by Tommy Goudge (July 18, 2008) – Kevin Job has been in the hunt for feature wins all season at Ohsweken Speedway and finally broke through on Friday night during Southern Ontario Sprints tour action with his first feature win ever at the Speedway. In the ESSO Thunder Stocks, ESSO Mini-Stocks, and Friday Night Fun Stocks, point leaders Cody McPherson, Abel Castelein, and Lee Hils all extended their leads with feature wins in their respective divisions.
Ryan Hunsinger and Derek Jonathon led the field to the green flag to start the Southern Ontario Sprints feature, with Hunsinger getting the early lead, but 4th starter Keith Dempster immediately glued himself to the rear nerf bar of Hunsinger’s #77x. Rookie Kris Root found the going rough in turn 1 as the #69r bicycled and then made contact with another car, breaking the front end on Root’s car and bringing out a caution. At the same time, a fine run for Dick Mahoney ended in a plume of smoke as the #79’s oil filter was dislodged. Teammates Hunsinger and Dempster opened a gap on the field on the restart and quickly approached lapped traffic, which proved to be the undoing of Hunsinger, who spun out of the lead in the 4th turn while attempting to put a lap on Mike Ferrell’s #15. Meanwhile, the front wing on the Dempster machine had collapsed for a second week in a row, and on the restart 10th starter Kevin Job had moved in behind the #5 machine of Dempster, with Adam West up to 3rd and Rob Pietz in 4th. Incredibly, Job’s front wing also collapsed, but the 2 front running cars still ran at a very fast pace, while Hunsinger quickly charged through the field after restarting at the tail.
Adam West’s fine run came to an end when his engine quit on the backstretch, bringing out a caution flag and sending the #30 to the pit area. Job was able to get by Dempster shortly after the green flag came back out, taking a lead he would not relinquish. The race was halted one more time when Jim Porter got sideways coming out of the 4th corner, causing Joel Lehman to spin and then roll over. Lehman climbed from his machine uninjured, but the #4z suffered extensive wing and front end damage. The race went back green for a dash to the finish, but Job was not to be denied victory on this night. Just a lap short of the finish, Ryan Hunsinger pulled off the track with apparent mechanical issues, while Kyle Patrick spun out of the 4th position in corner 3 on the final lap. Job crossed under the checkered flag first followed by Dempster, Warren Mahoney, Pietz, and Glenn Styres, who twice charged through the field after starting 17th, making his way into the top 10, then catching a bump in turn 1, falling back, and charging back up through the pack again. Craig Downie, Keith Dempster, Ryan Hunsinger, and Dick Mahoney won the heat races. 28 cars attended the event. The B-Main was cancelled after 4 cars scratched after the heats.
A very large field of 25 ESSO Thunder Stocks filled the pits, as some newcomers from Merrittville and Humberstone signed in to get some laps at Ohsweken in preparation for competing as the support division for the World of Outlaws Sprint Car event on Tuesday night. Kyle Magrin and Mike Thorne were on the front row for the start of the feature, but Magrin’s car began smoking as soon as the green flag came out, and Magrin took the #24k pitside shortly thereafter. Meanwhile, Glen Leinen had taken command up front, but it only took point leader Cody McPherson 3 laps to make his way from the outside of row 5 into the top 3. McPherson quickly moved in on Leinen and the two raced side by side for a lap before McPherson was able to use his patented move in the middle groove of corner 2 to get by the Leinen machine and set sail out front. Behind McPherson, the action was fast and furious as Mike Ward, Billy Bleich, and Jeremy Bean moved to the front from their starting positions outside the top 10. Mike Ward, making his 2nd start of the year at Ohsweken, was able to clear the rest of the pack in the late going and eat slightly into McPherson’s lead, but ran out of time before the checkered flag fell. Following McPherson and Ward across the line were Ryan Dinning, Leinen, and Bleich. 3 hotly contested heat races entertained the crowd early in the night, with victories going to Brad Bacher, Michelle Johnson, and Glen Leinen. Making their first Thunder Stock starts of the season at Ohsweken were Bleich, Michael Bosse, Amanda Stoner, Mini-Stock regular Mark Thorne, and Mark Czuba who previously raced in Fun Stock action this season.
