by Tommy Goudge (June 26, 2009) – Billy Bleich, Jr. is now the driver to beat in ESSO Thunder Stock competition at Ohsweken Speedway. After taking his first feature win of the season at Ohsweken last week, Bleich claimed both ends of Twin 15’s night for the Thunder Stocks on Friday night. In the Corr/Pak Sprint Car division, Ryan Hunsinger was the victor for the first time in ’09, while Mitchell Brown continued his winning ways in ESSO Mini Stock action, and Rodney Rutherford claimed a thrilling Bomber feature. Kids Box Car races were a highlight of the night, while things ended with a bang – literally – when the Mini Vans took to the track for a Figure 8 race and Demolition Derby.
When the green flag waved for the start of the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car main event, Keith Dempster and Kevin Job were the front row. The green was short lived, as Wayne Ashton got tangled up and rolled in turn one. After a complete restart, Dempster roared to the lead, with Job giving chase, followed by Hunsinger, and a hard charging group of drivers which included points leader Tom Huppunen, Jamie Collard, Glenn Styres, and Brad Malloy. As the race approached the halfway mark, Hunsinger charged around Job for the second spot and set his sights on Dempster. Dempster held the lead for another lap, but Hunsinger was not to be denied on this night, driving around Dempster during the eleventh circuit.
Lap twelve saw Dave Dykstra and Tom Huppunen tangle in turn one while racing for the fifth spot, resulting in nose wing damage for Huppunen and a flat left rear tire on Dykstra’s machine. With Huppunen entering the night as the points leader, the remaining laps would prove important as he tried to minimize the damage to his lead. The race went green for two laps before Chris Durand’s damaged machine came to rest at the exit of turn four to bring out the yellow flag again. Another short green flag spurt followed, as Kevin Job’s loose nose wing finally came off in turn two, forcing another caution period and relegating Job, who had been fast in spite of the wing issue, to the back of the pack.
The final few laps were nerve-wracking for Hunsinger, whose nose wing also began to come loose. Behind him, the action was frantic between Dempster, Styres, and Collard for the runner-up spot. Collard took over third from Styres on lap eighteen, but Styres returned the favour the next lap. On the last lap while Hunsinger was driving to victory, Styres, Collard, and Dempster went three-wide for the runner-up spot, with Styres getting it at the line, followed by Collard, Dempster, and Brad Malloy. Adam West quietly advanced through the pack from sixteenth to finish sixth, while Huppunen came home seventh without a nose wing, followed by Brad Knab, Dave Dykstra, and Jim Huppunen. Heat races for the twenty-six Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars were claimed by Tom Huppunen, Ryan Hunsinger, and Glenn Styres.
Twin fifteen lap features for the ESSO Thunder Stocks began with Kyle Magrin and Ryan Dinning on the front row of feature number one, but it wasn’t long before Billy Bleich, Jr. had made his way from inside row five to challenge for the lead. Attrition was heavy in the race as nearly half the field retired before its conclusion due to crashes or mechanical problems, but it was smooth sailing for Bleich out front. He went on to claim the win, followed by Jeremy Bean, Brad Bacher in his first action of the season, point leader Shayne Pierce, and Michael Bosse who had started outside row ten.
The second feature began with Amanda Stoner and Brad Herron on the front row, but again Bleich quickly made his way to the front while Lee Winger, Bacher, Bean, and Rob Disher gave chase, while points leader Shayne Pierce tried to make his way to the front, but could advance no higher than seventh. Bleich cruised to victory once again in the second feature, followed by Winger who outdueled Bacher for second, Bean, and Disher rounding out the top five. Heat races for the twenty-two ESSO Thunder Stocks in attendance were won by Ryan Dinning, Billy Bleich, Jr., and Lee Winger.
ESSO Mini Stock feature action began with Mike Giberson and Rick Emberson on the front row, but all eyes were on points leader Mitchell Brown, who quickly made his way forward from seventh on the grid. Emberson, Abel Castelein, and Mike Evers were not about to let the youngster drive away easily, and a good four-car battle ensued at the front of the pack. Brown proved too strong for the competition again on this night, however, and took the feature win, followed by Castelein, Evers, Emberson, and Cam Hill. Heat races for the sixteen ESSO Mini Stocks were claimed by Rick Emberson and Mike Giberson.
In one of the best Bomber features of the season, a three car battle for the lead at the end of the race saw Rodney Rutherford snap Jesse McDonald’s win streak, as Rutherford barely edged out points leader Karl Sault at the finish line for the win. McDonald would settle for third, followed by Mark Czuba and Brad Hill.
A Mini Van figure eight race and demolition derby finished the evening off, with Evan Ritchie claiming the wild race, while Chris Hils was the last man left standing after the derby.
