by Tommy Goudge – Ohsweken Speedway’s 19th racing season saw record car counts and close competition. An average of almost 120 drivers signed in for each of the 19 events that made up the season, combining for 260 heat races, 52 B-Mains, 89 A-Features, 49 different feature winners…and 5 champions.
2014 CHAMPIONSHIPS
Corr/Pak Merchandising 360 Sprint Cars Champion – Glenn Styres (Ohsweken, ON) Styres became the 6th different driver to win a championship in the first 7 seasons of weekly Sprint Car racing at Ohsweken. The championship chase was close all season, as Styres edged Mitch Brown for the title by just 27 points. Styres’ 3 feature wins at Ohsweken in 2014 brought his all-time total at the track to 22. Styres and Brown also fought over the 2014 Southern Ontario Sprints tour title, with Styres prevailing. Jim Huppunen, Shane Ross, Todd Hoddick, Keith Dempster, Dave Dykstra, Jamie Turner, Jeremy Hughes, and Cory Turner made up the remainder of the top 10.
Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars Champion – Ryan Hunsinger (Stouffville, ON) Hunsinger returned to Ohsweken competition for the first time since 2009 and helped to create a high level of Crate Sprint Car competition on his way to becoming the division’s first champion. His 5 feature wins tied “The Gunslinger” for the Crate Sprint Car lead with Aaron Turkey, and added another division to his resume in which he’s claimed a win. A mid-season injury in a TQ midget didn’t slow Ryan down too much either. Turkey finished 2nd in the standings, and was the best of the first year Sprint Car drivers, followed by Jake Brown, Josh Shantz, Mike Thorne, Brad Herron, Mark Czuba, Tyler Hendricks, Kyle Durnin, and Paul Lang.
Affordable Towing & Recovery Thunder Stocks Champion – Dave Silverthorn, Jr. (London, ON) Silverthorn emerged from an extremely competitive championship chase as the 16th different champion in 19 Thunder Stock seasons. The former pavement driver’s season was built on consistency – He didn’t visit victory lane at all in 2014, but finished on the podium 7 times, and recorded 12 top five finishes. Defending champ Lee Winger fell just 4 points short, while Wyatt Van Wart, Chris Dickie, and Dave Bailey were also in the hunt. Ryan Dinning, Chase Hess, Bryce Richardson, Karl Sault, and Trevor DeBoer rounded out the top 10.
HRW Automotive Mini Stocks Champion – Tyler Lafantaisie (Welland, ON) Lafantaisie didn’t start the season intending to race at Ohsweken full time, but couldn’t stay away after a lot of success early in the season. He claimed 3 or his 5 feature wins in the first 5 weeks of the season, came back from a huge crash at Humberstone Speedway which forced him to race a borrowed car for one night, and held off a late charge by Mark Bazuin to become the 14th different champion in 19 Mini Stock seasons. Lafantaisie also recorded a total of 9 podium finishes, and 13 top fives. Bazuin settled for the 2nd spot in the standings, followed by Team 81 (Alex Schuts and Lee Hils), Team 66 (Brandon and Jon Janssens), Robin Elliott, Jason Lungaro, Kathi Dickie, Lucas Lubin, Team 55 (Rob and Kevin Slater), and Team 79 (Steve and Dan Miller).
Gale’s Auto Aftermarket Bombers Champion – Dusty DeBoer (Hagersville, ON) DeBoer successfully defended his 2013 championship with an amazingly consistent 2014 season in the rough and tumble Bomber division. Not only was he still on the track at the end of all 15 feature races, but he was in the top 5 in all of them as well. He won 2 features and finished on the podium 11 times. Joe DeBoer, Gillian Hils, Ashton Reekie, Clinton Nicholls, Gerald Burnham, Paul Longboat, Max Chechalk, Tim Nuell, and Team 1210 (Thomas Booker and Derek Dwyer) rounded out the top 10.
SPECIAL EVENTS
-Canadian Sprint Car Nationals weekend – Friday, September 12, and Saturday, September 13 The Ohsweken season finished with the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals for the 10th consecutive season. Jessica Zemken bested a talented 68 car field to take the $12,000 Saturday night feature win, and become the first female winner of the event. Zemken drove to the front from 14th on the grid, while Wayne Johnson, Dustin Daggett, Bryan Howland, and 21st starter Steve Poirier finished in the top 5. Friday’s Night Before the Nationals found Randy Hannagan and Jared Horstman winning the Twin 15 lap features, while Kyle Patrick won the Dave McLeod Memorial Shootout, and Mitch Brown won the first edition of the Kevin Ward, Jr. Young Stars Challenge. The average age of the 13 drivers in the Young Stars Challenge was just 18.
