Racer saves the best for last in 15-lapper
Final-lap pass gives Thorold driver checkered flag in Humberstone showstopper
A last-lap pass vaulted Alex Riley past Leroy Buscumb and into Victory Lane in the Mini Stock feature Sunday night at New Humberstone Speedway.
Cole Hardy and Sam Iftody started the 15-lap race in the front row, with Hardy setting the pace until Buscumb overtook him for the lead on Lap 3.
A restart following a caution 13 laps in allowed Riley to move into second, putting the Thorold driver into position for his first win of the year at the Port Colborne track.
In the showstopper, a backand-forth battle for the lead in the Sportsman feature between Adam Leslie and Brad Rouse wound up with Leslie holding off a hard-charging Greg Panunte for the win following a restart with four laps to go.
It was the Port Colborne racer’s first checkered flag of the year in the premier class at his hometown track.
Dave Bailey, a two-time track champion, needed six laps to overtake Jason Fontaine, the reigning points king, for the lead in the Thunder Stock main event. The Hagersville hotshoe’s No. 49 Camaro led the field the rest for the win.
In the Late Model feature, Sam Pennacchio took advantage of the outside lane and set the pace for the first four laps until he was passed by Rob Pietz and, four laps later, by Chad Homan, the defending division champion.
Homan challenged Pietz the rest of the way but, on Sunday night, at least, the veteran driver from Gasline had the race car that couldn’t be beaten.
Mod Lite, a class that races regularly at Merrittville Speedway, made its annual visit to Humberstone.
Jeffery May from Mount Hope, Ont., a suburb on Hamilton, showed fans why he is a one-time points champion by regaining the lead with five laps remaining for the win.
Dylan Llord of St. Catharines took the lead six circuits into the 15-Lap Pro 4 Trucks feature and went on to earn his fifth win of the season.
The top five and heat winners from Sunday night’s program:
Sportsman, 25 laps: 1. Adam Leslie, 2. Greg Panunte, 3. James Michael Friesen, 4. Jordan Cosco, 5. Jay Mallory. Heat winners: Brad Rouse, Friesen.
Late Model, 20 laps: 1. Rob Pietz, 2. Chad Homan, 3. Sam Pennacchio, 4. David Pengrazio, 5. Adam Ferri. Heat winners: Pennacchio, Pietz.
Thunder Stock, 20 laps: 1. Dave Bailey, 2. Jason Fontaine, 3. Ryan Dinning, 4. Bryce Richardson, 5. Donny Lampman. Heat winners: Bailey, Ken Sargent.
Mod Lite, 20 laps: 1. Jeffery May, 2. Tyler Winger, 3. Brent Begolo, 4. Sean Iftody, 5. Josh Sliter. Heat winners: Sliter, Rob Misener.
Mini Stock, 15 laps: 1. Alex Riley, 2. Leroy Buscumb, 3. Jeremy Cooper, 4. Kyle Rothwell, 5. Evan Curtis. Heat winners: Buscumb, Jay Moulton.
Pro 4 Trucks, 15 laps: 1. Dylan Llord, 2. Mitch Dumont, 3. Frank Perry, 4. Jay Dupuis, 5. Jeff Larmet. Heat winners: Dumont, Llord.
Track talk: 80 race cars and trucks were signed in pitside … The All-Canadian Championships are on tap Sunday when racing returns to Humberstone.