Bakersfield, CA

Buddy put his Hall Ambulance, Crystal Pools, H & S Body Works and Towing, Advanced Distribution, Cow-Boy Bail Bonds, RTS, Race Hard.com 37 Ford Sedan in the number 5 position in practice out of 39 legend cars at Stockton 99 Speedway on Saturday!  He was smokin’ fast!  He then found himself 14th fastest in qualifying, locking up a starting position in the A-Main and, followed it up starting and finishing 4th in his heat.

Buddy’s A-Main was cut short though after he burst into flames on the back stretch in just the beginning laps, due to an oil line blowing off the oil fitting!  As he made his way around to the front straightaway, he was already unbuckled and out of his HOT rod when it came to a stop.  The track fire crew was on it immediately and extinguished the flames.  Buddy was fine, just bummed that he dnf’d for the night.  And, the car didn’t receive much damage, mostly and oily mess and a few wires charred.

Buddy’s crew will have the car ready for practice this Friday, April 12th at the Kern County Raceway Park.  And, will be racing it on their opening night May 4th.  Hope to see all of you there!

Race on!!!

Bakersfield California

The 2013 racing season is about to begin, but not until Buddy is recognized for a respectable 6th place overall points finish out of 94 drivers in the 2012 SRL SPEARS Southwest Tour Legend Series (Young Lions, Semi-Pros, Pros and Masters combined).  He will be honored on February 9, 2013 at the Crystal Palace for his outstanding efforts.

This now 13 year old kid raced his heart out all season piloting the #22 H&S Body Works and Towing, Advanced Distribution, Cow-Boy Bail Bonds, RTS, American Fabrication, Race Hard.com sponsored 1937 Ford Sedan around many oval tracks throughout California, Nevada and Arizona.

As being the youngest driver at 12 years old, competing in the Young Lions Division, he amazed us all on his first racing season EVER on the asphalt.  He qualified hard, raced hard in heats and a won a few B mains to capture a starting position in EVERY “A” Main he entered!

The car count was always large, anywhere from 25-45 legends competing for the same 22 car “A” Main field.  Not only did these events have Young Lions but also included Semi-Pros, Pros and Masters.  Most of these drivers had several years of experience, and ages ranged from 12 to 70, with the majority of these drivers being in their 20’s.  Buddy had to start mid to the back of the field most races, and drove his way past all of his peers for solid finishes.  Calculations show that he was the highest passing driver during the 2012 season!

During the 2012 racing season he accomplished many goals that he set out for himself with the help of his AWESOME pit crew; earning the respect of his fellow drivers, figuring out the asphalt game, piloting his #22 race car to the extreme, passing and mixing it up with drivers and most of all, having a ton of fun!

Buddy is looking forward to competing at the Kern County Raceway here in Bakersfield, SRL SPEARS Southwest Tour Series, a handful of events at Irwindale Speedway and trying to fit in a few races at The Bullring in Las Vegas during the 2013 racing season.  His schedule is quite full and is happy that his sponsors, team, fans and family will be supporting him each time he hits the track!

We are so proud of him and look forward to the many surprises his talent has to offer in the upcoming season.

See you on April 20th at the Kern County Raceway for the opening race!

Race on!!!

Bakersfield, CA

Buddy Shepherd Rocks Roseville!!!  Just after celebrating his 13th birthday earlier in the week and his first time ever racing at the All American Speedway in Roseville, California, he finished with an amazing 6th place finish from 18th starting position.  The Buddy Shepherd #22 Young Lion Legend was SMOKIN’ FAST!

After Friday nights’ practice and ending up 9th fastest, he was pumped to hit the track on Saturday.  After practice, 31 Masters, Pros, Semi-Pros and Young Lions hit the track to qualify.  Buddy was bummed, as he qualified 18th out of the 31 Legends.

He made an attack plan for the main, which was made up of a 26 car field.  Once the green flag dropped he never looked back!  As he passed cars on the low side, on the high side and dodged a few mishaps along the way, he came across the finish line in 6th, just missing 5th place by inches!  He definitely executed the mission he had planned, however, a shortened race (cutting it by 10 laps due to time restraint), left him out of time for more victims!

Thanks everyone!!!

Bakersfield, CA

12 year old Buddy Shepherd takes the Bullring in Las Vegas by the horns!  After 3 days of racing his Legend car in the Young Lions/Semi-Pro division, he racked up an impressive 4th place finish Friday night, 2nd place finish on Saturday and unfortunately dnf’d while running 4th on Sunday.

His first win almost came Saturday night as he battled it out on the last lap!  Once he caught up to the leader he waited patiently for the last lap, then making his move coming out of turn 2 on the last lap underneath the leader.  When they both entered turn 3, the leader cut down on him, Buddy got a little sideways, collected the car and received the checkered flag in 2nd position.

And, Sundays’ race ended when he became an innocent victim of the two cars in front of him.  As he went into turn one in 4th position, (at which time you could throw a blanket over 2nd, 3rd and 4th) the car in 3rd punted the car in 2nd place and Buddy had nowhere to go.  He suffered right front end suspension damage and had to be taken off the track on the hook.

It was an awesome weekend of racing!  Many thanks to the team, sponsors, family and friends who support his dream.

Madera, Ca

We had a solid weekend in madera, with the 22 running in the top 5 in every practice from Friday and Saturday. Car qualified 3rd but we started 6th with the invert. Buddy was up to 2nd and battling for the lead before we got caught up in a racing deal. Buddy fought back in the second half of the race to come from the rear and salvage a 7th place finish. Not the finish we were hoping for, but the car ran great. Thanks to the crew, sponsors and fans!