-World of Outlaws Six Nations Showdown – Tuesday, July 29 The World of Outlaws series brought some of the world’s best Sprint Car drivers to Ohsweken for the 8th year in a row. The 2014 edition of the Six Nations Showdown saw front row starters Shane Stewart and Donny Schatz put on a show, as they fought for the lead for 2/3’s of the race before Schatz finally got by and cruised to the win. Stewart settled for 2nd, followed by James McFadden, Kerry Madsen, and David Gravel.
-Northern Summer Nationals – Monday, July 28 The Corr/Pak Merchandising 360 Sprint Cars headlined the Northern Summer Nationals, along with the only visit of the season for the DIRTcar 358 Modifieds. James McFadden became the first Australian to win a feature race at Ohsweken Speedway by dominating the 25 lap Sprint Car feature driving the Joe Gaerte Racing #3g. Mat Williamson kept 2013 Northern Summer Nationals victor Chad Brachmann behind him and claimed the feature win.
TRACK RECORDS (New records set during the 2014 season)
-360 Sprint Cars 20 laps – Wayne Johnson (July 25, 2014) – 4:55.961
-Crate Sprint Cars 6 laps – Jake Brown (August 15, 2014) – 1:30.778
-Crate Sprint Cars 15 laps – Dylan Westbrook (August 15) – 3:51.710
-Thunder Stocks 1 lap Time Trial – Dave Bailey (September 13) – 19.656
-Thunder Stocks 10 laps – James Thompson (May 30) – 3:25.683
-Thunder Stocks 20 laps – Ryan Dinning (August 15) – 6:47.021
AWARD WINNERS
Driver of the Year Award:
Mitch Brown (360 Sprint Cars), Aaron Turkey (Crate Sprint Cars), Dave Bailey (Thunder Stocks), Robin Elliott (Mini Stocks – Art Hill Memorial Award), Gillian Hils (Bombers)
Rookie of the Year Award:
Cory Turner (360 Sprint Cars), Chase Hess (Thunder Stocks), Mark Bazuin (Mini Stocks),
Sportsmanship Award:
Shane Ross (360 Sprint Cars), Kyle Durnin (Crate Sprint Cars), Chris Dickie (Thunder Stocks), Rob Twitchett (Mini Stocks), Gillian Hils (Bombers)
Dedication to Racing Award:
Jamie Collard (360 Sprint Cars), Ryan Hunsinger (Crate Sprint Cars), Dave Bailey (Thunder Stocks), Alex Schuts (Mini Stocks), Joe DeBoer (Bombers)
ImageFactor.ca Best Appearing Car Award:
Jeremy Hughes (360 Sprint Cars), Josh Shantz (Crate Sprint Cars), Dave Silverthorn, Jr. (Thunder Stocks), Chris Ryckman (Mini Stocks), Ashton Reekie (Bombers)
Crew of the Year Award:
Team 10 – Mitch Brown (360 Sprint Cars), Team 55 – Mike Thorne (Crate Sprint Cars), Team 9 – Dave Silverthorn, Jr. (Thunder Stocks), Team 29 – Lucas Lubin (Mini Stocks),Team 23 – Dusty DeBoer (Bombers)
Hard Charger Award:
Jim Huppunen (360 Sprint Cars), Ryan Hunsinger (Crate Sprint Cars), Lee Winger (Thunder Stocks), Tyler Lafantaisie (Mini Stocks), Dusty DeBoer (Bombers)
Most Improved Driver Award:
Jeremy Hughes (360 Sprint Cars), Trevor DeBoer (Thunder Stocks), Kathi Dickie (Mini Stocks), Clinton Nicholls (Bombers)
Hard Luck Award:
Dave Dykstra (360 Sprint Cars), Brad Herron (Crate Sprint Cars), Jesse McDonald (Thunder Stocks), Lucas Lubin (Mini Stocks), Tim Nuell (Bombers)
FEATURE WINNERS
-OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY 19TH ANNUAL OPENING NIGHT – FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014 Rained Out
-WOODSTOCK FORD NIGHT – FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014
Total Entries: 111
Corr/Pak Merchandising 360 Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 0 Glenn Styres, Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 77x Ryan Hunsinger, Affordable Towing & Recovery Thunder Stocks Feature Winner: 04 Wyatt Van Wart, HRW Automotive Mini Stocks Feature Winner: 10 Jeremy May, Gale’s Auto Aftermarket Bombers Feature Winner: 42 Joe DeBoer
-STYRES GAS BAR NIGHT – FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2014 Total Entries: 107 Corr/Pak Merchandising 360 Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 80 Chris Steele Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 68 Aaron Turkey Affordable Towing & Recovery Thunder Stocks Feature Winner: 00 James Thompson HRW Automotive Mini Stocks Feature Winner: 96t Tyler Lafantaisie Gale’s Auto Aftermarket Bombers Feature Winner: 32 Gillian Hils
