(Delaware, ON) – The Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup Series were back in action Friday June 21st for their only visit of the season to Delaware Speedway, The Tirecraft 100. It was event number three of the championship chase, and with 20 cars in attendance was the most well attended event in recent series history.
Josh Wood (#66) of London, was the fastest car in practice, but it time trials, it was championship point leader Shawn McGlynn (#81) of Kitchener, who stole the show, turning the track in 20.102 seconds, just over 1/10th of a second off the track record. Jonathan Schwemier (#45) of Montreal, turned the second fastest lap of the session in just his third career series start, followed by ‘Cowboy’ Kris Lawrence (#28) of London, in his second career series start. Wood and Jason Meyer (#93) of Tillsonburg, rounded out the top-five.
The top-five drivers met on the front stretch to pick their starting positions in the ‘Tirecraft Fast Five’ draw, and Lawrence drew the pole, while Schwemier started on the outside of the front row. Wood and McGlynn occupied row two, with Meyer rolling from the inside of the third row.
Lawrence took the early lead, but on lap three it was Wood who shot to the point. The field would be slowed by two early yellows, including a multi-car pile-up including Meyer, Jake ‘The Juicebox’ Ott (#60) of Ayr, and Amanda Connolly (#16) of Aurora. Schwemier lead briefly on lap nine during a restart, but it was McGlynn was on the charge, moving to second on lap 16.
The field would run the next 45 laps under green, and Wood was able to open up a straightaway lead on McGlynn, while it was another straightaway back to third-place Dan Prudhomme (#96) of Thamesford. Ott was on the charge after his earlier mishap, and after restarting at the back of the pick started to pick his way through the field. At the halfway point he had climbed to fourth, but he continued to advance, passing Prudhomme for third on lap 55.
The race’s third yellow flew on lap 61, and on the restart it was McGlynn that was able to take the lead on the outside. He would hold it until lap 69 when Wood passed him again, but Josh’s turn at the front was short-lived, as McGlynn took the lead again on lap 70, with Ott third and Prudhomme fourth. Prudhomme and Ott swapped third a couple of times during the next stint before the events final yellow flew on lap 85.
The field was turned loose again with 10 to go, and Ott was on the charge, taking second on the restart as he started to work on McGlynn. Shawn was fighting a loose race car, and Ott was able to get a great run on the bottom of turn four. After a number of attempts, Ott was finally able to draw even with McGlynn down the front chute and took the lead into turn one on lap 95. Ott finished the event off for his second feature win of the season, while Wood passed McGlynn for second with just two laps left to finish with the silver medal. McGlynn wound up third, with Darrell ‘Hollywood’ Lake (#77) of London, and Prudhomme rounding out the top-five.
Ott spoke about returning the victory lane, “We got in that little incident early, and came in to the pits to make a few changes to the car, like putting some wedge in. I knew even after that we had a good car, and I was able to pick off a lot of guys during that green flag run. We had a hard battle with Prudhomme, and he was tough to get by, but I knew I was quicker than him. When it came to McGlynn, I could see how loose he was getting off turn four, and I was able to just point the car to the bottom and keep it right on the inside. We had a good car and I was able to pressure a number of guys into mistakes by getting a run and showing them the nose. It feels great to pick up another win, especially at Delaware.”
Wood spoke about leading the most laps of the race, and the late pass for second, “It’s not the result that we were looking for, but I guess we’ll take it. It was great to run out front for that long, and we didn’t want to see that caution after the long run. Like at Sauble, when I was able to run my own line the car was great and we were able to open up a big lead. I needed another long run at the end, and we just didn’t get it. Cautions breed cautions, and when that happens, – you end up second.”
Even thought he wasn’t able to win, McGlynn extended his point lead in the championship, “It was a great points night. We were the fast qualifier, and gained points on Wood, Prudhomme, and Ott, despite not winning. After the race we found that the sway bar had backed off, and the car got looser as the race went on. At the end, I just couldn’t keep it on the bottom. When The Juicebox got past me, I tried to run his line, but the car got even looser, and it ended up costing us second spot to Josh. Josh and I had another good close race all night, but I think if I had had tried to keep it on the bottom and made him go around me on the outside, I think I could’ve held him off for second.”
Race #3 Results – Delaware Speedway – 1. Ott, 2. Wood, 3. McGlynn, 4. Lake, 5. Prudhomme.
Standings after 3 of 8 events – 1. McGlynn (311 points), 2. Wood (296), 3. Ott (292), 4. Prudhomme (289), 5. Cathcart (274).
It will be a quick turnaround for the Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup teams as the teams are back in action next Sunday, June 30th, for race number four of the season at Varney Speedway Motorplex for the second visit of the year to the ¼-mile high-banked oval. During the first race of the season at the track, located just north of Mount Forest, Jake Ott found his way to victory lane for the first Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup win of his career, with McGlynn second, and Prudhomme third.
For more information on the Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup Series, Delaware Speedway, or Varney Speedway Motorplex, please visit www.lucasoilsportsmancup.com, www.delawarespeedway.com, www.varneyspeedwaymotorplex.com, or contact Series Director Dave Alexander at dalexand@sympatico.ca.
Release and Photos by: Jamie and Jordan Maudsley and www.maudsleymotorsports.com.
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