By Tommy Goudge (August 29, 2008) -
Perseverance paid off for Adam Ferri on Friday night at Ohsweken Speedway. Ferri, of Port Colborne, Ontario, chased Warsaw, NY's Doug Ricotta for much of the 25 lap distance, and took advantage when Ricotta slipped high in turn 1 after taking the white flag, passing the #01 when it mattered most and going on to visit Engine Pro Racing Victory Lane to pick up a $2,000 winner's cheque. Meanwhile, Glenn Styres held off a determined Dave Dykstra to pick up Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car honours, Cody McPherson put an exclamation point on his dream season in the ESSO Thunder Stocks division by claiming victory, Rick Robinson brought his #05 to ESSO Mini Stock prominence, and Lee Hils won yet another Friday Night Fun Stock feature race.
After winning their respective heat races, Ricotta and Ferri started on the front row for the Ontario Dirt Late Models series feature and quickly asserted themselves out front as the drivers to beat, with Chad Valone trailing behind. A rash of early caution flags slowed the first half of the race, the most significant of which was a hard crash by Rick Baker into the frontstretch wall, which caused heavy damage to the #78, but fortunately Rick emerged from his mount uninjured. Back under green to finish the 25 lap distance, Ricotta was in command and very fast out front, using the outside groove to open an advantage over Ferri, who suffered damage to the right front corner of his #1f after running over a chunk of mud. Ricotta took the white flag and looked to be on his way to victory, but going into the first turn, Ricotta had to confront the lapped machine of Paul Rivait, and in doing so slid high in turns 1 and 2, allowing Ferri the chance he needed to slip by and take the feature win, the 100th of his storied career in modifieds and now late models. Ricotta was able to hold on for 2nd, followed by Greg Oakes who made his way to 3rd after starting 11th, Jim Dale, Jr. in 4th, and Dale Glassford rounded out the top 5. The early caution flags served to keep the field bunched up, allowing drivers who started further back to stay in touch with the pack. Finishing 6th, 7th, and 8th were Adam West, Chris Ross - who entered the evening with the ODLM points lead - and Rob Ledingham, who started 20th, 17th, and 22nd respectively. Ricotta, Ferri, and Andrew Reaume claimed heat race wins with 23 Late Models on hand.
Keith Dempster entered the evening as the points leader in the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car division, and was looking to add to his slim margin, with the last points night of the year coming up next Friday. Early in the night, Dempster was very fast and claimed the victory in heat race #2, and then drew the pole position for the feature race, while teammate Glenn Styres lined up next to him. When the green flag dropped, a torrid battle for the lead began between the two teammates, with Dempster and Styres repeatedly switching the lead as Styres worked the cushion. During lap 7, Styres retook the lead from Dempster and opened a slight gap, and then the night went sour for Dempster as he spun in turn 4 to bring out a caution. With Dempster restarting at the rear of the field, Styres took command out front while Dave Dykstra, Mikey Kruchka, Kevin Job, and Rob Pietz put on a fierce battle for 2nd. With Styres solidly out front on lap 12, Bob Crawford made heavy contact with the inside wall in turn 2 to bring out a caution flag and bunch the field once more. On the restart, Styres reasserted his lead, while Dykstra gave chase, but started to feel pressure from Kruchka. Just as Kruchka had gotten by Dykstra for 2nd and set his sights on Styres, the caution flag waved another time as Brad Malloy came to a stop in turn 3 on lap 17. This put Dykstra back in 2nd for the restart, and this time he kept his #5d within sight of Styres and began to mount a challenge for his first ever sprint car feature win. Over the last few laps, Dykstra repeatedly challenged the Styres #0 on the bottom side, and nosed ahead briefly on the backstretch with less than 2 laps to go. After the white flag flew, Dykstra tried one last move in turns 3 and 4, but came up short on an attempted slide job, allowing Styres to claim his 2nd Corr/Pak victory of the season, while Dykstra settled for 2nd, still his best ever finish in a sprint car. Mikey Kruchka came home 3rd, also a personal best for him in his young sprint car career, while Rob Pietz and Jared Zimbardi rounded out the top 5. After spinning and restarting at the tail of the field, Keith Dempster salvaged an 8th place finish to minimize the damage to his points position. All 5 of the drivers who came into the night within striking distance of his points lead finished ahead of the Dempster #5 however, tightening what was already a very close points battle, and setting up what is sure to be an exciting final race next Friday night. Tom Huppunen, Dempster, and Rob Pietz claimed heat race victories on the fast and smooth Ohsweken surface. With weather in the area, the B-Main was cancelled and all 23 competitors started the feature race.