-ROCHESTER KNIGHTHAWKS NIGHT – FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014 Total Entries: 110 Corr/Pak Merchandising 360 Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 77 Jessica Zemken Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 1-10 Jake Brown Affordable Towing & Recovery Thunder Stocks Feature Winner: 2 Lee Winger HRW Automotive Mini Stocks Feature Winner: 96t Tyler Lafantaisie Gale’s Auto Aftermarket Bombers Feature Winner: 23 Dusty DeBoer
-SIX NATIONS BINGO NIGHT – FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014 Total Entries: 109 Corr/Pak Merchandising 360 Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 0 Glenn Styres Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 77x Ryan Hunsinger Affordable Towing & Recovery Thunder Stocks Feature Winner: 04 Wyatt Van Wart HRW Automotive Mini Stocks Feature Winner: 81 Alex Schuts Gale’s Auto Aftermarket Bombers Feature Winner: 97 Max Chechalk
-CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING CORR/PAK VS. PST NIGHT – FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014 Total Entries: 136 Corr/Pak Merchandising 360 Sprint Cars vs. Patriot Sprint Tour Feature Winner: 35 Jared Zimbardi Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 68 Aaron Turkey Affordable Towing & Recovery Thunder Stocks Feature Winner: 04 Wyatt Van Wart HRW Automotive Mini Stocks Feature Winner: 96t Tyler Lafantaisie Gale’s Auto Aftermarket Bombers Feature Winner: 97 Max Chechalk TUSA Canada West Mod Lites Feature Winner: 1 Paul Klager
-STRICKLAND’S GMC SPORTSMAN SHOOTOUT NIGHT – FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2014 Total Entries: 139 Corr/Pak Merchandising 360 Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 0 Glenn Styres Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 68 Aaron Turkey Affordable Towing & Recovery Thunder Stocks Feature Winner: 49 Dave Bailey HRW Automotive Mini Stocks Feature Winner: 114 Kyle Rothwell Gale’s Auto Aftermarket Bombers Feature Winner: 42 Joe DeBoer DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds Feature Winner: 18r Brad Rouse
-O’NEIL’S FARM EQUIPMENT CORR/PAK VS. SOS NIGHT – FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 Total Entries: 126 Corr/Pak Merchandising 360 Sprint Cars vs. Southern Ontario Sprints Feature Winner: 67c Steve Collins Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 12 Brad Herron Affordable Towing & Recovery Thunder Stocks Feature Winner: 2 Lee Winger HRW Automotive Mini Stocks Feature Winner: 21x Mark Bazuin Gale’s Auto Aftermarket Bombers Feature Winner: 97 Max Chechalk
-AFFORDABLE TOWING & RECOVERY NIGHT – FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014 Total Entries: 122 Corr/Pak Merchandising 360 Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 07x Dain Naida Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 77x Ryan Hunsinger Affordable Towing & Recovery Thunder Stocks Feature Winner: 04 Wyatt Van Wart HRW Automotive Mini Stocks Feature Winner: 96t Tyler Lafantaisie Gale’s Auto Aftermarket Bombers Feature Winner: a1 Spencer General-Thomas Vintage Modifieds Feature Winner: 20 Rick St. Pierre (Modified), 47b Alan Byerly (Sportsman)
-GALE’S AUTO AFTERMARKET BROCK LEONARD MEMORIAL NIGHT – FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2014 Total Entries: 132 Corr/Pak Merchandising 360 Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 10 Mitch Brown Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 68 Aaron Turkey Affordable Towing & Recovery Thunder Stocks “Brock Leonard Memorial 50” Feature Winner: 2 Lee Winger HRW Automotive Mini Stocks Feature Winner: 4 Jason Coutu Gale’s Auto Aftermarket Bombers Feature Winner: 23 Dusty DeBoer
