By Randy Spencer – A beautiful day and a large crowd were on hand for the first race in the APC Late Model series at Bennett Chevrolet Flamboro Speedway. Race one was to be at Sunset Speedway but rain postponed that race until next weekend. Twenty Five cars were signed in and due to the lower number of cars than expected, all cars would qualify for the main event, the APC 100 presented by Meineke Car Care Centres.
The time trials were up first and a few bugs were worked out in the new timing loop and we got underway. Jamie Cox, who always runs strong at Flamboro set the fast time, narrowly missing a Late Model track record with a time of 15.200. Last years champion and local favorite Dale Shaw was second with a 15.229 and Andrew Gresel was third fast with a 15.244. Josh Stade (15.245) and Michael Gold (15.254) rounded out the fast five. They would change later as a “pill” draw was made to set the top five. It would be Josh Stade, Michael Gold, Andrew Gresel, Jamie Cox and Dale Shaw.
The Flamboro Stadium & Speedway Pure Stocks were up first as usual for the first of their two feature events. Tyler Mayhew and Leo Labarbera were on the pole and Roger Lessard who has been coming on strong of late led early. On lap five trouble was imminent. Cars were heading into three, four wide. Flamboro easily has two good racing lanes, sometime three but four wide normally ends in disaster. And this time was no different. The 48 of Steve Deleeuw was on the high side and as they came through four, Deleeuw was up in the marbles and as he tried to correct he got loose and clipped the 11 of Clay Collison. This caused Collison to make a hard right turn into and up on to the wall. As he came down the right rear tire clipped the wall causing him to bounce and over he went and rolled to a stop on his right side on the start finish line. The red flag eventually flew and emergency services were on the scene quick. Collison was ok, crawled out through the passenger side and was likely shaken as he surveyed the damage. On the restart, the 18 of Josh Shantz got a good jump and was on the inside and made his way to the front. By the next lap he was in the lead. Another caution one lap later as the 16 of Mark Thorne broke a front right wheel as he was heading into one. After that was cleared, Shantz once again took the lead and was checked out and gone. Tried as he may Andy Wheller couldn’t catch young Shantz and he won handily.
The Klotz Auto Repair & Engine Machine Shop Mini Stocks were next. Shawn Taylor and Bill Rutherford were on the pole. But an early caution as seven cars were involved in and incident in turn one. Rutherford got loose and went sideways and collected the field. Two cars couldn’t continue as points leader Russ Aicken and Michael Kenny went off courtesy of Ray’s Towing. On the restart, the woes for Shawn Taylor continued as he had to pull down to the apron and was unable to continue. Jake Gilbert would lead for several laps but Blair Wicket found his way to Gilbert’s bumper and eventually would pass the 03 coming out of four and never looked back winning by almost a half track. Nice to see another Thring out there as the 55 was driven by Taylor Thring. I hear she won the car in a raffle. She did really well and look forward to her getting better as the weeks go by.
The Pro 4 Modifieds were up and Dan Petit and Dan Nanticoke were on the point. Nanticoke had a great run a few weeks back only to suffer some mechanical issues last week. But he was back on this week as he led flag to flag to pick up the feature win.
We then went into a brief intermission and a change to the program as the APC 100 would run after the second Pure Stock feature. A line of rain was approaching and they wanted to make sure they got the Late Model race in.
The second Pure Stock feature was led to green by Caroline Kelly and Eric Crow. Nice to see Caroline lead the field for a few laps early. A caution as the 79 of Kelly, the 77 of Kevin Jackman and 70 of Danny Shantz were around. The 6 of Wayde Thorne was shown the black for rough driving for apparently causing the caution. The race would be led by Josh Shantz once again followed by Andy Wheller as the took the checkered flag.
The APC Late Models lined up on the front stretch for in car introductions. Twenty six cars took the green with the 79 of Michael Gold leading the first six laps. Top qualifier Jamie Cox would take the lead form Gold as the two cars were heading down the front stretch into turn one. The first caution flew as the 24 of Nick Goetz slowed to a stop just off the racing surface on the front stretch. On the restart the 8 of Jason Parker seemed to have a problem as he was on the outside and pulled out of line and slowed bringing out another caution. On the restart, Andrew Gresel got the jump on Cox and he was the new leader. Cox never let Gresel out of his sights staying on his bumper until the last few laps. A caution on lap 69 as the 10 car of Tom Gibbons slowed on the back stretch. On the restart Cox made a valiant effort to retake the lead but Gresel was too much. Lapped traffic slowed Cox and as the double checkers flew it was Gressel winning followed by Cox and Dale Shaw. Shawn Chenoweth and Matt Pritiko were fourth and fifth respectively. Chenoweth was running a new car as he backed his car into the wall during practice Friday night. Looked pretty impressive out there as usual. You could put this guy in a soap box and he would do well.