Friday Night Thunder resumes on Friday, July 3 when Corr/Pak Merchandising presents the second annual Northern Summer 360 Nationals, featuring the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars, ASCS Patriots, ASCS Sprints on Dirt, and Southern Ontario Sprints, plus the ESSO Thunder Stocks, ESSO Mini-Stocks, and Bombers! Friday Night Thunder at Ohsweken Speedway offers affordable family entertainment just a short drive away from most mid-western Ontario locations. Friday Night Thunder Adult General Admission for this special event is just $15, while Seniors and Students are $8, and kids 12 and under are FREE! Please visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com for more information. On Friday night, gates open at 6:00p.m., with the first race at 7:45p.m.
FRIDAY NIGHT THUNDER 2009
ROUND 7 RACE REPORT – JUNE 26, 2009
OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY
OHSWEKEN, ONTARIO
EVENT SPONSORS – GRAND RIVER ELECTRONICS AND BS&B RADIATOR
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING SPRINT CARS
HEAT RACES (Top 5 Transfer To A-Feature, Top 4 redraw for Feature Starting Positions):
BS&B RADIATOR Heat Race #1
1. 12c Tom Huppunen (Fenwick), 2. 5 Keith Dempster (Alton), 3. 14h Jim Huppunen (Fenwick), 4. 21x Kevin Job (Campbellville), 5. 4z Joel Lehman (Elora), 6. 30 Adam West (Ridgetown), 7. 57 Doug Bowman (London), 8. 21j John Burbridge, Sr. (Simcoe), 9. 01 Mikey Kruchka (Hamilton) DNS. Time – 1:50.822
BEST WESTERN CAIRN CROFT HOTEL Heat Race #2
1. 77x Ryan Hunsinger (Brantford), 2. 27 Jamie Collard (Burford), 3. 5m Brad Malloy (Niagara Falls), 4. 18 Kevin Loveys (Hamilton), 5. 90 James Evans (Beamsville), 6. 31 John Burbridge, Jr. (Simcoe), 7. 67 Chris Durand (Port Stanley), 8. 71 Travis Cunningham (Grimsby) DNS, 9. 7 Kyle Moffit (South Dayton, NY) DNS. No Time
GRISDALE RACING PRODUCTS Heat Race #3
1. 0 Glenn Styres (Ohsweken), 2. 5d Dave Dykstra (Port Colborne), 3. 81 Derek Jonathon (Lewiston, NY), 4. 38 Brad Knab (Delevan, NY), 5. 3 Wayne Ashton (Kitchener), 6. 9jr Tim Zack (Dain City), 7. 11j Chris Jones (Demorestville) DNF, 8. 66 Frank Baranowski (Hamilton) DNF. No Time
NOTES
01 Mikey Kruchka switched to John Burbridge, Sr’s 21j for feature
7 Kyle Moffit, 11j Chris Jones, and 66 Frank Baranowski scratched for the evening.
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING
SPRINT CAR FEATURE (20 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 77x Ryan Hunsinger (6)
2. 0 Glenn Styres (9)
3. 27 Jamie Collard (11)
4. 5 Keith Dempster (3)
5. 5m Brad Malloy (10)
6. 30 Adam West (16)
7. 12c Tom Huppunen (7)
8. 38 Brad Knab (12)
9. 5d Dave Dykstra (1)
10. 14h Jim Huppunen (5)
11. 21x Kevin Job (2)
12. 90 James Evans (14)
13. 18 Kevin Loveys (4)
14. 57 Doug Bowman (19)
15. 31 John Burbridge, Jr. (17)
16. 67 Chris Durand (20) DNF
17. 4z Joel Lehman (13) DNF
18. 71 Travis Cunningham (21) DNF
19. 21j Mikey Kruchka (22) DNF
20. 9jr Tim Zack (18) DNF
21. 81 Derek Jonathon (8) DNF
22. 3 Wayne Ashton (15) DNF
No Time
ESSO THUNDER STOCKS
HEAT RACES:
Heat Race #1
1. 8 Ryan Dinning (Caledonia), 2. 12 Brad Herron (Brantford), 3. 37 Jeremy Bean (Stoney Creek), 4. 44 Jamie Cox (Cambridge), 5. 9 Glen Leinen (Hannon), 6. 11 Michelle Johnson (Caledonia), 7. 18 Amanda Stoner (Hamilton)
Heat Race #2
1. 108jr Billy Bleich, Jr. (Port Robinson), 2. 24k Kyle Magrin (Hamilton), 3. 40 Terry Osmond (Cambridge), 4. 13 Mark Thorne (Waterford), 5. 397 Brent Hill (Ohsweken), 6. 33 Colin Court (Jerseyville), 7. 31jr Michael Bosse (St. Catharines)
