Brandon Sheppard could let out a sigh of relief. Pocketing Saturday’s $53,000 top prize at Huset’s Speedway, the new home of the Silver Dollar Nationals, is certainly monumental during the height of a grueling summer for the driver of New Berlin, Ill., who’s struggled by his standards this year.

But Sheppard’s breath of fresh air upon reaching victory lane had more to do with holding off an eager Bobby Pierce down the stretch of the 80-lap feature. Leading every lap from the pole wasn’t as easy as the box score indicates.

Sheppard’s victory on Saturday by 0.326 of a second over Pierce was a lot closer than his 2.778-second triumph over Ricky Thornton Jr. in 2020. In terms of excitement, Sheppard’s pair of Silver Dollar Nationals wins are similar.

Three years go, Sheppard rallied from behind to upend Chad Simpson with 13 laps to go.

On Saturday, Sheppard had to fend off numerous challenges from Pierce, particularly an aggressive slider rounding turn four with 30 laps to go. Right as Pierce thought he had him cleared, Sheppard stayed in the gas to punch through the narrow window between Pierce’s right-rear quarter panel and the outside wall.

From there, Sheppard staved off Pierce by 0.326 of a second for his second Silver Dollar Nationals victory, adding to his 2020 triumph at the now-defunct I-80 Speedway.

WATCH REPLAY

Silver Dollar Nationals Highlights From Huset's Speedway

Winning Quote From Brandon Sheppard

"Them guys were making it hard on me, for sure. The track was awesome, man. It was treacherous out there. I was really tight about halfway through the race through three and four. That had me messed up and kinda worried a little bit."

Silver Dollar Nationals at Huset's Speedway Results

1. Brandon Sheppard

2. Bobby Pierce

3. Hudson O'Neal

4. Ricky Thornton Jr.

5. Tyler Erb

6. Tim McCreadie

7. Chase Junghans

8. Kyle Bronson

9. Jonathan Davenport

10. Devin Moran

11. Garrett Alberson

12. Shane Clanton

13. Mike Marlar

14. Max Blair

15. Dennis Erb Jr.

16. Spencer Hughes

17. Tyler Bruening

18. Chad Simpson

19. Earl Pearson Jr.

20. Daulton Wilson

21. Daniel Hilsabeck

22. Brandon Overton

23. Matt Cosner

24. Ross Robinson

25. Boom Briggs

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Point Standings

Hudson O'Neal took a small chunk out of Ricky Thornton, Jr.'s lead in the championship standings, trimming the advantage from 330 points to 320 points. Jonathan Davenport moved past Brandon Overton for the third position after Overton dropped off the pace late in the race. Tim McCreade now sits 25 points behind Overton for the final spot in the championship final four. 

Updated Point Standings

Last Race: July 15 - Lucas Oil Diamond Nationals at Lucas Oil Speedway

Next Race: August 10-12 - Lucas Oil North/South 100 at Florence Speedway