by Tommy Goudge
(July 25, 2011) – Two huge events are set to go at Ohsweken Speedway this week. NASCAR star Tony Stewart will take on the best drivers from Ohsweken’s Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car division on Tuesday, July 26, while the World of Outlaws Sprint series contests the “Six Nations Shootout” on Wednesday, July 27. Ohsweken’s weekly Lighthouse Tattoos Thunder Stocks, and HRW Automotive Mini Stocks will join the Sprint Cars on Tuesday, and the Mod-Lite Stars Championship Tour North will support the World of Outlaws on Wednesday.
AN EVENING WITH TONY STEWART
Tony Stewart’s visit to Ohsweken has been one of the most highly-anticipated events of the Ontario racing season since the announcement was made in February. Stewart’s illustrious racing career began on Indiana dirt tracks, and he has never forgotten his roots despite unprecedented success in the highest echelons of racing.
“Smoke” is the only driver with NASCAR, IndyCar, and USAC championships on his resume, and he was the first to win USAC’s “Triple Crown” – Silver Crown, Sprint Car, and Midget titles in the same season.
The Columbus, IN driver still competes regularly in dirt track events, despite his busy schedule not only as a NASCAR driver, but team owner as well. His most recent of many dirt track starts this season came on Saturday night at the famed Knoxville Raceway, where he finished 12th against that ultra-competitive field.
Stewart is also involved in dirt track racing in an ownership capacity, with involvement in several facilities including the famous Eldora Speedway, and owns several dirt track racing teams too, including those of Jessica Zemken, Steve Kinser, and Donny Schatz.
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING SPRINT CARS
Stewart will take on Ohsweken’s tough weekly Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car teams in an event that pays full points towards their season championship, and $3,000 to the feature winner.
Jim Huppunen of Fenwick, Ontario leads the way for the local contingent at Ohsweken. He scored the first two feature wins of his Sprint Car career in consecutive starts earlier this month, and leads “Tilbury Tornado” Kyle Patrick by 36 points in the Corr/Pak division standings.
Burford’s Jamie Collard is 3rd in the standings, followed by Dain Naida of Tecumseh, MI, and Brantford’s Mitch Brown.
Opening night feature winner Kyle Moffit of South Dayton, NY is 6th in the standings, followed by Grimsby’s Travis Cunningham, “Ohsweken Flyer”
Glenn Styres, Todd Hoddick of Cheektowaga, NY, and Hamilton’s Mikey Kruchka, who claimed his first ever feature win last Friday night.
Jim Huppunen is the only repeat winner so far this year in Sprint Car competition at the track, as six different drivers have visited the Engine Pro Racing Winner’s Circle in seven features.
Several invaders are also expected to compete in both Tuesday’s Corr/Pak event, and Wednesday’s World of Outlaws event, including Dustin Daggett of Grand Ledge, MI, Sam Hafertepe, Jr. of Sunnyvale, TX, and Tony Stewart Racing team driver Jessica Zemken of Sprakers, NY.
LIGHTHOUSE TATTOOS THUNDER STOCKS
Larry Czinege, Jr. of Ridgeway returned to Ohsweken in fine style after a week off due to injury, claiming the Thunder Stock feature win last Friday night. Caledonia driver Mike Thorne is enjoying a consistent season, and continued that trend with a runner-up last week. Thorne leads the championship standings over fellow Caledonia resident Ryan Dinning, Brantford’s Brad Herron, Devin Habiuk of Port Robinson, and Cambridge driver Wyatt Van Wart.
HRW AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS
Karl Sault’s amazing rookie season continued last Friday as the Dundas driver claimed feature win number four in the HRW Automotive Mini Stock division. Sophomore driver Jake Brown of Brantford is trying to keep pace, and sits second in the standings, followed by Cayuga’s Abel Castelein, Caledonia driver Mike Evers, and Mike Taylor of Burlington.
WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR SERIES
The World of Outlaws Sprint Car series regulars have been busy this season, with 36 events already in the record books. Their visit to Ohsweken is in the middle of a north-eastern swing which also includes stops at West Lebanon, NY, Brockville, Ontario, and Drummondville, Quebec.
Minnesota driver Craig Dollansky heads to Ohsweken as the most recent winner on the WoO circuit, as he got the win Sunday night at Lebanon Valley Speedway. The win was Dollansky’s series-leading 6th of the season, but he isn’t the points leader.
California’s Jason Meyers won the 2010 WoO title, and holds an 18 point lead over four time champion Donny Schatz of North Dakota heading into the Ohsweken event. Twenty time series champ Steve Kinser of Indiana is third in the standings, followed by Dollansky, and three-time Ohsweken winner Jason Sides of Tennessee.
The World of Outlaws Sprint Car series has competed at Ohsweken on five occasions since the inaugural event in 2007. Jason Sides won that first event on July 25, 2007, and also recorded wins at Ohsweken on July 29, 2009, and July 30, 2010. Jason Meyers won at Ohsweken on July 28, 2009, while Donny Schatz won the most recent WoO event at Ohsweken on August 1, 2010.
