BRIGHTON, ON – Twenty-five Late Models registered for the first race of the Late Model Open Mini-Series, with 15 crate and 10 open-motor cars taking to the track. The night also featured Mini Vans, Thunder Stocks, Mini Stocks, and Stingers.
Rinaldi Defeats the Open-Motor Late Models
The 40-lap Late Model Open race saw Steve Baldwin’s No. 5 start on the pole with Nathan Rinaldi’s No. 3 to his outside. In Row 2 were Ryan Lambert’s No. 41 and Joe Brosseau’s No. 47B. Adam Turner rounded out the top five starters in fifth aboard the No. RH94.
All 25 Late Models took the green, with Baldwin and Rinaldi holding their starting positions. By Lap 7, Baldwin had built a significant lead, while Turner had worked his way into third. At the halfway point, Baldwin remained out front with Rinaldi second and Turner close behind in third.
A restart on Lap 23 allowed both Turner and Rinaldi to get by Baldwin for the lead. With 17 laps remaining, Turner put his open-motor car to work and began pulling away from the pack. By Lap 30, however, Turner appeared to be losing speed, allowing Rinaldi to close the gap.
With five laps to go, Rinaldi made the winning pass for the lead. Turner mounted a challenge over the final laps, but Nathan Rinaldi held on for the feature victory. Turner finished second, followed by Baldwin in third, Brandon Mowat in fourth, and Tim Kerr in fifth.
Lammle Brings It Home in the No. 95 Mini Van
The Mini Van feature began with Carter Rhodes and passenger Declan Paradis in the No. 69 on the pole. Starting second were RJ Punchard and Riley Hackman in the No. 74, while Tyson Gregory and Vanessa lined up third in the No. 01.
The 12-lap feature saw Rhodes lead the first nine laps while Punchard and Kyle Gregory battled for second. Meanwhile, Chris Lammle charged through the field from his 16th starting position, reaching fourth by Lap 10.
On Lap 11, Lammle made three passes to take the lead from Gregory. With only one lap remaining, Lammle and passenger Jake Ackerman secured the checkered flag. Tom Grant and Char Rittwage finished second, while Dave Patterson and Miss Cooper completed the podium in third.
Ramsay Punches It to Victory Lane
The Thunder Stock 20-lap feature saw Justin Ramsay start from the pole, followed by Tyson Gregory in second, Kolby Ellis in third, Warren Mowat in fourth, and Carter Rhodes in fifth.
When the green flag dropped, Ramsay quickly established the lead while Gregory and Ellis stayed within striking distance. Cautions on Laps 3 and 4 bunched the field for a restart, with Ramsay still leading and Ellis lining up alongside him.
On the restart, Ellis drifted high in Turns 1 and 2, leaving just enough room for Brock Gregory to move into second. Tyler French also got by Ellis, setting up a battle between French and Gregory while Ramsay continued to stretch his advantage.
At the finish, Ramsay claimed the victory. Gregory crossed the line second, followed by Rhodes, French, and Kaitlyn O’Blenis.
Coleson Gregory Secures His First Checkered Flag
The 15-lap Mini Stock feature began with Coleson Gregory on the pole, Kyle Gregory in second, Trevyn McCrillis in third, Jack Veenstra in fourth, and Devon O’Brien in fifth.
Thirteen Mini Stocks took the green, with Coleson Gregory and Kyle Gregory racing side by side for the lead. Meanwhile, substitute driver Travis McLean worked his way forward from 12th on the starting grid.
By Lap 9, McLean had moved into third and began chasing the leaders. Despite his charge, he could only catch Veenstra in the closing laps, allowing Coleson Gregory to secure his first career feature victory.
McLean finished second, followed by Veenstra in third, AJ Peters in fourth, and Keith Dunk in fifth.
Pedersen Does It Again!
The Stinger 12-lap feature saw Jorden Pickell start on the pole ahead of Michael Storey, Brian Cross, Cameron Pedersen, and Billy Jr. O’Hara.
Pedersen wasted little time moving forward, gaining two positions on the opening lap and beginning his battle for the lead with Pickell. The duel ended on Lap 3 when Pedersen took over the top spot and never looked back.
Pickell successfully fended off Cross throughout the race to maintain second place. At the checkered flag, Pedersen claimed another feature win, followed by Pickell, Cross, Storey, and Chris Lammle.
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