BRIGHTON, Ont. – September 4, 2016 – The Southern Ontario Sprints were in action again on Sunday night for the second half of the Ultramar Labour Day Classic Weekend. SOS and 360 Sprint Car rookie Dylan Westbrook (No.47x Bradshaw Fuels) completed the sweep of the weekend with his sixth Southern Ontario Sprints win of the season.
Chris Jones (No.11J Jones Automotive) and Shawn Sliter (No.22 Gilletta Flooring Services) started on the front row for the 25-lap main event. Jones jumped out to the early lead on a very slick racetrack as Sliter held on to second, but was quickly under pressure from the third-starting Westbrook.
The 17-year-old Westbrook took second from Sliter on lap three and began to chase Jones for the lead. Jones appeared to have the bottom lane figured out while Westbrook pounded the top to find some moisture. He seemed resigned to following Jones for the first half of the race until Jones’ night came to an abrupt end.
On lap eight, Jones appeared to catch a tractor tire in turn four and caused him to spin to the infield for the race’s first caution. Jones elected not to take his car to the work area and Westbrook assumed the lead. Westbrook opened up a sizable 1.3-second lead over Sliter at the halfway mark, but it was erased by a caution on lap 14 when Clyde, OH native Mike Burkin (No.48 Visionquest) tipped on his side.
Burkin was able to continue as Westbrook dominated the remained 11 laps to secure the victory over Sliter. Kyle Fraser (No.01 Oakridge Construction) concluded his weekend with a strong third-place run over April Wilson (No.15aw FK Rod Ends) and Paul Pekkonen (No.98 All Out Performance).
Westbrook’s sixth win of the season with the SOS clinched his first career Sprint Car champion. After winning at South Buxton Raceway on July 2, Westbrook won six straight races including this sweep of the Labour Day Classic Weekend. Westbrook can conclude his championship dream season with a seventh win next Friday, September 9 at Merrittville Speedway.
April Wilson Wins Wingless Dash
The Ultramar Labour Day Classic Weekend concluded with the Simon Petit Memorial Wingless Dash for the Southern Ontario Sprints. Drivers had the opportunity to take the wing off their cars following the scheduled points race. Nine drivers took the challenge and polesitter April Wilson led all 15 laps to secure the victory. She worked the bottom lane excellently and held off Ohioan Mike Burkin and Dylan Westbrook to claim the victory.
SOUTHERN ONTARIO SPRINTS RACE REPORT
2016 SEASON EVENT #11 – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016
BRIGHTON SPEEDWAY – BRIGHTON ON
ENTRY LIST
(Number Name – Hometown)
01 Kyle Fraser – White Lake, ON
7 Brad Lodge – Stouffville, ON
11J Chris Jones – Picton, ON
15 Mike Ferrell – London, ON
15aw April Wilson – Joyceville, ON
22 Shawn Sliter – Port Colborne, ON
25 Warren Mahoney – Lefroy, ON
42w Rick Wilson – Joyceville, ON
47x Dylan Westbrook – Oakland, ON
48 Mike Burkin – Clyde, OH
66 Frank Baranowski – Mount Hope, ON
98 Paul Pekkonen – Brockville, ON
Heat 1 (8 Laps – Top 4 Redrew For Feature Starting Position)
1. 22 Shawn Sliter
2. 01 Kyle Fraser
3. 98 Paul Pekkonen
4. 15 Mike Ferrell
5. 25 Warren Mahoney
6. 66 Frank Baranowski
Time: 1:43.050
Heat 2 (8 Laps – Top 4 Redrew For Feature Starting Position)
1. 47x Dylan Westbrook
2. 15aw April Wilson
3. 11J Chris Jones
4. 42w Rick Wilson
5. 48 Mike Burkin
6. 7 Brad Lodge
Time: 1:45.281
FEATURE (25 Laps)
1. 47x Dylan Westbrook
2. 22 Shawn Sliter
3. 01 Kyle Fraser
4. 15aw April Wilson
5. 98 Paul Pekkonen
6. 25 Warren Mahoney
7. 7 Brad Lodge
8. 48 Mike Burkin
9. 42w Rick Wilson
10. 66 Frank Baranowski
11. 15 Mike Ferrell
12. 11J Chris Jones
No Time.
Margin of Victory: 2.074 seconds.
Simon Petit Memorial Wingless Dash (15 Laps – 9 Entries)
1. 15aw April Wilson
2. 48 Mike Burkin
3. 47x Dylan Westbrook
4. 11J Chris Jones
5. 98 Paul Pekkonen
6. 25 Warren Mahoney
7. 25d Dick Mahoney
8. 15 Mike Ferrell
9. 66 Frank Baranowski
Time: 4:11.644
A-Feature Lap Leaders – Chris Jones 1-8, Dylan Westbrook 9-25
2016 SEASON FEATURE WINNERS:
Dylan Westbrook – 6 (South Buxton July 2, Brighton July 9, Brighton August 6, Humberstone August 7, Brighton September 3, Brighton September 4), Mitch Brown – 2 (Brighton May 21, June 18), Ryan Susice – 1 (Humberstone June 5), Dave Dykstra – 1 (Ohsweken July 1)
UP NEXT:
Merrittville Speedway – Friday, September 9, 2016
About the Southern Ontario Sprints: Founded in 1996, the Southern Ontario Sprints series is a traveling winged 360 Sprint Car tour based in Ontario, Canada. 2016 marks the 21st year of operation for the Southern Ontario Sprints, brought to you this season by The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, www.ImageFactor.ca, and www.OntarioOvalOnDirt.com.
Website: www.SouthernOntarioSprints.com
Twitter: @SOSsprints
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/SouthernOntarioSprints
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/user/SOSsprints
Photo Attachment 1: Dylan Westbrook drove his Bradshaw Fuels No.47x to victory lane for the second straight night in the Ultramar Labour Day Classic Weekend at Brighton Speedway. (Rod Henderson photo).
