By Tommy Goudge (July 26, 2011) – A large crowd turned out to see NASCAR star Tony Stewart race at Ohsweken Speedway for the first time on Tuesday night. Tony didn’t disappoint, as he drove to third place after starting fifteenth in the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car feature.
Texas driver Sam Hafertepe, Jr. stole the show by tracking down Dustin Daggett and driving away to visit Ohsweken’s Engine Pro Racing Winner’s Circle for the first time. Chris Dickie was awarded the Lighthouse Tattoos Thunder Stock win, while Jeremy Hughes won the HRW Automotive Mini Stock race.
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING SPRINT CARS
Friday Night Thunder regulars Jim Huppunen and Todd Hoddick started on the front row of a star-studded feature field, and Corr/Pak points leader Huppunen opened up an early lead. Action was heated behind him as Dustin Daggett, Justin Barger, and Sam Hafertepe, Jr. asserted themselves in the top five. Daggett got by Huppunen on lap ten, but stayed up front for just three laps before Hafertepe got by.
Daggett tried to keep pace, but dropped out of the race with less than two laps to go due to a broken U-joint. Hafertepe won the non-stop affair in record time, and became the 56th different winner in Ohsweken Sprint Car history. Wayne Johnson drove hard and ended up with the runner-up spot, while Tony Stewart advanced twelve positions to claim 3rd in his Ohsweken debut. Justin Barger and Jim Huppunen rounded out the top five. Mikey Kruchka, Dain Naida, Kyle Moffit, Travis Cunningham, and Jessica Zemken recorded top ten finishes.
“The track was in awesome shape tonight,” said Hafertepe. “We could run anywhere across this thing. We really need to thank all these fans for coming out tonight.”
The win was extra-special for the Hafertepe team because of local connections on his crew. Daryl Turford is the team’s only full-time crew member, while his father Peter also helps out when time allows. Both are from the Stratford, Ontario area.
“This win’s for Daryl Turford and Peter Turford,” said Hafertepe.
“They’ve been with this team for a long time, and it feels good to get this for them. I know they raced quite a bit here. To go up and down the road and put up with me is pretty special.”
Heat races for the 28 car field went to Jim Huppunen, Kyle Moffit, Sam Hafertepe, Jr., and Todd Hoddick. Mike Stelter’s night ended early when he flipped wildly off the track in hot laps, while Chris Durand had mechanical problems in his heat race.
LIGHTHOUSE TATTOOS THUNDER STOCKS
Rob Murray crossed the line first in the Lighthouse Tattoos Thunder Stock feature, but refused to allow post-race technical inspection of his car and was disqualified. Brad Herron ran down early race leader Cory Turner, and looked to be the driver to beat until his car went up in smoke. Cris Dickie took over the lead, but Murray got by late in the race. Dickie was the beneficiary of Murray’s problems, as he was awarded the win – his first ever in the Thunder Stock division.
Billy Bleich, Jr. had a great run in his return to Ohsweken, starting 23rd and driving through the field to get the runner-up spot. Cory Turner, Phil Nyssen, and Rob Disher rounded out the top 5 in what was a very competitive event with many invaders in the field.
Heat races for the 36 car field went to Turner, Dave Bailey, Larry Czinege, Jr., and Mike Thorne, while James Thompson won the B-Main.
HRW AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS
Jeremy Hughes had his ride repaired after problems in the feature last Friday night, and drove the #10j to the win in the HRW Automotive Mini Stock division. Karl Sault, Kevin Hilborn, Dale Cooke, and Mike Evers chased Hughes to the line. The win was Hughes’ second in his last three races.
Heat races for the 32 car field were claimed by Mike Gilchrist, Mike Taylor, Kevin Hilborn, and Karl Sault, while Abel Castelein won the B-Main.
NEXT UP AT OHSWEKEN
Arrow Express presents the “Six Nations Showdown” on Wednesday, July 27.
The World of Outlaws Sprint Car series will be in action, along with the Mod-Lite Stars Championship Tour North. Gates open at 4:00 with racing starting at 7:45!
