OHSWEKEN, Ont. (July 22, 2019) – The first night of action at Ohsweken Speedway’s Northern Summer Nationals presented by Burger Barn, Arrow Express, Nitro 54 Variety and Bradshaw Brothers did not disappoint. 143 drivers signed in for action across four divisions, including a star-studded Kool Kidz-Corr/Pak 360 Sprint Car roster which featured Tony Stewart, Christopher Bell, Rico Abreu, and a host of regional racing standouts.
Rico Abreu took the $5,000 USD win in the Kool Kidz-Corr/Pak 360 Sprint Cars feature, while Kyle Sopaz took the checkered flag in a thrilling finish to the Late Model Open. The UMP/Canadian Modified Challenge saw Dennis Lunger earn a trip to Mister Transmission Victory Lane, while Dusty DeBoer triumphed in the HRW Automotive Mini Stock main event.
KOOL KIDZ-CORR/PAK 360 SPRINT CARS
Rico Abreu scored a $5,000 USD victory during night one of the 2019 Northern Summer Nationals (Photo by Dale Calnan/image Factor Media).
Mack DeMan and Dylan Westbrook started on the front row for the 30-lap Kool Kidz-Corr/Pak 360 Sprint Car A-Feature, but Christopher Bell stole the lead exiting turn two after the green flag dropped. Bell’s move was negated, however, when Josh Hansen flipped hard in turn three; Hansen was uninjured, but his car was heavily damaged.
Westbrook took the lead when the race restarted but the sideboard on his top wing began to come apart, which drastically affected the handling on his car. Both DeMan and Bell took advantage and were followed by Rico Abreu, Mark Smith, and Jason Barney, while Westbrook fought valiantly but eventually brought out a yellow flag on lap six. Mark Smith then flipped in turn three to bring out a red flag before the next lap was completed; Smith was uninjured but done for the night.
DeMan held the lead when the race restarted again with Bell following closely behind, while Steve Poirier worked his way into the top five. As DeMan and Bell approached traffic on lap 12, DeMan dove to the bottom groove in turn one in search of racing room. Bell seized the opportunity and drove around the outside to take the lead, and immediately opened a gap on the rest of the field. Bell’s lead was short-lived, however, as he brought out a yellow flag with a flat right rear tire on lap 18. Abreu had just passed Mack DeMan before the yellow flag and inherited the lead for the restart, while Bell restarted at the rear of the field with a new tire and eventually charged back to finish 11th.
Abreu opened a lead when the race restarted, while Poirier got past DeMan and into second. Poirier began to close in on Abreu as the race wound down, but Abreu made a daring three wide move in traffic which essentially sealed the victory. Abreu took the feature win and the guaranteed starting spot in September’s Canadian Sprint Car Nationals A-Feature which went with it. Poirier settled for the runner-up spot followed by DeMan in third, while Tony Stewart made a late charge to finish fourth, and Mitch Brown rounded out the top five.
Holly Porter, Christopher Bell, Mark Smith, Mack DeMan, and Mitch Brown won qualifying heat races for the 50 car field, while Davie Franek, Scott Kreutter, and Denny Peebles won B-Features.
LATE MODEL OPEN
Kyle Sopaz scored a thrilling win in the Late Model Open (Photo by Dale Calnan/Image Factor Media).
Brad Rayner and Brad Authier paced the field to the green flag for the Late Model Open A-Feature, and Rayner took the early lead before Tyler Lozon spun to bring out an early yellow flag. Sam Pennacchio slipped past Rayner after the restart, followed by Craig Graham and Gregg Haskell.
Several incidents slowed the race but did not slow the progress of eighth row starter Kyle Sopaz, who was into the top five just past the halfway point. Lozon was also putting on a show as he restarted 22nd and charged back into the top five as the race wound down.
Pennacchio led until all but two laps were left to run, but Sopaz charged around the outside and stole the win by 0.15 seconds. Pennacchio settled for the runner-up spot, followed by Lozon, Craig Graham, and Rob Pietz.
Gregg Haskell, Charlie Sandercock, Tyler Lozon, and Sam Pennacchio won their qualifying heats, while Brad Simpson won the B-Feature.
UMP/CANADIAN MODIFIED CHALLENGE
Dennis Lunger dominated the UMP/Canadian Modified Challenge. (Photo by Dale Calnan/Image Factor Media).
Andrew Hennessy and Jim Dale Jr. brought the Canadian/UMP Modified Challenge Feature to the green flag, and each took a brief turn leading before Dennis Lunger took over and opened a gap on the field. Hennessy found himself fending off challenges from Al Brewer and Tim Richardson in an entertaining race for the second position until Darryl Hoekstra spun to bring out a yellow flag on lap 13.
Lunger continued to lead after the restart, while Brewer finally got clear of Hennessy and Richardson and gave chase. Lunger could not be caught, however, and took the win followed by Brewer, Hennessy, Richardson, and Jim Dale Jr.
Al Brewer, Jim Dale Jr., and Dennis Lunger scored victories in the qualifying heat races for the 24 car field.
HRW AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS
Dusty DeBoer claimed his second career Mini Stock feature win (Photo by Dale Calnan/Image Factor Media).
