Jesus To Return To Shepherd's Craftsman
Truck Hood at Kentucky Speedway
by Marty Tyler-Staff Writer
07/11/2002

As reported on Catchfence.com in May of this year following the CTS race at Martinsville, Morgan Shepherd was asked by NASCAR officials to remove the Jesus logo from the hood of his truck. Some religious organization's protest prompted NASCAR's decision.

The fan outrage was substantial, to put it mildly. Our email about that decision was overwhelming at Catchfence.com. Shepherd Racing was inundated with fan responses. The news found posts on quite a few Winston Cup driver's websites, as well as other articles too numerous to mention. We are still receiving email about it to this day.

So, the latest news coming from Shepherd Racing will more than please the many fans in Morgan's support. Morgan's response was, "NASCAR came to me at Kansas (last week) and told me that I could put Jesus back on the hood. That was a real surprise." But Morgan was quick to add, "It makes no difference whether we have Jesus on the hood, or not. We are still on the winning side (for Christ). Anybody that wakes up in the morning and looks at the sunshine knows that God made all of this possible."

Look for Jesus to return to Morgan's hood this weekend at the Kroger 225 at Kentucky Speedway. There will be a new look to the hood however, but, rest assured Jesus will be there! Tune to ESPN on July 13 beginning at 8 p.m. EST to see the new hood logo Morgan has added.

Additional proud sponsors for Shepherd's running in the Kroger 225 will include Catchfence.com, Motorsportsweb.com, and Racing With Jesus Ministries, among others.

There are other great plans in the works for Morgan. He is planning on running his #21 CTS truck in the New England 200 at New Hampshire International Speedway on July 20, but, he is also planning on running his #89 Winston Cup car at the New England 300 on July 21st.

Morgan is excited to have long time friends Dave and Roger Dion from the NASCAR Busch North Series planning to lend Morgan a hand with this event. Morgan explains, "We're doing a real neat thing. Dave Dion is a long time friend. Those guys always treated us great when we went to Oxford Maine to race. That's how we got to know each other years ago. They are going to help us crew our Cup car at Loudon, New Hampshire," adding, "I just think that's real neat that the North and South can get together again!"

I spoke with Dave and Roger this morning. They were both great to talk to. Dave recalls, "Morgan started coming up in the early 70's when we were running that Oxford 250 every year and we competed against each other. Then I went down south and he and a few of the guys they knew all helped me get started. That opened a few doors. The thing that always impressed me about Morgan, besides his driving ability, was whenever I would meet him when he was driving for the Wood Brothers, he was always the same person. He never forgot where he came from. This is a friendship based on mutual respect. For years we raced each other hard and I think from the beginning...I always saw the character in him. He's a hard racer and when you give 100%, like Morgan does, with the impossible odds (no major corporate sponsorship) like he faces, you can walk away and feel good about what you've done. He just has natural talent."

Roger remembers, "Morgan was always very good with us when we ran Winston Cup together, and when we ran late models and the Oxford 250 together. He is a real gentleman to race with. I think Morgan has a lot of good racing left in him and I hope he lands something (sponsorship) and he can continue. He is kind of like the cornerstone down there showing what he could do if he is given the right deal. It's like that for a lot of guys. It's not because they don't have the ability or the desire. They just don't have the backing to do it. Morgan was a good competitor but would always help anyone if he could. He was an innovator on the braking system...and tried to help me. He's like that. He always tries his hardest."

It is obvious that the Dions and Morgan are looking forward to teaming up at NHIS. Dave is planning on running the New England 125 on Saturday, July 20th for the Busch North Series.

It is great to see old friends and competitors meet again and work together. I wish them all great success.

Thanks, as always, to Morgan for his time and patience. Learn all the latest news about Morgan and his racing ventures at MorganShepherd.com , managed by Scott Lynch of Motorsportsweb.com.

And a big thank you goes to both Dave and Roger Dion for their insight, excitement and time. Please check out their website at dionbrothersracing.com.

Good luck to you all and God Bless.

You can reach Marty Tyler at:martyt7806@aol.com.