COMING SOON
This week’s busy slate will continue with another round of Friday Night Thunder on July 29. August will start with a bang when Ohsweken’s annual Hot Dog Eating Championship takes centre stage along with a full racing card, including the Art Hill Memorial 42 for the HRW Automotive Mini Stock division. Make sure to visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com for all the information on these special events.
“TONY STEWART NIGHT”
RACE REPORT – JULY 26
OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY
OHSWEKEN, ONTARIO
EVENT SPONSOR – CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING SPRINT CARS (28 entries) HEAT RACES
(8 laps each – Top 12 in passing points redraw for A-Feature starting
positions):
Finish. [Starting Position] Number Name (Hometown)
ENGLER MACHINE & TOOL HEAT RACE #1
1. [3] 14h Jim Huppunen (Fenwick), 2. [6] 07x Dain Naida (Tecumseh, MI), 3. [7] 80 Chris Steele (Fenwick), 4. [5] 1z Jessica Zemken (Sprakers, NY), 5. [2] 90 James Evans (Beamsville), 6. [1] 10c Bob Crawford (Sutton), 7. [4] 30g Steve Goldner (Aylmer). Time – 2:02.112.
GRISDALE RACING PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #2
1. [2] 7 Kyle Moffit (South Dayton, NY), 2. [3] 77x Wayne Johnson (Knoxville, IA), 3. [1] 10 Mitch Brown (Brantford), 4. [6] 32 Justin Barger (Montrose, NY), 5. [4] 14t Tom Huppunen (Fenwick), 6. [5] 11 Jamie Turner (Caistor Centre), 7. [7] f37 Mike Stelter (Webster, NY) DNS. Time – 2:06.742.
BS&B RADIATOR HEAT RACE #3
1. [3] 15h Sam Hafertepe, Jr. (Sunnyvale, TX), 2. [6] 01 Mikey Kruchka (Hamilton), 3. [5] 71 Travis Cunningham (Grimsby), 4. [2] 14 Tony Stewart (Columbus, IN), 5. [1] 5d Dave Dykstra (Port Colborne), 6. [4] 52 Jesse Costa (St. Thomas), 7. [7] 67 Chris Durand (Port Stanley). Time – 2:09.534.
AWESOME RACEWEAR HEAT RACE #4
1. [4] 49 Todd Hoddick (Cheektowaga, NY), 2. [7] 2m Dustin Daggett (Grand Ledge, MI), 3. [5] 5 Keith Dempster (Alton), 4. [2] 0 Glenn Styres (Ohsweken), 5. [1] 33k Kyle Patrick (Tilbury), 6. [6] 7x Jamie Collard (Burford), 7. [3] 96 Shane Butler (St. Thomas). Time – 2:08.878.
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING
SPRINT CAR FEATURE (25 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 15h Sam Hafertepe, Jr. (7)
2. 77x Wayne Johnson (5)
3. 14 Tony Stewart (15)
4. 32 Justin Barger (3)
5. 14h Jim Huppunen (1)
6. 01 Mikey Kruchka (10)
7. 07x Dain Naida (11)
8. 7 Kyle Moffit (6)
9. 71 Travis Cunningham (9)
10. 1z Jessica Zemken (13)
11. 80 Chris Steele (12)
12. 0 Glenn Styres (16)
13. 5 Keith Dempster (8)
14. 49 Todd Hoddick (2)
15. 7x Jamie Collard (22)
16. 5d Dave Dykstra (19)
17. 10 Mitch Brown (14)
18. 14t Tom Huppunen (17)
19. 33k Kyle Patrick (20)
20. 2m Dustin Daggett (4) DNF
21. 90 James Evans (18)
22. 10c Bob Crawford (24)
23. 11 Jamie Turner (21)
24. 96 Shane Butler (26)
25. 52 Jesse Costa (23) DNF
26. 30g Steve Goldner (25) DNF
DNS. 67 Chris Durand
DNS. f37 Mike Stelter
Time – 6:57.094 NEW TRACK RECORD
SPRINT CAR AWARDS:
Nathan Ackland State Farm Insurance “Top Gun” (highest passing points total): 2m Dustin Daggett ($100)
RNB Restorations Feature Winner: 15h Sam Hafertepe, Jr. (case of Champion Motor Oil) Best Western Brant Park Inn Feature Winner: 15h Sam Hafertepe, Jr.
