After leading 73 of 75 laps in the Autumn Colours Classic Limited Late Model 75 at Peterborough Speedway, Rick Spencer-Walt suffered a DNF as a result of a cut tire with two laps to go. Meanwhile, he posted a sixth place finish in the mini stock 50-lap feature.
The 2016 Peterborough Speedway Champion started off the weekend by finishing sixth in his first heat.
With the victory in the Chase for the Colours event earlier this year, Spencer-Walt got to start pole for the Autumn Colours Classic 75. Off the drop of the green flag, Spencer-Walt put the No. 31 Jim Wilson Chevrolet, Eisses pumpmytank.ca, HOTC, Auto Trim Design Barrie, GoHydroVac.com, RCP Dyno, Speedy Auto Machine, Heidi’s RV Superstore, Orser Technical Service, The Frame Shop and Baker Performance Parts Late Model out front ahead of Chris Mitchell and Paul Maltese.
Throughout the event, it looked as though it was smooth sailing. Spencer-Walt showed good speed in the car, fending off each challenge over the course of the next 15 restarts, whether it was from Mitchell or Ryan Kimball.
With the laps tricking down, things got intense and the restart following the 16th caution went a little crazy as Spencer-Walt found himself in a three-wide battle for the lead with Gord Shepeherd and Mitchell. Spencer-Walt was able to get through fine, holding serve as the caution came out for the 17th time.
The following restart then saw contact between the top-two cars – Spencer-Walt and Shepherd. The contact wasn’t in Spencer-Walt’s favor as under the 18th caution, he made his way down pit road with a flat right front tire courtesy of the contact. Finishing the race on pit road, Spencer-Walt was handed a DNF.
“There’s no way anyone was catching us in those last few laps without the contact between Gord and I,” Spencer-Walt commented post-race. “I had way more in this car and didn’t even have to push it. On the last restart, Gord jumped and chopped down going into 1. Then, he went to wash up towards the wall but I was still there and he went from the wall all the way down to the curb and into my right front tire. It almost spun us both out. I knew right away our tire was cut and was going down – so I had to pull in.
“We had a bit of a rivalry already after our final year at Barrie together, but today has made that worse than it ever was before. This isn’t over. I promise that. He’ll get his on opening night next season.”
It’s worth nothing in 13 races races this season (eight at Peterborough, three at Sunset, one at Sauble), Spencer-Walt had five wins and 12 top-six finishes.
Behind the wheel of his mini stock, Spencer-Walt started off the weekend by finishing seventh in his first heat, followed by third place finish in his second heat. Starting mid-pack for the main event, Spencer-Walt began to make his way forward in the early stages of the event, running 12th as of the first caution at Lap 21.
Following the restart, he continued to make his way forward, moving his way into eighth at Lap 27. He was then able to escape an incident ahead of him on Lap 30 with minimal damage, restarting ninth following a trip down pit road.
He then got a good restart, getting alongside Craig Kamrath for eighth. He got the spot, getting alongside Terry Woodley for seventh on Lap 38. He was then able to complete the pass four laps later, taking the seventh spot ahead of Woodley. He then put together a good final eight laps, crossing the finishing line in sixth.
Walt Motorsports is proud to be supported by Jim Wilson Chevrolet, Eisses pumpmytank.ca, HOTC, Auto Trim Design Barrie, GoHydroVac.com, RCP Dyno, Speedy Auto Machine, Heidi’s RV Superstore, Orser Technical Service, The Frame Shop and Baker Performance Parts.
Keep up with Rick Spencer-Walt and Walt Motorsports by liking their facebook page athttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Walt-Motorsports/524817640964689?fref=ts and following Rick Spencer-Walt on twitter at https://twitter.com/Rwalt31.
Press Release by Ashley McCubbin/AM Marketing – ashleymccubbin17@gmail.com
