@FlamSpeedway • Flamboro, ON (May 28, 2015)- Another exciting night of racing at Bennett Chevrolet Flamboro Speedway and although still early things are starting to heat up, both on and off track.
The first 2015 appearance by the Lucas Oil Can Am Midgets, celebrating their 50th season and some fireworks in the second Pure Stock feature were definitely what was on everybody's mind here Saturday night.
Racing got underway at 7pm sharp with the first of two 15 lap Pure Stock features on the night.
Michael Kenny, fresh off a first and second two weeks ago started on the pole along side the other winner that week, Andy Wheller. Kenny shot out to a quick lead but smoke started to appear from under the 07 car. Race officials monitored it closely but seemed to be ok. A caution on Lap 12 as the No. 7 car of Matt Young got a little to close to the wall. On the restart, Kenny knew he would have to be ready for the veteran Wheller but remained as the leader, still showing some smoke as the race progressed. As the cars came around to take the checkers it was Kenny holding off the surge by Andy Wheller to pickup his second win in the past three leading flag to flag.
The first Mini Stock feature was led to the green by Hudson Nagy and Dave Goodacre. Nagy led lap one but Blair Wickett soon got by and would lead for half the race. The first caution came on Lap 5 as the No. 71 of Russ Aicken went around and into the infield with a flat front left tire. He quickly changed it and made his way to join the back of the pack. On the restart, Wickett got the jump on Nagy and maintained his lead followed closely by Chad Corcoran. The two battled close the entire race with Corcoran taking the lead away on Lap 15 but Wickett quickly regained the advantage the next lap. The two put some distance between themselves and the rest of the pack.
Russ Aicken who started at the back after that spin managed to make his way through the pack and finished a very respectable third place. After a tough start Aicken has really come on the past few weeks showing the form that put him in a tie at the top of the Mini Stock points chase as last season came to a close. With five laps to go, Corcoran tried to make a move on Wicket in Turns 1 and 2 but lost control and spun almost taking Wickett with him. The caution flew and brought the pack back to even and now the veteran Clark Hartman line up along side Wickett. Wickett got out in front but Hartman was glued to his rear bumper. The two battled hard but has the checkered flag flew it was Wickett by a car length over Hartman followed by Aicken, Gillian Hils and Corcoran who made his way back to fifth.
Thunder Cars were up next and Bobby Mercer and Wayne Phillips were up front. Mercer led lap one but Brad Collison would lead the next lap. Shawn Arnott took his car to the pits on lap two and wouldn't make it back on the track until Lap 16. On Lap 14, the No.08 of Derek Martin spun narrowly missing the leaders. Brad Collison held off the field winning his second straight feature in as many weeks.
Ontario Pro Challenge made their second appearance at Flamboro this season and once again ran four heats and a feature.
Peter Hattin would lead lap one and a caution early brought them back to even. Hattin once again took the lead and led flag to flag. The second heat saw Dale Wilson, the feature winner May 9, line up beside veteran Dennis Thomson. Wilson got out to the early lead but Tim Norris quickly got by and took the lead and led to the checkered flag. An interesting point in this race, the 91 of Mike Westwood was apparently near death with a leg infection and lost 20 pounds. Guess he felt recovered enough to get back doing what makes him happy and feel better.
The Can Am Midgets ran two heats and a feature and in heat one, Lucas Smith was fast in practice and carried that into the heat. Brandon Zavarella and Mack Deman weren't far off the lead but Smith picked the win. Heat #2 saw Adrian Stahle and Barry Dunn on the pole. Todd Cresswell ran a great race and picked up the win.
After a brief intermission, the Pro Challenge were back at it. Shawn Stones had a DNF in the first heat with a broken shock but had it repaired and started pole for Heat #3. But this race belonged to Kyle Batty as he led flag to flag to pick up the win. Heat #4 had Bryan Stemus and Dale Wilson up front. Wilson and Dennis Thomson battled close and hard and would remain that way for 10 laps with Tim Norris close behind. As the checkers flew that's the way it would end as Wilson picked up the win.
The best race of the night turned out to be Pure Stock feature two.
Blair Mayhew started third and made his way to the front and would lead the first three laps. Andy Wheller took the lead on lap four and held it until the caution on Lap 6 when the No. 17 of Mayhew got tangled with the first feature race winner of the night Michael Kenny. Kenny took a hit and went backwards into the turn one wall and was unable to continue. Mayhew was given the black flag and was sent to the rear of the field but not before heading to the pits to replace a front left flat tire. On the restart, the No.58 of Peter Becker battled Wheller and managed to get by and took over the lead. Both Wheller and Becker are veterans and this time it was Becker winning the feature.
By the end of the night, Weller had a slim two point lead over Kenny in the points standings. Both Mayhew brothers aren't far behind. This week's features should prove to be some of the most exciting races as they do every week.
Mini Stock feature #2 had Mark DaSilva and Rick Robinson out front. The first caution saw Jake Gilbert spin coming out of turn four on Lap 5. The next caution was three laps later in lap eight in Turn 2 and saw many of the front cars involved.
Hudson Nagy, Gillian Hils, Clark Hartman and Chad Corcoran were mixed up but were all able to continue.
Leaders included Mark DaSilva who led the first three laps, Shawn Taylor, the 2014 Pure Stock champ leading four through nine and finally Blair Wicket leading the final 15 to sweep the night winning both features. Hudson Nagy is first in points followed by Gillian Hils and Russ Aicken.
The Thunder Car feature #2 saw some great three wide action early on. The fields have been a little lighter than normal to start the season but sure has been no shortage of excitement and great racing. Brad Collison continued his hot streak making it three-in-a-row for feature wins.