LIGHTHOUSE TATTOOS THUNDER STOCKS (36 entries) HEAT RACES (8 laps each – Top 5 finishers in each transfer to A-Feature)
ENGINE PRO RACING HEAT RACE #1
1. 19 Cory Turner (Caistor Centre), 2. 5h Devin Habiuk (Port Robinson), 3. 191 Gord Bates (Selkirk), 4. 57 Murray Nicholls (Hamilton), 5. 77 Kevin Dawson (Caledonia), 6. 38 Terry Martin (Ohsweken), 7. 13 Kacey Huffman (Hamilton), 8. 00 Robbie General (Ohsweken), 9. 77b Brittany Gyokery (Jarvis).
6 NATIONS BINGO HEAT RACE #2
1. 31 Dave Bailey (Hagersville), 2. 12 Brad Herron (Brantford), 3. 17 Rob Disher (Grimsby), 4. 8 Ryan Dinning (Caledonia), 5. 1 Chris Dickie (Brantford), 6. 83 Lee Winger (Caledonia), 7. 04 Wyatt Van Wart (Cambridge), 8. 28 Jim Lampman (Caistor Centre), 9. 73 Mike Miller (Caledonia).
O’NEIL’S FARM EQUIPMENT HEAT RACE #3
1. 33c Larry Czinege, Jr. (Ridgeway), 2. 4k Kevin Knapp (Thorold), 3. M1 Rob Murray (St. Catharines), 4. 51 Phil Nyssen (Burford), 5. 62 Brian Pescetti (Binbrook), 6. 33m Jack Myers (Welland), 7. 32 Mark Fawcett (Canfield), 8. m00 James Thompson (St. Catharines), 9. 33 Colin Court (Jerseyville) DNF.
HEAT RACE #4
1. 55 Mike Thorne (Caledonia), 2. 1r Steve Robison, 3. 19x Brian Schmidt (St. Catharines), 4. 05 Pete Reid (Stevensville), 5. 7k Kevin Kocarik (Fonthill), 6. 108 Billy Bleich, Jr. (Port Robinson), 7. K51 Ed McNamara (Sherkston), 8. 14 Lloyd Saunders (Hamilton), 9. 39 Isaac Pellisero (St. Ann’s) DNF.
B-MAIN
(10 laps – Top 4 finishers transfer to A-Feature) 1. m00 James Thompson, 2. 83 Lee Winger, 3. 108 Billy Bleich, Jr., 4. 33m Jack Myers, 5. 32 Mark Fawcett, 6. 04 Wyatt Van Wart, 7. 38 Terry Martin, 8. 73 Mike Miller, 9. 13 Kacey Huffman, 10. 33 Colin Court, 11. 00 Robbie General, 12. 77b Brittany Gyokery, 13. 14 Lloyd Saunders, 14. K51 Ed McNamara DNF, 15. 28 Jim Lampman DNF, 16.. 39 Isaac Pellisero DNS.
LIGHTHOUSE TATTOOS THUNDER STOCKS (36 entries) A-FEATURE (20 laps) Position. # Name (Starting Position) 1. 1 Chris Dickie (9) 2. 108 Billy Bleich, Jr. (23) 3. 19 Cory Turner (2) 4. 51 Phil Nyssen (12) 5. 17 Rob Disher (7) 6. 55 Mike Thorne (13) 7. 33m Jack Myers (24) 8. 8 Ryan Dinning (10) 9. 5h Devin Habiuk (5) 10. 05 Pete Reid (17) 11. 83 Lee Winger (22) 12. 31 Dave Bailey (6) 13. 1r Steve Robison (18) 14. 77 Kevin Dawson (4) 15. 7k Kevin Kocarik (20) 16. 57 Murray Nicholls (1) 17. 4k Kevin Knapp (16) 18. 12 Brad Herron (8) DNF 19. 19x Brian Schmidt (19) DNF 20. 191 Gord Bates (3) DNF 21. 62 Brian Pescetti (11) DNF 22. 33c Larry Czinege, Jr. (14) DNF 23. m00 James Thompson (21) DNF 24. m1 Rob Murray (15) DQ
HRW AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS (32 entries)
HEAT RACES (8 laps each – Top 5 finishers in each transfer to A-Feature)
ENGINE PRO RACING HEAT RACE #1
1. 9 Mike Gilchrist (Brantford), 2. 22 Brittani Myers (Hamilton), 3. 5 Rick Robinson (Brantford), 4. 55 Rob Slater (Dundas), 5. 64 Doug Erskine (Hamilton), 6. 05 Dave Goodacre (Brantford), 7. 69 Rob Twitchett (Dundas), 8. 4p Mike Peterson (Woodstock).
