July 20, 2013- They may have paid just a toonie to get through the gates, but fans were treated to close to a million dollars worth of action Saturday, July 20th at Peterborough Speedway.
As always, qualifying heat action was first to take to Canada’s Toughest 1/3rd Mile Oval. Peterborough’s Mike Wallace – who practically grew-up at the track – took the first preliminary round for the Vanguard Self Storage Late Models, with Craig Graham, Cory Horner and Bryan Sudsbury also earning checkered flags. Donny Beatty and Matt Spence claimed the Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car wins. James Townsend had a pair of Battlefield Equipment Rental Four Fun events, with Ryan Oosterholt and Griffin Powell taking one each.
Moi Parry Spring Service Renegade Truck qualifiers went to Bill O’Harra and Tyler Junkin. Jamie Bound and Rob McCall split the Hurricane Midget heats, with Brian MacDonald taking the ‘B’ main checkered flag.
Patience over the last seven years paid off for Ennismore, Ontario’s Steve Foster. Even though he started on the pole for the main event, the trip to Dart Heating and Air Conditioning victory lane in the Vanguard Self Storage Late Model main event was no easy run. His first challenger was Craig Graham, but he was no match for a hard charging Cory Horner, who had come from ninth to second in just a few laps. Horner tried everything – including some gentle taps from behind – but still couldn’t unsettle the driver of the #71. Kelly Balson made a late race charge and was able to get past Horner, but his attempts to pass Foster were unsuccessful.
Donny Beatty started the Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car feature from the inside of the front row and within just a couple of circuits, Matt Spence had charged from fifth to fill his rear-view mirror. The aggressive run caused the right front wheel on Spence’s #53 Chevy to belch smoke and he needed to slow his pace to stay in the fray. Andy Ford – wheeling Dan Price’s #09 – closed on Spence in the late stages of the 20 lap affair, but neither driver had anything for Beatty, who hung on for the win.
The Battlefield Equipment Rental For Fun feature was action packed from the drop of the green flag, as Andrew Massey split the front row starters in a successful three-wide battle for the lead on the opening lap. Behind him, a rivalry was developing between Joe Craven, who bumped Rob Gosse out of the way and earned a trip to the back of the pack. Gosse retaliated on the restart, spinning Craven and gave him a final hit before being parked for the night. At the front of the pack, Griffen Powell had found a way around Massey and held on for the win.
Excitement continued in the Moi Parry Spring Service Renegade Truck feature, as Stephen Bierworth grabbed the early lead from his outside front row starting spot. His machine developed a loose handling condition and surrendered the lead to Jack Dallin, who later spun on the front stretch. On the restart, Bill O’Harra took over the top spot, with Tyler Junkin alongside. Both drivers made contact and were sent to the back of the pack, putting Bierworth back in control of the field, who again was passed by Dallin who in turn gave up the lead and eventually the race win to Junkin.
The Hurricane Midget feature was stopped shortly after it began, as a six pack of racers came together coming off the second turn.
Rob McCall jumped to the front on the restart, but there was another quick yellow flag as Lorne VanDusen, Shawn Gardner and Ryan Brown all went for a spin along the back straight. As racing resumed, McCall was still holding the top spot, with Jamie Bound trying to work around the leader – but had to settle for second – with Brian Woodland chasing them across the line.
Short Track Saturday Night: Action continues at the bull ring west of the Liftlock City Saturday, July 27th with the Peterborough Hyundai Mini Stock, Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car, Vanguard Self Storage Late Model and Ontario Legend divisions and a 100 lap endurance event. Pit gates open at 3:00, with the grandstands unlocked at 5:00 and racing at 6:00.
Peterborough Speedway’s 2013 season is presented in part by Paul Davis Systems, Reinhart Trailers, Dart Heating and Cooling, Pennzoil, Pepsi, Country 105, Sound Off Signal and Peterborough Automotive
Fans can find full schedule details anytime by visiting www.peterboroughspeedway.com and follow the track on Facebook or Twitter.
From: Peterbrough Speedway Media
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