By Randy Spencer (Flamboro Speedway PR) – It was a night of firsts and comebacks as Bennett Chevrolet Flamboro Speedway had a full card of racing and then some as the first official race night of the summer got underway early. Four features would be run first, these were the features postponed on June 11th due to a power outage in the Flamboro area.
The Klotz Auto Repair & Engine Machine Shop Mini Stocks were up first for their first of three features on the night with Mike Hooper and Carson Nagy leading the field to green. Hooper would lead lap one but Blair Wickett, who started fifth was up to the front quick and would be the new leader. He wasted no time in shooting out to a big lead leaving the rest of the field in his dust. Russ Aicken and points leader Chad Ditner battling it out for second and third. Aicken would get by on lap six and then the 76 of Shawn Taylor would move up to battle Ditner. A caution brought the pack back to even and on the restart it would be Aicken taking the lead from Wickett down the back stretch. Another caution as the leaders got mixed up and both cars were around with some light damage and both went to the rear of the field. That gave the lead to Taylor who has been trying to work out the gremlins all year. As the checkered flag flew it was Taylor crossing the line first. So nice to see this guy in victory lane after all the problems the team has been through so far in 2016. The 55 of Taylor Thring was unable to start due to a hard hit into the back stretch wall in practice. She was ok, shaken and they’ll have the car fixed and ready to go soon. Not to put pressure on Taylor but watch this girl. She’ll be a good one following the tracks of many other Thring family members that have been racing at Flamboro for over forty years.
The Ray’s Auto Centre & Towing Thunder Cars would run their June 11th feature first. Hudson Nagy and Chris Howse were on the point and they would break away from the rest of the pack early while Shawn Arnott, Brad Collison and Bobby Mercer weren’t too far back running their own battle for third through fifth. Howse was running well at the start but seemed to fall off the pace a bit as the race progressed. As the checkered flag waved it was Hudson Nagy in victory lane. Nice to see Nagy come back after a blown engine a few weeks back really put a damper on the team but with no quit in the Nagy’s he was back running better than before.
The Grisdale Late Models had twelve cars take the green. A few cars weren’t able to make this one that signed in on the 11th due to an APC race. Kevin Albers was on the pole and he was the early leader. A couple of young guns got into it out of four a third of the way through bringing out the caution as Chad Corcoran and Matt Lockwood got into each other. The result was a flat right front on Lockwood. He quickly made it in to the pits for a quick change and was back out. A caution on lap 18 brought the cars back to even and on the restart Albers was battling Nick Roth. Another couple cautions for debris and Albers would continue to lead each time. Lap 24 saw Corcoran seem to lose power down the front stretch. As he entered turn one he went three wide with Corey Jones and Nick Roth and it didn’t turn out well. Roth was pushed to the outside trying to avoid and rode the wall and Jones was around bringing out the caution. Neither were able to continue. On the final restart it was Albers once again in the lead and as the checkers flew it was Albers crossing the line first picking up his first Late Model feature win. Couldn’t happen to nicer guy. Congratulations Kevin!!
The Pro Four Modifieds ran there June 11th fifteen lap feature with Linc Erison and Dave Hodgkinson up front. Hodgkinson would lead the first half but the 15 of Dan Nanticoke caught the veteran Hodgkinson and took the lead. A couple of cautions slowed the pace but on the final restart it was Nanticoke and Petit battling but as the checkered flag came down it was Dan Nanticoke crossing the line first.
A brief intermission and we were back to racing, the regular schedule for the evening.
The Mini Stocks led off round two, with Mike Hooper and Chad Ditner out front. As in the first race, Ditner and Shawn Taylor were battling as were Russ Aicken and Blair Wickett. The 61 of Ditner led early but Aicken made his way to the front and on lap eight would go deep in four followed by Taylor and Wickett and Ditner was hung out to dry on the outside and was back to fourth. As the race wore on the top three stayed close but Aicken held off the charge and picked up the win.
The Mini Stocks led off round two, with Mike Hooper and Chad Ditner out front. As in the first race, Ditner and Shawn Taylor were battling as were Russ Aicken and Blair Wickett. The 61 of Ditner led early but Aicken made his way to the front and on lap eight would go deep in four followed by Taylor and Wickett and Ditner was hung out to dry on the outside and was back to fourth. As the race wore on the top three stayed close but Aicken held off the charge and picked up the win.
