by Tommy Goudge,www.pandersonphotos.com
(July 8, 2011) – A new face visited Ohsweken Speedway’s Engine Pro Racing Winner’s Circle for the second week in a row on Friday night. Jim Huppunen added his name to the record books by winning the 25 lap Mid-Season Championship feature for the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car division. Larry Czinege, Jr. took top honours again in the Lighthouse Tattoos Thunder Stock race, while Karl Sault got back in the HRW Automotive Mini Stock division win column, and Rodney Rutherford won the Pierced Parts Bomber race.
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING SPRINT CARS
Glenn Styres and James Evans started on the front row for 25 laps of Sprint Car action, but Evans got sideways in turn 4 during the first lap and collected Keith Dempster, Dain Naida, Chris Durand, and Ryan Litt. The race got back underway with Styres out front, but Jim Huppunen quickly made his way forward to challenge for the lead.
Several laps of side-by-side action ended when low-riding Huppunen pulled away for the win. Jamie Collard also utilized the low groove to make his way to second, followed by Mikey Kruchka, Kyle Moffit, and Todd Hoddick. Styres faded to 6th, followed by Kyle Patrick, Chris Steele, Jamie Turner, and Shane Butler with his first career top 10.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Huppunen from the Engine Pro Racing Winner’s Circle. “This is our third year of (Sprint Car) racing, and we’ve been close, but finally got one tonight. I’ve gotta thank Glenn (Styres) for having this great facility here.”
Huppunen came into the night just 2 points behind Kyle Patrick for the Corr/Pak Merchandising points lead, and took over as the leader with his feature win. He was asked after the race if he thinks about the points chase with so many races left to run this season.
“It’s hard not to think about it,” said Huppunen. “Everyone’s telling me how far behind I am and what I have to do, and I just try to put it out of my mind. I’m just going for top 5 in points this year. We were in the top 10 last year, so just trying to move up, and hey I think we’re sitting pretty good right now.”
Huppunen’s victory together with brother Tom’s 9 career wins makes them the only brothers to win Sprint Car features at the Speedway. Jim also broke the streak of 4 New York winners in a row at the track this season.
Heat races for the 23 cars in attendance went to Jamie Collard, Jim Huppunen, and Kyle Moffit.
LIGHTHOUSE TATTOOS THUNDER STOCKS
Terry Martin and Brian Pescetti began the 25 lap Thunder Stock feature on the front row, but Mike Miller jumped out to an early lead after starting 6th, but was overtaken and later dropped out. The top 5 drivers in the points standings quickly moved to the front along with Lee Winger, and put on one of the best races seen lately at Ohsweken.
Ryan Dinning and Lee Winger took a turn dicing for the lead before dropping back, as Larry Czinege, Jr. and Mike Thorne took over at the front. Czinege stayed out front to claim his second straight win, while Thorne settled for the runner-up spot. Winger, Dinning, and Chris Dickie rounded out the top 5.
Heat races for the 24 car field were claimed by Terry Martin, Mike Miller, and Ryan Dinning.
HRW AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS
Mike Giberson and Ryan Beagle shared the front row for the Mini Stock feature, but Jeremy Hughes made a beeline to the front and took off – until his right front tire deflated. Jake Brown inehrited the lead, but could not keep Karl Sault behind him. Sault extended his points lead by claiming his third feature win of the season, while Jake Brown, race sponsor Mike Evers, Steve Hess, and Dan Erskine followed him home.
Heat races for the 29 car field were claimed by Jason Lungaro, Steve Hess, and Mike Taylor, while Jon Janssens won the B-Main.
PIERCED PARTS BOMBERS
Aaron Turkey and Kathi Dickie started on the front row, but both experienced problems. Rodney Rutherford moved up from 9th on the grid to take the lead and successfully negotiate through traffic for his second Bomber feature win of the season.
Dave Patton, Jeremy May, Trevor Roszell, and Jesse McDonald finished in the top 5 behind Rutherford. Heat races for the 19 car field went to Turkey and Rutherford.
