Shepherd Dominates Thompson to Clinch Inaugural YYR IROC Series Championship

Thompson, CT — J R Shepherd, known across the YesterYear Racing paddock as “Short Track Voldemort,” capped off a commanding campaign in the YYR IROC Racing Series by claiming both the race victory and the season championship in the finale at Thompson Speedway. Shepherd’s win marked his second triumph of the season and sealed the deal on a title battle that pitted him against rival Danger Josh Robinson, who finished second in both the race and the final points standings.

The Thompson showdown wrapped up the four-race series — a spirited homage to the 1985 International Race of Champions. The unique format brought together drivers from four different iRacing leagues, all competing in equally prepared Cadillac coupes. The result was a chaotic, entertaining, and decidedly unorthodox form of short track racing that left fans and drivers alike grinning. The prize? A championship bottle of whiskey from Garage Oil Spirits — fitting for a season that combined grit, luck, and a splash of chaos.

With no qualifying sessions, the starting grid was inverted based on points. Championship leader J R Shepherd rolled off 11th (last), while his closest pursuer Josh Robinson started just ahead in 10th. That inversion guaranteed early drama, and the cold tires of the Cadillacs ensured it would arrive quickly.

Jeff Aho grabbed the early lead from Bruce Pearson, but the stability of the rear-wheel-drive luxo-barges was short-lived. Tom Ogle, whom the series AI had pegged as a dark horse favorite, got loose off Turn 2, slammed the inside wall, and needed a tow — ending his night almost before it began. Moments later, Pearson and Christian Loschen spun in unison, bringing out the race’s first caution — the first yellow flag seen in the entire series after three clean rounds.

This early caution split strategies wide open. Shepherd and Robinson immediately dove to pit road to top off their fuel, anticipating a long green run to the end. The move proved pivotal. As Shepherd later explained, “That first stop gave us all the fuel we’d need. Once I realized others hadn’t come in, I knew they’d be in trouble later.”

Once racing resumed, Aho dominated, maintaining control through the first half of the 150-lap event. Behind him, attrition was mounting. Brian Bianchi brushed the wall multiple times before one final hit ended his night, trimming the field to single digits.

While Aho appeared untouchable up front, Shepherd and Robinson quietly stalked from mid-pack, both balancing fuel and tire management while also eyeing critical bonus points for laps led. The system awarded five points for the most laps led, three for second-most, and two for third — small numbers that could make or break a championship.

By Lap 75, Aho had led every circuit, locking in the maximum bonus and leaving Shepherd and Robinson to battle for the remaining points. As the race progressed, the two title contenders began slicing through the field, working the high line and eventually closing in on Aho’s bumper.

The turning point came when Aho made his green-flag pit stop, opting for four new tires. But his hopes unraveled instantly — John Wilson got loose, and he spun on corner exit, bringing out the caution and locking Aho a lap down and ending his shot at victory despite leading the first half of the race.

Moments later, Shepherd and Robinson hit pit road in unison, with the championship — and race — hanging in the balance. Shepherd played it safe, taking four tires and fuel. Robinson gambled, taking only two tires to gain track position. The move briefly gave Robinson a 10-second edge leaving pit road — but it didn’t last.

The two-tire strategy proved disastrous. The cold tires refused to bite, and Robinson’s Cadillac plowed like “a dump truck,” slamming the wall and losing all momentum. He fell behind both Shepherd and Todd Liston, watching his gamble unravel in seconds. Robinson later described it as “braking into a left turn that never wanted to end.”

With Robinson’s pace crippled, Shepard inherited the lead and never looked back. True to form, the veteran remained laser-focused, managing his tires and clicking off laps with precision. His lead stabilized around 1.5 seconds over Robinson, who could only watch as the title slipped away.

When the checkered flag waved, Shepherd crossed the line to take his second win of the season — and the first-ever YYR IROC Championship. The finish solidified Shepard’s reputation as one of the most disciplined short-track racers in sim racing today.

Post-race, Shepard reflected on the unique challenge of the series: “That car wasn’t meant to do what we just did, but that’s what made it fun. The early pit call made all the difference.”

Robinson, gracious in defeat, admitted his risky call was his only play: “We had to try something. Two tires was a gamble, and it bit us, but you can’t win a championship without swinging for it.”

Todd Liston, who rounded out the podium, praised the concept of the IROC revival: “These Cadillacs were wild. Everyone had to adapt — no setups, no comfort zones. It was a blast.”

The YYR IROC Series will return for Season 2 in 2026, with organizers hinting at a new lineup of classic machinery and tracks. But for now, J R Shepherd stands alone at the top — the undisputed IROC champion of YesterYear Racing.