By Randy Spencer (Flamboro Speedway PR) – Another large crowd was on hand at Bennett Chevrolet Flamboro Speedway to close out the summer as we prepare for the final few hectic weeks of the crazy season. It was the annual Fan Appreciation night when fans were invited pit side after the races to enjoy free local corn and hot dogs. The line up was long and thanks to all those who helped out with the corn roast and cooking up the hot dogs!! It was also the night that the group from Help a Child Smile were on hand to make the draw for the package of four tickets to the 2017 Daytona 500. The package is valued at over $10,000 and the lucky winner was Pure Stock driver Tyler Mayhew. Congratulations Tyler and thanks to all those that supported this very worthy cause for the kids in cancer treatment at McMaster Hospital in Hamilton. Remember…For a child with cancer…Every day matters!!
Racing got underway shortly after 6pm with the first of two 20 lap features for the Flamboro Stadium & Speedway Pure Stocks. Blair Mayhew and Eric Crow were on the pole. Mayhew would lead early and the car was running very well. Blair was back behind the wheel after brother Tyler raced the past few weeks. A caution on lap eight as the 2 of Roger Lessard got into the side of the 16 piloted by Mark Thorne and it sent him spinning and backwards into the wall at the end of the front stretch. Thorne was taken off on the hook and Lessard went to the pits to check for damage and returned. On the restart, Mayhew continued to lead. Another caution as the 2 of Lessard was involved with the 79 of Caroline Kelly bringing out yet another caution. Mayhew once again was out to the lead and through all the cautions was able to hold off the pack. A very excited and happy driver in victory lane, nice to see all the hard work pay off for this team!
The Klotz Auto Repair & Engine Machine Shop Mini Stocks were next. Fourteen cars took green in the first 20 lap feature. Going into the night Russ Aicken led Blair Wickett by 17 points. Aicken was on the pole for this one with Wickett back in fifth spot. Aicken got out to the early lead and Wickett was soon on his rear bumper. Just behind Chad Ditner, Michael Kenny and Jake Gilbert were having their own battle. A caution as David Gallinger and Carson Nagy got involved heading out of four. On the restart Aicken and Wickett were door to door. A caution on lap 12 as several cars got into it including Wickett, Kenny and Gilbert. Wickett exited his car and showed his displeasure towards the 71 of Aicken. As the cars crossed the finish line it was Aicken in first followed by Ditner and Kenny.
In the first Ray’s Auto Centre & Towing Thunder Car feature there were hard feelings right off the start. The 21 car had veteran Marty Monette behind the wheel for car owner Andrew Robertson. Monette was heading through one and two on lap one and had a right rear tire come loose and off sending him spinning into the wall. He quickly exited the car and went after the 7 of Bobby Mercer. It took several track officials to restrain Monette. Not sure what happened, I didn’t personally see what happened so not sure what upset the driver of the 21 car. On the restart, the 02 of Mark Burbridge was the leader. Nice to see the orange crate of Burbridge out for the first time this year. The car is up for sale, that’s a fast car and would be a good one to buy if you’re looking. He battled for several laps until the 36 of Hudson Nagy got by to take the lead down the back stretch. Heading into the night the 13 of Brad Collison and 76 of Shawn Arnott were tied in points at 1386. Before long Collison was on the bumper of Nagy and they would battle nose to tail. They would trade the lead back and forth for a few laps until Collison took it for good. On lap 13, Arnott was on the pedal and would get by the youngster Nagy and move to second. But in the end it was Collison by a ten car margin over Arnott with Nagy coming in third.
The Lucas Oil Canadian Vintage Modifieds were next and there points battle is equally as exciting and close. Three time and defending champion Jason Keen is once again a top of the pole but has a slim lead over Steve Trendell. Keen has 667 points to 660 for Trendell. The green dropped on the field of eleven cars with John Karley leading lap one. Karley was around out of two on lap three but kept it going to avoid a caution. Veteran Brian Atkinson was the new leader with Trendell and Keen nose to tail. A caution for debris on lap eight brought the field to even but Atkinson was fastest off the start to keep the lead. Another caution as Trendell and Ian McIntyre made contact and this caused the 99 of Rick Jones to get into the 84 of Jeremy Barton. On the restart it was once again the veteran leading the way and when the checkers flew it was Atkinson followed by Keen and Trendell.
The Grisdale Late Models made their return and seventeen cars were signed in ready for battle. The points race is tight as well with David Elliott just one point up on Shawn Chenoweth. Nice to see Shane Gowan back in the car again as he raced the 39 with Corey Jones in the 19. The green flag was out but an incident in turn one two as Jones went high and made contact with the wall bringing out the caution and a complete restart. Chad Corcoran was the new pole sitter and he battled early with Elliott leading for several laps. As the checkers flew it was Shawn Chenoweth first followed by Matt Lockwood and Jeff Ruddy.
The Pro Four Modifieds were the last race prior to intermission. Dan Petit and Mark Lucas led the field to green with Petit leading lap one and Lucas the leader the next time past the stripe. Close behind it was Craig Shaver and Dan Naticoke battling for second. Nanticoke would take the lead down the back stretch on lap eight and would hold off the field to take the win followed by Lucas and Shaver.