The Pro Challenge ran their 25 lap feature next and it was an early battle between Peter Hattin and Dennis Thomson. Hattin led the first lap but Thomson got by and would lead the rest of the way to pick up another Flamboro feature win.
The final race of the night was the feature for the Can Am Midgets. Jeff Blackburn and Todd Creswell were on the point for this one. Creswell had a pretty good lead on the field but Mack Deman was gaining on him as the laps continued. By the halfway Mack Deman caught the #3 to take the lead. A caution a few laps later made the field even again but Deman got a quick start and continued his lead. Another caution brought the same result, Deman in the lead. As the cars came out of four to take the checkers it was Mack Deman crossing the line first followed by Todd Creswell and Tyler Turnbull.
That brought to a close another exciting night of racing at Bennett Chevrolet Flamboro Speedway. Please make plans to join us next week, May 30th as the OSCAAR club make their one and only 2015 Flamboro Speedway appearance. They are also joined by the Klotz Auto Repair & Engine Machine Shop Mini Stocks and the Pure Stocks. Pit gates open at 3pm, Grandstands at 4pm and green flag flies at 6pm. Also it's car club night featuring the Highwaymen Car Club. Always lots of great classic cars on the track at intermission.
Please check the website, www.flamborospeedway.ca for more details including the schedule, Admission Prices for the grandstands and pits and updated point standings for all divisions.
Unofficial Results
Pure Stock Feature #1 : #07 Michael Kenny, #58 Peter Becker, #90 Andy Wheller, #44 Sam Heiben, #10 Lofton Schuts, #17 Blair Mayhew, #24 Tyler Mayhew, #46 Zach Zivanic, #7 Matt Young
Mini Stock Feature #1 : #97 Blair Wickett, #51 Clark Hartman, #71 Russ Aicken, #32 Gillian Hils, #50 Chad Corcoran, #36 Hudson Nagy, #92 Paul Oliver, #03 Jake Gilbert, #76 Shawn Taylor, #42 Rick Robinson, #79 Kyle Istead, #22 (01) Mark DaSilva, #5 Stepheny Dean, #5 Dave Goodacre
Thunder Car Feature #1 : #89 Brad Collison, #31 Kevin Gallant, #7 Bobby Mercer, #12 Justin Collison, #34 Gregg Rauscher, #01 Wayne Phillips, #08 Derek Martin, #76 Shawn Arnott
Ontario Pro Challenge Heat #1 : #8 Peter Hattin, 00 Ken Lillycrop, #18 Patrick Freel, #91 Mike Westwood, #40 Owen Smith, #38 Kyle Batty, #51 Shawn Stones (DNF)
Ontario Pro Challenge Heat #2 : #88 Tim Norris, #02 Dennis Thomson, #96 Josh Nicholson, #3 Dale Wilson, #33 Bryan Stemus, #83 Tim Batty
Can Am Midgets Heat #1 : #49 Lucas Smith, #40 Mack Deman, #91 Brandon Zavarella, #64 Dave Hickson, #7 Todd Blackburn, #74 Rob Neely, #43 Andy Mackareth, #6 Craig Pitchell, #24 James Marche
Can Am Midget Heat #2 : #3 Todd Creswell, #84 Tyler Turnbull, #63 Barry Dunn, #50 Adrian Stahle, #94 Ryan Fraser, #48 Darren McLennan, #2 Steve Murdock, #18 Jerrid Morphy (DNS)
Ontario Pro Challenge Heat #3 : #38 Kyle Batty, #91 Mike Westwood, #40 Owen Smith, #8 Peter Hattin, #00 Ken Lillycrop, #51 Shawn Stones, #18 Patrick Freel (DNF)
Ontario Pro Challenge Heat #4 : #3 Dale Wilson, #02 Dennis Thomson, #88 Tim Norris, #96 Josh Nicholson, #33 Bryan Stemus, #83 Tim Batty
Pure Stock Feature #2 : #58 Peter Becker, #90 Andy Wheller, #7 Matt Young, #24 Tyler Mayhew, #46 Zach Zivanic, #17 Blair Mayhew, #07 Michael Kenny (DNF), #10 Lofton Schuts (DNF), #44 Sam Heiben (DNS)
Mini Stock Feature #2 : #97 Blair Wickett, #72 Russ Aicken, #51 Clark Hartman, #92 Paul Oliver, #36 Hudson Nagy, #76 Shawn Taylor, #01 Mark DaSilva, #32 Gillian Hils, #42 Rick Robinson, #03 Jake Gilbert, #79 Kyle Istead, #50 Chad Corcoran, #5 Stepheny Dean, #05 Dave Goodacre
Thunder Car Feature #2 : #89 Brad Collison, #76 Shawn Arnott, #12 Justin Collison, #7 Bobby Mercer, #34 Gregg Rauscher, #01 Wayne Phillips, #08 Derek Martin, #31 Kevin Gallant (penalty last running car)
Ontario Pro Challenge Feature : #02 Dennis Thomson, #3 Dale Wilson, #88 Tim Norris, #96 Josh Nicholson, #40 Owen Smith, #91 Mike Westwood, #38 Kyle Batty, #8 Peter Hattin, #33 Bryan Stemus, #83 Tim Batty, #00 Ken Lillycrop, #51 Shawn Stones
Can Am Midget Feature : #40 Mack Deman, #3 Todd Cresswell, #84 Tyler Turnbull, #48 Darren McLennan, #63 Barry Dunn, #94 Ryan Fraser, #91 Brandon Zavarella, #50 Adrian Stahle, #43 Andy Mackereth, #2 Steve Murdock, #74 Rob Neely, #24 James Marche, #64 Dave Hickson, #6 Craig Pitchell, #7 Jeff Blackburn, #49 Lucas Smith (DNS), #18 Jerrid Morphy.
By Randy Spencer
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