Dwayne Baker scores victory in Don Biederman Memorial Feature No. 1

Dwayne Baker started his quest on trying to win back-to-back Don Biederman Memorial Championships the same way that he went about it last year as Baker scored the victory in the first feature of Don Biederman Memorial weekend.

The night started off with Andrew Gresel setting quick time in time trials behind the wheel of his No. 81  Sauble Falls Tent & Trailer Park, London Recreational, Canadian Union of Skilled Workers, HY-Grade Roofing, Have1.com and Raden Givari of eHomes Super Late Model with a time of 13.514 seconds. Fresh off of his win at Barrie Speedway a couple weeks ago, Kevin Cornelius timed in second (13.602) followed by Dwayne Baker (13.731), Glenn Watson (13.748) and Jeff Hanley (13.748).

Per the Don Biederman Memorial format, the time trials would set the line-up for the pair of heats that were to be run. The top four in each heat would set the top eight qualifying positions, with the rest of the drivers being forced to run a b-main.

Gresel took advantage of sitting on pole for the first heat, picking up the win ahead of Baker, Hanley, Corey Jones, Rob Poole, Jesse Kennedy, Jeff Dunford, Dave Doucette and Ethan Cournyea.

Cornelius took advantage of his pole in the second heat as he picked up the win ahead of Watson, Rob Clarke, Kelly Balson, Todd Campbell, Tyler Hawn, Mike Beyore and Chris Burrows.

The b-main was anything but smooth as there was bumping throughout the field from third on back for position. The bumping resulted in tons of cars sideways and on lap three, Hawn got the bad end of the stick as he would get spun by Beyore. Campbell picked up the win ahead of Poole, Kennedy, Dunford, Hawn, Cournyea, Doucette, Burrows and Beyore.

Come feature time, it’d be Andrew Gresel starting on pole ahead of Kevin Cornelius, Dwayne Baker, Glenn Watson, Jeff Hanley, Rob Clarke, Corey Jones, Kelly Balson, Todd Campbell, Rob Poole, Jesse Kennedy, Jeff Dunford, Tyler Hawn, Ethan Cournyea, Chris Burrows, Dave Doucette, Max Beyore and Shane Gowan. Roy Passer had his super late on the property, though failed to start due to transmission issues.

Gresel would grab the advantage on the start of the race ahead of Cornelius, Watson, Baker, Hanley, Clarke and Balson while Jones and Poole battled for eighth. Poole would grab the spot while Jones and Campbell rounded out the top 10. Further up the field, Baker would try to get by Watson for third, though was unable to clear him before the caution flew at lap 11 for Dunford spinning.

On the restart, Cornelius would get the advantage behind the wheel of his No. 17 Halton Crushed Stone, Lee Sand & Gravel, Sandbox Tech Child Care, TripleCrete Ltd., Hanson Pipe & Precast, Alliston Transmission, Ed’s Automotive and MacMaster Pontiac Buick GMC Super Late Model ahead of Gresel, Baker and Watson while Hanley and Clarke battled for fifth. Hanley got the advantage and then tried to clear Watson for fourth, though was unable to grab the spot as Clarke, Poole and Balson ran in line behind them with Campbell and Jones battling for ninth. Campbell was able to hold the rookie off for the time being.

Meanwhile, closer the front of the field, Baker continued his climb to the front, getting alongside Gresel for second at lap 26 and clearing him a lap later. Baker began to close the gap between himself and Cornelius, though a caution would erase the gap at lap 29 as Cournyea went around in turn two. With 31 laps to go, Cornelius led Baker, Gresel, Watson, Hanley, Clarke, Poole, Balson, Campbell, Jones, Kennedy and Hawn.

Cornelius would choose the outside for the restart and would get the advantage ahead of Baker, though that wouldn’t last as a caution would fly for debris in turn one as a piece came off Hanley’s car while he battled Clarke for position.

Cornelius once again chose the outside, however this time wasn’t able to get the advantage as Baker grabbed the lead in his No. 48 Zancor Custom Homes, B&B Towing, Nisco National Leasing, Clearview Heating & Cooling, Four Valleys Excavating, Baker Performance Parts and Knightworks Design SLM ahead of Cornelius and Gresel. However, there was no getting away from the field as the caution would fly once again, this time for Burrows spinning in turn one.

For the restart, Baker would choose the outside lane and that worked to his advantage as he would grab the lead at lap 34 ahead of Cornelius and Watson while Hanley and Gresel battled for fourth. Hanley would clear Gresel and then made the move on Watson for third, though was unable to complete the pass as Gresel ran fifth, followed by Clarke, Poole, Balson, Jones and Kennedy.

For the rest of the way, it was all Dwayne Baker at the front of the field as he picked up the win ahead of Kevin Cornelius, Glenn Watson, Jeff Hanley, Andrew Gresel, Rob Clarke, Kelly Balson, Rob Poole, Corey Jones, Jesse Kennedy, Mike Beyore, Jeff Dunford, Dave Doucette, Todd Campbell and Tyler Hawn.

The Don Biederman Memorial continues today at Sunset Speedway as the drivers will battle it out once again with the driver whom has the best average finish between the two days being crowned the Don Biederman Memorial Champion.  For details about the action today, check out http://www.sunsetspeedway.ca.

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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