by Tommy Goudge – Ohsweken, Ontario – September 15, 2011 – Shane Stewart opened the 2011 edition of the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals at Ohsweken Speedway just as he ended the last two – standing in the Engine Pro Racing Winner’s Circle. Stewart started from the pole position and was never seriously challenged in the 20 lap Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car feature. Ohsweken’s stock car divisions finished up their season on Thursday night with Billy Bleich, Jr. taking Lighthouse Tattoos Thunder Stock honours, Karl Sault again topping the HRW Automotive Mini Stocks, and Jesse McDonald winning the Pierced Parts Bombers race.
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING SPRINT CARS
Two pre-race favourites started on the front row for the Sprint Car feature, with Shane Stewart on the pole and Jamie Collard on his outside. Stewart took the early lead, but the race was quickly halted when Tim Kelly went for a wild ride in turn three. Kelly climbed out under his own power, but did go to the hospital for further observation. He was later released, but will not race on Friday.
Stewart took the lead again when the race restarted, while Collard fended off challenges from Jim Huppunen and Jamie Turner, and Kyle Sauder began to move up after starting in row four. The race was slowed on lap five when Wayne Johnson stopped in turn four. The 2008 Nationals champ went to the work area and returned to restart at the tail, and Stewart took off again at the front when the green flag flew.
Stewart was approaching slower traffic when Bryan Howland rolled to a stop in turn three to bring out another caution flag, and opened his lead again with a clear track ahead on the restart. Stewart cruised to his fourth feature win in six career starts at Ohsweken, while Kyle Sauder ran out of laps and settled for second in his Ohsweken debut. Collard, Huppunen, and row six starter Randy Hannagan rounded out the top five. Sixth through tenth were Keith Dempster, Jessica Zemken, Dustin Daggett from the tail of the field, Patrick Vigneault, and Dain Naida.
“There’s a lot of guys that came on board with the #3g this year, and it’s been a pleasure driving for them,” said Stewart after the race. “They put me in this car and expect me to win, and that’s a little pressure, but anytime you have a good car underneath you like I did tonight, it’s fun to drive. You know, Joe (Gaerte) lost his Dad not too long ago, and hopefully we can pull off a big win for him on Saturday.”
Heat races for the 52 car field were claimed by Scott Kreutter, Justin Barger, Jessica Zemken, Keith Dempster, and Shane Stewart, while B-Mains went to Kyle Patrick and Gregg Dalman.
LIGHTHOUSE TATTOOS THUNDER STOCKS
The season championship was decided last week, but Thursday’s Thunder Stock feature was for bragging rights. Robbie General and Gord Bates started on the front row, but neither was able to finish the race. 2011 champ Mike Thorne was on a mission to get a feature win before the season ended, and looked poised to do it before he and Jim Lampman made contact exiting turn four. Thorne spun and kept going, and then the yellow flag flew for Dave Small in turn one. Lampman was sent to the rear of the field for rough driving.
Billy Bleich, Jr. made a rare appearance at Ohsweken this season pay off by taking the feature win over Devin Habiuk, Thorne, Jake Brown in his Thunder Stock debut from row seven, and Lee Winger.
“I’ve been waiting for this time all year to get the chance to come back up here,” Bleich said afterwards. “I was here a couple of weeks ago, started twenty-third and got second. I miss running here. It’s crazy – you can just hit the corners wide open, and you know you’re going to stick.”
Heat races for the 17 car field went to Mike Thorne and Lee Winger.
HRW AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS
The Mini Stocks got one lap in the books, but had trouble getting to lap number two as Kevin Ross got upside down in turn four to bring out a red flag, followed by another for Ethan Martin upside down on the backstretch after the restart. Both drivers walked away, but did not restart.
Jeremy Hughes got the lead when the race got going, and led until the white flag, when mechanical problems surfaced again for the unlucky driver. Dale Cooke briefly held the lead after Hughes’ misfortune, but couldn’t hold off Karl Sault, who ended his championship season with another feature win. Cooke settled for second, followed by Jason Lungaro, Glen Hils, and Steve Hess.
“It’s been a good year,” said Karl after the race. “That was a hard race coming around there. I thought Jeremy had the win. He’s had some bad luck through the season. I saw Dale (Cooke) slow up behind him, and I just managed to drag race Dale coming out of (turn) four, and I guess I got him!”
Heat races for the 23 car field went to Hughes, Ross, and Sault.
PIERCED PARTS BOMBERS
Jesse McDonald got the lead early in the Bomber feature, and outdistanced 2011 champ Rodney Rutherford and the rest of the field for his fifth feature win of the season. The race was red flagged for a fire in Jeremy May’s car, but fortunately he was unhurt. Rutherford couldn’t catch McDonald after the restart, and took the runner-up spot, followed by Dusty DeBoer, moonlighting Thunder Stock racer Ryan Dinning, and fourteenth starter Sarah Rutherford.
