PORT COLBORNE, ON – For the fourth time in his career, “Money Mat” Mat Williamson, from St. Catharines, ON, was victorious in the Pete Cosco Memorial for the 358 Modifieds at Humberstone Speedway on Sunday night. James Friesen, from Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, won the Race of Champions Dirt 602 Sportsman Series event. Kyle Pelrine (Smithville, ON) won the Thunder Stocks feature and RJ Pietz (Port Colborne, ON) won the Mod Lite feature. Wins also went to Jeremy Cooper (Chippawa, ON) in Mini Stocks and Rob Pietz (Gasline, ON) in the Vintage Car event.
Brad Rouse and Jacob Dykstra led the 358 Modifieds to the green flag for the Pete Cosco Memorial, with Dykstra jumping out to the early lead, ahead of Rouse, Mat Williamson, Kyle Richner, and Ryan Susice. Williamson took the lead before Rouse passed Dykstra for second on lap four, as Gary Lindberg challenged Richner to move into the top-five.
Susice passed Dykstra to take over third on lap five. Lindberg caught Rouse for third on lap 17. Susice and Lindberg battled for second, as Williamson started to pull away from the field. Lindberg passed Susice with ten laps remaining to take over second and chase down Williamson. The final ten laps saw an intense battle for the lead as Lindberg tried everything in his power to catch Williamson, but Williamson held him off to score his fourth Pete Cosco Memorial victory. Lindberg and Susice completed the top-three.
James Friesen and Boyd MacTavish brought the Race of Champions Dirt 602 Sportsman Series to the green flag for their Pete Cosco Memorial event, with Friesen in the lead, ahead of MacTavish and Dan McKay. Matt Sharpe slowed on the front straightaway to bring out the race’s first caution on lap one.
On the restart, Adam Leslie took second away, as Jacob Chevalier and Cody McPherson battled for positions inside the top-five. McPherson took over third and, on lap five, battled Leslie for second. McPherson took over the runner-up spot on lap six. The caution waved again on lap 11, as Leslie spun in turn one. The restart saw Friesen and McPherson battle for the lead, with Chevalier in third. Chevalier pressured McPherson for second, as Friesen started to pull away from the field. Friesen went on to collect the victory.
Kyle Pelrine and Pete Reid were on the front row for the GR Enviro Rail Street Stocks feature, with Reid in the lead. Pelrine passed Reid to regain the position on lap four, with Dave Bailey racing in third. Reid challenged Pelrine for the lead, but Pelrine used the outside of the track to keep the spot and drove away from Reid, Bailey, and Jason Fontaine to score the popular win.
Jeremy Cooper and Kyle Rothwell were on the front row for the Bosch Car Service Mini Stock feature event, with Cooper in the lead ahead of Kyle and Hana Rothwell. Cooper pulled away from the field as Mason Anderson battled with Kyle Rothwell for second. Cooper continued to lead the field ahead of Shawn Keus and Anderson.
Evan Curtis flipped in turn three to bring out the red flag on lap 14. Curtis climbed out of his car under his own power. The ensuing restart saw calamity on the front stretch as Jesse McDonald’s car got shoved into the wall. McDonald climbed out of his vehicle and showed his displeasure by going over to James Marshall’s car. McDonald’s actions caused race officials to escort him to his trailer and McDonald had to surrender any purse money that he would have received at night’s end. Cooper pulled away from the field and went on to pick up the win, his second Pete Cosco Memorial checkered flag.
Roger Paradis and RJ Pietz led the Mod Lites to the green flag for their feature event, with Pietz showing the way. Pietz continued to lead over Brent Begolo, Ryan Anderson, Tyler Winger, and Joe Isabell. Pietz, Isabell, and Winger battled for the lead throughout the 20-lap feature event. Pietz held off the field to score the win.
Rob Pietz and Rick St. Pierre brought the Vintage Cars to life for their main event, with Pietz to the lead. Doug Gordon took over second, with Stan Zanchin racing in third. Gordon and Zanchin pulled away in their positions, as Pietz dominated the event. Rob Pietz went on to score the win. Qualifying heats were won by Pietz and St. Pierre.
RESULTS – PETE COSCO MEMORIAL
358 Modifieds: MAT WILLIAMSON, Gary Lindberg, Ryan Susice, Brad Rouse, Todd Gordon, Jay Mallory, Dave Flannigan Jr, Glenn Styres, Dylan Davidson, Jacob Dykstra, Cody McPherson, Shayne Pierce, Kyle Richner, Bill Gill, Ken Winfield, Fred Carleton, Brian Page, Derek VanMil
Qualifying Heats: Mat Williamson, Jacob Dykstra
Race of Champions Sportsman Series: JAMES FRIESEN, Cody McPherson, Jacob Chevalier, Billy Bleich, Curtis Friesen, Adam Leslie, Brad Rouse, Mitch Dumont, Nigel Pendykoski, Travis Miller, Jay Mallory, Jeff Panunte, Noah Mamo, Andrew Smith, Dan McKay, Greg Rauscher, Craig Handley, Tyler Lafantaisie, Elijah Knutt, Boyd MacTavish, Matt Sharpe, Terry Smith
Qualifying Heats: Cody McPherson, James Friesen, Andrew Smith
Thunder Stocks: KYLE PELRINE, Pete Reid, Dave Bailey, Jason Fontaine, Mike Thorne, Gofast Teeple, Rob Murray, Zach Bleich, Clinton Nicholls
Qualifying Heat: Kyle Pelrine
Mini Stocks: JEREMY COOPER, Shawn Keus, Rob Goulding, Ken Hair, Josh Dmytrow, Hana Rothwell, Randy Alway, Olivier Larocque, Grayden Lyons, Wayde Thorne, Brian Aube, Mike Sarantakos, Nick Bowman, Ray Cerenzia, Nathan Joyner, James Marshall, Kyle Rothwell, Evan Curtis, Mason Anderson, Mark Thorne, Alex Riley, Jesse McDonald, Matt Christie, Cierra Keus
Failed to Qualify: Sierra Robison, Kris Lawrence, John Trivieri, Patrick Burse, Kyle Miller, Joe Stevenson, Brendan Lefrancois, Roger Winfield, Steve Robison
Qualifying Heats: Evan Curtis, Hana Rothwell, Mike Sarantakos, Randy Alway
B-Main: Josh Dmytrow
Mod Lites: RJ PIETZ, Joe Isabell, Anthony Scott, Tyler Winger, Brent Begolo, Ryan Anderson, Sean Iftody, Roger Paradis, Ashton Anderson, Dan Kviring, Rob Misener, Ryleigh Sliter, Craig Martin, Josh Sliter, Nick Sarantakos, Greg Zack, Jamie Gilbert
Qualifying Heats: Josh Sliter, Joe Isabell
Vintage Cars: ROB PIETZ, Doug Gordon, Andy Imbeault, Billy Montreuil, Dean Montreuil, Jens Mortensen, Tim Natolino, Jipper Ortiz, Bill Profota, Mike Jacobs, Alan Wood, Jeff Larmet, Chad Brown, Rick St. Pierre, Dave Small
Qualifying Heats: Rob Pietz, Rick St. Pierre
- By Steven Petty