The ESSO Thunder Stocks saw Michelle Johnson and Ryan Dinning starting on the front row, with Dinning taking the early lead, but behind him frantic action ensued as drivers raced 2 and 3 wide through the pack. Cody McPherson, already the 2008 Thunder Stock champion at Ohsweken, came into the night looking to cap off his season with an 8th feature win and was not to be denied on this night. McPherson methodically made his way through the pack after starting 9th and went on to claim the feature win, followed by rookie Jamie Cox with another good run in 2nd, Bernard Neiburg, 17th place starter Amanda Stoner, and Dinning in 5th. Cox, Dinning, and McPherson claimed the heat race victories for the 24 car field.
In ESSO Mini-Stock action, Rick Robinson and Dan Stewart were the front row starters, and when the green flag came out, Robinson took off, looking for redemption after a small issue in tech inspection resulted in an earlier win being taken away earlier in the season. Robinson dominated the feature race and had no problems in tech on this night. Behind Robinson's #05, the action was heavy as Chase Hess, Abel Castelein, Rick Emberson, and Mike Evers all fought over the 2nd spot. In the end, it was Hess prevailing, followed by 9th starter Castelein, Emberson, and Evers. Heat race victories went to Hess and Robinson.
Attrition took it's toll on the Friday Night Fun Stock field as only 6 cars were left on the track at the finish, including Karl Sault limping home with a flat right front tire. Lee Hils took the early lead and was never seriously challenged, although Sault was beginning to catch up before suffering the flat. Hils cruised easily to the victory followed by Jesse McDonald, Mike Taylor, Kacey Huffman, and Sault.
Ohsweken Speedway's Friday Night Thunder series concludes this Friday, September 5 when Iroquois Poker presents the Season Championship events for the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars, ESSO Thunder Stocks, ESSO Mini-Stocks, and Friday Night Fun Stocks! Friday Night Thunder at Ohsweken offers affordable exciting family entertainment just a short drive away from most Mid-Western Ontario locations. Friday Night Thunder Adult General Admission is $10, while Seniors and Students are $8, and Kids age 12 and under are FREE! Please visit HYPERLINK http://www.OhswekenSpeedway.com for more information. Spectator gates open @ 6:00p.m., with the first race taking the green flag at 7:45p.m. this Friday, September 5!
With the end of the regular season quickly approaching on September 5th, so too are the 4th annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals presented by Arrow Express. Scheduled for Friday, September 12th and Saturday, September 13th, the Nationals promise once again to be a spectacular event this season, and reserved seats are available for purchase for both nights. Last season, 76 of the best 360 sprint cars in the Northeast came together at Ohsweken for the 3rd annual edition of the event, with Quebec driver Steve Poirier taking the feature win for the 2nd year in a row. This year, the huge field of competitors will be looking to end Poirier's streak and take home the $8,000 winner's cheque, as well as the bragging rights that go along with winning this great event. Don't miss any of the exciting Nationals action: Visit HYPERLINK http://www.OhswekenSpeedway.com now for details on how to reserve your seats!
OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY FRIDAY NIGHT THUNDER
OHSWEKEN, ONTARIO
ROUND 15 RESULTS - AUGUST 29, 2008
EVENT SPONSOR - H.R.W. AUTOMOTIVE
ONTARIO DIRT LATE MODEL SERIES
HEAT RACES
Heat Race #1
1. 01 Doug Ricotta (Warsaw, NY), 2. 2v Chad Valone (Warren, PA), 3. 4 Joe Field (Chatham), 4. rh94 Jason Haskell (Chatham), 5. 11a Paul Rivait (Tilbury), 6. 92c Keith Cameron (Tilbury), 7. 5 Jeff Dayman (Welland), 8. 7 Rob Ledingham (Port Colborne)
Heat Race #2
1. 1f Adam Ferri (Port Colborne), 2. 60 Dale Glassford (Highgate), 3. 1a Brad Authier (Chatham), 4. Greg Oakes (Franklinville, PA), 5. 33 Don Gordon (Chatham), 6. 18r Chris Ross (Tupperville), 7. 92 Adam West (Ridgetown), 8. 99 Gerald Giroux (Pain Court)
Heat Race #3
1. 88 Andrew Reaume (Blenheim), 2. 77 Brett Reaume (Blenheim), 3. 00 Jim Dale, Jr. (Shrewsbury), 4. 78 Rick Baker (Ridgeway), 5. rh21 Greg Haskell (Chatham), 6. 05 Mike Lewis (Wallaceburg), 7. 28 Jeff Jardine (Wallaceburg)
ONTARIO DIRT LATE MODELS FEATURE (25 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 1f Adam Ferri (2)
2. 01 Doug Ricotta (1)
3. 22 Greg Oakes (11)
4. 00 Jim Dale, Jr. (9)
5. 60 Dale Glassford (5)
6. 92 Adam West (20)
7. 18r Chris Ross (17)
8. 7 Rob Ledingham (22)
9. 4 Joe Field (7)
10. 1a Brad Authier (8)
11. 05 Mike Lewis (18)
12. 33 Don Gordon (14)
13. 5 Jeff Dayman (19)
14. 11a Paul Rivait (13)
15. 2v Chad Valone (3) DNF
16. 77 Brett Reaume (6) DNF
17. 88 Andrew Reaume (4) DNF
18. rh21 Greg Haskell (15) DNF
19. 92c Keith Cameron (16) DNF
20. 99 Gerald Giroux (23) DNF
21. 28 Jeff Jardine (21) DNF
22. 78 Rick Baker (12) DNF
23. rh94 Jason Haskell (10) DQ
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING SPRINT CARS
HEAT RACES:
BS&B RADIATOR Heat Race #1
1. 19jr Tom Huppunen (Fenwick), 2. 7 Jim Price (Wainfleet), 3. 35 Jared Zimbardi (Salamanca, NY), 4. 01 Mikey Kruchka (Hamilton), 5. 21x Kevin Job (Campbellville), 6. 10 Bob Crawford (Sutton), 7. 77x Ryan Hunsinger (Brantford) DQ
BEST WESTERN CAIRN CROFT HOTEL Heat Race #2
1. 5 Keith Dempster (Alton), 2. 5m Brad Malloy (Niagara Falls), 3. 5d Dave Dykstra (Port Colborne), 4. 1a John Riegling (Chatham), 5. 71 Craig Downie (Burlington), 6. 38 Brad Knab (Delevan, NY), 7. 21j John Burbridge, Jr. (Simcoe), 8. 31 Roger Lauzon (Hamilton)
GRISDALE RACING PRODUCTS Heat Race #3
1. 69 Rob Pietz (Port Colborne), 2. 22 Jim Porter (Grand Island, NY), 3. 0 Glenn Styres (Ohsweken), 4. 99c Nick Cupolo (Thorold), 5. 94 Stan Zanchin (Fort Erie), 6. 12c Jim Huppunen (unknown), 7. 75 Jim Sweers (Millgrove), 8. 9jr Tim Zack (Dain City) DNF
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING SPRINT CARS
A-FEATURE (20 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. Glenn Styres (2)
2. 5d Dave Dykstra (7)
3. 01 Mikey Kruchka (6)
4. 69 Rob Pietz (8)
5. 35 Jared Zimbardi (9)
6. 21x Kevin Job (13)
7. 77x Ryan Hunsinger (19)
8. 5 Keith Dempster (1)
9. 22 Jim Porter (5)
10. 38 Brad Knab (17)
11. 1a John Riegling (10)
12. 19jr Tom Huppunen (11)
13. 7 Jim Price (3)
14. 21j John Burbridge, Jr. (20)
15. 99c Nick Cupolo (4)
16. 71 Craig Downie (14)
17. 94 Stan Zanchin (15)
18. 31 Roger Lauzon (22)
19. 12c Jim Huppunen (18)
20. 5m Brad Malloy (12)
21. 10 Bob Crawford (16) DNF
22. 9jr Tim Zack (23) DNF
23. 75 Jim Sweers (21) DNF
ESSO THUNDER STOCKS
HEAT RACES:
Heat Race #1
