STROUD, ON – After a 2012 season that didn’t see Stompin’ Tom Walters invade victory lane in weekly competition until late July, the Bradford, ON veteran wasted little time in locking up his first win of the 2013 season on May 11th.
The future Hall of Famer started deep in the 19-car field, battling amongst rising stars Andy Kamrath (No. 35 Streamline Race Products/Allstar’s Ribs & Wings Ford) and Billy Zardo (No. 46 Holmes on Homes/National Exhaust Chevrolet) for much of the race’s early-going.
As Walters’ worked his way through the pack, fan favourite Jason ‘Bam Bam’ Witty (No. 19 LaRue’s Haulage/Carrott Express Chevrolet) and NASCAR Canadian Tire Series regular Kerry Micks (No. 40 Baker Performance Parts Chevrolet) were waging a side-by-side war for the lead that brought the fans to their feet.
Witty and Micks would race alongside one another for 15 laps, without touching, before ‘Bam Bam’ would finally clear the veteran utilizing Sunset’s patented outside groove.
Once clear of Micks, Witty would almost immediately feel the pressure from Walters (No. 47 Pro Floor Sanding & Refinishing/Knightworks Designs Ford) who had charged into the top-3 laps earlier, after slipping past protégé Sean Grosman.
In a virtual replay of his earlier battle with Micks, Witty would again choose the outside lane to try and hold off the hard charging Walters. The pair would battle tooth and nail through the final 10 laps, with Walters edging Witty at the line, then finally clearing the #19 on lap 26.
‘Bam Bam’ would settle for 2nd overall, with Micks, week 1 winner Mike Bentley and Grosman completing the top-5.
“We changed a few things after the first heat that just brought it to life”, explained Walters post-race. “It was a totally different car heading into the feature”
“This was an awesome race for the fans tonight. I hope they were pleased”, smiled the 30-time champion. “Side-by-side racing, no contact. We got lucky and made all the right moves. A couple guys got loose towards the end with their built motors, and we were able to capitalize using our crate [motor]”
When asked about his race with Witty, Tom was quick to credit the young Queensville, ON veteran “You gotta hand it to Jason and his guys. They got wrecked last week and didn’t take it to [McColl Racing Enterprises], they fixed it themselves, they worked hard and they did a great job. For the trouble they got into last week, I was surprised he came back as well as he did”
Walters, Witty and the rest of the division will be back in action for Week 3 on May 18th, with racing once again getting underway at 6:00pm.
Defending Super Stock champion Randy ‘The Rocket’ Rusnell (No. 72 Thor Contracting/Spira Fire Protection Monte Carlo) notched his second win of the 2013 season, after overcoming rising star Paul Geniole Jr (No. 81 Priggen Automotive/Canadian Tire of Toronto Camaro) shortly before the 30-lap event’s halfway mark.
Sophomore star Cayden Lapcevich (No. 76 Tim Hortons/Troy Cove Marine Toyota) would battle with Geniole for second spot, before assuming the runner-up position at the line. Geniole would hang on for third, while 2011 champion Lane Zardo and Matt Bentley completed the top-5.
2012 Flamboro Speedway champion Billy Schwartzenburg (No. 86 Spira Fire Protection/Chetty’s Hot Sauce Mustang) would overcome the mechanical issues that plagued him in Week 1, to win his first career Sunset feature. The Guelph, ON teenager would be followed across the line by title contender Warren Paxton, 2012 Sunset champion Eric Yorke, Ken Townsend and Terry Clodd.
QUICK RESULTS
LATE MODELS
A MAIN:
1) Stompin’ Tom Walters Bradford, ON
2) Jason ‘Bam Bam’ Witty Queensville, ON
3) Kerry Micks Mount Albert, ON
4) Mike ‘Lights Out’ Bentley Guelph, ON
5) ‘The Frequent Flyer’ Sean Grosman Golden Beach, FL
Heat 1: Mike ‘Lights Out’ Bentley Guelph, ON
Heat 2: Kerry Micks Mount Albert, ON
Heat 3: Jason ‘Bam Bam’ Witty Queensville, ON
Heat 4: Stompin’ Tom Walters Bradford, ON
SUPER STOCKS
A MAIN:
1) Randy ‘The Rocket’ Rusnell Cambridge, ON
2) ‘The Prodigy’ Cayden Lapcevich Grimsby, ON
3) Paul Geniole Jr. Keswick, ON
4) Lane Zardo Brampton, ON
5) Matt Bentley Guelph, ON
Heat 1: Lane Zardo Brampton, ON
Heat 2: ‘The Prodigy’ Cayden Lapcevich Grimsby, ON
Heat 3: Lane Zardo Brampton, ON
Heat 4: Paul Maltese Alcona Beach, ON
MINI STOCKS
A MAIN:
1) Billy Schwartzenburg Guelph, ON
2) Warren Paxton Holland Landing, ON
3) Eric Yorke Milton, ON
4) Ken Townsend Oro-Medonte, ON
5) Terry Clodd Holland Landing, ON
Heat 1: Samantha Shaw Guelph, ON
Heat 2: Eric Yorke Milton, ON
Heat 3: Samantha Shaw Guelph, ON
Heat 4: Billy Schwartzenburg Guelph, ON
By Spencer Lewis for Sunset Speedway
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