OHSWEKEN, Ont. (July 23, 2019) – The second night of Ohsweken Speedway’s Northern Summer Nationals presented by Burger Barn, Arrow Express, Nitro 54 Variety and Bradshaw Brothers was another action-packed affair. 146 drivers signed in for action across four divisions, including another 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.
Christopher Bell took the $5,000 USD win in the Kool Kidz-Corr/Pak 360 Sprint Cars feature, while Matt Farnham took the checkered flag in the Race of Champions Dirt 602 Sportsman Modified Series feature. The Action Sprint Tour saw a record car count and Matt Farnham earn a trip to Mister Transmission Victory Lane, while Dave Bailey triumphed in the Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stock main event.
KOOL KIDZ-CORR/PAK 360 SPRINT CARS
Christopher Bell scored the $5,000 USD win on the second night of the Northern Summer Nationals (Photo by Dale Calnan/image Factor Media).
Christopher Bell and Scott Kreutter started on the front row for the 30-lap Kool Kidz-Corr/Pak 360 Sprint Car A-Feature. Bell saw his lead erased twice by yellow flags for Jim Huppunen, including a nearly three second advantage which he had built by lap 12.
Mark Smith gave Bell all he could handle after the restart, as the two exchanged a multitude of slide jobs with Smith leading laps 14 through 16 before Bell was able to slip away again. Dylan Westbrook began to reel in the leaders, but his bid for the win stalled in traffic as he fended off the advances of Jordan Poirier.
Bell drove nearly flawlessly for the remainder of the race to claim the win, while Smith took the runner-up spot followed by Westbrook, Jordan Poirier, and Jordan Thomas.
Christopher Bell, Joe Trenca, Dylan Westbrook, Cory Turner, and Jim Huppunen won qualifying heat races for the 45 car field, while Denny Peebles, Rico Abreu, and Dale Gosselin won B-Features. Jim Huppunen also won the Ackland Insurance Top Gun Award for accruing the most heat race passing points.
RACE OF CHAMPIONS DIRT 602 SPORTSMAN MODIFIED SERIES
Dan Ferguson and Justin Sharp paced the field to the green flag for the Race of Champions Sportsman Modified A-Feature. The race went caution-free for the first 28 laps, with the field spreading out early but coming back together as the laps wound down.
Brad Rouse was close behind Panunte as the leaders negotiated traffic and Rouse saw an opportunity to get underneath the leader in turn one with two laps left. The two made contact and Panunte got sideways, collecting Chad Chevalier and sixth row starter James Michael Friesen. Everyone was able to keep moving except for Panunte, who brought out the first yellow flag of the race.
Friesen eventually restarted on the outside of Rouse and took the lead as the white flag flew. A tangle in turn two found Dave DiPietro turned over to bring out a red flag; under RoC rules the next flag after the white ends the race, allowing Friesen to claim his first Ohsweken win since 2008. Rouse settled for the runner-up spot, followed by Dylan Davidson, Chad Chevalier, and Adam Leslie.
Greg Panunte, Dylan Davidson, and Brad Rouse won qualifying heats for the 24 car field, while Chad Chevalier ran the quickest lap in qualifying with a time of 17.127 seconds.
STRICKLAND’S GMC CRATE SPRINT CARS
Johnny Miller and Jesse Costa brought the Action Sprint Tour Feature to the green flag, and Miller led the first lap before Costa drove around the outside to take the lead exiting turn four to complete lap two. The yellow flag then flew for DJ Christie who stopped on the track with suspension damage. The following lap saw Lucas Smith get pinched into the backstretch wall and retire with heavy damage.
Costa held the lead on the restart, but Matt Farnham reeled in the leader in traffic and stole the top spot on lap 13. Farnham made a daring move in traffic to open a gap on the rest of the field and cruised to the feature win. Costa settled for the runner-up spot, followed by Liam Martin, Hannah Ferrell, and Brad Herron.
Johnny Miller, Brad Herron, Liam Martin, Jordan Hill, and Jerry Hill won their qualifying heats, while Terry Baker, Brandon Murrell, and Baily Heard won B-Features. Hannah Ferrell won the Ackland Insurance Top Gun Award for accruing the most heat race passing points.
MIDDLEPORT MECHANICAL THUNDER STOCKS
Aaron Rewutzsky and Jim Lampman were on the front row for the Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stock A-Feature, and Rewutzsky took the early lead. The leaders quickly caught up to Melissa Miller who had spun early in the race, and Dave Bailey was able to snare the lead as he and Rewutzsky negotiated the traffic.
The race was slowed with three laps complete when Kyle Andress spun in turn two, and Ryan Dinning got turned around in turn one on the restart. Another caution flag flew with six laps in the books when Steve Shaw Sr. spun exiting turn four and collected Donny Lampman, who then made heavy contact with the frontstretch wall.
Bailey negotiated through several close calls in traffic and held the rest of the field at bay for the remainder of the race to secure the win. Jason Fontaine finished in the runner-up spot, but was disqualified for a weight violation in post-racing inspection which handed the second spot to Ryan Beagle. Rob Murray, Logan Shwedyk, and Trevor DeBoer made up the remainder of the top five.
Dave Bailey was also the fastest driver in qualifying with a lap of 19.778 seconds.
UP NEXT AT OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY
There is no racing scheduled at Ohsweken Speedway on Friday, July 26 following this week’s Northern Summer Nationals events. The track returns to action on Friday, August 2 when Insta-Panels presents the 50-lap Brock Leonard Memorial for the Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stocks and 42-lap Art Hill Memorial for the HRW Automotive Mini Stocks, both of which are Combined Races for the Insta-Panels Duel on the Dirt Series. The Strickland’s Brantford Chevrolet Crate Sprint Cars are also in action, along with Sportsman Modifieds. The Kool Kidz-Corr/Pak 360 Sprint Cars have the night off to allow drivers to compete in the 360 Knoxville Nationals at Iowa’s famed Knoxville Raceway. Race time on Friday, August 2 is 7:30 p.m. Adult admission is just $14 and children 12 and under are $3 or less. For additional event information, visit 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.
Canadian Sprint Car Nationals Tickets Available Now
The best 360 Sprint Car racers from the Northeast region and beyond will converge on Ohsweken Speedway on Friday, September 13, and Saturday, September 14 for the 15th Annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals weekend. Tickets and camping for the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals are on sale online at https://ohswekenspeedway.ticketforce.com/ or can be purchased by phone at 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, Grisdale Racing Products, Hoosier Tire Canada, HRW Automotive, Insta-Insulation/Insta-Panels, Jibs Action Sports, Kool Kidz Ice & Water, McDonald’s Restaurants of Paris & Brantford, Middleport Mechanical, Miska Trailer Factory, Nitro 54 Variety/Club 54 Racing, Pinty’s Delicious Foods, Renway Energy, Rochester Knighthawks, Strickland’s GMC and Victory Gamez.
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