Thunder Cars were up and Hudson Nagy was on the pole with Bobby Mercer lined up to his right. Nagy was the early leader and some aggressive racing just behind as Chris Howse, Shawn Arnott and Brad Collison weren’t giving an inch in their battle. Mercer would hold onto second in the early going but Collison got by on lap eleven. Arnott was right on the Iceman’s bumper and followed through to take over third. Nagy and Collison battled but the youngster showed he could race with the veterans and picked up his second straight checkered flag.
Late Models took the track with thirteen cars taking the green. Nick Roth who has had a checkers or wreckers kind of year wasn’t able to make the bell as his ride on the wall in round one ended his night. Jeff Ruddy and Corey Jones were on the pole and chomping at the bit to get started. A couple of no starts and Jones got the black flag pointed his way and a warning to watch the jumping. Third time was the charm as they had a nice start and were under way. An unfortunate end to the night for Mike Klotz in the 46 as he was making his first start of the 2016 season and lap one saw him loose and around and backwards into the wall ending his night. Jones and David Elliott were involved in one and two causing some damage to both cars but they were able to continue after a caution. Jeff Ruddy was the early leader but young gun Matt Lockwood was right on his bumper. Lockwood would get by Ruddy heading int three on lap seven. Chad Corcoran had moved up from ninth and was waging a battle with veterans Kevin Albers and Brent Wheller for second through fourth. Corcoran has really come on of late and has a lot of upside. By lap seventeen Corcoran made his way past Wheller who would spin on lap 24. On the restart, Lockwood held off Corcoran and picked up the feature win.
The Pro Fours hit the track with Aaron Turkey and Linc Erison leading the field to green. Turkey led the first few laps but the 33 of Cliff Hodgkinson shot past down the back chute and took the lead. Hodgkinson held the lead for a few laps but got loose in turn two on lap seven and that gave the 93 of Mike Westwood his shot and he took it taking over the lead. The two Hodgkinson’s were battling for second and third but both got high through one and two and Dan Nanticoke got underneath and took over second. As the checkers flew it was Westwood coming across the line first.
The Lucas Oil Canadian Vintage Modifieds finally got there chance to hit the track. Lucky thirteen cars were signed in and the 15 of T.J. Marshall was hoping to build on his success of two weeks ago as he won features at Delaware Speedway on June 10th and Sunset Speedway on the 12th. He was fast in practice and was in the ninth staring spot for the feature. Going into the night, Jason Keen led Steve Trendell by a mere five points and the veteran Brian Atkinson was fifteen points back. Ian Burney and Daryl Henwood were out front as the took the green for the first of their two 20 lap features. Henwood led early on. John Karley and Marshall were around in two bringing out the caution. On the restart Atkinson was along side Henwood and it would be the crafty veteran getting by and taking the lead. Henwood would fall off slightly and the points leader Keen would get by and was right on Atkinson’s tail. The big winner two weeks ago, T.J. Marshall made up some ground from that early spin and made his way up to third. But as the checkered flag waved it was Brian Atkinson picking up the checkers improving his place in the standing. Trendell came home seventh.
Another brief intermission to allow our track staff to take a break as the beautiful hot weather continues. Mini Stocks were first with young Carson Nagy and veteran Rodney Rutherford on the point. Rutherford would lead lap one. The 70 of Joe Trafford got lose and took a hit in turn two and was around and into the wall on lap two bringing the caution and emergency crews to check him out. Shawn Taylor’s up and down year continued as he couldn’t continue as he was involved as well. On the restart Rutherford led again but a few laps later on lap five Chad Ditner took the lead but last years points champion and winner in round one, Russ Aicken took over the lead. Blair Wickett was making a bee line for the front and got by Ditner down the back on lap ten to move to second place. Wickett had his sights on Aicken and the two continued their year long battle and had some great side by side action battling for the lead. As they made their way down the front stretch Wickett made his was past Aicken to take over the lead and held on for the checkered flag.
