Another late model win for defending track champ
Drivers know it and their fans do, too. The clock is ticking and teams in the weekly divisions at Peterborough Speedway are looking to score as many points as possible toward this year’s titles.
On Saturday the hometown Bone Stock, Mini Stock, Super Stock and Late Model runners got their second to last chance of the season to make a difference in the Peterborough Speedway standings and were joined by the travelling Ontario Legends Series.
Feature race action got underway with the first of a pair of 25 lappers for the Trailers Plus Ontario Legends Series. Nicholas Ledson held off current point leader Parker Traves. Dawson Drimmie, Kevin Foisy and Kenny McNicol Jr. followed the leaders across the line to complete the Top 5.
Ryan Oosterholt and Chris Tubman brought the Battlefield Equipment Rental Bone Stock pack to the Great Canadian RV green flag that kicked off their 20-lap feature. Kris Khan was strong early and moved into the second spot with just seven laps on the scoreboard. Reigning track champion Dan McHattie won. Dave Morgan, Tim Batty, Mark Gordon and Patrick Freel followed McHattie across the line.
Nineteen Jiffy Lube Mini Stocks came to the line for a 20lap feature with Tiffany Vandebelt and Nolan Gould on the front row. Gould took the lead early, with former track champion Ryan Babin taking the runner-up spot. Oosterholt got close to Gould over the closing stages, but couldn’t wrestle away the lead. Vandebelt, Neil Hannah and Babin completed the Top 5. Saturday’s Mini Stock finishing order is unofficial, pending completed technical inspection.
With James Townsend and Marlie Owen on the front row, the KOD Disposal Super Stock feature was next on the agenda. The outside line was not friendly to Owen, as Townsend took the early lead, but surrendered the position to his unofficial teammate Mark Gordon, with just four laps on the scoreboard. Last week’s winner Tim Burke moved into third spot, while Owen and Howie Crowe battled it out behind him. At the checkered flag, it was Gordon who scored the win. Townsend, Burke, Paul Boundy and Owen completed the Fast 5.
The night’s second Ontario Legends Series feature — a holdover from a June 1 rainout — had Kenny McNicol Jr. and Jeff Forsey on the front row. McNicol took the lead. Nick Ledson slid into second with six laps complete and took the lead nine circuits into the 25-lap affair. Foisy kept trying but could only get close to the leader over the closing stages. Parker Traves, Adam Cuthbertson and Drimmie completed the Top 5 as Ledson once again swept the pair of feature events.
Qualifying heats for the Battlefield Equipment Rental Bone Stocks went to Khan, Jake Kelly, Oosterholt and Brad Lavalle. Current point leader McHattie and former track champion Morgan each scored a pair of Late Model preliminary wins. Mini Stock opening rounds were won by Jeremy Kelly, Vandebelt, Oosterholt and Gould. Howie Crowe returned to the seat of his No. 28 machine and took a couple of Super Stock heats, with Marlie Owen and Gordon claiming the others.
Peterborough Speedway’s 2019 regular season concludes Saturday with the Championship Clash.
It’s the final point paying event for the hometown Bone Stock, Mini Stock, Renegade Truck, Super Stock and Late Model divisions; along with the Ontario Modifieds Racing Series. Also on the schedule will be the annual Top 10 Shootouts for all weekly classes.
Pit gates open at 12:30 p.m., with the spectator grandstands unlocked at 3 p.m. and racing at 5 p.m.
NOTES: Bob Grevey picked up the night’s 50/50 prize of more than $450, in support of the Millbrook Lions Club; while Ashton Taylor and Madison Knisley won tickets to the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park …. Former Pro Challenge and current APC Late Model
Patrick Freel stepped into the No. 38B in place of Kyle Batty, while Ashley Hannah drove
Steve Brier’s No. 71 Mini Stock.
Tim Tolton made his first Peterborough Speedway start of the year in the No. 13 Mini Stock.