Peterborough, ON (August 24, 2013)- A full season of action on Canada’s Toughest 1/3-Mile Oval came down to a one night shootout Saturday, August 24th as Peterborough Speedway crowned the year’s point champions in tracks five regular divisions.
The Battlefield Equipment Rental 4 Fun division went to the line for a quartet of qualifiers. Current point leader Ryan Oosterholt and Griffen Powell each had a pair of wins. In the Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car action Bill Northam, Jeff Bell, Donny Beatty and Dan Price earned checkered flags. Jack Dallin and Tyler Junkin took the Moi Parry Spring Service Renegade Truck preliminary rounds.
Ten lap qualifying heats were on the table for the Vanguard Self Storage Late Models, with Chris Mitchell, Cory Horner, Craig Perry and Bryan Mercer collecting the wins. Peterborough Hyundai Mini Stock heat races went to Ryan Babin, Chris Mulders (with a pair) and “The Show Stopper” Danny Benedict.
Feature race action kicked-off with Jeff Forsey Jr. and John Carr pacing the field of Battlefield Equipment Rental Four Fun drivers to the green flag. A quick yellow flag slowed the pack near halfway, but things settled down early and James Townsend collected the win. Ryan Oosterholt, Jeff Scott, Jeff Forsey Jr. and Griffen Powell completed the top five. Oosterholt clinched the championship by just over 20 points.
“Captain Hook” and Steve Mayhew occupied the front row starting spots for the Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car main event. Dan Price took over the top spot with four circuits complete, bringing championship contenders Matt Spence and Donny Beatty along for the ride.
As the leaders crossed the line to finish the eighth lap, Bill Northam was sent spinning through the infield after a tap from Jeff Bell. Both cars were sent to the rear and racing resumed with Price still in command.
Spence muscled past Price with 14 complete, with Beatty facing a challenge from last week’s winner Howie Crowe. Spence held on for the win over Price. Donny Beatty’s third place finish unofficially clinched the 2013 Thunder Car title by six points. Crowe held on for fourth, with Jeff Bell fifth.
Stephen Bierworth and Tyler Junkin brought the Moi Parry Spring Service Renegade Trucks to the line for their 15 lapper. Junkin would get an early jump on the start and led every lap. Jack Dallin followed the #41 machine across the stripe. Bill O’Hara had clinched the 2013 division title earlier in the night.
With 25 laps on the plate, Bryan Mercer and Craig Graham brought the field of 14 Vanguard Self Storage Late Models to the green flag.
Before the leaders could get to the stripe to score Lap 2, Craig Perry and Kelly Balson came together in the fourth turn. Championship contender Chris Mitchell rolled to a stop before making contact with the involved cars and restarted fourth behind Mercer, Graham and Jesse Kennedy. With five complete, Kennedy pushed past Graham, with Mitchell, Cory Horner and Mike Wallace following along.
With 12 laps down, a yellow came out for contact between Perry and Scott Harrison after Perry’s #37 lost a rear-end gear. Chris Mitchell and Cory Horner came together exiting Turn 4, but got their spots back for the restart. The Paul Davis Systems clean-up crew took to the track during a red flag to take care of fluids left behind by Perry. Port Hope’s Bryan Mercer would score the win by a half a track over Mitchell, with Horner, Kennedy and Mike Wallace.
Craig Graham’s sixth place finish unofficially clinched the 2013 point crown for the Orono, Ontario driver by 24 markers.
The Peterborough Hyundai Mini Stocks brought a strong pack of 18 from the staging area, with Tyler Junkin and Brandt Graham on the front row for their feature dance.
Ryan Oosterholt showed some early strength and took the lead in the caution-free ‘A’ main, Junkin, Brandt Graham, Ryan Babin and Chris Mulders completed the fast five.
Oosterholt’s win unofficially clinched the title by three points.
Short Track Saturday Night: The OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Model 50 lap feature was won by Brandon Watson. Full event details can be found on the series web-site www.oscaar.ca… The Kawartha Shrine Club 50/50 draw put $ 964.00 in the pocket of Dennis Ambrose of Bewdley, Ontario.
It’s not too early to start thinking about the 21st Annual Autumn Colours Classic, presented by Lucas Oil Products. The Super Bowl of Stockcar Racing takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday October 11th, 12th and 13th at Canada’s Toughest 3rd of a Mile Oval. Drivers will have a chance to fine-tune their equipment during an open test session – prior to an endurance event – Saturday, September 14th. For the complete schedule, click ‘Autumn Colours Classic’ at www.peterboroughspeedway.com.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
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