First “Camper Special” of 2008 This Week at Ohsweken Speedway
by Tommy Goudge (June 16, 2008) –
Thursday, June 19, 2008 is a date many race fans in Southern Ontario have had marked on their calendar ever since the 2008 Ohsweken Speedway schedule was released. The reason of course is the inaugural event at Ohsweken for the World of Outlaws Late Model series as they contest the “Six Nations 50” presented by Arrow Express. On June 20 - the following night - Friday Night Thunder at Ohsweken will feature the stars of the Empire Super Sprints presented by Gale’s Auto Aftermarket, and fans who attend both events can gain admittance to Friday Night Thunder for just $5 by presenting their Thursday night ticket stubs. The events create a great “camper special” doubleheader at the Speedway, which has lots of free primitive camping space available adjacent to the track.
The World of Outlaws Late Model Series held a race in Canada for the first time last season at Autodrome Dummond in Quebec, but this Thursday’s event will be the tour’s first visit to Ontario. The event is also the second round of the 7-race “Great Northern Tour” mini-series, which begins at Port Royal Speedway in Central Pennsylvania on Tuesday night. Heading into the Northern swing, the series points standings feature a tie at the top between 2 drivers from Kentucky - ’07 champ Steve Francis from Ashland, and Darrell Lanigan of Union. The top 6 drivers in the WoO LM points standings are in fact separated by just 40 points, with West Virginia’s Josh Richards sitting 3rd, followed by Chub Frank of Pennsylvania, Illinois driver Shannon Babb who drives for NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer, and Pennsylvania’s Rick Eckert rounding out the top 6. Many local drivers from the Ontario Dirt Late Model series and South Buxton Raceway Late Model division are expected to challenge the traveling invaders of WoO. Other Late Model drivers from Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York are expected to compete as well, including 2006 World of Outlaws champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, New York, who now runs a part time dirt track schedule while also competing in stock cars as a development driver for the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR team. Selected drivers will be available for an autograph session when the gates open at 4:00p.m. on Thursday.
Joining the action in support of the World of Outlaws on Thursday night is Ohsweken’s Corr/Pak Merchandising Winged Sprint Car division, with a full points-paying card of Heat Races, B-Main, and 20 lap A-Feature on tap. Jared Zimbardi of Salamanca, NY leads the Corr/Pak standings by 19 markers over Alton, Ontario driver Keith Dempster, followed by Kevin Job of Campbellville, current rookie of the year leader Ryan Hunsinger of Brantford, and Fred Cade of Niagara Falls in 5th, just 31 points back of the lead. Advanced reserved seat tickets are still available for the “Six Nations 50” by calling 1-888-720-RACE (7223). Reserved seats are $30, and reserved seats for kids (12 and under) are $20, while General Admission is $20, and general admission for kids (12 and under) is $10. Please visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com for more information regarding ticket ordering procedures.
The night after the Outlaws invade Ohsweken, another special event is on tap as the Empire Super Sprints will make their annual June visit to the Speedway. The New York State-based series first visited Ohsweken in 2003 and has appeared at the Speedway each season since. Mike Woodring won that first visit on July 25, 2003, with Dan Kaszubinski winning in ’04 and ’05, and Jeff Van Dusen taking feature honours in each of the last 2 seasons. The tour heads to Ohsweken with Steve Poirier of Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil, Quebec leading the points standings on the strength of 2 ESS feature wins already this season, including 1 this past weekend in his home province at Autodrome Granby. Poirier, a 2-time and defending champion of the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals at Ohsweken, also won the inaugural Southern Ontario Sprints event at Brockville Ontario Speedway in May. Perennial ESS contender Lance Yonge of Penn Yan, NY trails Poirier by 27 points heading into this Friday’s event, followed by Montrose, NY driver Justin Barger, Alain Bergeron of St. Pie, Quebec, and Michael Parent, another Quebec driver from Granby.
Leading the ESS Canadian Challenge standings is Bergeron, who won his first ESS feature of the season on Saturday at Autodrome Drummond. Bergeron, the ESS champ in 2006, previously visited victory lane at Ohsweken this season when he won the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car feature on May 23 after a late race battle with Jared Zimbardi. Many of Ohsweken’s Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car division regulars will be on hand, and with the ESS tour using an open draw format this season similar to that of the Corr/Pak division at Ohsweken, the local teams have a great chance to defend their home turf against the travelers of the ESS.
Joining the ESS on Friday are Ohsweken’s ESSO Thunder Stocks, ESSO Mini Stocks, and Friday Night Fun Stocks. Cody McPherson of St. Catharines leads the Thunder Stock standings, while Abel Castelein of Cayuga leads the Mini Stocks, and Dundas driver Chris Hils leads the Fun Stocks. Admission prices for the Empire Super Sprints event at Ohsweken on Friday, June 20, 2008 are the same as a regular Friday Night Thunder event at Ohsweken - $10 for Adults, Seniors and Students (ages 13-17) $8, and Kids 12 and Under FREE!
On Thursday night, June 19, 2008, spectator gates open at 4:00p.m. with a driver autograph session at the same time, while hot laps are slated for 5:30p.m. followed by time trials for the World of Outlaws Late Models, and the first green flag of the night at 7:45p.m.
On Friday night, June 20, 2008, spectator gates open at 6:00p.m., with hot laps scheduled at 7:00p.m., and the first green flag of the night at 7:45p.m.
Ohsweken Speedway offers affordable family entertainment just a short drive away from most Mid-Western Ontario locations. Please visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com for more information on upcoming events, results archives, and much more!
From Tommy Goudge // Ohsweken Speedway Media
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