NEXT WEEK AT OHSWEKEN
Best Western Cairn Croft Hotel presents “Norfolk County Night” next Friday, July 15. The Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprints, Lighthouse Tattoos Thunder Stocks, HRW Automotive Mini Stocks, and Pierced Parts Bombers are all part of round 6 of Friday Night Thunder, along with the return of Vintage Cars, and a “Small Car” Figure 8 race. Gates open at 6:00 with racing starting at 7:45!
COMING SOON
“Christmas in July” is approaching quickly, and that event will also feature the only autograph night of the season. Santa Claus will visit Ohsweken on Friday, July 22, and kick off a busy week of action at the track which includes “Tony Stewart Night” on July 26, the World of Outlaws Sprint Car series on July 27, and another round of Friday Night Thunder on July 29. Make sure to visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com for all the information on these special events.
FRIDAY NIGHT THUNDER 2011
ROUND 5 RACE REPORT – JULY 8, 2011
OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY
OHSWEKEN, ONTARIO
EVENT SPONSORS –
WISECO PISTON & EVERS FINANCIAL
Race Start: 7:45p.m.
Race End: 10:35p.m.
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING SPRINT CARS (23 entries)
HEAT RACES (8 laps each – Top 12 in passing points redraw for feature starting positions):
Finish. [Starting Position] Number Name (Hometown)
ENGLER MACHINE & TOOL HEAT RACE #1
1. [1] 7x Jamie Collard (Burford), 2. [3] 07x Dain Naida (Tecumseh, MI), 3. [4] 11 Jamie Turner (Caistor Centre), 4. [8] 0 Glenn Styres (Ohsweken), 5. [6] 0x Ryan Litt (London), 6. [1] 52 Jesse Costa (St. Thomas), 7. [5] 96 Shane Butler (St. Thomas), 8. [7] 30g Steve Goldner (Aylmer).
GRISDALE RACING PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #2
1. [1] 14h Jim Huppunen (Fenwick), 2. [2] 01 Mikey Kruchka (Hamilton), 3. [7] 5 Keith Dempster (Alton), 4. [4] 90 James Evans (Beamsville), 5. [8] 33k Kyle Patrick (Tilbury), 6. [5] 49 Todd Hoddick (Cheektowaga, NY), 7. [6] 81 Derek Jonathan (Lewiston, NY), 8. [3] 71 Travis Cunningham (Gimsby).
BS&B RADIATOR HEAT RACE #3
1. [2] 7 Kyle Moffit (South Dayton, NY), 2. [4] 80 Chris Steele (Vineland), 3. [1] 10 Mitch Brown (Brantford), 4. [6] 21j John Burbridge, Sr. (Simcoe), 5. [3] 67 Chris Durand (Port Stanley), 6. [5] 5d Dave Dykstra (Port Colborne), 7. [7] 31 John Burbridge, Jr. (St. Williams).
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING
SPRINT CAR A-FEATURE (25 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 14h Jim Huppunen (4)
2. 7x Jamie Collard (7)
3. 01 Mikey Kruchka (6)
4. 7 Kyle Moffit (12)
5. 49 Todd Hoddick (17)
6. 0 Glenn Styres (1)
7. 33k Kyle Patrick (11)
8. 80 Chris Steele (8)
9. 11 Jamie Turner (5)
10. 96 Shane Butler (20)
11. 81 Derek Jonathan (19)
12. 0x Ryan Litt (14)
13. 52 Jesse Costa (18)
14. 21j John Burbridge, Sr. (13)
15. 07x Dain Naida (9)
16. 67 Chris Durand (15)
17. 71 Travis Cunningham (22)
18. 30g Steve Goldner (21)
19. 5 Keith Dempster (10)
20. 90 James Evans (2)
21. 10 Mitch Brown (3)
22. 5d Dave Dykstra (16)
23. 31 John Burbridge, Jr. (23)
SPRINT CAR AWARDS:
– Nathan Ackland State Farm Insurance “Top Gun” (highest passing points total): Keith Dempster ($100)
– RNB Restorations Feature Winner: Jim Huppunen (case of Champion Motor Oil)
LIGHTHOUSE TATTOOS THUNDER STOCKS (24 entries)
HEAT RACES (8 laps each)
ENGINE PRO RACING HEAT RACE #1
1. 38 Terry Martin (Ohsweken), 2. 13 Kacey Huffman (Hamilton), 3. 57 Murray Nicholls (Hamilton), 4. 62 Brian Pescetti (Stoney Creek), 5. 33 Colin Court (Jerseyville), 6. 00 Robbie General (Ohsweken), 7. 77b Brittani Gyokery (Jarvis), 8. 51 Phil Nyssen (Burford) DQ.