MOD-LITE STARS CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR NORTH
The Mod-Lite tour has visited Ohsweken twice already this season, and Shawn Sliter has been to the Winner’s Circle at the conclusion of both features. He holds a 28 point advantage over Josh Sliter in the series standings, followed by Paul Klager, Jason Corless, and Jeffrey May.
COMING SOON
Another round of Friday Night Thunder will hit the track on July 29, completing a busy week at Ohsweken. August will start with a bang when Ohsweken’s annual Hot Dog Eating Championship takes centre stage along with a full racing card, including the Art Hill Memorial 42 for the HRW Automotive Mini Stock division. Make sure to visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com for all the information on these special events.
MEET SMOKE!
A special “Meet and Greet” with Tony Stewart will take place at Ohsweken Speedway on Tuesday, July 26 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tickets include a BBQ, an autograph card, Tony’s autograph, a photo opportunity with Tony, and a chance to mingle with other race fans. Cost is $50, with tickets on sale NOW at Speedway Variety (519-445-0550) on Chiefswood Road outside the track. Space is limited to 300, so don’t wait!
TICKETS PLEASE!
Advance ticket purchases by phone for this week’s special events have concluded. The ticket window at the track will open at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 26, selling both Tony Stewart and World of Outlaws tickets. The ticket window will reopen again at 1:00 p.m. on July 27 with World of Outlaws tickets on sale.
Advanced reserved seat tickets for the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals coming up on September 15, 16, and 17 at Ohsweken are on sale now!
Please visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com and call 1-888-720-RACE to order yours today!
STAY WITH US
Plenty of primitive camping space is available on the Speedway grounds for a nominal one-time $10 fee. Breakfast will be served at the Pit barn concession booth all week!
DEREK MILLER LIVE!
Juno Award winning musician Derek Miller will be performing FREE concerts at Ohsweken Speedway on Tuesday and Wednesday. Learn more about Derek at www.DerekMiller.ca
RIDE WITH THE PROS
Ohsweken Speedway has two custom-built two-seater Sprint Cars available each race night for rides during intermission and after the races.
Please visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com to learn how you can take the ride of your life with one of the stars of the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars!
OUR SPONSORS
About Corr/Pak Merchandising: Founded in 1997, Corr/Pak Merchandising Inc. is based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, and is a designer and producer of Point of Purchase (POP) displays for retail. Strong emphasis on creative design and speed of response has seen Corr/Pak achieve great success in a very competitive industry. Their in-house capabilities and broad range of trusted suppliers enable them to develop any sort of effective solution for your retail display needs, no matter the materials used – whether corrugated, wood, boxboard, plastic, wire, steel, or any combination of those. Corr/Pak’s support of the Sprint Car division at Ohsweken continues for a fourth consecutive season in 2011.
Please visit www.CorrPak.ca for more information on the title sponsor of Sprint Car racing at Ohsweken Speedway.
About Arrow Express: Arrow Express proudly presents the Six Nations Showdown and Canadian Sprint Car Nationals at Ohsweken. Contact them by phone at (519) 445-1688.
About Lighthouse Tattoos: The friendly and knowledgeable staff at Lighthouse Tattoos are there to assist you in choosing a tattoo from thousands of in-store designs, or they can create a custom tattoo using your own idea. Lighthouse Tattoos is a clean and sterile environment, and is health department inspected and approved. They provide a fun and relaxing atmosphere to make sure your tattoo experience is a memorable one. Visit the title sponsor of Thunder Stock racing at Ohsweken at 245 Lakeshore Road East in Mississauga, or online at www.LighthouseTattoos.com.
About HRW Automotive: HRW was founded by Robert Workman in 1990. By providing good old-fashioned customer service, HRW has gained a loyal following in the community. You can entrust all of your vehicle’s service and repair needs to the team of automotive professionals at HRW Automotive. Visit the title sponsor of Mini-Stock Racing at Ohsweken Speedway at 163 Baptist Church Road in Caledonia, or on the web at www.HRWAutomotive.com.
THIS WEEK AT OHSWEKEN
Corr/Pak Merchandising presents “Tony Stewart at Ohsweken” on Tuesday, July 26. The Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprints, Lighthouse Tattoos Thunder Stocks, and HRW Automotive Mini Stocks are all part of this special event. Adult reserved seats are $20 for this special event, while Students and Seniors are $15, and Kids Age 12 & Under are $5. Gates open at 4:00 with racing starting at 7:45!
Arrow Express presents the “Six Nations Showdown” on Wednesday, July 27.
The World of Outlaws Sprint Car series will be in action, along with the Mod-Lite Stars Championship Tour North. Adult reserved seats are $35 for this special event, while Students and Seniors are also $35, and Kids Age 12 & Under are $15. Gates open at 4:00 with racing starting at 7:45!
Ohsweken Speedway offers affordable, exciting, family entertainment just a short drive from many Mid-Western Ontario locations. Visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com and Feel The Excitement!