Terry Baker scores first career OSCAAR Hanover Holiday Modified victory at Sunset Speedway

After turning up a top-three finish in his OSCAAR debut at Kawartha Speedway, Terry Baker would score his first career OSCAAR Hanover Holiday Modified feature victory at Sunset Speedway on Saturday night.

The night didn’t start off well as Gary Elliott would spin by himself in turn four on the third lap of the first heat. Max Beyore grabbed the win ahead of Baker, Brian McLean, Matt Barton, Drew Stieler, Mike Westwood and Elliott.

Justin Demelo won the second heat ahead of Brent McLean, Davey Terry, Bill Burrows and Dean Scott.

Gary McLean won the third heat ahead of Ryan Dick, Tommy Robb, Chad Strawn, Branden Bullen and Dustin Jackson.

Beyore went for the daily double ahead of Baker, Brian McLean, Stieler, Barton and Westwood.

Terry picked up the win in the fifth heat ahead of Scott, Demelo, Brent McLean and Burrows.

The final heat had a small incident on lap two when Bullen would spin Strawn while battling for the lead. Gary McLean went for the daily double ahead of Jackson, Strawn, Dick, Robb and Bullen.

Come feature time, Brian McLean would grab the early lead in the No. 47 Home Building Centre – Bowmanville and McLean Farms modified ahead of Terry Baker while the other McLeans, Brent and Gary, battled for third. Gary would grab the spot ahead of Brent while Davey Terry and Ryan Dick battled for fifth.

At the front, though, Baker had gotten alongside Brian McLean and was able to complete the pass, grabbing the lead in his No. 26 Modified as Gary McLean got along Brian for second. Gary would grab the spot on lap five with Brian, Brent McLean and Terry in toe. Justin Demelo made the move to get alongside Terry for fifth, however was unable to complete the pass as Matt Barton, Ryan Dick and Chad Strawn rounded out the top 10.

Trying to do the double in running both the Ontario Pro Challenge race and the modified feature, Mike Westwood would bring his mod down pit road at lap 13 with mechanical issues. A lap later, the caution would fly as Bill Burrows looped it.

On the restart, Baker would hold serve at the front ahead of Gary McLean, while Brian McLean and Terry battled for third. Terry would grab the spot, bringing Barton with him before the caution waved again for Stieler spinning in turn two.

Baker would get another good restart, keeping the lead as Terry and Gary McLean battled for second. Terry would grab the spot on lap 17 ahead of Gary while Barton and Brian McLean battled out for fourth. Meanwhile, for Brent McLean, it wouldn’t be his night as he’d bring his modified to pit road with mechanical issues at lap 19. Baker continued to hold down the lead ahead of Terry while Brian McLean caught Gary for third as the caution flew at lap 20 for Stieler going around again in turn two.

On the restart, Baker would get the jump on Terry while Gary and Brian McLean continued to battle for third. Gary would then start to drop back through the field rapidly, bringing his modified to pit road at lap 25 with a flat tire. On track, Baker held serve ahead of Terry, Brian McLean, Demelo, Barton, Robb and Bullen.

Terry would get close to Baker in the final laps and tried everything that he had, inside and outside, trying to get the lead and his first career win. However, it wasn’t meant to be his night as Terry Baker got the win ahead of Davey Terry, Brian McLean, Justin Demelo, Matt Barton, Tommy Robb, Branden Bullen, Max Beyore, Chad Strawn, Dustin Jackson, Ryan Dick, Gary Elliott, Drew Stieler, Bill Burrows and Dean Scott.

The OSCAAR Modifieds return to Sunset Speedway today (Sunday June 29th) for another full day of racing action so be sure to head out and take it in yourself. Details can be found at http://www.sunsetspeedway.ca.