The second Mini Stock feature saw Rodney Rutherford and Blair Mayhew on the pole. Rutherford led the first seven laps but Wickett once again showed his stuff and past the 38 in turns three-four to take the lead and make a clean sweep of the Mini Stock features on the night, just like Josh Shantz in the Pure Stocks. Nice to see a familiar face back racing at Flamboro, albeit for one night. Lane Zardo had a rare night off from racing at Sunset so he teamed up in the #50 and shared the racing with Chad Corcoran. Corcoran finished third in feature one while Zardo came in fourth in the second feature.
The final race of the night was for the Pro 4 Modifieds. Aaron Turkey lead the first three laps by veteran Dave Hodgkinson got past heading into turn one and although his car sounded as it was about to expire at any moment he would take the checkered flag. Great to see this veteran of Pro 4 racing back and winning on a regular basis once again at Flamboro Speedway. Also nice to see Gillian Hils make her debut in #23 car, she said she had a blast as she was on smiles after the races and happy with her first night out.
That brought to a close another very exciting night of racing action at Bennett Chevrolet Flamboro Speedway. Please make plans to join us next Saturday, June 11th for a very special night. Firstly it is Meet the Drivers night. A chance for all fans to head track side to meet and see the race cars up close. You can get autographs and hero cards, take pictures and get other goodies the drivers hand out to fans. Always some special draws for exciting gifts and prizes donated by some of the drivers.
It is also special for another reason as we host about 100 youngsters from the Make A Child Smile program. They are an organization focused on children with cancer treated at the Children’s Hospital at Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation by providing opportunities for them and their families to smile and have fun. Now in its third decade, HACS is serving over 1100 families whose child is being or has been treated for cancer at McMaster Children’s Hospital. There are an average of 150 children in active treatment at any given time. Flamboro Speedway is offering FREE admission on the night to all HACS families and their guests!
As a fundraising event for Help a Child Smile, a very generous prize is up for grabs. A 2017 NASCAR Daytona 500 four Day Trioval Club ticket (for four people), travel and tour package is being offered. Some of the great things included are tickets to the 500 as well as three other race events, fan zone passes, 5 day stay at the Hilton, free breakfast, transportation and so much more. Prize package is valued at over $10,000 Canadian. HACS volunteers will be on hand at the track June 11th selling tickets. Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25. The draw for this package will be made at Flamboro Speedway at intermission in September 3, 2016. Please join us Saturday, June 11th and enjoy a great night of stock car racing and “Help a Child Smile.”
The Grisdale Late Models will be on hand joined by the Flamboro Stadium & Speedway Pure Stocks, the Klotz Auto Repair & Engine Machine Shop Mini Stocks, the Ray’s Towing & Auto Centre Thunder Cars and the Pro 4 Modifieds. Pits open at 4pm, front gates at 5pm with racing at 630pm. At intermission you can “Meet the Drivers”.
Special thanks to all the great photographers on hand tonight. Nice to Jerry Abramowicz and Eric Uprichard shooting for Ontario Oval, Dave Franks Photos and our regular track photographers Nike Kiers of cableguyphotos.com and Derek Smith of racepulse.com.
Also nice videos by Ingrid Hartman. Got that roll over in the first Pure Stock race and the exciting APC100 action!
