Brandon Sheppard to Longhorn in 2023

[Pennsboro32]

Mark and Rocket made Shepp not the other way around. Shepp was just another among a long list of drivers to pilot the #1. Arguably, Shepp probably wasn't the best to drive the car unless you think he's better than Francis, Hitt, McDowell, Hartman, Birkhoffer, Davey J., Gill, and Josh just to name a few.

He’s been the best rocket house car driver. The only other argument would be Josh. Sheppards resume is better than all of those guys and he’s still young.

[Barbecueboy]

Mark and Rocket made Bshepp??? That’s a pretty far stretch…….but you did say arguably I guess.

[Raceready]

I guess the long rumored switch from Rocket to Longhorn is true. I never thought I would see the day. I know many on this board have a big smile with this news, but I am not one of them. So much for loyalty, but what do I know???

He was lucky that he racked up a bunch of wins in the house car with unlimited resourses on the depleted WoO circuit but when he went to the more highly competitive Lucas circuit he was basically an " Also Ran " . . .

[zyoung25]

I'm severely starting to miss the days when we had some parody in the sport.

[dirtcrazy4u]

Rocket did make B Shepp. Where was he prior to driving the rocket house car ? This announcement is shocking to me. I can only say this, terbo tried a horn and didn't like it then went back to his rocket, and I'm sure still has his rocket or 2. The same goes with Sheppard, I think he wants to see if a horn is that much better, if not I think you'll see him back in his rocket. Last year seemed to be a struggle for Brandon, I think he has a lot to show folks in 2023. The people on team valvoline's crew are without any doubt one of the elite crews in slm racing.

Hummmm, was B Shepp sick for the lucas banquet or ?????? Hey, maybe DOD knows.

[Barbecueboy]

Y’all starting to sound like Pierce fannies…..If Bshepp wouldn’t have been picked for rocket1 he would have been picked by somebody else and probably done pretty good since he and his family might know a thing or forty about racing.

I’m happy for everyone involved, sometimes a fresh start is just what everybody needs…

[Drop Shock]

Brandon’s 2nd rocket house car tenure 2017-2022 was 100 percent based on talent alone. His first run from 2012-2014 while Josh was trying his hand in NASCAR land was paid for by grandpa and Ed Petroff, it all worked out for the best though. He’ll be fine in a longhorn but this is gonna be the first time in a while he’s not leaning on someone else to get him fast, kinda gotta call your own shots with a Longhorn

[Dlmfan123]

^especially on his own island with integra shocks.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

^especially on his own island with integra shocks.

It's not difficult at all to get the required damping curves. There's not a ton of difference in any of the cars anyway. Nobody involved at Longhorn wants him to fail.

[Barbecueboy]

I see Brandon as a guy that can tell people what the car wants…….I think they will be good early and often.

[riddle28]

^especially on his own island with integra shocks.

overton does pretty decent on his own island

[bleedblue55]

Lots of people who spent the last couple years telling everyone how overrated Shepp was because he was beating up on the lesser WOO series are now anointing him as the next Lucas superstar.

[Barbecueboy]

I don’t remember anyone ever saying Bshepp was overrated……just that his competition was weaker.
He regularly beat up on the Lucas guys when he raced them. He’s just a winner.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

Lots of people who spent the last couple years telling everyone how overrated Shepp was because he was beating up on the lesser WOO series are now anointing him as the next Lucas superstar.

If he gets enough help from KR, he will be really fast. If he has someone intelligent enough to make a small positive change to his car, beyond the normal LH baseline, he will be really fast. He's one of the better drivers, but real dominance comes from gaining a mechanical advantage. There are still plenty of places in these cars to gain them. They are way better than they were 10 years ago, but they are still crutched up around bad suspension practices aimed at maximizing downforce.

[Jking24]

He was lucky that he racked up a bunch of wins in the house car with unlimited resourses on the depleted WoO circuit but when he went to the more highly competitive Lucas circuit he was basically an " Also Ran " . . .

You idiots Crack me up "also ran" they finished second in the points and won the most races on the "elite" series. He got so many awards at the banquet mark had to stay up on stage off to the side while they gave out the few that he or Tim didn't win. I think shepp wants to win more crown jewels and the horns seem to have an advantage their at the moment.