Race teams, start your clapping
Track titles in stock car racing are usually wrapped in one or more checkered flags.
Usually, the more appearances in the winners circle, the better chance of pacing a division in points. The 2018 wasn’t hardly a usual year for drivers in the 8and 4-cylinder racing classes at New Humberstone Speedway.
Two-time defending Thunder Stock champion Dave Bailey of Hagersville raced to a division high six wins, yet it was Jason Fontaine of Port Colborne, a winner of only one feature, leaving the Saturday’s Night of Champions Awards Banquet with the points title.
While consistent finishes powered Fontaine to the fifth 8-cylinder championship at his hometown track, even The Fonz had to take a backseat Cole Hardy when it came to showing up.
All the Wellander had to do this year was defend his Mini Stock title without setting the pace a single time. Olivier Larocque led the division with five checkered flags but finished five in driver points.
It was racing as usual in
Humberstone’s three other weekly divisions, though. Mitch
Dumont of
Welland, in Pro
4 Trucks; Chad
Homan of Mac- edon, N.Y., southwest of Rochester, Late Models; and Cody McPherson of St. Catharines, Sportsman; won track championships while pacing their divisions with nine, six and five victories, respectively.
Bailey didn’t leave the banquet held at Americana Resort emptyhanded. He won the coveted Trevor Wilkens Driver of the Year Award. Cody McPherson’s father Guy received the Jim Simpson Crew Chief of the Year Award, and the Pete Cosco Dedication to Racing Award went to long-time pit steward Louie Caetano.
Speedway president Dave Bitner Jr. and wife Jennifer shared MC duties with Fran Bushardt, track statistician and co-announcer.
Most sportsmanlike drivers for 2018 were Adam Leslie, Sportsman; Ken Winfield, Late Models; Barry Beck Jr., Thunder Stock; Hardy, Mini Stock; and Craig Vlasic, Pro 4 Trucks.
Jordan Cosco, Sportsman; Jay
Liverance, Late Models; Barry Blanchard, Thunder Stock; Mike Sarantakos, Mini Stock; and Jay Dupuis, Pro 4 Trucks; won most improved driver awards.
In 2018, Modifieds returned to Humberstone for the annual Pete Cosco Memorial, a thrilling 75lapper won by Mat Williamson of St. Catharines.
Other highlights include three visits by the Action Sprint Tour and two in the Race of Champions Dirt 602 Sportsman Series.
A new concession stand in the pit area is planned for next year.