Race Results
Pure Stock Feature #1 : #18 Josh Shantz, #90 Andy Wheller, #01 Mark DaSilva, #66 Jeff Miller, #6 Wayde Thorne, #42 Leo Labarbera, #70 Danny Shantz, #0 Phil Givens, #38 John Cote, #10 Lofton Schuts, #83 Eric Crow, #79 Caroline Kelly, #69 Roger Lessard, #9 Courtney Scott, #61 Paul Ditner, #50 Ross Winters Jr., #7 Matt Young, #16 Mark Thorne (NF), #11 Clay Collison (NF), #26 Ashton Reekie (NF), #48 Steve Deleeuw (NF), #14 Elijah Hawrylyshyn (NF), #77 Kevin Jackman (NF), #24 Tyler Mayhew (DQ), #82 Gillian Hils (NS), #31 Keara Gallant (NS)
Pure Stock Feature #2 : #18 Josh Shantz, #90 Andy Wheller, #10 Lofton Schuts, #0 Phil Givens, #83 Eric Crow, #01 Mark DaSilva, #50 Ross Winters Jr., #42 Leo Labarbera, #16 Mark Thorne, #9 Courtney Scott, #31 Keara Gallant, #26 Ashton Reekie, #66 Jeff Miller, #79 Caroline Kelly, #70 Danny Shantz (NF), #69 Roger Lessard (NF), #77 Kevin Jackman (NF), #6 Wayde Thorne (DQ), #61 Paul Ditner (NS), #7 Matt Young (NS), #48 Steve Deleeuw (NS), #14 Elijah Hawrylyshyn (NS), #38 John Cote (NS), #11 Clay Collison (NS), #24 Tyler Mayhew (NS)
Mini Stock Feature #1 : #97 Blair Wickett, #61 Chad Ditner, #50 Chad Corcoran, #03 Jake Gilbert, #70 Joe Trafford, #36 Carson Nagy, #84 David Gallinger, #24 Blair Mayhew, #38 Bill Rutherford, #77 Mike Hooper, #79 Kyle Istead, #55 Taylor Thring (NF), #76 Shawn Taylor (NF), #71 Russ Aicken (NF), #07 Michael Kenny (NF)
Mini Stock Feature #2 : #97 Blair Wickett, #38 Rodney Rutherford, #71 Russ Aicken, #50 Lane Zardo, #03 Jake Gilbert, #61 Chad Ditner, #70 Joe Trafford, #84 David Gallinger, #36 Carson Nagy, #24 Blair Mayhew, #79 Kyle Istead, #55 Taylor Thring, #76 Shawn Taylor, #77 Mike Hooper, #07 Michael Kenny (NS)
Pro 4 Modified Feature #1 : #15 Dan Nanticoke, #9 Brian Nanticoke, #33 Cliff Hodgkinson, #93 Dan Petit, #8 Craig Shaver, #36 Dave Hodgkinson, #68 Aaron Turkey, #23 Gillian Hils, #63 Mark Lucas (NS)
Pro 4 Modified Feature #2 : #36 Dave Hodgkinson, #9 Brian Nanticoke, #15 Dan Nanticoke, #8 Craig Shaver, #93 Dan Petit, #33 Cliff Hodgkinson, #23 Gillian Hills, #68 Aaron Turkey (NF)
APC Late Model Qualifying (Best lap of 2) : #22 Jamie Cox (15.200), #83 Dale Shaw (15.229), #81 Andrew Gresel (15.244), #17 Josh Stade (15.245), #79 Michael Gold (15.254), #8 Jason Parker (15.261), #21 Matt Pritiko (15.298), #89C Shawn Chenoweth (15.341), #86 Billy Schwartzenburg (15.362), #44 Steve Laking (15.384), #3 Shae Gemmell (15.384), #24 Nick Goetz (15.392), #71 Dan McHattie (15.430), #23 Shawn McGlynn (15.482), #73 Cole Powell (15.499), #2 Rick Burbridge (15.503), #10 Tom Gibbons (15.562), #96 Marc Jacobs (15.579), #27 Mat Box (15.593), #97 Jaxson Jacobs (15.596), #87 Willie Reyns (15.641), #37 Marvin Frieburger (15.691), #61W Brent Wheller (15.884), #94 Jason Wood (16.057), #5 Paighton Jacobs (16.566)
APC Late Model 100 Lap Feature : #81 Andrew Gresel, #22 Jamie Cox, #83 Dale Shaw, #89C Shawn Chenoweth, #21 Matt Pritiko, #44 Steve Laking, #23 Shawn McGynn, #71 Dan McHattie, #27 Matt Box, #87 Willie Reyns, #86 Billy Schwartzenburg, #73 Cole Powell, #37 Marvin Frieburger, #2 Rick Burbridge, #17 Josh Stade, #61W Brent Wheller, #5 Paighton Jacobs, #10 Tom Gibbons, #96 Marc Jacobs, #94 Jason Wood, #8 Jason Parker, #3 Shae Gemmell, #24 Nick Goetz, #97 Jaxson Jacobs, #79 Michael Gold
