Brandon Sheppard won the 2026 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series season opener at the Wieland Winter Nationals at All-Tech Raceway, charging from sixth to take the lead on lap 16 and holding it the rest of the way. Sheppard said his team’s setup work and a precautionary motor change helped the effort, and he protected the bottom-to-middle groove to secure the victory. The win was his 36th career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory and his first series triumph since Aug. 15 at Batesville Motor Speedway, setting Sheppard and his team off to a strong start to the 2026 season.

Defending series champion Devin Moran moved into second on lap 30 and pressured Sheppard in the closing laps, finishing 0.544 seconds behind. Hudson O’Neal, the pole-sitter, slipped as far back as sixth before rallying to finish third, while Brandon Overton led the opening 15 laps and later faded to fourth.

Carson Ferguson climbed from 19th to fifth and earned the Hoker Trucking Hard Charger recognition. Clay Harris struck the turn-two wall on lap 29 and was forced out of the race.

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