For the first of two practice sessions, driver Jason Shaw was not happy with the push in the centre of the corner, however the car was handling well and turning some good lap times. The crew made an adjustment to the anti-roll bar for the second practice session that proved to correct the problem with the push, however there was now a loose off condition that required some attention. A shock change was made and tires were changed around to decrease the stagger and thus hopefully reduce the loose off condition for the one and only heat race.
The #82 Castrol Oil Ford Fusion lined up 9th for the heat race consisting of 10 cars while the skies cleared and the threat of rain was replaced with a dropping temperature and increased winds. After receiving the green flag, Jason ran side by side with the #56 for the first two laps until Jason had to dart high and the #56 low to miss the spinning #95 in centre of turn 4 bringing out the caution and putting the #82 into 8th. Before lap 3 was complete, Jason passed the #34 to gain 7th and then one lap later got around the #86 to obtain 6th. A battle to get into the top 5 started on the 7th lap and when the #41 and #95 got together on the last lap, it was the #82 who would slide between the two to take the checkered flag in 5th. Jason was happy with the handling of the car, however the crate motor seamed to lack power coming off the corners and he felt that the other cars were pulling away from him at that point.
With the #44 of Steve Laking on the pole, Jason sat in 9th for the start of the 25 lap feature. While the cars were running a few hot laps prior to the green flag, the #37 pulled into the infield with mechanical difficulties, putting the #82 up to 8th before the green flag was displayed. Jason ran the first two laps, side by side with the #29 before he was able to gain the position as well as two more on the same straightaway to take 5th. The #44 remained in the lead followed by the #07, #52, #8 and then the #82 to round out the top 5 and while the #44 pulled away by 10 car lengths, the #07 slid backwards, allowing Jason to move into 4th.
Caution came out on lap 11 for the #56 who may have had help getting turned sideways by the #75. With the #56 moved to the back and the #75 maintaining his position as an uninvolved car, the #82 restarted 4th were he would remain until lap15 when the right front tire went down, sending Jason towards the pits were it looked like their night would finish. Before Jason could limp off the track, the caution came out for cars spinning in turn 2 so the Shaw crew ran to the pits to get the right front changed and get the #82 back on the track to hopefully gain a few spots during the remaining 10 laps.
The Shaw crew had the #82 back on the track in the 15th position before the started displayed the green flag to restart the race. Unfortunately for the Shaw team, the spare right front tire had lost 10 pounds of air pressure while the race was going on and although it was still full of air, the car would not handle correctly and Jason pulled off the track to watch the final laps from the fence. It is hoped that the bad luck will be an isolated case limited to the first night of racing and things will look much better for the next race to be held on (Saturday May 3rd also at Flamboro Speedway). Congratulations goes out to the #44 of Steve Laking who got his first win of the season on the first night out in his very sharp, newly constructed Spira Fire Protection sponsored Chevy.
In other racing news, it was the first night for the Spira Racing mini-stock program where Shaw crew member Dave Hagedorn piloted the #88 Spira Fire Protection Ford Mustang. Dave qualified well and put the car into the 30 car feature to start 13th. Dave (Hags) was able to finesse the #88 throughout the 25 lap feature and into a 7th place finish. Dave, and car owner Ken Spira will be sharing the driving responsibilities throughout the season as time permits with their commitments to the Shaw Motorsports Team who congratulate the Spira Racing Team on a job well done and for the added entertainment they provide at the speedway.
From Shaw Motorsports // Photos courtesy of Dave Franks Photos
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