Dennis Thomson wins Ontario Pro Challenge feature at Sunset Speedway

Current Ontario Pro Challenge Series points leader Dennis Thomson proved on Saturday night at Sunset Speedway just why he is leading the points as he would carve his way through the field to pick up the feature victory.

The night didn’t start out smoothly as Dan Alder would go for a spin on the sixth lap of the first heat. Tim Shanahan picked up the win ahead of Rick Seeley, Owen Smith, Peter Hattin, Alder, Ken Lillycrop and the 33.

Josh Nicholson won the second heat ahead of Mike Westwood, Tim Norris, Thomson, Justin Billington, Dale Wilson and Kyle Batty.

When it came time for the feature, Tim Shanahan would grab the early lead while Seely and Smith battled for second. However, their battle got cut short when Lillycrop would go for the spin.

On the restart, Shanahan grabbed the advantage over Smith, Nicholson and Westwood as Thomson batteld with Batty for fifth. Thomson would clear Batty on lap three, with Billington and Norris rounding out the top seven. Thomson continued his charge, getting alongside Westwood for fourth, while Nicholson got alongside Smith for second. Nicholson grabbed the spot on lap six, bringing Thomson with him. Thomson would then pass Nicholson a lap later to move into second. Unfortunately, Seely saw his night come to an end at this point as he had to bring his car pit side due to mechanical issues.

Thomson showed easily that he had the quickest car of the night, catching Shanahan for the lead at lap eight, and taking the spot a lap later. Nicholson would then catch Shanahan to look for second, however things wouldn’t end well. For the previous three or four laps, bumper tag was at a preminimum with contact being made throughout the field as everyone battled hard. The contact got to it’s breaking point with Billington getting sideways, coming down into Shanahan to take them out, collecting Wilson. Billington would be done as the truck was pushed in, while Shanahan was done due to front end damage.

On the restart, Thomson held down the lead ahead of Nicholson, Westwood, Norris and Batty as Smith and Wilson battled for sixth. Wilson would get the spot as Norris began to look for a way around Westwood, giving him a slight shot, though Westwood kept her straight and going. Wilson would then chase down Batty, getting alongside for fifth and making the move a couple laps later as Westwood and Norris continued to battle for third.

At the front, it’d be all Dennis Thomson as he picked up the win ahead of Josh Nicholson, Mike Westwood, Tim Norris, Dale Wilson, Kyle Batty, Ken Lillycrop, Owen Smith and Peter Hattin.

About the Author

Ashley McCubbin

Joining OnPitRoad.com mid-2013 season, Ashley McCubbin is now the Managing Editor and contributes to each racing division as needed. Since studying journalism at the University of Guelph-Humber, Ashley has published articles on a couple of different websites, while serving as a public relations representative for different short track teams. Born in North York, Ontario, Ashley currently lives in Bradford, Ontario and spends her weekend at the local short tracks in the area. She has spent her entire life at the short track level, falling in love with the sport at the age of five. Beyond her love of short track racing, she also has grown an interest for both NASCAR and the IndyCar Racing Series. She also enjoys taking photos and working on websites, while playing a couple rounds of Candy Crush afterwards.

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