FREELTON, ON (September 6, 2017)- Cool weather for the final Saturday show before Labour Day at Bennett Chevrolet Flamboro Speedway but rain would be in the forecast for later in the day. It was the annual Fan Appreciation Night and Corn Roast. The Grisdale Late Models made their return after three weeks off and were joined by the Klotz Auto Repair & Engine Machine Shop Mini Stocks, the Budget Tire Pure Stocks, Ray’s Auto Centre & Towing Super Stocks, the Pro Four Modifieds and the Lucas Oil Canadian Vintage Modifieds.
Pure Stocks were first up with points leader Doug Moir on the pole. Ryan Howell was on the outside. Moir had strengthened his lead in the points race and now holds a 48 point advantage on the second place car of Mark Thorne. Moir led lap one. Early on some bashing and crashing which saw the 50 of Ross Winters blacked flagged for rough driving. A caution on lap twelve brought the field back to even. Moir would continue to lead and another caution as Clinton Kerkhof and Gary Slama got into each other down the front stretch. That wouldn’t faze Moir, he led flag to flag to pick up the win.
Mini Stocks next and a couple of hard hitters out front. Erik Dalla Riva and Russ Aicken were pole. Dalla Riva led lap one. The real battle through out the race was between Aicken, Shawn Taylor and Allie Ditner. Dalla Riva would continue to lead and led flag to flag for the win.
The Canadian Vintage Modifieds were in town and hit the track next for their first feature. Bill Stoner and Jeremy Barton led the field to green. Barton would lead early and the fifth and sixth cars in the field, Steve Trendell and T.J. Marshall, were battling their way to the front. Trendell would be the leader the third time past. Heading out of four, the 654 car of Max Wright tangled with John Karley and both cars were unable to continue. Another caution and a black flag to the 92 of Brian Atkinson as he got into the 88 of Bill Stoner. Trendell continued to lead on the restarts and would take the checkered flag. Heading into action tonight, Jason Keen led Trendell by a mere ten points. Keen would come third just behind Marshall.
Super Stocks were next with Chris Howse and Jaeger McMaster out front. Howse led until lap seven when heading down the back stretch, Brad Collison would make a move down the back stretch followed by Bobby Mercer. Howse got stuck on the outside and fell back to fifth. A caution with five laps to go would bring the field back to even. Collison would continue to lead but Mercer gave him all he could handle. At the checkers it was Collison coming across first. Nice to see Brad back in victory lane. He has had a rough year.
Late Models were next and Shawn Chenoweth and Hudson Nagy led thirteen cars to green. Chenoweth led lap one and as the cars were heading through 1-2, Nagy bobbled and that caused Gary Elliott to get loose and he was around into the grass. No caution as Elliott got it going. Chenoweth continued to lead and Blair Wickett was gaining. A few cautions around half way but Chenoweth continued to lead. With three laps to go Wickett got into the back of Chenoweth in four and the caution flew. Both cars took up position at the rear of the field. That would see Billy Schwartzenberg take over as leader. He led the final three laps to pickup the victory.
The Pro Four Modifieds were the last race before intermission. Brian Nanticoke and Shannon Morris were pole and Nanticoke led early. Brian would continue to lead and before long, brother Dan was on his tail. Mark Lucas was right there as well but he would soon slow and retire to the infield. With three laps to go, Dan past brother Brian to take the lead and pick up the win.
After a brief intermission it was the second Pure Stock feature. Paul Ditner and Rob Shaw were out front and Ditner led lap one. He went high in four and that would give the lead to Matt Fraser. He led the next ten laps but Doug Moir made a criss-cross move out of four and would take the lead down the front stretch. Andy Wheller started at the rear and was slowly picking off spots. With five laps to go he was up to second. A couple of cautions brought everything to even. It was a green, white checkered finish and Moir would try his best to hold off Wheller but the crafty veteran mad his move heading into three on the final lap. Moir got a little high, Wheller went to low and came across the line first.
The Mini Stocks were up and Mike Hooper led lap one. David Gallinger would lead next and then some cautions and a few rain drops started to fall making the track slick. Allie Ditner got high heading into one and was around he she would head for the pits. On the restart Shawn Taylor got by Gallinger for the lead followed by Aicken. Several cars spun due to the rain so the caution came out. Things got slick and we were unable to continue so the racing was done for the night. We got past half way so it was an official night. We will make up the rest of that race and the other rained out features over the next few weeks. Check the website for details, www.flamborospeedway.com Fans and drivers made their way to the pits to enjoy some corn and hot dogs and the lineup was long.
Please join us Saturday, September 9th as the Highwaymen Car club will have approximately 200 cars out. Come early to see them outside the front grandstands. Also it will be Memorial Night where we remember the racers and pit crew members that all left us way to soon.
The Late Models will return along with Pure Stocks, Mini Stocks, Super Stocks and the Ontario Pro Challenge. Also running triple features for Late Models and Super Stocks. Pits open at 3pm, front gates at 5pm with racing at 6pm.
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