The Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars roll down the backstretch at Ohsweken Speedway during opening night action on Friday, May 18. (Photo by Dale Calnan Image Factor Media).
By Clayton Johns
OHSWEKEN, Ont. – May 23, 2018 – Ohsweken Speedway is set to resume Friday Night Excitement action and wrap up the month of May with McDonald’s of Brantford and Paris night on Friday, May 25. Track officials have been hard at work this week as they continue to prepare the racing surface for the upcoming week’s action featuring the Kool Kidz-Corr/Pak 360 Sprint Cars, Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars, Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stocks and HRW Automotive Mini Stocks. Race time is 7:30pm with grandstand gates opening at 6:00pm. Adult admission is just $14 while Seniors (65+) and Youths (13-17) are only $10. Kids aged 7-12 are only $3 and Kids 6 and under are free. This pricing is in effect for all weekly racing shows.
Kool Kidz-Corr/Pak 360 Sprint Cars
The Kool Kidz-Corr/Pak 360 Sprint Cars got off to a strong start last week and were 17 cars strong on opening night. Reigning division champion Dylan Westbrook started his title defense in spectacular fashion as he claimed victory in the main event while also capturing the Ackland Insurance Top Gun award as the night’s top qualifier. He holds the point lead entering week two over second-place finisher Cory Turner and third-place Mikey Kruchka. Rookie driver Mack DeMan, the reigning Crate Sprint Car champion, scored a top-five finish in his first 360 Sprint Car start with a fourth-place finish while Tyler Hendricks rounded out the top-five.
Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars
The drivers in the Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Car division are coming off a busy weekend that featured a pair of races. Last Friday’s race was a double points night for both track points and with the upstart Action Sprint Tour powered by RaceRivalz.com when Aaron Turkey scored the victory. Several drivers also made the trip with the tour to Merrittville Speedway where Shone Evans picked up the win. Jesse Costa finished in the runner-up spot last Friday night ahead of the night’s chard charger, DJ Christie. Rookie pilot Lucas Smith made a splash in his debut with a fourth-place finish while Evans earned a top-five in the 2018 lid lifter.
Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stocks
The Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stocks saw a familiar face visit Lucas Oil Victory Lane last week as the defending division champion Dave Bailey claimed the top spot. He outpaced reigning Mini Stock champion Mark Bazuin, who finished second after charging from 14th in his debut. Billy Bleich claimed the final spot on the podium one week ago while Ken Sargent and Trevor DeBoer rounded out the top-five following a furious final few laps.
HRW Automotive Mini Stocks
The HRW Automotive Mini Stocks will see a new champion in 2018 after Mark Bazuin made the jump to the Thunder Stock division. Nick Masi made a statement on opening night that he intends to challenge for the title as he dominated from the drop of the green flag and led all 15 laps to claim the opening night victory. He held off Dusty DeBoer who held down second for the balance of the race while Bobby Tolton came from the 22nd starting spot to finish third. Behind them, a flurry of three and four-wide racing resulted in Sean Iftody and Jonathan Ayrton claiming the final spots in the top-five.
Ohsweken Speedway Live Stream
Can’t make it to the track or don’t live within driving distance? No problem! Check out all of Ohsweken’s weekly Friday Night Excitement action live online for free via the Ohsweken Speedway Live Stream. The stream goes live at 7:30pm EST each race night at www.OhswekenSpeedway.ca.
About McDonald’s Restaurants of Brantford & Paris: McDonald’s restaurants have served the world some of its favourite food since 1955. McDonald’s is more than just your local restaurant. They’re hardworking small businessmen and women, students working part-time, seniors getting the most out of life, and volunteers lending time to make a difference in the communities they live and work in. McDonald’s locations in Brantford include 73 King George Road, 27 Stanley Street, 300 King George Road, and 299 Wayne Gretzky Parkway, while they’re also in Paris at 307 Grand River Street North. Grab a bite to eat on the way to the races, or visit the drive-thru on your way home. Visit www.McDonalds.ca for more information.
About Ohsweken Speedway: Founded in 1996, Ohsweken Speedway is a motorsports complex which includes a 3/8 (0.375) mile clay oval track. The facility is owned by the Styres family, and located in the village of Ohsweken, Ontario, Canada. Ohsweken’s weekly Friday night racing program runs from May to September each year, featuring 360 Sprint Cars, Crate Sprint Cars, Thunder Stocks and Mini Stocks. The season finishes each year with the annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals. Ohsweken Speedway also hosts weekly Micro Sprint racing on Thursday nights.
2018 SEASON
Ohsweken Speedway’s 23rd season of weekly Friday Night Excitement features four divisions of racing, including the Kool Kidz-Corr/Pak 360 Sprint Cars, Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars, Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stocks and HRW Automotive Mini Stocks. Visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com to view the schedule or call (519) 717-0023 for more information.
OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY MEDIA
Website: www.OhswekenSpeedway.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/OHSWEKENSPEEDWAY
Twitter: @OhswekenSpdway
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/OhswekenSpeedway
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/user/OhswekenSpdway
Ohsweken Speedway thanks the following partners for their support in 2018: Arrow Express, Kool Kidz Ice & Water, Corr/Pak Merchandising Inc., Renway Energy, Case IH O’Neil’s Farm Equipment, Hoosier Tire Canada, EPIC Racewear, McDonald’s Restaurants of Paris & Brantford, Ackland Insurance, Strickland’s GMC, Lucas Oil Products, Burger Barn, Pinty’s Delicious Foods, Creative Edge Signs & Graphics, Insta-Insulation, Middleport Mechanical, HRW Automotive, and Gale’s Auto Aftermarket.