After a tough event that damaged a few cars last Friday, the ESSO Mini-Stocks returned with a solid field of 17 this week. Rick Emberson’s purple #86 was damaged in a rollover last week and won’t be back for awhile, but Rick returned this week with the Miller Racing #79 as the Paris driver was still 2nd in points, despite not finishing last week. Kelly Hallett and Mark Thorne were at the front of the field for the start of the feature, with Hallett getting the advantage, but defending track champ and current points leader Abel Castelein was quickly making tracks through the field and started to reel in Hallett’s #88. Castelein was able to get by Hallett in turns 1 and 2 and set sail out front, but Steve Hess was having a great run and followed Castelein to the front, however the gap was too wide for Hess to catch up before the end of the race. Castelein’s win was his 3rd of the season, and 2nd in a row. Hess settled for 2nd, followed by Hallett, but the #88 did not pass post-race tech inspection, moving Kevin Hilborn to 3rd, followed by Mark Thorne who bounced back with a strong run after a rare DNF last week, and Mitchell Brown rounding out the top 5. Heat race wins went to Thorne and Chase Hess.
In Friday Night Fun Stock action, another competitive field showed up to do battle on the infield oval. Lee Hils started at the front and led much of the event, but Karl Sault was right on his rear bumper for the first half. A caution slowed the field briefly, and on the restart Hils was able to into a rythm and open up his lead over Sault to take the victory, his 4th of the season.
Ohsweken Speedway gets back into action this Tuesday and Wednesday as the World of Outlaws Sprint Car series returns to Ohsweken for 2 big shows! 2 seperate WoO-points paying shows will be run, including the 2nd Annual “6 Nations Showdown) on Wednesday night. Good seats are still available for both events. Ticket orders continue to be taken until Monday evening at 1-888-720-RACE. Please visit HYPERLINK http://www.OhswekenSpeedway.com for more information. On Tuesday and Wednesday, tickets will be available at the track only. A limited amount of general admission tickets will also be available on both Tuesday and Wednesday at a cost of $20, or $15 for Kids Age 12 and Under. Tuesday night reserved seats are $35, or $20 for Kids Age 12 and Under. Wednesday night reserved seats are $40, or $25 for Kids Age 12 and Under. The ESSO Thunder Stocks will support the event on Tuesday night, while the ESSO Mini-Stocks will do the same on Wednesday. Gates open at 4:00p.m. with hot laps at 5:30p.m. followed by time trials, and the first race taking the green flag at 7:45p.m. on Tuesday, July 22, and Wednesday, July 23!
OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY FRIDAY NIGHT THUNDER
OHSWEKEN, ONTARIO
ROUND 10 RESULTS – JULY 18, 2008
EVENT SPONSORS – BEST WESTERN CAIRN CROFT HOTEL
SOUTHERN ONTARIO SPRINTS TOUR
HEAT RACES (Top 5 Transfer to A-Feature)
Heat Race #1
1. 71 Craig Downie (Burlington), 2. 30 Adam West (Ridgetown), 3. 25 Warren Mahoney (Lefroy), 4. 5m Brad Malloy (Niagara Falls), 5. 0 Glenn Styres (Ohsweken), 6. 14 Jim Porter (Grand Island, NY), 7. 90 James Evans (Beamsville)
Heat Race #2
1. 5 Keith Dempster (Alton), 2. 33k Kyle Patrick (Tilbury), 3. 69p Rob Pietz (Port Colborne), 4. 15 Mike Ferrell (London), 5. 75 Jim Sweers (Hamilton), 6. 31 John Burbridge, Jr. (Simcoe), 7. 99c Nick Cupolo (Thorold)
Heat Race #3
1. 77x Ryan Hunsinger (Brantford), 2. 21x Kevin Job (Campbellville), 3. 1a John Riegling (Chatham), 4. 10 Bob Crawford (Sutton), 5. 94 Stan Zanchin (Fort Erie), 6. 9jr Tim Zack (Dain City), 7. 66 Frank Baranowski (Hamilton)
Heat Race #4
1. 79 Dick Mahoney (Newmarket), 2. 81 Derek Jonathon (Lewiston, NY), 3. 7 Jim Price (Wainfleet), 4. 69r Kris Root (Delaware), 5. 4z Joel Lehman (Guelph), 6. 29 Joe Middlemiss (Chippawa), 7. 22 Tom MacLeod (unknown)
SCRATCHED AFTER HEATS:
99c Nick Cupolo (Crash)
66 Frank Baranowski (mechanical)
29 Joe Middlemiss (mechanical)
22 Tom MacLeod
SOUTHERN ONTARIO SPRINTS A-FEATURE (20 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 21x Kevin Job (10)
2. 5 Keith Dempster (4)
3. 25 Warren Mahoney (8)
4. 69p Rob Pietz (9)
5. 0 Glenn Styres (17)
6. 5m Brad Malloy (13)
7. 71 Craig Downie (6)
8. 10 Bob Crawford (15)
9. 31 John Burbridge, Jr. (24)
10. 7 Jim Price (7)
11. 90 James Evans (23)
12. 94 Stan Zanchin (19)
13. 33k Kyle Patrick (11)
14. 77x Ryan Hunsinger (1)
15. 1a John Riegling (12)
16. 81 Derek Jonathon (2)
17. 14 Jim Porter (21)
18. 9jr Tim Zack (22)
19. 4z Joel Lehman (20)
20. 30 Adam West (5)
21. 15 Mike Ferrell (14)
22. 79 Dick Mahoney (3)
23. 69r Kris Root (16)
24. 75 Jim Sweers (18)
ESSO THUNDER STOCKS
Heat Race #1
1. 3 Brad Bacher (Hagersville), 2. 777 Cody McPherson (St. Catharines), 3. 55f Vince Fargnoli (Niagara Falls), 4. 24k Kyle Magrin (Hamilton), 5. 108jr Billy Bleich (Port Robinson), 6. 191 Gord Bates (York), 7. 17 Rob Disher (Grimsby), 8. 1 Chris Dickie (Brantford)
Heat Race #2
1. 11 Michelle Johnson (Caledonia), 2. 62 Brian Pescetti (Stoney Creek), 3. 11x Mike Ward (unknown), 4. 31jr Michael Bosse (St. Catharines) 5. 40 Terry Osmond (Cambridge), 6. 12 Brad Herron (Brantford), 7. 13 Mark Saul (Hagersville), 8. 18 Dave Bailey (Hagersville) DNS
Heat Race #3
1. 9 Glen Leinen (Hannon), 2. 55 Mike Thorne (Caledonia), 3. o44 Jamie Cox (Cambridge), 4. 8 Ryan Dinning (Caledonia), 5. 37 Jeremy Bean (Stoney Creek), 6. 15 Mark Thorne (Waterford), 7. 01 Mark Czuba (unknown), 8. 98 Lee Winger (Caledonia), 9. 18x Amanda Stoner (unknown)
ESSO THUNDER STOCKS A-FEATURE (15 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 777 Cody McPherson (9)