At the intermission one of the newest inductees to the Flamboro Stadium & Speedway Hall of Fame, Gary Elliott was on hand to present three of his trophies he has won over is long and illustrious career to some young fans. Nice to see the Iron Man once again giving back to his fans. The Hall of Fame sure would like some of those trophies :) The McMaster Hospital Help a Child Smile group were on hand and made the draw for the four tickets to the 2017 Daytona 500 and once again congratulations to Tyler Mahew for winning the prize. I hear he just bought the ticket yesterday afternoon.
The Pure Stocks were up once again and as in the first race it was another exciting one. Two females sat on the pole as Caroline Kelly and Gillian Hils were out front. Kelly got out to an early lead and led a few laps. The 38 of Dave Larkin was around in two on lap two bringing out a caution. Several cars were involved including Bruce Wheller, Marshal Schrenk and Doug Moir. On the restart it was the 2 of Roger Lessard taking the lead through one and two on lap four. Kelly was shuttled back to third and a caution on lap seven when the 82 of Gillian Hils and 26 of Ashton Reekie got together. Another caution on lap twelve as the 79 of Caroline Kelly stalled in one and two. Lessard and Ross Winters Jr. battled with race one winner Blair Mayhew in third. As the cars exited four Lessard and Winters got together with Winters spinning into the wall. This allowed Mayhew to get by on the apron and came across the line first for the clean sweep of the night. Lessard came across in second followed by Jeff Miller. Former Thunder Car driver Kevin Heist was out for the first time in quite a few years. Nice to see a good friend back behind the wheel. Kevin was one of my favorites back before I started working at the track and he was so nervous prior to the races. Not too bad for out of the car for so long, a fifth and eleventh was a great showing. In tech, the 90 of Andy Wheller was DQ’d in race one and an issue with a part on the 24 car DQ’d him for the night as well.
In the second Mini Stock feature rookie Taylor Thring was on the pole along side twelve year old Carson Nagy. Heading through one and two it appeared Nagy got into Thring but the officials determined Thring to have made contact and she was sent to the rear of the field. Mike Hooper was now the pole sitter and he led lap one. Rodney Rutherford got by Hooper down the back stretch on lap two and was the new leader. Michael Kenny and Rutherford brought out a caution as they were involved a few laps later. Russ Aicken and Jake Gilbert were now out front and Aicken took the lead on the restart. Blair Wickett made his way from the rear of the field and was once again up challenging for the lead with Chad Ditner and Gilbert close behind. Wickett was up to second but wasn’t able to overcome Aicken’s lead and it was Aicken first followed by Wickett and Gilbert.
Bobby Mercer and Mark Burbridge led the Thunder Cars to green in their second feature. The 55 of Chris Howse would lead lap one and would lead start to finish to pick up the win. Shawn Arnott and Brad Collison continued their battle in this one with Arnott coming home second with Collison third. That should keep the two at pretty much even heading into next week’s action.
The Canadian Vintage Modifieds were next with Amanda Stoner and Cassidy March on the pole. Steve Trendell and Jason Keen were once again showing why they are one-two in the points race as they were out front and broke away from the rest of the pack. As the checkers flew, it was Trendell first followed by Keen and Brian Atkinson.
The Grisdale Late Models were out for their second thirty lap feature. Chad Corcoran and David Elliott were on the pole. Elliott led lap one. On lap two in turn four the 61 of Brent Wheller was involved with Matt Lockwood, Kevin Albers and Jeff Ruddy. Corcoran and Albers were unable to continue as Corcoran was running second at the time. Shawn Chenoweth was the new leader followed close by David Elliott. As the checkers flew it was Chenoweth followed by Elliott and Corey Jones.
The final race of the night was the Pro Four Modifieds. Linc Erison and Bill Pearsall were up front with Pearsall leading lap one. The caution flew on lap five as the 63 of Mark Lucas slowed just off the racing surface. Brian Nanticoke was the leader with brother Dan close behind the two raced close and Dan almost got by Brian several times. On the final lap with one last ditch attempt to get by Brian, Dan went high in four had to slow and this allowed the 8 of Craig Shave to get by for second, Brian Nanticoke was first, Shaver second and Dan Nanticoke third.
