y Randy Spencer (Flamboro Speedway PR) – What a crazy night at Bennett Chevrolet Flamboro Speedway. After a couple of rain outs the past few Saturday’s, sunny perfect weather returned for the final night of the racing for 2016. It was Championship Night and we also celebrated Memorial Night where we remembered all the legends and heroes of yesterday that have past away.
The program started with fifteen Lucas Oil Sportsman cars lined up for time trials. The track record of 16.281 by Mike Hryniuk was set earlier this year and was ready to fall. That came as the fourth car, the 43 of veteran Bob Merrifield better the time with a fast lap of 16.203. Chad McGlynn did him a little quicker as he put down a fast lap of 16.199. The final car was Mike Hryniuk and he showed he wasn’t happy about losing the record going just a little faster and regaining the title with a 16.005. Top five qualifiers before the Fast Five draw was Hryniuk, McGlynn, Merrifield, Alvin McNicol and Brandt Graham.
Racing got underway at 5pm with seven divisions in attendance, all looking to crown champions. Some point races were tied, others just separated by mere points. It was a crazy night, perhaps a full moon was in the sky. The Flamboro Stadium & Speedway Pure Stocks were first. Twenty cars were signed in with a tight points race waiting to be decided. Peter Becker and Josh Shantz were on the pole. An early caution as the 32 of Gillian Hils spun coming out of one on the first lap. On the restart Becker would lead early. Another caution on lap six as the 61 of John Ditner tagged the wall out of four. Becker continued to lead once again. Half way through Eric Crow spun out of two and on the final lap the 66 of Jeff Miller hit the wall hard and the race finished under caution/checkers with Peter Becker leading every lap.
The Klotz Auto Repair and Engine Machine Shop Mini Stocks were next with sixteen cars signed in. This division was the only one that wasn’t close. Russ Aicken was leading in points and started race one from the lucky number thirteen spot in the field. Scott Mast, who started third in the field was penalized for jumping the start and was the leader early. On lap ten, the 07 of Michael Kenny brought out a caution as he made contact with the wall. On the restart, Jake Gilbert got into the leader Mast and he spun bringing another caution. This put Aicken up front along side the driver second in points, Blair Wickett. These two have waged a fierce battle all season. The two broke away from the rest of the field with Wickett taking the lead. But Aicken would have none of it and would retake the lead on lap sixteen and held it for the rest of the way to pick up the win.
The Ray’s Auto Centre & Towing Thunder Cars hit the track with thirteen cars taking green. Kevin Gallant who was doing double duty on the night was on the pole along side point leader Shawn Arnott. Arnott led lap one. Gallant spun in three and four on lap eight bringing out a caution. On the restart, Arnott lined up beside Brad Collison who were all but tied in points. The two banged each other on the restart and Collison got high and grazed the wall slowing him slightly back to third as Chris Howse got past. Arnott continued to lead and would do so flag to flag to pick up the win.
The Grisdale Late Models were also very close in points with Shawn Chenoweth and David Elliott tied going in. Before the race got underway, the clean up crew were on the track and as the 74 of Al Bowman was making a quick run for the pits he ran into the back of the clean up truck. Nobody was injured but Bowman couldn’t continue. Matt Lockwood and Chad Corcoran were up front with Lockwood leading the first lap. As the field were heading into one on lap one, Chad Corcoran got a nudge from behind and went around. David Elliott made contact with Corcoran as did Kevin Albers and the 91 of Mike Westwood was able to avoid the pack of stopped cars but was to far on the outside and was into the wall. After a fifteen minute delay to clean up the mess the restart saw Lockwood and Shawn Chenoweth battle several laps for the lead.Half way through, Chenoweth made a smooth move on the inside through four and took the lead. Nice to see Dale Shaw back at Flamboro and he was battling Jeff Ruddy for third and fourth. On lap 22 Shaw got past Ruddy out of four and took over third. As the checkers flew it was Chenoweth followed by Lockwood and Shaw.
The Lucas Oil Canadian Vintage Modifieds were next and eleven cars took the green. Amanda Stoner and Cassidy March were up front and March led the first five laps. Brian Atkinson would take over the lead on lap six as the cars came out of four. A tight pack behind Atkinson as Mike Podd, T.J. Marshall, Jason Keen and Steve Trendell were nose to tail. Atkinson continued to lead but on the final lap the 18 of Keen was around bringing out the caution and checkers as the race finished under caution.