-MCDONALD’S RESTAURANTS OF BRANTFORD & PARIS NIGHT – FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 Total Entries: 120 Corr/Pak Merchandising 360 Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 77x Wayne Johnson Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 00 Mark Czuba Affordable Towing & Recovery Thunder Stocks Feature Winner: 49 Dave Bailey HRW Automotive Mini Stocks Feature Winner: 21x Mark Bazuin Gale’s Auto Aftermarket Bombers Feature Winner: 42 Joe DeBoer
-BURGER BARN NORTHERN SUMMER NATIONALS – MONDAY, JULY 28, 2014 Total Entries: 94 Corr/Pak Merchandising 360 Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 3g James McFadden Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 68 Aaron Turkey HRW Automotive Mini Stocks Feature Winner: 66x Brandon Janssens DIRTcar 358 Modifieds Feature Winner: 6 Mat Williamson
-ARROW EXPRESS SIX NATIONS SHOWDOWN – TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 Total Entries: 91 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Feature Winner: 15 Donny Schatz Affordable Towing & Recovery Thunder Stocks Feature Winner: 2 Lee Winger Gale’s Auto Aftermarket Bombers Feature Winner: 97 Max Chechalk
-NATHAN ACKLAND STATE FARM INSURANCE CORR/PAK VS. ESS NIGHT – FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2014 Total Entries: 129 Corr/Pak Merchandising 360 Sprint Cars vs. Empire Super Sprints Feature Winner: 28fm Steve Poirier Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 77x Ryan Hunsinger Affordable Towing & Recovery Thunder Stocks Feature Winner: 1 Chris Dickie HRW Automotive Mini Stocks Feature Winner: 96t Tyler Lafantaisie Gale’s Auto Aftermarket Bombers Feature Winner: 11 Patrick Abrahamsson
-INSTA-INSULATION ART HILL MEMORIAL NIGHT – FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2014 Total Entries: 128 Corr/Pak Merchandising 360 Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 77 Dain Naida Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 47x Dylan Westbrook Affordable Towing & Recovery Thunder Stocks Feature Winner: 85b Ryan Dinning HRW Automotive Mini Stocks “Art Hill Memorial 42” Feature Winner: 21x Mark Bazuin Gale’s Auto Aftermarket Bombers Feature Winner: 43c Clinton Nicholls
-GRAND RIVER POWERSPORTS NIGHT – FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014 Total Entries: 136 Corr/Pak Merchandising 360 Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 77x Wayne Johnson Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 18 Josh Shantz Affordable Towing & Recovery Thunder Stocks Feature Winner: 85b Ryan Dinning HRW Automotive Mini Stocks Feature Winner: 66 Jon Janssens Gale’s Auto Aftermarket Bombers Feature Winner: 42 Joe DeBoer TUSA Canada West Mod Lites Feature Winner: 6 Rob Misener
-METAL WORKS NIGHT – FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014 Total Entries: 117 Corr/Pak Merchandising 360 Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 10 Mitch Brown Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 1-10 Jake Brown Affordable Towing & Recovery Thunder Stocks Feature Winner: 2 Lee Winger HRW Automotive Mini Stocks Feature Winner: 21x Mark Bazuin Gale’s Auto Aftermarket Bombers Feature Winner: 6 Wayde Thorne
-RENWAY ENERGY SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 Total Entries: 121 Rained Out
-BURGER BARN NIGHT BEFORE THE NATIONALS – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 Total Entries: 107
360 Sprint Cars Twin Feature #1 Winner: 22h Randy Hannagan
360 Sprint Cars Twin Feature #2 Winner: 17 Jared Horstman
360 Sprint Cars Dave MacLeod Memorial Shootout Winner: 33k Kyle Patrick
360 Sprint Cars Kevin Ward, Jr. Young Stars Challenge Winner: 10 Mitch Brown Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars Feature Winner: 77x Ryan Hunsinger HRW Automotive Mini Stocks Feature Winner: 81 Karl Sault
-ARROW EXPRESS CANADIAN SPRINT CAR NATIONALS – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2014 Total Entries: 96
360 Sprint Cars Canadian Sprint Car Nationals Feature Winner: 1z Jessica Zemken Affordable Towing & Recovery Thunder Stocks Feature Winner: 2 Lee Winger