“It was awesome racing with Rodney (this year),” said McDonald after the race. “He’s nice and clean, and we race good with each other. The points were so tight this year, it was awesome. I just never thought I would get second. I was just happy with that.”
Heat races for the 15 car field went to McDonald and Rutherford.
NEXT UP AT OHSWEKEN
The “Night Before the Nationals” is ready to go on Friday, September 16. The second night of the 7th annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals weekend will include Twin 15 lap features for the Sprint Cars, plus the Ohsweken Shootout, Dave McLeod Memorial Mr. Sprint Car Challenge, and Vintage Cars. Spectator gates open at 5:00 with racing starting at 7:45!
OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY RACE REPORT
OHSWEKEN, ONTARIO
SEPTEMBER 15, 2011
“FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT”
EVENT SPONSOR – ESSO SPEEDWAY VARIETY
Total Entries – 107
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING SPRINT CARS (52 entries)
HEAT RACES (8 laps each – Top 16 in passing points transfer to A-Feature, Top 12 redraw for feature starting positions):
Finish. [Starting Position] Number Name (Hometown)
ENGLER MACHINE & TOOL HEAT RACE #1
1. [2] 52k Scott Kreutter (Alden, NY), 2. [3] 07x Dain Naida (Tecumseh, MI), 3. [1] 6s Ben Rutan (Jerome, MI), 4. [8] 71 Travis Cunningham (Grimsby), 5. [7] 51 Bryan Howland (Auburn, NY), 6. [10] 3w Ryan Ruhl (Mount Pleasant, MI), 7. [6] 87 Jason Barney (Constantia, NY), 8. [4] 24k Devin Caron (Cornwall), 9. 25 Michael Parent (Granby, QC), 10. [5] 15aw April Wilson (Joyceville), 11. [9] 21 Matt Lumbert (Hastings, MI). Time – 2:00.937.
GRISDALE RACING PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #2
1. [4] 32 Justin Barger (Montrose, NY), 2. [2] 42w Rick Wilson (Joyceville), 3. [7] 55v Patrick Vigneault (Trois-Rivieres, QC), 4. [9] 11 Jamie Turner (Caistor Centre), 5. [1] 49 Todd Hoddick (Cheektowaga, NY), 6. [11] 49t Gregg Dalman (Bellvue, MI), 7. [3] 67 Chris Durand (Port Stanley), 8. [10] 38 Brad Knab (Arcade, NY), 9. [6] 55x Kirk Cheney (Hastings, MI), 10. [8] 3 Wayne Ashton (Kitchener), DNS. [5] 84 Tyler Rand (Consecon). Time – 1:54.915
BS&B RADIATOR HEAT RACE #3
1. [1] 1z Jessica Zemken (Sprakers, NY), 2. [6] 14h Jim Huppunen (Fenwick), 3. [10] 7x Jamie Collard (Burford), 4. [9] 98 Paul Pekkonen (Brockville), 5. [5] 89 Robbie Stillwaggon (Burlington, NJ), 6. [4] 25h Paul Habeck (Fairport, NY), 7. [2] 52 Jesse Costa (St. Thomas), 8. [3] 0 Dave Dykstra (Port Colborne) DNF, 9. [8] 67c Steve Collins (Belfast, NY) DNF, DNS. [7] 96 Shane Butler (St. Thomas). No Time.
BEST WESTERN CAIRN CROFT HOTEL HEAT RACE #4
1. [2] 5 Keith Dempster (Alton), 2. [1] 17 Jared Horstman (Cloverdale, OH), 3. [4] 12 Tim Kelly (Rockstream, NY), 4. [7] 22h Randy Hannagan (Pittsboro, IN), 5. [8] 33k Kyle Patrick (Tilbury), 6. [10] 10 Mitch Brown (Brantford), 7. [6] 2m Dustin Daggett (Grand Ledge, MI), 8. [9] 80 Chris Steele (Fenwick), 9. [3] 81 Derek Jonathan (Lewiston, NY), 10. [5] 5c Conor Mahoney (Waterdown). Time – 2:00.186.
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING HEAT RACE #5
1. [4] 3g Shane Stewart (Brownsburg, IN), 2. [10] 77x Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK), 3. [7] 14 Kyle Sauder (Archbold, OH), 4. [1] 7 Kyle Moffit (South Dayton, NY), 5. [2] 31 Andy Teunessen (Hastings, MI), 6. [9] 52L Daniel Lampron (Saint-Hubert, QC), 7. [3] 90 James Evans (Beamsville), 8. [6] 30g Steve Goldner (Aylmer), DNS. [8] 28fm Steve Poirier (Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil, QC), DNS. [5] 7a Al Blanchard (Welland). Time – 1:56.658.
