J R Shepherd Dominates IROC Season 2 Opener at Daytona Road Course

Daytona Beach, FL — The second season of the YesterYear Racing IROC Series opened with authority on Tuesday night as 18 champions strapped into identical Cadillac CTS-V Racecar machines at the road course layout of Daytona International Speedway. With no setup advantages and nowhere to hide, the 35-lap contest became a pure examination of precision, patience, and tire management.

Defending series champion J R Shepherd wasted no time asserting himself. Launching from pole in the “Florida Orange” No. 1 machine, Shepherd cleared the field cleanly through the opening corners while chaos erupted behind him. An opening-lap tangle between Andrew Kotska and Josh Robinson immediately reshuffled the order, sending Kotska to pit road with race-altering suspension damage. Robinson was able to continue, but the incident fractured the field and created an early divide between the leaders and the rest of the pack.

Up front, Shepherd and Chris Hammett began to separate themselves, but the Cadillac proved to be a demanding dance partner. Drivers described the car as prone to locking the front tires under braking and spinning the rears on corner exit, especially as tire wear became a factor. Andrew Hess was the first among the frontrunners to roll the strategy dice, pitting around Lap 7 in an effort to gain track position through the cycle. The move paid off, keeping him firmly in contention and ultimately positioning him for a strong fourth-place finish.

Mid-pack battles added tension throughout the race. James Lowe charged forward early, climbing four positions and engaging in a spirited fight with Sean Foltz and David Shrieve through the bus stop chicane. Eric “Teapot” Stout delivered one of the most impressive drives of the night, steadily working his way from 12th on the grid into the top five through consistency and measured aggression.

At the front, however, the night belonged to Shepherd. Despite later comparing the car’s cornering tendencies to that of a dump truck, the defending champion was clinical. He led 34 of 35 laps, managing tire wear with discipline and never allowing Hammett a realistic opportunity to mount a late challenge. Hammett remained within range for much of the event, but Shepherd’s rhythm and composure kept the outcome firmly under control.

The closing laps featured a tight battle for ninth between Aiden Young and Sean Foltz, with Young holding firm to secure what points he could in the season opener. When the checkered flag finally waved, Shepherd’s performance served as a reminder that in equal machinery, execution still reigns supreme.

With the opening round complete, the YesterYear Racing IROC Series now turns its attention to the tight confines of Iowa Speedway in May, where the heavy Cadillac sedans will trade road course precision for short-track intensity.