Monday, August 25, 2008

Kawartha Speedway: Friday, August 2nd Race Recap

By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications

After battling the weather and taking some planned breaks in the schedule, Kawartha Speedway was back in action – Friday, August 22nd – for the first time in nearly a month.  A packed pit area, bolstered by the 3rd 2008 appearance of the Ontario Legends Series greeted an overflowing grandstand for a late summer night of racing at the popular 3/8th mile oval at Fraserville, Ontario.

Kawartha’s Thunder Cars were the first to hit the track for a pair of 8 lap qualifying heats.  Jeff Remington claimed round 1, but made solid contact with Joe Sinopoli and the front stretch wall just after crossing the line.  Point’s leader Willie Reyns captured the second qualifier, over Mike Poulton, Jr. and Brian Strawn.  Stompin’ Tom Walters and Dwight Brown split the 2 Limited Late Model heats.

Next-up were a pair of Mini Stock qualifying events and the Moroney Racing domination of the 4 cylinder division continued as Jason Juriga and Shanna Moroney shared the checkered flags.  Former NASCAR Craftsman Truck and ARCA Series driver Pete Shepherd III and 2007 division champion Larry Jackson won the Late Model qualifying events.

Ontario Legends Series heats were won Andy Warbutton and Johnny Whalen.

The night’s semi-features belonged to Mike Poulton Jr., Dwight Brown, Jason Juriga and Pete Shepherd III in the Thunder Car, Limited Late Model, Mini Stock and Late Model divisions respectively.

The 20 lap Thunder Car feature was the first main event on the night’s agenda.  Port Hope, Ontario’s Willie Reyns padded his lead atop the standings with another win.  Mike Poulton Jr., Brian Strawn, 2007 champion Steve Mayhew and Andy Ford completed the top 5. Hawkstone, Ontario’s ‘Quick Vic’ Parsons took home the Limited Late Model cash over Tom Walters, Dwight Brown, Craig Graham and Todd Delisle.

In the 20 lap Mini Stock feature, Jason Juriga put his perfect night to a close, parking his #1 Honda in victory lane.  Team-mate Mike Wallace was 2nd.  Dwight Lavoie, Shannon Kimmerly and Glenn Dee finished-out the fast 5.  Andy Warbutton picked-up the Ontario Legends’ feature.  Bruce Grimes, Tim Fernandes, Paul DeJong and Johnny Whalen laid claim to positions 2 through 5. 

The 25 lap Late Model feature saw several yellow flag periods.  The first came on lap 4 when a solo spin by Dan Kimmerly slowed the pace.  Ryan Kimball looped his #16 Late Model on the front stretch and the lap 6 incident also involved Darrin Thring, Toby Baker, Scott Petersen, Tim Fernandes, Max Beyore and Nick Sinopoli.  All were able to continue.  Norm Mayhew and Bryan Mercer brought-out another caution-flag for a lap 12 spin, exiting turn 2 and the night’s final yellow was for a lap 17 session between Owen Smith and Beyore.  At the checkered flag, it was Cavan, Ontario’s Dan McHattie in victory lane.  Brandon Watson, Larry Jackson, Linc Brown and Pete Shepherd completed the top 5.

Kawartha klips:  Mike Smith made his first ever start at Kawartha.  The Mini Stock driver, who usually runs Sunset Speedway, is on a racing vacation.  He finished 4th in the night’s first heat...With the recent rainouts, Kawartha Speedway officials have made some changes to the schedule.  Fan Appreciation Night, washed-out Friday, July 18th has been re-scheduled for Friday, September 12th.  The OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Models have been added to the program for Friday, September 19th.  The entire schedule that night will be moved-up 1 hour.  Gates will open at 2:00, with racing starting at 6:PM.

For full schedule details, see www.kawarthaspeedway.com

Photo tag-line:  Port Hope, Ontario’s Willie Reyns picked-up another Thunder Car feature race win Friday, August 22nd at Kawartha Speedway  (Jim Clarke photo)

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