AWESOME RACEWEAR B-MAINS
(10 laps – Top 4 finishers transfer to A-Feature)
B-MAIN #1
1. 33k Kyle Patrick, 2. 12 Tim Kelly, 3. 42w Rick Wilson, 4. 0 Dave Dykstra,/ 5. 7 Kyle Moffit, 6. 3w Ryan Ruhl, 7. 31 Andy Teunnessen, 8. 52L Daniel Lampron, 9. 81 Derek Jonathan, 10. 87 Jason Barney, 11. 25 Michael Parent, 12. 30g Steve Goldner, 13. 90 James Evans, 14. 55x Kirk Cheney, 15. 52 Jesse Costa DNF, 16. 67c Steve Collins DNF, DNS. 49 Todd Hoddick, DNS. 7a Al Blanchard. Time – 2:30.361.
B-MAIN #2
1. 49t Gregg Dalman, 2. 10 Mitch Brown, 3. 17 Jared Horstman, 4. 2m Dustin Daggett,/ 5. 6s Ben Rutan, 6. 80 Chris Steele, 7. 25h Paul Habeck, 8. 89 Robbie Stillwaggon, 9. 24k Devin Caron, 10. 38 Brad Knab, 11. 67 Chris Durand, 12. 15aw April Wilson, 13. 5c Conor Mahoney, 14. 3 Wayne Ashton, 15. 21 Matt Lumbert, DNS. 28fm Steve Poirier, DNS. 96 Shane Butler, DNS. 84 Tyler Rand. Time – 2:28.216.
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING
SPRINT CAR FEATURE (20 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 3g Shane Stewart (1)
2. 14 Kyle Sauder (8)
3. 7x Jamie Collard (2)
4. 14h Jim Huppunen (3)
5. 22h Randy Hannagan (12)
6. 5 Keith Dempster (5)
7. 1z Jessica Zemken (13)
8. 2m Dustin Daggett (24)
9. 55v Patrick Vigneault (6)
10. 07x Dain Naida (15)
11. 71 Travis Cunningham (14)
12. 51 Bryan Howland (16)
13. 17 Jared Horstman (22)
14. 33k Kyle Patrick (17)
15. 11 Jamie Turner (4)
16. 32 Justin Barger (9)
17. 52x Scott Kreutter (10)
18. 42w Rick Wilson (21)
19. 10 Mitch Brown (20)
20. 49t Gregg Dalman (18)
21. 0 Dave Dykstra (23) DNF
22. 77x Wayne Johnson (7) DNF
23. 98 Paul Pekkonen (11) DNF
24. 12 Tim Kelly (19) DNF
No Time.
SPRINT CAR AWARDS:
Nathan Ackland State Farm Insurance “Top Gun” (highest passing points total): 77x Wayne Johnson ($100)
RNB Restorations Feature Winner: 3g Shane Stewart (case of Champion Motor Oil)
LIGHTHOUSE TATTOOS THUNDER STOCKS (17 entries)
HEAT RACES (8 laps each)
ENGINE PRO RACING HEAT RACE #1
1. 55 Mike Thorne (Caledonia), 2. 28 Jim Lampman (Caistor Centre), 3. 00 Robbie General (Ohsweken), 4. 191 Gord Bates (Selkirk), 5. 57 Murray Nicholls (Hamilton), 6. 77 Kevin Dawson (Caledonia), 7. 77b Brittany Gyokery (Jarvis), 8. 13 Kacey Huffman (Hamilton).
6 NATIONS BINGO HEAT RACE #2
1. 83 Lee Winger (Caledonia), 2. 5h Devin Habiuk (Port Robinson), 3. 108 Billy Bleich, Jr. (Port Robinson), 4. 73 Mike Miller (Caledonia), 5. 67 Dave Small (Port Colborne), 6. 19 Cory Turner (Caistor Centre), 7. 38 Jake Brown (Brantford), 8. k51 Ed McNamara (Sherkston), 9. 33m Jack Myers (Welland).
LIGHTHOUSE TATTOOS THUNDER STOCKS
A-FEATURE (20 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 108 Billy Bleich, Jr. (12)
2. 5h Devin Habiuk (9)
3. 55 Mike Thorne (6)
4. 38 Jake Brown (14)
5. 83 Lee Winger (7)
6. 19 Cory Turner (10)
7. 73 Mike Miller (8)
8. 77 Kevin Dawson (3)
9. 28 Jim Lampman (5)
10. k51 Ed McNamara (16)
11. 57 Murray Nicholls (4)
12. 13 Kacey Huffman (15)
13. 77b Brittany Gyokery (13)
14. 33m Jack Myers (17) DNF
15. 00 Robbie General (1) DNF
16. 67 Dave Small (11) DNF
17. 191 Gord Bates (2) DNF
HRW AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS (23 entries)
HEAT RACES (8 laps each)
ENGINE PRO RACING HEAT RACE #1
1. 10j Jeremy Hughes (Burlington), 2. 31 Abel Castelein (Cayuga), 3. 69e Dan Erskine (Caistor Centre), 4. 01 Brittani Myers (Hamilton), 5. 77x Ethan Martin (Ohsweken), 6. 69 Rob Twitchett (Dundas), 7. 13c Corrie Cowell (Tillsonburg).