2. 11x Mike Ward (11)
3. 8 Ryan Dinning (5)
4. 9 Glen Leinen (4)
5. 108jr Billy Bleich (13)
6. 37 Jeremy Bean (14)
7. 55 Mike Thorne (2)
8. 191 Gord Bates (15)
9. 62 Brian Pescetti (7)
10. 11 Michelle Johnson (3)
11. 31jr Michael Bosse (12)
12. 18x Amanda Stoner (20)
13. 1 Chris Dickie (19)
14. 17 Rob Disher (17)
15. o44 Jamie Cox (8)
16. 12 Brad Herron (22)
17. 3 Brad Bacher (10)
18. 55f Vince Fargnoli (6)
19. 18 Dave Bailey (25)
20. 98 Lee Winger (23)
21. 15 Mark Thorne (16)
22. 40 Terry Osmond (21)
23. 24k Kyle Magrin (1)
24. 13 Mark Saul (24) DNS
25. 01 Mark Czuba (18) DQ
ESSO MINI-STOCKS
Heat Race #1
1. 113 Mark Thorne (Waterford), 2. 10 Mitchell Brown (Brantford), 3. 397 Brent Hill (Ohsweken), 4. 777x Steve Hess (Ohsweken), 5. 27 Dan Stewart (Hamilton), 6. 05 David Goodacre (Brantford), 7. 11 Mike Giberson (Caledonia), 8. 222 John Marsh (Hamilton), 9. 23 A.J. Castelein (Thorold)
Heat Race #2
1. 7x Chase Hess (Ohsweken), 2. 28 Abel Castelein (Cayuga), 3. 88 Kelly Hallett (Wilsonville), 4. 72 Kevin Hilborn (Brantford), 5. 86 Rick Emberson (Paris), 6. 55 Rob Slater (Dundas), 7. 20 Kevin Magrin (unknown), 8. 37 Rob Hoskins (Harley)
ESSO MINI-STOCKS A-FEATURE (15 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 28 Abel Castelein (7)
2. 777x Steve Hess (6)
3. 72 Kevin Hilborn (5)
4. 113 Mark Thorne (2)
5. 10 Mitchell Brown (8)
6. 7x Chase Hess (3)
7. 397 Brent Hill (4)
8. 27 Dan Stewart (9)
9. 86 Rick Emberson (10)
10. 55 Rob Slater (12)
11. 11 Mike Giberson (13)
12. 20 Kevin Magrin (14)
13. 222 John Marsh (15)
14. 23 A.J. Castelein (17)
15. 05 David Goodacre (11)
16. 37 Rob Hoskins (16) DNS
17. 88 Kelly Hallett (1) DQ
FRIDAY NIGHT FUN STOCKS A-FEATURE (25 laps)
Position. # Name (Hometown)
1. 181 Lee Hils (Dundas)
2. 81 Karl Sault (Dundas)
3. 72 Mike Taylor (unknown)
4. 818 Chris Hils (Dundas)
5. 88 John Tirabossi (unknown)
6. 22 Trevor Deboer (Hagersville)
7. 88j Jesse McDonald (unknown)
8. 13 Kacey Huffman (Hamilton)
9. 86 Ryan Swift (unknown) DNS
UP NEXT @ OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY:
TUESDAY – ARROW EXPRESS PRESENTS THE WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CARS
PLUS THE ESSO THUNDER STOCKS
TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2008 – GATES OPEN @ 4:00 P.M., RACING @ 7:45 P.M.
ADULT RESERVED SEATS $35, KIDS 12 AND UNDER RESERVED SEATS $20
RACE DAY GENERAL ADMISSION ADULT TICKETS $20,
RACE DAY GENERAL ADMISSION KIDS 12 AND UNDER TICKETS $15
WEDNESDAY – ARROW EXPRESS PRESENTS THE WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CARS
“6 NATIONS SHOWDOWN” PLUS THE ESSO MINI-STOCKS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2008 – GATES OPEN @ 4:00 P.M., RACING @ 7:45 P.M.
ADULT RESERVED SEATS $40, KIDS 12 AND UNDER RESERVED SEATS $25
RACE DAY GENERAL ADMISSION ADULT TICKETS $20,
RACE DAY GENERAL ADMISSION KIDS 12 AND UNDER TICKETS $15