ESSO SPEEDWAY VARIETY HEAT RACE #2
1. 02 Mike Taylor (Burlington), 2. 10j Jeremy Hughes (Burlington), 3. 44 Dale Cooke (Hamilton), 4. 7 Jason Lungaro (Hamilton), 5. 79 Steve Miller (Paris), 6. 11 Mike Giberson (Caledonia), 7. 6x Mike Sarantakos (Smithville), 8. 84rk Ryan Beagle (Vittoria).
O’NEIL’S FARM EQUIPMENT HEAT RACE #3
1. 72 Kevin Hilborn (Brantford), 2. 265 Mike Evers (Caledonia), 3. 777x Steve Hess (Ohsweken), 4. 69e Dan Erskine (Caistor Centre), 5. 38 John Cote (Hamilton), 6. 77x Ethan Martin (Ohsweken), 7. 31 Abel Castelein (Cayuga), 8. 95 Troy Smith (Hamilton) DNS.
HEAT RACE #4
1. 81 Karl Sault (Dundas), 2. 10 Jake Brown (Brantford), 3. 6 Trevor Goulding (Welland), 4. 16 Rob Goulding (Port Colborne), 5. 47x Kyle Pelrine (Beamsville), 6. 7x Chase Hess (Ohsweken), 7. 1 Lee Hils (Dundas), 8. 34c Rocco Conte (Welland).
B-MAIN
(10 laps – Top 4 finishers transfer to A-Feature) 1. 31 Abel Castelein, 2. 34c Rocco Conte, 3. 1 Lee Hils, 4. 77x Ethan Martin, 5. 69 Rob Twitchett, 6. 4p Mike Peterson, 7. 11 Mike Giberson DNF, 8. 05 Dave Goodacre DNF, 9. 7x Chase Hess DNS, 10. 6x Mike Sarantakos DNS, 11. 84rk Ryan Beagle DNS, 12. 95 Troy Smith DNS.
HRW AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS
FEATURE (15 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 10j Jeremy Hughes (9)
2. 81 Karl Sault (17)
3. 72 Kevin Hilborn (13)
4. 44 Dale Cooke (8)
5. 265 Mike Evers (11)
6. 34c Rocco Conte (20)
7. 31 Abel Castelein (21)
8. 47x Kyle Pelrine (19)
9. 69e Dan Erskine (12)
10. 777x Steve Hess (15)
11. 22 Brittani Myers (3)
12. 79 Steve Miller (10)
13. 9 Mike Gilchrist (2)
14. 64 Doug Erskine (5)
15. 10 Jake Brown (14)
16. 55 Rob Slater (1)
17. 69 Rob Twitchett (24)
18. 77x Ethan Martin (22) DNF
19. 16 Rob Goulding (18) DNF
20. 6 Trevor Goulding (16) DNF
21. 1 Lee Hils (23) DNF
22. 5 Rick Robinson (4) DNF
23. 02 Mike Taylor (6) DNF
24. 7 Jason Lungaro (7) DNF
UP NEXT @ OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY:
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2011
ARROW EXPRESS PRESENTS:
“SIX NATIONS SHOWDOWN”
FEATURING THE WORLD OF OUTLAWS
PLUS MOD-LITE STARS CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR NORTH ADULTS $35, SENIORS AND STUDENTS $35, KIDS 12 AND UNDER $15 SPECTATOR GATES OPEN @ 4:00 P.M., RACING @ 7:45 P.M.
Photo Credits: Peter Anderson – www.pandersonphotos.com