By Spencer Lewis // Photo by Al McLean
Alright race fans - stop me if you've heard this one before; On Saturday night (August 13th), under threatening skies, Sunset Speedway went ahead with their scheduled program before being stopped abruptly by Mother Nature. However, there was a silver lining amongst all the rain, as one sophomore driver picked up his first win of the season and fans were treated to intense side-by-side racing in every qualifying heat.
With most of the afternoon free of rain, practice went ahead as scheduled for every division, before the Fox's Bakery Four Funs & Four Cylinder Road Runners took to the track for their qualifying rounds.
Unfortunately for the HF Smith Home Hardware Late Models and Dominos Pizza Thunder Cars, the skies opened up shortly after, washing the grip off the track and postponing their qualifying efforts.
After a brief rain delay, the call was made to go ahead with the Fox's Bakery Four Fun division's 20-lap feature race. Starting on the pole was a driver who had yet to find a feature win in 2008, Trevor Martin (No. 69 Suzuki Swift); On the rain-dampened track, many of the perennial seemed to be combating handling issues. The battle for the points lead heated up with each passing lap, as contenders Marshall Pender (No. 9 Deckers Electric/New Tech Automotive/#9 Auto Wreckers Mazda) and Nicole Podewils (No. 79 Fox's Bakery/Central Appliance & Repair Ford) swapped positions all over the track, with both cars unable to find the grip needed to make a charge to the front.
Meanwhile, Martin had no problem with the less than favorable track conditions, pulling away from the rest of the pack with each passing lap. Podewils managed a late race surge, picking up 3 positions in 2 laps, putting her Mustang on the back bumper of the leader; However time was not on her side, and the checkers dropped for the top-3 of Martin, Podewils and 'Boxcar' Mark Kehoe (No. 4 Tammy's Ferrier Service/Signarama of Newmarket Volkswagen).
In victory lane, Martin was all smiles "The track was definitely slicker than normal, but we stayed patient and consistent.and here we are. Next year we're looking at moving up [to the Four Cylinder Road Runner division]. Maybe get ourselves a bigger motor and see what happens. I just want to thank Doug Butler and his father [Rick] for everything they've done for me, we just put the roll cage in this week."
As the rain tapered off, the Four Funs exited the track and the green light was given to go ahead with qualifying efforts for the HF Smith Home Hardware Late Models, Dominos Pizza Thunder Cars and the visiting Ontario Pro Challenge Series.
The HF Smith Home Hardware Late Models saw a terrific 5-lap battle between 'The Professional' Rob Poole (No. 45 R.A Electrical/Alliston Auto Sales/Poison Paintworks Chevrolet) and Ron Quesnelle (No. 57 M&S Automotive/Wyebridge Machine Chevrolet). 'The Professional' had led the first 5 laps, until Quesnelle came from mid-pack, to pull up to his door handle and begin the side-by-side duel; Culminating in Quesnelle snatching the lead, and subsequently the win, out from under Poole only inches from the finish line.
In Dominos Pizza Thunder Car action, the pits were abuzz with Steve Slaughter Jr (No. 45 Carquest/Ontario Steel Sales/mariodesign.ca Chevrolet)'s return to regular racing at Sunset Speedway. 'The Straight Shooter' had taken hiatus from the track, returning 1 week ago for the $1000 to win Late Summer Classic; And Slaughter did not disappoint, setting a blistering pace for the rest of the division, picking up his heat win by a full straightaway.
The main note in the Fox's Bakery Four Cylinder Road Runner division was that of second week rookie phenom Ethan Courneyea (No. 71 Innisfil Garden Supply Honda). Courneyea made the jump from the Four Fun division just 7 days prior, and found himself taking home his first and second career victory in a Road Runner on August 13th. With two weeks remaining in 2008, Courneyea has established himself as a certified threat for 2009, as he will still be eligible for Rookie of the Year come springtime.
Unfortunately for the racers and fans alike, just as the Ontario Pro Challenge division rolled onto the track for their first round of qualifying heats, Mother Nature had had enough racing for one night. A combination of rain and dampness in the air, made it impossible to regain the track condition, forcing a halt to the night's program. The show will be resumed on Saturday August 20th, in addition to the regular racing already scheduled.
This means, fans will be treated to 1 qualifying round for the HF Smith Home Hardware Late Models & Dominos Pizza Thunder Cars + their features as well as the Fox's Bakery Four Cylinder Road Runner 20-lap feature and the Ontario Pro Challenge's 2 qualifying rounds + their 20-lap feature; In addition to the racing already scheduled for August 20th, which includes a 40-lap Thunder Car end of season championship feature.
<<T217.JPG>>
No comments:
Post a Comment