Thunder Car round three had Chris Howse and Bobby Mercer up front. Howse led early on and was battling hard with Shawn Arnott for the lead. The winner of the first two features, Hudson Nagy started sixth in the nine car field and by mid way he caught Arnott and was knocking on his back door. Lap sixteen saw the 73 of Mike Troback around in turn three bringing out a caution and Nagy was lined up beside Arnott for the restart. As the green flew Nagy got a good run and was the new leader and held off Brad Collison at the finish and went three for three on the night. Pretty amazing job by the young man who I mentioned early was pretty discouraged and unsure of the rest of the year but the new engine seems to have made a big difference and although he missed a week he is fifth in points after some early bad luck.
The Grisdale Late Models were up for their final feature of the night with Brent Wheller and Kevin Albers out front. Wheller led early but the 37 of David Elliott made his way past on lap seven through three and four to take over the lead. Wheller was back to second and once again he had a mirror full of the 50 of Chad Corcoran. Corcoran flew past to take over second on lap twelve. Corey Jones made his way up to third to battle with Corcoran. A nice move by Jones to get around Corcoran and he took over second as Matt Lockwood followed Jones past Corcoran who was shuttled back to fourth. Elliott raced a great race and picked up the win. Nice job David!!!
The Pro Fours were up for their final fifteen lap feature of the night. Cliff Hodgkinson led lap one with the 15 of Dan Nanticoke glued to his back bumper. Nice battle for third through fifth as you could “throw a blanket” over the threesome of Dave Hodgkinson, Mike Westwood and Brian Nanticoke. Westwood would get by Hodgkinson in turn four on lap fourteen to take over second but by this time Dan Nanticoke was checked out and one and one this one going away.
The final race of the night was the second twenty lap feature for the Lucas Oil Canadian Vintage Modifieds. Steve Trendell and John Karley were out front and a nice start by Trendell as it looked he was shot out of a cannon. A couple early caution as as the 09 spun twice. On the restart it was Trendell gone again. Trendell would lead flag to flag. Jason Keen was second, T.J. Marshall third and Brian Atkinson fourth. Daryl Henwood would round out the top five. When the points were tallied at the end of the night the order and spread hadn’t changed much as Keen was still in first with 329, Trendell second with 320 and Atkinson in third with 313.
That brought to close another exciting nice of racing action at Bennett Chevrolet Flamboro Speedway. Make plans to join us next Saturday, July 2nd we will run the feature for the Flamboro Stadium & Speedway Pure Stocks as well as their regular two features and our regular show featuring the Ray’s Auto Centre & Towing Thunder Cars, Klotz Auto Repair & Engine Machine Shop Mini Stocks and the Pro Four Modifieds as well as the first visit of the season by the Ontario Modifieds racing series. King of the Hill spectator races are at intermission. Also after racing a DEMOLITION DERBY!!
Please check the website, www.flamborospeedway.ca for details, admission prices, point standings and more!!!
Photos by Derek Smith – racepulse.com
Results
