Brandon Sheppard came from nowhere in the final five laps of the Textron Off Road Late Model World Finals on Friday night and tied a record for the most wins in a single season at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC.

While Dennis Erb Jr. and Mike Marlar worried about one another in the closing laps, Sheppard dug deep and surged through the field.

Eight of the final 10 laps featured five lead changes between Erb and Marlar. Once Sheppard gained the lead, he was uncontested for the final two circuits. And when he climbed on top of his car minutes later, he did so with a record-tying 18th win. Last year, Josh Richards set the record in this same car.

"The bottom was starting to latch up a little bit on both ends really and I got around Dale [McDowell], and I got around Josh [Richards], and [Mike Marlar, Dennis Erb Jr. and Jimmy Owens] were bunched up in front of me messing around with some lapped cars, and I knew we had the points wrapped up already, so I knew we were either going to crash it or we were going to win," Sheppard said.

Sheppard had already locked up the 2017 championship, so he had nothing to lose if he wrecked.

With the championship decided, the remainder of the field also had less concern about points racing.

"[Marlar and I] were both racing hard, we were both racing side by side and then Sheppard came up on the outside," Erb said. "We've had a good start to the week so far, and to bring home second we are happy with that."

Racing on short dirt tracks means drivers are almost constantly in traffic. Game plans need to be continuously adjusted, and without spotters telling drivers exactly where the competition is running, there are often surprises.

"It was an awesome race there," Marlar said. "Dennis and I got to racing and when I got around [a lapped car] and squeezed past Dennis I thought I was alright and that I could ride this thing out and keep my momentum...”

“But then comes Brandon and I thought, new game plan we're going to have to do something else.”

Erb said: “If anyone can get up there around that wall and ride it wide open, it's [Brandon]."

Erb finished second with Marlar taking the final spot on the podium. Owens and McDowell rounded out the top five.

Sheppard’s attention now turns to taking sole possession of the top spot.

"What a phenomenal year, man," Sheppard said. "We tied the record and I guess we have a chance at it now. We have to win tomorrow, and I know it will be tough but we'll just see what we can do."

The Late Model portion of the Textron Off Road World Finals was the middle race of three A-Mains. Notably, Donny Schatz also launched a late charge to the front in the Sprint Car portion.

Mat Williamson won handily in Super DirtCars.

Final Results  
1. Brandon Sheppard
2. Dennis Erb Jr.
3. Mike Marlar
4. Jimmy Owens
5. Dale McDowell
6. Brandon Overton
7. Chris Madden
8. Josh Richards
9. Brian Shirley
10. Devin Moran