS, Schaeffer's Racing Oil, Ron's Rear Ends, VDL Fuel Systems, Dragster Joe Custom DieCast.

Next Race:  May 7, 2016 @ Kern County Raceway Park.

Race On!!!

"VICTORY" for Buddy and his Team at KCRP!

April 16, 2016 - Buddy and his stellar team celebrated in VICTORY LANE after winning their first victory of the 2016 season at Kern County Raceway Park!

The young sixteen year old and his team had their work cut out for them as there was only one practice session scheduled on race day.  They made numerous changes during and after practice and sent Buddy out to qualify in a whole different hot rod.

Buddy put his HALL AMBULANCE, H&M MOTORSPORTS, D'ANGELOS, AXALTA hot rod on top the board, with a valiant qualifying run.  His hot rod had to go to impound until the scheduled 40 lap main event was to line up.  No changes could be made to the car, unless the driver wanted to start at the rear of the field and one lap down.  Yes, one lap down!  

Not knowing how racie his hot rod was going to be for the 40 lap feature, he held onto his weekly goal of completing all 40 laps.  With his last handful of races plaguing him of mechanical issues, flat tires, all he wanted was to finish on the lead lap.

He earned the roll of the dice as being the fastest qualifier, rolled a "1" to start the field straight up from the qualifying order. Buddy chose to start front row outside, battled side-by-side for seven laps, edged out in front only for a yellow to come out. On the restart, he again chose the front row outside and raced side-by-side for a few laps until he inched his way into the lead. Competition was stout, he never looked back and earned his first victory of 2016!

Next Race:  April 23, 2016 @ Kern Co. Raceway Park

Race On!!!

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Race Results

April 2, 2016 - Finishing P19 in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West NAPA Auto Parts 150 event at Kern County Raceway Park, was not the outcome Buddy had hoped for in his third K&N West career start, first for the 2016 racing season.  

Without any previous days' practice in the HALL AMBULANCE, H&M MOTORSPORTS, H&S BODY WORKS and TOWING, JPR hot rod, Buddy brought his A+ wheeling game in the two short practices on race day.  Him and his team, crew chiefed by Jason Jefferson, found the key in the last few minutes of the second/last practice session.  A few minor adjustments were made before he qualified, unfortunately not for the better, put him P12 on the board when qualifying was in the books.  The #55 hot rod went to impound until the main event.

After an amazing group of Buddy's fans joining him on the track for the autograph session, racing began with the K&N West main starting at 9pm.  Buddy has the BEST fans in the racing world, they cheered and chanted him, the loudest of ALL drivers there!  It was SO loud that the flags on the flag poles blew straight out from their pleasure.

Buddy's night was cut short though, ending his goal of bettering his best finish of third at Meridian Speedway in Idaho as an oil line detached itself from the frame, dropping onto the header and melting a hole right through it on lap 4.  Buddy thought the motor blew, the smoke entered the cockpit, his spotter told him to back it down and come into the pits.

Thinking his night was completely over in just 4 laps, the JPR team went to work, making repairs and getting him back in the race, only to be 28 laps down.  Buddy with the speed, skill and determination, passed several cars throughout the remaining laps of the race.  The down side to it all was that NASCAR would line him up at the rear of the field at the beginning of each restart because of the number of laps lost.  Buddy never gave up, he kept digging!

Buddy wants to Thank everyone who supports him through the good and bad races, never give up on your dreams, always dig!

Next Race:  April 16, 2016 - Kern County Raceway Park - Late Model

Race On!!!

Buddy pilots his H&M MOTORSPORTS, HALL AMBULANCE hot rod in the 2016 SRL WINTER SHOWDOWN

February 28, 2016 - Buddy drove his H&M MOTORSPORTS, HALL AMBULANCE, BAKERSFIELD MUFFLER hot rod across the finish line in P11 in the 250 lap SRL Winter Showdown.

After selling his gorgeous 1968 Chevy Camaro last month in January, Buddy made a trip to Theodore, Alabama and purchased his open late model ride from Dan, Linda and DJ Vanderlay Racing Team (VDL Fuel Systems) out of Theodore, Alabama.

 It was a challenging three days out at Kern County Raceway for Buddy's crew and himself as they experienced the first race in their newly purchased ride.  Their determination took Buddy from mid pack of practice times on Friday to being top 10 in Saturday's practice out of 41 cars!

When it was time for qualifying on Saturday, he qualified the fastest he's gone around the 1/2 track, placing him P20 out of 41 cars!  He then ran a 30 lap qualifier race, finishing third, placing him P18 for the start of the 250 lap SRL Winter Showdown.

Being the longest race he has ever experienced, it took three hours to run 250 laps! Buddy held his own while the field made risky moves which he dodged throughout the entire race.  At the ten minute half way break on lap 125, the team went to work changes tires, refueling, a few minor adjustments, and a clear view through his windshield.

During the course of the remaining laps, he experienced a flat, coming from a piece of metal on the track, lodging into his left rear tire.  He came into the hot pit under green, his stellar crew  replaced the tire but lost a few laps to the lead cars.

He drove his heart out until the end in a loose handling race car to finish P11.  His dirt track racing roots kept him and his hot rod on the track without incident.