Heat Race #3
1. 83 Lee Winger (Caledonia), 2. 55 Mike Thorne (Caledonia), 3. 88 Shayne Pierce (Wainfleet), 4. 1 Chris Dickie (Brantford), 5. 98 Brad Bacher (Hagersville), 6. 62 Brian Pescetti (Stoney Creek), 7. 17 Rob Disher (Grimsby), 8. 00 Robbie General
ESSO THUNDER STOCKS A-FEATURE #1 (15 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 108jr Billy Bleich, Jr. (11)
2. 37 Jeremy Bean (6)
3. 98 Brad Bacher (15)
4. 88 Shayne Pierce (12)
5. 31jr Michael Bosse (20)
6. 83 Lee Winger (8)
7. 1 Chris Dickie (5)
8. 40 Terry Osmond (7)
9. 13 Mark Thorne (3)
10. 33 Colin Court (17)
11. 12 Brad Herron (10)
12. 18 Amanda Stoner (19)
13. 24k Kyle Magrin (1) DNF
14. 62 Brian Pescetti (18) DNF
15. 17 Rob Disher (21) DNF
16. 55 Mike Thorne (4) DNF
17. 44 Jamie Cox (9) DNF
18. 9 Glen Leinen (13) DNF
19. 8 Ryan Dinning (2) DNF
20. 397 Brent Hill (14) DNF
21. 11 Michelle Johnson (16) DNF
22. 00 Robbie General (22) DNF
ESSO THUNDER STOCKS A-FEATURE #2 (15 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 108jr Billy Bleich, Jr. (12)
2. 83 Lee Winger (7)
3. 98 Brad Bacher (10)
4. 37 Jeremy Bean (11)
5. 17 Rob Disher (15)
6. 12 Brad Herron (2)
7. 88 Shayne Pierce (9)
8. 8 Ryan Dinning (19)
9. 44 Jamie Cox (17)
10. 40 Terry Osmond (5)
11. 1 Chris Dickie (6)
12. 397 Brent Hill (20)
13. 55 Mike Thorne (16)
14. 11 Michelle Johnson (21)
15. 33 Colin Court (3)
16. 62 Brian Pescetti (14)
17. 9 Glen Leinen (18)
18. 18 Amanda Stoner (1) DNF
19. 13 Mark Thorne (4) DNF
20. 31jr Michael Bosse (8) DNF
21. 24k Kyle Magrin (13) DNF
22. 00 Robbie General (22) DNF
ESSO MINI-STOCKS
HEAT RACES:
Heat Race #1
1. 11 Mike Giberson (Caledonia), 2. 05 David Goodacre (Brantford), 3. 28 Abel Castelein (Cayuga), 4. 397 Cam Hill (Ohsweken), 5. 72 Kevin Hilborn (Brantford), 6. 7x Chase Hess (Ohsweken) DNF, 7. 88 Drew Spencer DNF, 8. 77x Ethan Martin (Ohsweken) DNF
Heat Race #2
1. 86 Rick Emberson (Paris), 2. 10 Mitchell Brown (Brantford), 3. 27 Dan Stewart (Hamilton), 4. 265 Mike Evers (Caledonia), 5. 9 Jonathan Ayrton (Hamilton), 6. 14 Paul Goodale, 7. 50 Rick Robinson (Brantford), 8. 55 Rob Slater (Dundas) DNF
ESSO MINI-STOCKS A-FEATURE (15 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 10 Mitchell Brown (7)
2. 28 Abel Castelein (6)
3. 86 Rick Emberson (2)
4. 265 Mike Evers (5)
5. 397 Cam Hill (8)
6. 50 Rick Robinson (12)
7. 72 Kevin Hilborn (9)
8. 14 Paul Goodale (11)
9. 9 Jonathan Ayrton (10)
10. 11 Mike Giberson (1)
11. 05 David Goodacre (3)
12. 27 Dan Stewart (4)
13. 88 Drew Spencer (15) DNF
14. 77x Ethan Martin (16) DNF
15. 55 Rob Slater (14) DNF
16. 7x Chase Hess (13) DNF
BOMBERS A-FEATURE (20 laps)
Position. # Name (Hometown)
1. 6 Rodney Rutherford (Waterdown), 2. 81 Karl Sault (Dundas), 3. 88j Jesse McDonald (Caledonia), 4. 113 Mark Czuba, 5. 397 Brad Hill (Ohsweken), 6. 13c Corrie Cowell, 7. 11 Christine Giberson (Caledonia), 8. 13 Kacey Huffman (Hamilton) DNF
MINIVAN FIGURE 8 RACE WINNER – Evan Ritchie
MINIVAN DEMOLITION DERBY WINNER – Chris Hils
UP NEXT @ OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY:
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2009
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING PRESENTS:
THE SECOND ANNUAL NORTHERN SUMMER 360 NATIONALS
FEATURING THE CORR/PAK SPRINT CARS, ASCS PATRIOTS,
ASCS SPRINTS ON DIRT, AND SOUTHERN ONTARIO SPRINTS
PLUS ESSO THUNDER STOCKS, ESSO MINI-STOCKS, AND BOMBERS
ADULTS $15, SENIORS AND STUDENTS $8, KIDS 12 AND UNDER FREE!
SPECTATOR GATES OPEN @ 6:00 P.M., RACING @ 7:45 P.M.