The Pro Four Modifieds were last before intermission as seven cars took green. Mark Lucas and Linc Erison lined up on the front row. Lucas led lap one. Before long Aaron Turkey and Dan Nanticoke were battling for the lead and Nanticoke got by. A caution a few laps later as the 63 car of Lucas died on the back stretch. Nanticoke continued to lead and took the checkers.
During intermission announcers Gary Colling and Adam Ross read all the names of the yesterdays heroes and legends. We learned that a fine lady of racing passed away last week. Jeannie Reiman was 103-1/2 and was so well known to all those involved with the “Hobby” club and known to many as GG. In case you didn’t know, she is in the Guiness World Book of Records…”The oldest female racing driver is Jeannie Reiman ( b. New Zealand, 19 April 1913) who competed in the Canadian Vintage Modified’s 10 lap Powder Puff race at Sunset Speedway in Stroud, Ontario, Canada, on 3 August 2003, aged 90 years 106 days.” Rest in Peace GG.
Round two of features got under way with Caroline Kelly and Leo Labarbera on the pole for the Pure Stocks. Kelly would lead the first three laps but Mark Thorne got by out of two on lap four to take the lead away. It wasn’t long before race one winner Peter Becker found his way to Thorne’s bumper. On lap ten, Becker got past Thorne and was the leader and he held the lead the rest of the way to make it a clean sweep on the night. The 10 car of Lofton Schuts didn’t have a great race finishing tenth but it was just enough to take the points title by a mere two points edging out the team of Josh Shantz/Bob Hillar.
Next up was the Mini Stocks. All Russ Aicken needed was to take green and he pretty much had the title in the bag. Michael Kenny and Stepheny Turpin were on the pole. Kenny got out to a huge lead and at one point was half a track. Russ Aicken found his way to second but was still a long way back. As the laps wore on Aicken started to catch Kenny who was battling lapped traffic. But as the checkers flew it was Kenny with a wave out the window as he crossed the line. Nice to see Kenny with the win to close out the season. It started slow and after many nights on the end of the tow truck it was nice to see the team get the season heading in the right direction. Nice to see Michael Hooper stop and congratulate Kenny in Victory Lane. The two have pitted all year side by side. A strong second place finish by Russ Aicken and another points championship. That’s two in a row for Russ and he tied Mike Holmes the year before that. Congratulations Russ!
The Thunder Cars were up and Kelsey Lamont and Bobby Mercer were on the pole. Mercer battled Mark Burbridge early and Burbridge was the leader as he got by Mercer out of four on lap six. Burbridge, Shawn Arnott, Chris Howse and Brad Collison were battling nose to tail. A caution half way through as the 74 of Lamont and 31 of Chad Corcoran got into each other out of four. On the restart it was Burbridge along side Arnott. Arnott was the new leader as the cars went through one and two. As they entered three Brad Collison was up to second followed by Chris Howse and Brurbridge to fourth. But Howse went high in four got sideways then made contact with the wall, was up on it ride the wall, drove like a Hell driver on two wheels then back down on all four stopping in turn one. He quickly got out, surveyed the damage which was minimal I guess and was back in the car and took up position amazingly at the rear of the field and finished the race. As the race continued it was Arnott leading Collson and Arnott made it a clean sweep on the night and took his first ever points championship by six points over Collison. Make sure you watch the video to see Howse’s wild ride!
The Late Models were next and David Elliott and Jeff Ruddy were on the pole. Elliott led early and a caution on lap eight as the 61 of Brent Wheller was around in four. Elliott continued to lead with Shawn Chenoweth right there on his bumper. These two have had a heated battle all season but Elliott held off Chenoweth to pick up the win but Chenoweth was able to take the points title by just two points.
The Canadian Vintage Modifieds were next. Jason Keen and Amanda Roper were out front. An early caution as Stoner and Cassidy March hooked wheels and it sent the 80 car into the wall and on the wall in two bringing out a caution. Steve Trendell seemed to have some damage to the steering and suspension and headed to the pits but made it back for the green. Keen led by about ten car lengths with T.J. Marshall, Brian Atkinson and Mike Podd nose to tail for second through fourth. Keen weaved his way through lapped traffic and continued to widen his lead. As the checkers flew it was Keen followed by Marshall and Atkinson. This allowed Keen to win his sixth CVM championship! What an amazing accomplishment! Brian Atkinson was the season end champion on the night.