A HUGE THANKS to his sponsors:  H&M MOTORSPORTS, HALL AMBULANCE and BAKERSFIELD MUFFLER.  And another HUGE THANKS for his volunteer crew:  Joel Askew, Tom Barton, Gary Spangle, Andy Worley, Darin Grantham, Dick Shepherd, Kellie Shepherd, Bo Bohannan, John Worley, Joe Castro, Mike Keen.  A special thanks to Dan James and The Johnny Ginn Family for their contributions for the race weekend.

Next Race:   March 12, 2016 - LoanMart Open Late Model 5K to Win!  Madera Speedway.  Buddy will be piloting Johnny Ginn's Open Late Model hot rod.

Race On!!!

15 Year Old Buddy Shepherd wins at KCRP!

April 11, 2015 - The young gun Buddy Shepherd and crew celebrated once again in victory lane to earn their second win of their sophomore late model year, and their first win on the fast 1/2 mile banked oval at Kern County Raceway Park! And shared the win with one of their sponsors, H & M MOTORSPORTS at victory lane. Buddy currently leads the points race at both Madera Speedway and Kern County Raceway Park!

The win didn't come easy.  First the team was trying to get an oil leak under control which plagued them throughout the entire practice on Friday night and spilled over into Saturday. Buddy's team worked hard to get him and his hot rod out for qualifying only to have a plug wire pop off while making his run.   Their determination earned them a six place qualifying run, the invert put Buddy on the pole for the start of the first 35 lap main event, however, he chose to start on the outside front row.  Note: This is the first time that lady luck has gone his way, starting him on the front row since he began his late model racing career last season at the age of 14.  Once the green flag waved for the first of two 35 lap main events scheduled, his win didn't come easy as there were two yellows in the 35 lap main event. He had an AMAZING start and jumped out into the lead, holding off all the heavy hitters behind him. Once he got his groove on, he was able to get a little breathing room between him and the second place car. The first yellow came out about two-thirds of the way through with the second making it a green, white, checkered dash to the end.  Buddy chose the outside front row for both,  he bolted into the lead with stellar restarts!  He had to be on top of the wheel since the driver starting on the inside of him was the winner of the opening race at KCRP.  Buddy crossed the finish line with a respectable win, theBuddy Shepherd Racing Team celebration was on in victory lane.  "I made sure I had a good spotter up there!".

Once Buddy's hot rod sat in tech for a bit after the celebration, his left front tire went flat.  Apparently he ran over some debris on the track towards the end of the race, evidence showed by a hole in the tire.  As all the cars were in a mandatory impound after the first main and tech, Buddy had to take his hot rod back to the pit to replace the tire.  Unfortunately ,1)  after passing tech, he was sent back to the rear of the line up for the second main for leaving impound and 2) the crew had to replace the tire with another that had multiple laps on it.  We can only run the tires that we qualified on for the entire night, no exceptions can a new tire be bolted on, per track rules.

Even with the handicap of the worn out left front tire for the entire second main,  Buddy pulled out a third place finish.  Making an awesome run on the outside at the start of the race, Buddy drove his hot rod to the front, but without any yellows there was just too much time lost to make a run at the two cars in front of him.

Buddy and his team are very stoked on their win and performance, they're looking forward to Race #2 at Madera Speedway in a few weeks.

Thanks to my sponsors:  D'ANGELOS Automotive and Industrial Coatings, AXALTA, H & M MOTORSPORTS, Cow-Boy Bail Bonds, Advanced Distribution, H & S Body Works and Towing, RTS, Crystal Pools, HONDO, Inc., Schaeffer's Racing Oil, RaceHard and Ron's Rear Ends.  Special Thanks:  John and Susan Bentley, Big John and Dan James.

Thanks to my team:  Mike, Derek, Joel, Tom, Gary, Bo, John, Andy, Joe, dad and mom.

Next Race:    April 25, 2015 @ Madera Speedway.

Race On!!!

CROWD PLEASER 3RD PLACE FINISH FOR BUDDY!

March 28, 2015 - Buddy had the crowd on their feet and cheering over the engines as he crossed the finish line!

His stellar crew worked hard all weekend finding the "sweet spot" that they all have so desired to obtain on the big track at KCRP.  Their efforts didn't disappoint.  Buddy qualified third fastest, with the fast qualifier rolling a 7 invert, lining Buddy up on the inside of row three for the start of the 75 lap main event.  The team set the #22 hot rod up for a late, hard charge around the half way point of the race. Their efforts were just what they wanted, as Buddy dropped back into the field at the beginning, cruising around the race track, regaining the positions that he lost, and hunting down the top 5 in front of him.  By this point they looked as though they were untouchable, however, never count out the 15 year old in his sophomore year driving late models, Buddy looked more like a focused veteran planning his attack.  As he drove closer and closer to the front running pack, he started picking each one off until he reached the second place car with two laps to go.  By now the crowd was at their feet cheering him on, which could be heard in the pits over all the engines zooming by.  Buddy gave it all he had taking his hot rod to its limits in an attempt to overtake the second place position.  As they crossed the finish line, Buddy was only a foot behind! The outpouring from the fans was amazing, they have all expressed how excited they are about coming back to watch Buddy compete again.  In their words, "Buddy was the show".

Next Race:     April 11, 2015 @ Kern County Raceway Park.

Race On!!!