Cole Hardy and Steve Miller were on the front row for the HRW Automotive Mini Stock 15-lap Feature, and Hardy took the early lead with Miller close behind. Kyle Wert quickly made a beeline to the front of the field, while Dusty DeBoer and Wayde Thorne were also moving forward. Wert took the lead as the race reached the halfway point but had problems and got off track in turn two.
Hardy inherited the lead again after Wert’s incident, but DeBoer soon made the winning move, while Thorne moved around Hardy a few laps later. DeBoer cruised to the win, followed by Thorne, Hardy, Tim Deboer, and Rob Goulding.
Mike Evers was the fastest driver in qualifying with a lap of 20.892 seconds, while Ryan Hillar and Rob Twitchett scored checkered flags in a pair of B-Features.
UP NEXT AT OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY
Ohsweken Speedway returns to action for a second straight night on Tuesday, July 23 as Tony Stewart, Christopher Bell and Rico Abreu return to battle the Kool Kidz-Corr/Pak 360 Sprint Cars in another $5,000 USD-to-win event. The Race of Champions Sportsman Modified Tour, Action Sprint Tour Crate Sprint Cars, and Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stocks will also hit the track. Race time is 7:30 p.m. and adult admission is $30. Advanced reserved tickets and additional schedule information are available at www.ohswekenspeedway.ca.
About Burger Barn: Since opening in 2011, Burger Barn has quickly gained a reputation for large portions, friendly staff, great food, and fair prices. Tips from satisfied customers even led Food Network Canada to feature Burger Barn on their show “You Gotta Eat Here”. Burger Barn takes pride in their product, and they never get tired of hearing “That was the best burger I’ve ever had”. Their menu also includes all-day breakfast, wings, chicken burgers, fish and chips, pulled pork, daily specials, and much more! Burger Barn is located at 3000 Fourth Line in Ohsweken, just 5 miles from Ohsweken Speedway. Call them at 519-445-0088, and visit www.BurgerBarn.ca for more information.
About Bradshaw Brothers: Based in Waterford, Ontario, Bradshaw Fuels Limited was founded in 1979. The company’s line of business includes the wholesale distribution of petroleum and petroleum products. Call them at 519 443-8611, or visit their website at www.BradshawFuels.com.
About Arrow Express: Arrow Express Sports is a sport and entertainment company that is dedicated to preserving and teaching Native American Indian sports, culture, music, and languages. Based at the Arrow Express Sports Entertainment Arena, the company owns and operates the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League, and the Hamilton Nationals of Major League Lacrosse. Arrow Express owns and operates the multipurpose 3,000 spectator capacity arena which hosts lacrosse, music, and festival events. The mission of Arrow Express Sports is to help children by advocating healthy lifestyle choices. Visit the Arrow Express Sports website at www.aeslacrosse.com.
About Nitro 54 Variety: Nitro 54 Variety is a proud sponsor of several race teams at Ohsweken Speedway, as well as a presenting sponsor of the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals. Visit Nitro 54 Variety at 1086 Brant County Hwy 54, Caledonia, Ontario.
About MavTV Canada’s All North Racing Powered by Pinty’s
Ohsweken Speedway is excited to announce its Friday Night Excitement racing will be the centerpiece of a new international television broadcast on MavTV Canada called All North Racing powered by Pinty’s. All North Racing will visit Ohsweken for six live broadcasts that will be re-aired multiple times in Canada and the United States. The MavTV broadcasts are scheduled for May 31, June 21, July 22, July 23, August 30 and September 14. These broadcasts include both nights of the Northern Summer Nationals featuring Tony Stewart, Christopher Bell and Rico Abreu as well as the 15th annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals. For more information on MavTV Canada, visit www.facebook.com/MAVTVCanada.
Northern Summer Nationals Tickets Available Now
Tony Stewart, Christopher Bell and Rico Abreu are coming to Ohsweken Speedway for two action-packed nights on July 22-23. All three Sprint Car stars will be in action both nights for two $5,000-to-win 360 Sprint Car shows. Tickets and camping for the Northern Summer Nationals are on sale online at https://ohswekenspeedway.ticketforce.com/ or can be purchased by phone by calling (519) 717-0023.
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 and on our official Facebook page.
2019 SEASON
Ohsweken Speedway’s 24th 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 or call (519) 717-0023 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 track’ annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals. Ohsweken Speedway also hosts weekly Micro Sprint racing on Thursday nights.
OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY MEDIA
Phone: (519) 717-0023
Email: media@ohswekenspeedway.com
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: Ackland Insurance, Arrow Express, Auto Parts Centres, Bradshaw Brothers Fuels, Burger Barn, Case IH O’Neil’s Farm Equipment, Core-Mark International, Corr/Pak Merchandising Inc., Creative Edge Signs & Graphics, EPIC Racewear, Gale’s Auto Aftermarket, Hoosier Tire Canada, HRW Automotive, Insta-Insulation/Insta-Panels, Jibs Action Sports, Kool Kidz Ice & Water, McDonald’s Restaurants of Paris & Brantford, Middleport Mechanical, Nitro 54 Variety/Club 54 Racing, Pinty’s Delicious Foods, Renway Energy, Rochester Knighthawks, Strickland’s GMC and Victory Gamez.
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