The Pro Four Modifieds were the last race prior to the LOSC 100 lap race. Mark Lucas and Linc Ersion were on the pole again with Lucas leading one with Dan Nanticoke close behind. He would take the lead on lap six as he got past Lucas down the back stretch. Aaron Turkey and Mark Millard slid into the wall and it appeared perhaps an engine let go as lots of fluid was on the track. The call was made to call the race after eleven laps and Dan Nanticoke was the winner and brother Brian was the 2016 points champ. Congratulations Crow!
The final race of the night was the 100 lap feature race for the Lucas Oil Sportsman series. After the Fast Five draw the front row was Chad McGlynn, Brandt Graham, Alvin McNicol, Bob Merrifield and Mike Hryniuk. On the start it was McGlynn leading but the cars were three wide down the back stretch. A few early cautions and Brennan Didero had to retire early as a locked steering box ended his night. Hrynuik and Gallant were battling McGlynn and all three were battling for the lead briefly. On lap 54 a big wreck as the 51 of Kevin Gallant was sent spinning and the field stacked up behind with several cars receiving major damage. One car took a hard hit as he was sightly airborne and hit the wall at the exit in turn two. His night was finished. On the restart it was Hrynuik, McGlynn, Wood, Graham, and Gallant first to fifth. With ten laps to go McGlynn made the pass for the lead and held off Hryniuk and picked up the win. Nice to see McGlynn pick up the win, his second career LOSC feature win. Congratulations to the youngster Brandt Graham being crowned series champion!
That brought to a close the racing for the night and for the regular season. As they say its playoff time now, the silly season is over and it’sFrostoberfest this weekend, October 1st & 2nd. Pits open both days at 10am, front gates at noon with racing at 3pm both days. Check the website for all the details!!
Photos by Derek Smith racepulse.com and Mike Kiers cableguyphotos.com
Videos by Ingrid Hartman.
Results
Pure Stock Feature #1 – #60 Peter Becker, #18 Josh Shantz, #90 Gary Slama, #13 Wayde Thorne, #50 Ross Winters Jr., #10 Lofton Schuts, #9 Courtney Scott, #16 Mark Thorne, #42 Leo Labarbera, #26 Ashton Reekie, #31 Keara Gallant, #79 Caroline Kelly, #05 Kyle Jones, #66 Jeff Miller (NF), #7 Matt Young (NF), #83 Eric Crow (NF), #2 Roger Lessard (NF), #77 Kevin Jackman (NF), #61 John Ditner (NF), #32 Gillian Hils (NF)
Pure Stock Feature #2 – #60 Peter Becker, #90 Gary Slama, #16 Mark Thorne, #50 Ross Winters Jr., #18 Josh Shantz, #13 Wayde Thorne, #2 Roger Lessard, #79 Caroline Kelly, #9 Courtney Scott, #10 Lofton Schuts, #42 Leo Labarbera, #26 Ashton Reekie, #77 Kevin Jackman, #05 Kyle Jones, #83 Eric Crow (NF), #7 Matt Young (NF), #31 Bruce Wheller (NF), #66 Jeff Miller (NS), #32 Gillian Hils (NS), #61 John Ditner (NS)
Mini Stock Feature #1 – #71 Russ Aicken, #97 Blair Wickett, #01 Mark DaSilva, #84 David Gallinger, #61 Chad Ditner, #42 Rick Robinson, #75 Scott Mast (-1J), #79 Kyle Istead, #77 Michael Hooper, #5 Stepheny Turpin, #18 Adam Hallett, #07 Michael Kenny, #33 Mike Gilmour, #9 Dave Silverthorn Sr., #22 Ken Lovegrove, #03 Jake Gilbert (NF)