1. o44 Jamie Cox (Cambridge), 2. 108jr Billy Bleich, Jr. (Port Robinson), 3. 55 Mike Thorne (Caledonia), 4. 62 Brian Pescetti (Stoney Creek), 5. 40 Terry Osmond (Cambridge), 6. 191 Gord Bates (York), 7. 98 Schqwayandisails Styres (unknown), 8. 1 Chris Dickie (Brantford)
Heat Race #2
1. 777 Cody McPherson (St. Catharines), 2. 9 Glen Leinen (Hannon), 3. 3 Brad Bacher (Hagersville), 4. 0x Bernard Neiburg (Caistor Centre), 5. 18 Dave Bailey (Hagersville), 6. 15 Mark Thorne (Waterford), 7. 31jr Michael Bosse (St. Catharines), 8. 13 Mark Saul (Hagersville)
Heat Race #3
1. 8 Ryan Dinning (Caledonia), 2. 37 Jeremy Bean (Stoney Creek), 3. 24k Kyle Magrin (Hamilton), 4. 11 Michelle Johnson (Caledonia), 5. 18a Amanda Stoner (Hamilton), 6. 17 Rob Disher (Grimsby), 7. 23 Tim Deboer (unknown), 8. 28 Adam Gracey (Dunnville)
ESSO THUNDER STOCKS A-FEATURE (15 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 777 Cody McPherson (9)
2. o44 Jamie Cox (5)
3. 0x Bernard Neiburg (12)
4. 18a Amanda Stoner (17)
5. 8 Ryan Dinning (2)
6. 37 Jeremy Bean (10)
7. 31jr Michael Bosse (20)
8. 55 Mike Thorne (3)
9. 40 Terry Osmond (13)
10. 62 Brian Pescetti (11)
11. 108jr Billy Bleich, Jr. (8)
12. 11 Michelle Johnson (1)
13. 9 Glen Leinen (4)
14. 3 Brad Bacher (7)
15. 15 Mark Thorne (17)
16. 24k Kyle Magrin (6)
17. 191 Gord Bates (16)
18. 13 Mark Saul (22)
19. 17 Rob Disher (18)
20. 23 Tim Deboer (21)
21. 18 Dave Bailey (14) DNF
22. 1 Chris Dickie (24) DNF
23. 28 Adam Gracey (23) DNF
24. 98 Schqwayandisails Styres (19) DNS
ESSO MINI-STOCKS
HEAT RACES:
Heat Race #1
1. 7x Chase Hess (Ohsweken), 2. 28 Abel Castelein (Cayuga), 3. 72 Kevin Hilborn (Brantford), 4. 86 Rick Emberson (Paris), 5. 397 Brent Hill (Ohsweken), 6. 55 Rob Slater (Dundas), 7. 222 John Marsh (Hamilton), 8. 113 Mark Thorne (Waterford) 9. 8 Andrew Snelling (unknown), 10. 11 Mike Giberson (Caledonia) DNS
Heat Race #2
1. 05 Rick Robinson (Brantford), 2. 48 Craig Erskine (unknown), 3. 777x Steve Hess (Ohsweken), 4. 265 Mike Evers (Caledonia), 5. 27 Dan Stewart (Hamilton), 6. 10 Mitchell Brown (Brantford), 7. 20 Kevin Magrin (Hamilton), 8. 88 Kelly Hallett (Wilsonville), 9. 00 Rick Haimerl (Brantford)
ESSO MINI-STOCKS A-FEATURE (15 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 05 Rick Robinson (1)
2. 7x Chase Hess (3)
3. 28 Abel Castelein (9)
4. 86 Rick Emberson (6)
5. 265 Mike Evers (7)
6. 48 Craig Erskine (10)
7. 10 Mitchell Brown (12)
8. 72 Kevin Hilborn (8)
9. 397 Brent Hill (4)
10. 777x Steve Hess (5)
11. 113 Mark Thorne (15)
12. 27 Dan Stewart (2)
13. 55 Rob Slater (11)
14. 11 Mike Giberson (19)
15. 222 John Marsh (13)
16. 00 Rick Haimerl (18)
17. 8 Andrew Snelling (17)
18. 20 Kevin Magrin (14) DNF
19. 88 Kelly Hallett (16) DNF
FRIDAY NIGHT FUN STOCKS A-FEATURE (25 laps)
Position. # Name (Hometown)
1. 181 Lee Hils (Dundas)
2. 88j Jesse McDonald (unknown)
3. 72 Mike Taylor (Burlington)
4. 13 Kacey Huffman (Hamilton)
5. 81 Karl Sault (Dundas)
6. 397 Chris Teal (Ohsweken)
7. 818 Chris Hils (Dundas) DNF
8. 388 Craig Dowd (Caledonia) DNF
9. 86 Ryan Swift (Caledonia) DNF
10. 88 Dale Cooke (unknown) DNF
UP NEXT @ OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY:
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2008
IROQUOIS POKER PRESENTS THE SEASON CHAMPIONSHIPS -
CORR/PAK SPRINT CARS, ESSO THUNDER STOCKS,
ESSO MINI-STOCKS AND FRIDAY NIGHT FUN STOCKS
ADULTS $10, SENIORS AND STUDENTS $8, KIDS 12 AND UNDER FREE
GATES OPEN @ 6:00 P.M., RACING @ 7:45 P.M.
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