6 NATIONS BINGO HEAT RACE #2
1. 73 Mike Miller (Caledonia), 2. 28 Jim Lampman (Caistor Centre), 3. 1 Chris Dickie (Brantford), 4. 83 Lee Winger (Caledonia), 5. 17 Rob Disher (Grimsby), 6. 191 Gord Bates (Selkirk), 7. 77 Brett Rodwell (Caledonia), 8. 31 Dave Bailey (Hagersville).
O’NEIL’S FARM EQUIPMENT HEAT RACE #3
1. 8 Ryan Dinning (Caledonia), 2. 12 Brad Herron (Brantford), 3. 19 Cory Turner (Caistor Centre), 4. 33c Larry Czinege, Jr. (Ridgeway), 5. 55 Mike Thorne (Caledonia), 6. 5h Devin Habiuk (Port Robinson), 7. 04 Wyatt Van Wart (Cambridge), 8. 23d Tim DeBoer (Hagersville).
LIGHTHOUSE TATTOOS THUNDER STOCKS
A-FEATURE (25 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 33c Larry Czinege, Jr. (15)
2. 55 Mike Thorne (16)
3. 83 Lee Winger (9)
4. 8 Ryan Dinning (12)
5. 1 Chris Dickie (11)
6. 51 Phil Nyssen (24)
7. 17 Rob Disher (10)
8. 04 Wyatt Van Wart (20)
9. 62 Brian Pescetti (4)
10. 31 Dave Bailey (21)
11. 28 Jim Lampman (8)
12. 38 Terry Martin (1)
13. 191 Gord Bates (7)
14. 77b Brittany Gyokery (18)
15. 13 Kacey Huffman (3)
16. 73 Mike Miller (6) DNF
17. 5h Devin Habiuk (17) DNF
18. 12 Brad Herron (14) DNF
19. 33 Colin Court (23) DNF
20. 57 Murray Nicholls (5)
21. 77 Brett Rodwell (19) DNF
22. 23d Tim DeBoer (22) DNF
23. 19 Cory Turner (13) DNF
24. 00 Robbie General (2) DNS
THUNDER STOCK AWARDS
– RNB Restorations Feature Winner: Larry Czinege, Jr. (case of Z-ALT Muscle Car Oil)
– Engine Pro Racing Mid-Season Championship bonus: Larry Czinege, Jr. ($50 certificate)
HRW AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS (29 entries)
HEAT RACES (8 laps each – Top 6 finishers transfer to A-Feature)
ENGINE PRO RACING HEAT RACE #1
1. 7 Jason Lungaro (Hamilton), 2. 4p Mike Peterson (Woodstock), 3. 84rk Ryan Beagle (Vittoria), 4. 69 Rob Twitchett (Dundas), 5. 38 John Cote (Hamilton), 6. 11 Mike Giberson (Caledonia), 7. 99 Robin Elliott (Woodstock), 8. 13c Corrie Cowell (Tillsonburg), 9. 55 Rob Slater (Dundas) DNF, 10. 22 Brittani Myers (Hamilton) DNF.
ESSO SPEEDWAY VARIETY HEAT RACE #2
1. 777x Steve Hess (Ohsweken), 2. 10j Jeremy Hughes (Burlington), 3.69e Dan Erskine (Caistor Centre), 4. 5 Rick Robinson (Brantford), 5. 4 Jason Coutu (St. Catharines), 6. 79 Steve Miller (Paris), 7. 05 Dave Goodacre (Brantford), 8. 9 Mike Gilchrist (Brantford), 9. 64 Doug Erskine (Hamilton), 10. 31 Abel Castelein (3) DNS.