Mini Stock Feature #2 – #07 Michael Kenny, #71 Russ Aicken, #61 Chad Ditner, #97 Blair Wickett, #03 Jake Gilbert, #75 Scott Mast, #01 Mark DaSilva, #84 David Gallinger, #42 Rick Robinson, #79 Kyle Istead, #77 Michael Hooper, #9 Dave SIlverthorn Sr., #5 Stephney Turpin, #33 Mike Gilmour, #22 Ken Lovegrove, #18 Adam Hallett (NF)
Thunder Car Feature #1 – #76 Shawn Arnott, #55 Chris Howse, #13 Brad Collison, #02 Mark Burbridge, #7 Bobby Mercer, #74 Kelsey Lamont, #38 Austin Penney, #87 Jeff Bean, #92 A.J. Miller, #31 Kevin Gallant (NF), #8 K.J. Croteau (NF), #3 Shawn Hewitt (NS)
Thunder Car Feature #2 – #76 Shawn Arnott, #13 Brad Collison, #02 Mark Burbridge, #3 Shawn Hewitt, #7 Bobby Mercer, #38 Austin Penney, #74 Kelsey Lamont, #55 Chris Howse, #92 A.J. Miller, #31 Chad Corcoran (NF), #8 K.J. Croteau (NF), #87 Jeff Bean (NS)
Late Model Feature #1 – #89 Shawn Chenoweth, #15 Matt Lockwood, #83 Dale Shaw, #9 Jeff Ruddy, #37 David Elliott, #39 Shane Gowan, #29 Steve Cashmore, #17 Nick Roth, #11 Dave Osborne, #38 Rodney Rutherford (NF), #94 Jason Wood (NF), #5 Linda Stenhouse (NF), #50 Chad Corcoran (NF), #36 Gary Elliott (NF), #27 Kevin Albers (NF), #91 Mike Westwood (NF), #74 Al Bowman (NS), #61 Brent Wheller (NS)
Late Model Feature #2 – #37 David Elliott, #89 Shawn Chenoweth, #27 Kevin Albers, #17 Nick Roth, #83 Dale Shaw, #15 Matt Lockwood, #9 Jeff Ruddy, #39 Shane Gowan, #29 Steve Cashmore, #94 Jason Wood, #11 Dave Osborne, #38 Rodney Rutherford (NF), #5 Linda Stenhouse (NF), #61 Brent Wheller (NF), #36 Gary Elliott (NF), #50 Chad Corcoran (NS), #91 Mike Westwood (NS), #74 Al Bowman (NS)
Canadian Vintage Modified Feature #1 – #92 Brian Atkinson, #5 Mike Podd, #15 T.J. Marshall, #57 Steve Trendell, #25 Cassidy March, #19 John Karley, #80 Amanda Stoner, #84 Jeremy Barton, #18 Jason Keen, #33 Ian Burney, #09 Bill Stoner (NF)
Canadian Vintage Modified Feature #2 – #18 Jason Keen, #15 T.J. Marshall, #92 Brian Atkinson, #5 Mike Podd, #25 Cassidy March, #57 Steve Trendell, #84 Jeremy Barton, #19 John Karley, #09 Bill Stoner, #33 Ian Burney, #80 Amanda Stoner (NF)
Pro Four Modifieds Feature #1 – #15 Dan Nanticoke, #9 Brian Nanticoke, #8 Mark Millard, #68 Aaron Turkey, #23 Linc Erison, #93 Mike Neville, #63 Mark Lucas (NF)
Pro Four Modifieds Feature #2 – #15 Dan Nanticoke, #63 Mark Lucas, #9 Brian Nanticoke, #23 Linc Erison, #93 Mike Neville, #68 Aaron Turkey (NF), #8 Mark Millard (NF)
Lucas Oil Sportsman Feature (Fast time trial lap in brackets) – #18 Chad McGlynn (16.199), #15 Mike Hryniuk (16.005), #66 Josh Wood (16.611), #14 Brandt Graham (16.321), #54 Kevin Allen (16.384), #49 Donny Beatty (16.390), #48 Doug Cathcart (16.747), #43 Bob Merrifield (16.203), #85 Mike Nelson (17.210), #8 Adam Martin (16.733), #88 Scott Laporte ( 16.482), #51 Kevin Gallant (NF)(16.402), #3 Tim Tolton (NF) ( 16.427), #77 Alvin McNicol (NF)(16.280), #24 Brennan Didero (NF) (16.390)