Mini Stock Feature #2 (June 11th) – #76 Shawn Taylor, #61 Chad Ditner, #97 Blair Wickett, #84 David Gallinger, #71 Russ Aicken, #38 Bill Rutherford, #36 Carson Nagy, #77 Mike Hooper, #07 Michael Kenny, #79 Kyle Istead (NF), #03 Jake Gilbert (NF), #55 Taylor Thring (NS)
Mini Stock Feature #1 – #71 Russ Aicken, #76 Shawn Taylor, #97 Blair Wickett, #61 Chad Ditner, #84 David Gallinger, #70 Joe Trafford, #38 Rodney Rutherford, #36 Carson Nagy, #77 Mike Hooper, #07 Michael Kenny, #79 Kyle Istead (NF), #03 Jake Gilbert (NS), #55 Taylor Thring (NS)
Mini Stock Feature #2 – #97 Blair Wickett, #71 Russ Aicken, #61 Chad Ditner, #38 Rodney Rutherford, #84 David Gallinger, #36 Carson Nagy, #77 Mike Hooper, #07 Michael Kenny, #79 Kyle Istead (NF), #70 Joe Trafford (NF), #76 Shawn Taylor (NF), #03 Jake Gilbert (NS), Taylor Thring (NS)
Thunder Car Feature (June 11th) – #36 Hudson Nagy, #76 Shawn Arnott, #13 Brad Collison, #55 Chris Howse, #7 Bobby Mercer, #38 Austin Penney, #92 A.J. Miller (NF), #87 Jeremy Bean (NF)
Thunder Car Feature #1 – #36 Carson Nagy, #13 Brad Collison, #76 Shawn Arnott, #7 Bobby Mercer, #73 Mike Troback, #87 Jeremy Bean, #55 Chris Howse, #38 Austin Penney, #92 A.J. Miller
Thunder Car Feature #2 – #36 Hudson Nagy, #13 Brad Collison, #7 Bobby Mercer, #73 Mike Troback, #76 Shawn Arnott, #55 Chris Howse, #87 Jeremy Bean, #92 A.J. Miller, #38 Austin Penney (NF)
Late Model Feature #2 (June 11th) – #27 Kevin Albers, #61 Brent Wheller, #37 David Elliott, #15 Matt Lockwood, #9 Jeff Ruddy, #50 Chad Corcoran, #11 Dave Osborne, #74 Al Bowman, #36 Gary Elliott, #5 Linda Stenhouse, #39 Corey Jones (NF), #17 Nick Roth (NF), #86 Billy Schwartzenburg (NS), #89 Shawn Chenoweth (NS), #38p Bill Pearsall (NS), #39r Rodney Rutherford (NS)
Late Model Feature #1 – #15 Matt Lockwood, #50 Chad Corcoran, #9 Jeff Ruddy, #37 David Elliott, #27 Kevin Albers, #11 Dave Osborne, #36 Gary Elliott, #61 Brent Wheller, #19 Shane Gowan (NF), #74 Al Bowman (NF), #39 Corey Jones (NF), #46 Mike Klotz (NF), #17 Nick Roth (NS)
Late Model Feature #2 – #37 David Elliott, #39 Corey Jones, #15 Matt Lockwood, #50 Chad Corcoran, #61 Brent Wheller, #36 Gary Elliott, #27 Kevin Albers, #19 Shane Gowan, #11 Dave Osborne, #74 Al Bowman, #5 Linda Stenhouse, #9 Jeff Ruddy (NF), #46 Mike Klotz (NS), #17 Nick Roth (NS)
Pro Four Feature (June 11th) – #15 Dan Nanticoke, #93 Dan Petit, #9 Brian Nanticoke, #33 Cliff Hodgkinson, #36 Dave Hodgkinson, #23 Linc Erison, #24 Andrew Snyder, #8 Craig Shaver (NF), #68 Aaron Turkey (NS)
Pro Four Feature #1 – #93 Mike Westwood, #15 Dan Nanticoke, #36 Dave Hodgkinson, #33 Cliff Hodgkinson, #68 Aaron Turkey, #8 Craig Shaver, #23 Linc Erison, #9 Brian Nanticoke (NF), #24 Andrew Snyder (NF)
Pro Four Feature #2 – #15 Dan Nanticoke, #33 Cliff Hodgkinson, #93 Mike Westwood, #36 Dave Hodgkinson, #9 Brian Nanticoke, #23 Linc Erison, #24 Andrew Snyder, #68 Aaron Turkey (NS), #8 Craig Shaver (NS)
Canadian Vintage Modified Feature #1 – #92 Brian Atkinson, #18 Jason Keen, #15 T.J. Marshall. #29 Daryl Henwood, #19 John Karley, #84 Jeremy Barton, #57 Steve Trendell, #33 Ian Burney, #25 Cassidy March (NF), #80 Amanda Stoner (NF), #5 Ian McIntyre (NF), #09 Rob Clarke (NF), #03 Bob Gilbert (NF)
Canadian Vintage Modifieds Feature #2 – #57 Steve Trendell, #18 Jason Keen, #15 T.J. Marshall, #92 Brain Atkinson, #29 Daryl Henwood, #5 Ian McIntyre, #25 Cassidy March, #80 Amanda Stoner, #19 John Karley, #84 Jeremy Barton, #33 Ian Burney, #09 Rob Clarke (NF), #03 Bob Gilbert (NS)
