PETERBOROUGH, ON (July 23, 2022)- In some cases, a front row starting spot could be considered an advantage but Glenn Watson’s Ontario Outlaw Super Late Model Series win on Saturday, July 23 at Peterborough Speedway was hardly a walk in the park. A track branded as ‘Canada’s Toughest 1/3-Mile Oval’ keeps drivers and fans on the edge of their seats for the entire race distance.
Taking the green flag to the outside of fellow front starter John Owen, the pair of provincial Super Late Model veterans ran what could almost be termed as a high-speed pace lap for the event’s opening stages. An early yellow flag reset the field with Watson leading the way but with a new challenger to contend with, as Ryan Kimball began pursuit of the top spot.
Dario Caprichio, Ethan Courneyea and defending race winner Brandon Passer were chasing the lead duo, but when the caution flew again for a lap 14 incident all eyes were on Owen, who – although coming from the back of the pack – was charging through the field and was just outside of the top five.
As Watson and Kimball broke away from the third place Caprichio with an advantage of as much as 10 car lengths, the leaders started to work through the backmarkers with 23 laps showing on the scoreboard. At different points for the 50-lap ‘A’ main’s closing stages, Watson would pull away from Kimball while the former Peterborough Speedway track champion and 2021 Autumn Colours Classic winner closed the gap in lapped traffic.
Watson regained his strong advantage with about 10 laps remaining until a late race caution created a five lap charge to the checkered flag. Watson held onto the lead during the last chance showdown to take the win, with Kimball and Courneyea chasing the No. 22 across the line. Owen bounced back to finish fourth, with Brandon Passer fifth. Caprichio, Mike Wilkinson, Adrian Foster, Rob Bickle, Mike Miller and Thayne Hallyburton completing the running order.
Watson, Kimball, Caprichio and Passer scored the night’s qualifying heat race wins.
Ontario Outlaw Super Late Model Series notes: It was a rough night for a former Peterborough Speedway race winner, as John Cadman Jr.’s No. 71 ride suffered valve train issues during practice and wasn’t around for the main event…Thayne Hallyburton made his Outlaw Super Late Model debut, but his night ended on the infield pit lane many laps down.
The series returns to action with a Saturday, August 6 trip to Sauble Speedway, followed by a Friday, August 12 date at Delaware Speedway.
Stay in touch with the Ontario Outlaw Super Late Model Series by checking www.ontariosuperlates.com or following the tour’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media platforms.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
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