Two races in the books for the Avenue Auto Parts Super Late Models, and Brandon Watson has a pair of wins under his belt. After taking the lead before halfway, the second generation driver didn’t look back en route to scoring his second straight victory.
Watson was quickest to start the night, posting a quick time of 13.678 seconds behind the wheel of the No. 9 SHEAR METAL PRODUCTS, KNIGHTWORKS DESIGNS SLM. Jeff Hanley was second quickest, followed by Roy Passer (13.825), Glenn Watson (13.917), J.R. Fitzpatrick (13.934), Daniel Bois (13.977) and Kerry Micks (14.009).
Though with the seven-car invert post-qualifying, it’d be Kerry Micks starting pole ahead of Daniel Bois, J.R. Fitzpatrick, Glenn Watson, Roy Passer, Jeff Hanley, Brandon Watson, Kelly Balson, Dave Doucette, Dustin Jackson, Dave Doucette, Gary Passer, Gord Shepherd, Todd Campbell, Ian Bourque, Ethan Cournyea and John Cadman.
The race didn’t start out smoothly, as Bois went around in turn four virtue of contact from Kerry Micks on the first lap. With both to the back of the field, it’d be J.R. Fitzpatrick taking over the top spot.
Fitzpatrick led the first lap behind the wheel of the No. 84 Auto Parts Centres, Meineke Car Care, Transaxle Heavy Truck & Trailer Parts, Cambridge Rigging, Equipment Express, Jenco Equipment, McColl Racing Enterprises, Creative Edge Signs, Wix Filters, Permatex, Driven Steering Wheels, Spray Nine, Deon Racecars, Clayton Johns Media and ImageFactor.ca Motorsport Designs SLM.
Jeff Hanley was set to make short work of Fitzpatrick’s lead, getting alongside him on Lap 2. The caution flew before Hanley completed the pass as Bourque stopped in turn four.
The first attempt at a restart resulted in Roy Passer going around in turns one and two, collecting Bourque and Cournyea. Bourque was done as a result of a fire, while Cournyea was done with heavy front end damage and Passer was able to continue.
The second attempt at a restart went cleanly, featuring a battle for the lead with Jeff Hanley putting the No. 70 SLM out front on Lap 4 ahead of Fitzpatrick as Brandon Watson made his way up to third. Watson then got alongside Fitzpatrick, taking the second spot on Lap 7 before the caution flew for Gary Passer going around in turn two. With 28 laps to go, Hanley led Watson, Fitzpatrick, Glenn Watson, Balson, Baker, Doucette, Jackson and Micks.
Hanley got a good restart to keep the lead ahead of Brandon Watson as Glenn Watson moved into third. Fitzpatrick ran fourth ahead of Baker and Balson, with Baker passing Fitzpatrick for fourth at Lap 12 before the caution flew for Roy Passer spinning in turn two.
The restart featured a battle for the lead with Hanley keeping the top spot ahead of Brandon Watson as Glenn Watson continued to run third ahead of Baker and Balson, with Fitzpatrick battling Doucette for sixth at Lap 14. Fitzpatrick continued to slide back, as Doucette was able to complete the pass on Lap 16, bringing Jackson and Micks through with him.
The caution then flew once again on Lap 22 as Bois spun in turn two. The reason for Fitzpatrick sliding back was discovered under yellow, as he’d head down pit road for a tire change.
The restart featured another battle for the lead, with Brandon Watson taking the top spot ahead of Hanley, Glenn Watson, Baker and Balson. Jackson ran sixth a 1/3 of the way through ahead of Shepherd, Roy Passer and Doucette. Micks then passed Doucette on Lap 26 to move up into the ninth spot. Behind them, Bois ran 11th followed by Fitzpatrick, Cadman, Campbell and Gary Passer.
Micks continued to make his way to the front, passing Roy Passer to move up into eighth, with Doucette following suit at Lap 30. Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick was able to get by Bois on Lap 31 to move into 11th, with Cadman following suit a couple laps.
Fitzpatrick’s climb continued as he’d get by Roy Passer on Lap 36 to return to the top-10, bringing Cadman through with him for 11th. Cadman tried to pass Fitzpatrick, but was unable to as Fitzpatrick instead passed Doucette to move up to eighth on Lap 49.
Further up the field, Shepherd was able to get alongside Jackson for sixth at Lap 53, completing the pass a couple laps later as Campbell pitted with an issue, done for the race. The shuffling through the field continued as Cadman moved into eighth ahead of Fitzpatrick and Doucette at Lap 61. Bois was also able to make a pass, getting by Roy Passer to move into 11th at Lap 66.
At the front of the field, it was all Brandon Watson as he picked up the dominating victory ahead of Jeff Hanley, Glenn Watson, Dwayne Baker, Kelly Balson, Gord Shepherd and Dustin Jackson. John Cadman finished eighth as the first car one lap down ahead of J.R. Fitzpatrick, Dave Doucette, Daniel Bois, Roy Passer and Gary Passer.