That brought to a close another exciting nice of racing action. Make plans to join us next Saturday September 10th for Flamboro Speedway’s Annual Memorial Night. Come join us as we honor the drivers and crew members that have left us. The racing schedule includes the Late Models, Thunder Cars, Pure Stocks, Mini Stocks and the Ontario Pro Challenge. Pits open at 4pm, Main grandstands at 5pm and racing starts at 7pm. Check the website for all the details, www.flamborospeedway.ca
Photos by Derek Smith racepulse.com home page
Mike Kiers www.cableguyphotos.com
Results
Pure Stock Feature #1: Blair Mayhew (DQ), #23 Doug Moir, #90 Andy Wheller (DQ), #18 Bob Hillar, #13 Kevin Heist, #10 Lofton Schuts, #66 Jeff Miller, #50 Ross Winters Jr., #38 Dave Larkin, #83 Eric Crow, #7 Matt Young, #42 Leo Labarbera, #9 Courtney Scott, #26 Ashton Reekie, #21 Marshal Schrenk, #2 Roger Lessard, #31 Keara Gallant, #82 Gillian Hils, #79 Caroline Kelly, #61 John Ditner, #16 Mark Thorne (NF)
Pure Stock Feature #2: #24 Blair Mayhew (DQ), #2 Roger Lessard, #66 Jeff Miller, #18 Bob Hillar, #90 Andy Wheller, #10 Lofton Schuts, #7 Matt Young, #16 Mark Thorne, #83 Eric Crow, #23 Doug Moir, #13 Kevin Heist, #42 Leo Labarbera, #31 Keara Gallant, #21 Marshal Schrenk, #9 Courtney Scott, #79 Caroline Kelly, #61 John Ditner, #50 Ross Winters Jr. (NF), #82 Gillian Hils (NF), #26 Ashton Reekie (NF), #80 Bruce Wheller (NF), #38 Dave Larkin (NF)
Mini Stock Feature #1: #71 Russ Aicken, #61 Chad Ditner, #07 Michael Kenny, #26 Mark Klotz, #38 Rodney Rutherford, #33 Mike Gilmour, #77 Mike Hooper, #36 Carson Nagy, #42 Rick Robinson, #55 Taylor Thring, #5 Stephen Dean, #03 Jake Gilbert (DQ), #97 Blair Wickett, #84 David Gallinger (NF)
Mini Stock Feature #2: #71 Russ Aicken, #97 Blair Wickett, #03 Jake Gilbert, #61 Chad Ditner, #84 David Gallinger, #33 Mike Gilmour, #26 Mark Klotz, #36 Carson Nagy, #38 Rodney Rutherford, #77 Mike Hooper, #07 Michael Kenny, #42 Rick Robinson, #5 Stephney Dean, #55 Taylor Thring
Thunder Car Feature #1: #13 Brad Collison, #76 Shawn Arnott, #36 Hudson Nagy, #31 Kevin Gallant, #55 Chris Howse, #02 Mark Burbridge, #7 Bobby Mercer, #38 Austin Penney, #92 A.J. Miller, #21 Marty Monette (DQ)
Thunder Car Feature #2: #55 Chris Howse, #76 Shawn Arnott, #13 Brad Collison, #31 Kevin Gallant, #7 Bobby Mercer, #92 A.J. Miller, #02 Mark Burbridge (NF), #38 Austin Penney, #36 Hudson Nagy (NS), #21 Marty Monette (NS)
Canadian Vintage Modified Feature #1: #92 Brian Atkinson, #18 Jason Keen, #57 Steve Trendell, #25 Cassidy March, #84 Jeremy Barton, #80 Amanda Stoner, #19 John Karley, #33 Ian Burney, #5 Ian McIntyre (NF), #99 Rick Jones (NF), #09 Rob Clark (NF)
Canadian Vintage Modifieds Feature #2: #57 Steve Trendell, #18 Jason Keen, #92 Brian Atkinson, #5 Ian McIntyre, #19 John Karley, #84 Jeremy Barton, #80 Amanda Stoner, #09 Rob Clark, #33 Ian Burney, #99 Rick Jones (NF), #25 Cassidy March (DQ)
Late Model Feature #1: #89 Shawn Chenoweth, #15 Matt Lockwood, #9 Jeff Ruddy, #61 Brent Wheller, #37 David Elliott, #50 Chad Corcoran, #36 Gary Elliott, #17 Nick Roth (NF), #27 Kevin Albers (NF), #46 Mike Klotz (NF), #91 Mike Westwood, #74 Al Bowman, #11 Dave Osborne,#5 Linda Stenhouse, #39 Shane Gowan (NF), #19 Corey Jones (NF)
Late Model Feature #2: #89 Shawn Chenoweth, #37 David Elliott, #39 Corey Jones, #15 Matt Lockwood, #9 Jeff Ruddy, #36 Gary Elliott, #61 Brent WHeller, #91 Mike Westwood, #46 Mike Klotz, #5 Linda Stenhouse, #27 Kevin ALbers (NF), #50 Chad Corcoran (NF), #11 Dave Osborne (NF), #17 Nick Roth (NS), #19 Shane Gowan (NS), #74 Al Bowman (DQ)
Pro Four Modified Feature #1: #15 Dan Nanticoke, #63 Mark Lucas, #8 Craig Shaver, #9 Brian Nanticoke, #93 Dan Petit, #38 Bill Pearsall, #68 Bobby Mercer, #23 Linc Erison
Pro Four Modified Feature #2: #9 Brian Nanticoke, #8 Craig Shaver, #15 Dan Nanticoke, #69 Bobby Mercer, #93 Dan Petit, #38 Bill Pearsall, #23 Linc Erison, #63 Mark Lucas (NF)
