MILLGROVE, ON – After going through a slew of motor problems, they all seem to be in the rearview mirror for J.R. Fitzpatrick after winning the Don Biederman Memorial on Saturday at Flamboro Speedway. Fitzpatrick came into this season with high hopes, only to blow the motor running an event in the United States. He would quickly get it rebuilt, but overheating issues took him out of contention in the season opener for the Ontario Outlaw Super Late Models at Sunset Speedway.
Looking to rebound, he showed speed as soon as he showed up to Flamboro in laying down a lap of 15.109 seconds in qualifying to put himself at the top of the board. He carried the momentum into the 50-lap feature, taking the lead with just seven laps on the board and driving away from the field to pace the rest of the way.
Todd Campbell picked up the runner-up finish after pacing the initial six laps ahead of Dario Capirchio, Ethan Cournyea, and Glenn Watson. Brandon Passer spent the event just outside the top-five en route to sixth in front of Mike Miller and Rob Bickle.
Thayne Hallyburton found himself sidelined at Lap 35 to place ninth, while Adrian Foster did not take the green flag in the feature.
Canadian Vintage Modifieds
T.J. Marshall led all 13 laps to win the first feature ahead of Ricky Willigar, Quinton Murdoch, Rodney Rutherford, and Mike Podd. Scott Tonelli battled inside the top-five for the first five laps, before fading back to sixth in front of Jae Pepin, Maddux Pepin, Sam Trewolla, and Mike Klotz.
Rodney Rutherford took the lead on Lap 4 of the second feature, pacing the remaining 16 laps to win ahead of Mike Podd, TJ Marshall, Ricky Willigar, and Scott Tonelli. Jae Pepin led the opening three laps en route to sixth in front of Maddux Pepin, Sam Trewolla, Quinton Murdoch, and Mike Klotz. Steve Murdoch failed to start both features.
Mini Stocks
Matt Young took the lead on Lap 2, not looking back en route to winning the first feature ahead of Mike Gilmour, Mike Thomson, RJ Croteau, and Mark Grieve. Rory Markle battled his way forward to finish sixth in front of Nikki King. Tyler Lewis, Bobby Mercer, Kaitlyn Wallace, and Ryan Edwards-Kiss failed to finish.
Matt Young went for two-for-two after taking the lead on Lap 4 in the second feature . Rory Markle was second ahead of Mike Gilmour, Nikki King, and Ryan Edwards-Kiss. There was an incident on the first lap, resulting in damage for RJ Croteau, Mark Grieve, and Mike Thomson. Tyler Lewis, Bobby Mercer, and Kaitlyn Wallace did not take the green flag.
Pure Stocks
Mark Allan was the fastest PUG on track, winning the first feature ahead of Leo Labarbera, James Houghton, Craig Cole, and Chance Rogers. Spencer Riddell battled just outside the top-five to sixth in front of Cam Thomson, Chase Mitchell, Courtney Scott, and Rick Mitchell.
Gillian Hils was unable to crack the top-10 with an 11th, followed by Chris Burrows, Rachel Mitchell, Mike Hall, Megan Mitchell, Dylan Peckham, and Jordan Wilms. Hailey Hill failed to finish.
It was a female one-two for the second feature, with Courtney Scott picking up the checkered flag ahead of Gillian Hils. Craig Cole’s consistency continued with a third ahead of Rick Mitchell and Jordan Wilms. Spencer Riddell was sixth for the second race in a row in front of James Houghton, Leo Labarbera, Mark Allan, and Cam Thomson.
Chance Rogers dropped out of the top-10 with three laps to go to place 11th, followed by Chase Mitchell, Chris Burrows, Rachel Mitchell, Megan Mitchell, Mike Hall, and Dylan Peckham. Hailey Hill did not take the green flag.
The next stock car racing event at Flamboro Speedway is taking place on Saturday, June 22 with Meet the Drivers Night, featuring an autograph session on-track at intermission. The night will feature the Pro Late Models, Super Stocks, Ontario Pro Challenge Series, Mini Stocks, Pure Stocks, and Southern Ontario Modified Association Modifieds.
Be sure to keep up with the latest by checking out Flamboro Speedway’s website at www.flamborospeedway.ca.
