Photo Credit: Ashley McCubbin
A pair of Delaware Speedway veterans battled back and forth throughout the event with Jeff Showler picking up the victory ahead of Justin Demelo at the end of the 25-lap OSCAAR Modified feature.
With an action packed night on deck, the modifieds only ran one set of heats before their feature.
Gary McLean won the first heat ahead of John Harper, Luke Gignac, Showler, Ryan Dick, Balych, Cory Horner and Gary Elliott.
The second heat wouldn’t go smoothly as Rick Schurr spun in turn two, while Duane Cinnamon caught fire on Lap 6. Demelo picked up the win ahead of Jay Christie, Brian McLean, A.J. Emms, Dan Price, Rob Di Venanzo and Monty Kelly.
With the top-eight invert in place for the feature, it’d be Brian McLean starting pole ahead of Harper, Emms, Demelo, Showler, Gignac, Christie, Gary McLean, Dick, Price, Di Venanzo, Balych, Horner, Schurr, Kelly, Elliott and Cinnamon.
Harper put the No. 79 Transxale Parts, Briar Dri-wall and Grisdale Race Products Modified out front on Lap 1 ahead of Brian McLean, Demelo and Emms. The caution flew on Lap 2, though, as Balych spun in turn one.
The restart worked in Brian McLean’s favor as he put the No. 47 Home Building Centre – Bowmanville and McLean Farms Modified out front ahead of Emms, as Showler and Demelo battled for third. Showler got the spot on Lap 4, but lost it back to Demelo a lap later as Demelo took third, bringing Gary McLean through with him for forth. Showler now ran fifth ahead of Harper, Christie and Price.
At the front of the field, Emms put the No. 14 Sunshine Super Wash – Orillia, Davenport Subaru, Creecher’s Design, Klotz Canada, Artech Promotional Wear – Orillia, Bromley Automotive, and TSS Top Shops out front on Lap 7, with Demelo moving up to second a lap later. Showler got alongside Brian McLean for third, but the caution flew for Di Venanzo spinning in turn one virtue of contact from Cinnamon. Unfortunately, it meant the end of the night for Di Venanzo. Also, Elliott pulled down pit road, done for the night with a mechanical issue.
Emms got a good restart to keep the lead ahead of Demelo and Showler for a lap, but it’d be Demelo putting the No. 82 EMCO Waterworks, CAT Toromont and Demar Aggregrates Modified out front on lap 10, bringing Showler through for second with Emms now third. Harper ran fourth ahead of Price, Gary McLean and Shower. The third caution flew on Lap 14 as Price went around in turn two, resulting in the end of his night.
The restart saw a battle for the lead between Showler and Demelo, as Brian McLean slowed with a problem. Demelo was able to hold on to the advantage ahead of Showler, as Emms ran third ahead of Harper, Gary McLean and Christie. Showler didn’t give up, though, getting back alongside Demelo for the lead at Lap 17. He’d then put the No. 4 Modified out front on Lap 18 ahead of Demelo, while Gary McLean got by Harper to move up into fourth.
The caution then flew a lap later, as Harper’s solid run came to an end with a spin in turn four. With six laps to go, Showler led Demelo, Emms, Gary McLean, Christie, Cinnamon, Kelly, Gignac, Dick, Balych, Horner and Schurr.
Jeff Showler got a good restart to keep the lead ahead of Demelo as Gary McLean got by Emms to move up into third. Christie continued to run fifth ahead of Kelly, Cinnamon, Balych and Gignac. Balych then got by Cinnamon to move up into sixth, with Gignac following through a lap later. Unfortunately, Balych had an issue on the last lap that caused him to fall back in the field.
At the front, it was all Jeff Showler as he scored the victory ahead of Justin Demelo, Gary McLean, A.J. Emms, Jay Christie, Monty Kelly, Luke Giganc, Cory Horner, Ryan Dick, Duane Ciannmon, Glenn Schurr and David Balych.
“It’s a great win for us and our team,” Showler commented post-race. “We worked two years now on the car, getting it ready for this division and I can’t thank our supporters and the people around us that have got us here. It’s been a long time building, but at the same time, it’s great to be back racing again and it’s really a good run for us against the 82. Justin ran me a great race – a lot of fun. Got to thank Gary, the 37, for loaning us a servo as without that, I don’t think we would’ve been running.
“Overall, the car with the set-up we put under it was good. I think there’s room for improvement and we’ll be back for next time we’re here.”
For Demelo, a runner-up marks his third straight top-10 and second podium in his last three starts.
“Tonight was really good,” Demelo said. “Showler did a great job for his first time out – he was quick. Everybody was actually pretty fast, which is good to see – great competition. Pretty excited for the next race here at Delaware. Give ‘er some more and challenge them.”
Demelo fought handling issues through the second half, noting with each caution the car changed.
“The second caution, the car was very loose so I couldn’t get on the throttle quick enough,” he explained. “The third caution came out and the car straightened out and I was on the outside. Couple more laps and we could’ve given Showler a go, but oh well – it is what it is and congrats to Showler.”
Rounding out for the podium, Gary McLean now has six top-five finishes at Delaware in his past seven starts.
“It was heck of a lot better than it has been the past couple of races,” McLean said. “I think everybody settled down and had a couple good races going. It would be nice if we would’ve put (new) tires on the car as we may have something for the front two, but overall it was a good show.”
McLean now hopes the momentum goes with him moving forward as the series heads to Full Throttle Motor Speedway next, which he won last year.
“It’s home turf – that’s my spot,” McLean commented. “Lots of guys are good there. Varney is tough to do a lot of passing on so it’s one that I hope the guys keep their heads screwed on straight and the guys treat these cars with respect with how fast you can run that track.”
The OSCAAR Modifieds continue their stretch of races for June as they will invade Full Throttle Motor Speedway this weekend on Saturday June 11 for the third race of the season.