ESSO SPEEDWAY VARIETY HEAT RACE #2
1. 52 Kevin Ross (Hamilton), 2. 44 Dale Cooke (Hamilton), 3. 05 Dave Goodacre (Brantford), 4. 99 Robin Elliott (Woodstock), 5. 02 Mike Taylor (Burlington), 6. 55 Rob Slater (Dundas), 7. 38 John Cote (Hamilton), 8. 84rk Ryan Beagle (Vittoria).
O’NEIL’S FARM EQUIPMENT HEAT RACE #3
1. 81 Karl Sault (Dundas), 2. 777x Steve Hess (Ohsweken), 3. 7 Jason Lungaro (Hamilton), 4. 1 Glen Hils (Dundas), 5. 11 Mike Giberson (Caledonia), 6. 7x Brian Van Every, 7. 6w Terry Woodley (Barrie), 8. 11jr Christine Giberson (Caledonia).
HRW AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS
FEATURE (15 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 81 Karl Sault (16)
2. 44 Dale Cooke (12)
3. 7 Jason Lungaro (18)
4. 1 Glen Hils (14)
5. 777x Steve Hess (17)
6. 31 Abel Castelein (6)
7. 01 Brittani Myers (4)
8. 99 Robin Elliott (11)
9. 02 Mike Taylor (13)
10. 55 Rob Slater (10)
11. 38 John Cote (20)
12. 84rk Ryan Beagle (22)
13. 11 Mike Giberson (2)
14. 05 Dave Goodacre (8)
15. 7x Brian Van Every (15)
16. 69 Rob Twitchett (5)
17. 6w Terry Woodley (21)
18. 11jr Christine Giberson (23)
19. 10j Jeremy Hughes (3) DNF
20. 69e Dan Erskine (7) DNF
21. 77x Ethan Martin (1) DNF
22. 13c Corrie Cowell (19) DNF
23. 52 Kevin Ross (9) DNF
PIERCED PARTS BOMBERS (15 entries)
HEAT RACES (8 laps each)
HEAT RACE #1
1. 88 Jesse McDonald (Caledonia), 2. 199 Aaron Turkey (Ohsweken), 3. 44 Tylor Brock (Dunnville), 4. 66r Cole Rodwell (Caledonia), 5. 16 Jeremy May (Hamilton), 6. 66 Brady Longboat (Ohsweken), 7. 77 Dale Gyokery (Jarvis), 8. 53 Sarah Rutherford (Dundas).
HEAT RACE #2
1. 38 Rodney Rutherford (Waterdown), 2. 22 Dusty DeBoer (Hagersville), 3. 18x Davey Boughton (Carlisle), 4. 113 Shawn Ireland (Burlington), 5. 83 Ryan Dinning (Caledonia), 6. 18 Josh Shantz, DNS. 10 Laura Hughes (Hamilton).
PIERCED PARTS BOMBERS
FEATURE (16 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 88 Jesse McDonald (4)
2. 38 Rodney Rutherford (8)
3. 22 Dusty DeBoer (7)
4. 83 Ryan Dinning (12)
5. 53 Sarah Rutherford (14)
6. 199 Aaron Turkey (1)
7. 66 Brady Longboat (6)
8. 44 Tylor Brock (3)
9. 18x Davey Boughton (9)
10. 113 Shawn Ireland (10)
11. 10 Laura Hughes (15)
12. 77 Dale Gyokery (13) DNF
13. 18 Josh Shantz (11) DNF
14. 66r Cole Rodwell (2) DNF
15. 16 Jeremy May (5) DNF
UP NEXT @ OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY:
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2011
“THE NIGHT BEFORE THE NATIONALS
SPRINT CAR TWIN 15’s,
OHSWEKEN SHOOTOUT,
DAVE MCLEOD MEMORIAL MR. SPRINT CAR CHALLENGE
PLUS VINTAGE CARS
ADULTS $15 RESERVED OR $10 GENERAL ADMISSION,
KIDS 6-12 $5, KIDS 5 AND UNDER FREE!
SPECTATOR GATES OPEN @ 5:00 P.M., RACING @ 7:45 P.M.