O’NEIL’S FARM EQUIPMENT HEAT RACE #3
1. 02 Mike Taylor (Burlington), 2. 6x Mike Sarantakos (Smithville), 3. 81 Karl Sault (Dundas), 4. 10 Jake Brown (Brantford), 5. 44 Dale Cooke (Hamilton), 6. 265 Mike Evers (Caledonia), 7. 66 Jon Janssens (Woodstock), 8. 95 Troy Smith (Hamilton), 9. 72 Kevin Hilborn (Brantford) DNF.
HRW AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS B-MAIN
(10 laps – Top 6 finishers transfer to A-Feature)
1. 66 Jon Janssens, 2. 31 Abel Castelein, 3. 05 Dave Goodacre, 4. 99 Robin Elliott, 5. 22 Brittani Myers, 6. 9 Mike Gilchrist, 7. 64 Doug Erskine, 8. 55 Rob Slater, 9. 13c Corrie Cowell, 10. 95 Troy Smith DNS, 11. 72 Kevin Hilborn DNS.
HRW AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS
A-FEATURE (20 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 81 Karl Sault (16)
2. 10 Jake Brown (15)
3. 265 Mike Evers (13)
4. 777x Steve Hess (9)
5. 69e Dan Erskine (10)
6. 31 Abel Castelein (20)
7. 7 Jason Lungaro (4)
8. 4 Jason Coutu (8)
9. 79 Steve Miller (7)
10. 22 Brittani Myers (21)
11. 05 Dave Goodacre (19)
12. 84rk Ryan Beagle (2)
13. 66 Jon Janssens (17)
14. 99 Robin Elliott (22) DNF
15. 11 Mike Giberson (1) DNF
16. 44 Dale Cooke (14) DNF
17. 10j Jeremy Hughes (12)
18. 02 Mike Taylor (18)
19. 6x Mike Sarantakos (11)
20. 13c Corrie Cowell (24) DNF
21. 64 Doug Erskine (23) DNF
22. 69 Rob Twitchett (3) DNF
23. 4p Mike Peterson (6) DNF
24. 5 Rick Robinson (5) DNF
MINI STOCK AWARDS
– Engine Pro Racing Mid-Season Championship bonus: Karl Sault ($50 certificate)
PIERCED PARTS BOMBERS (19 entries)
HEAT RACES (8 laps each)
HEAT RACE #1
1. 199 Aaron Turkey (Ohsweken), 2. 5 Kathi Dickie (Brantford), 3. 44 Tyler Brock, 4. 66 Brady Longboat, 5. 1988 Matt Smith (Rockton), 6. 16 Jeremy May (Hamilton), 7. 88 Jesse McDonald (Caledonia), 8. 77 Dale Gyokery (Jarvis), 9. 388 Craig Dowd (Caledonia) DNS.
HEAT RACE #2
1. 38 Rodney Rutherford (Waterdown), 2. 26 Dave Patton (Rockton), 3. 23 Dusty DeBoer (Hagersville), 4. 97 Max Chechalk (Hamilton), 5. 1 Greg Dadson (St. Thomas), 6. 15 Brad McCarten, 7. 27 Andy Roberts (Brantford), 8. 07 Trevor Roszell (Waterdown), 9. 53 Sarah Rutherford (Dundas), 10. 66r Cole Rodwell (Caledonia) DNS.
PIERCED PARTS BOMBERS
FEATURE (15 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 38 Rodney Rutherford (9)
2. 26 Dave Patton (10)
3. 16 Jeremy May (5)
4. 07 Trevor Roszell (16)
5. 88 Jesse McDonald (13)
6. 66 Brady Longboat (4)
7. 44 Tyler Brock (3)
8. 77 Dale Gyokery (15)
9. 1988 Matt Smith (6)
10. 97 Max Chechalk (8)
11. 15 Brad McCarten (11)
12. 1 Greg Dadson (7)
13. 53 Sarah Rutherford (17)
14. 388 Craig Dowd (18)
15. 199 Aaron Turkey (1)
16. 27 Andy Roberts (14)
17. 23 Dusty DeBoer (12)
18. 5 Kathi Dickie (2) DNF
19. 66r Cole Rodwell (19) DNS
UP NEXT @ OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY:
FRIDAY, JULY 15 , 2011
BEST WESTERN CAIRN CROFT HOTEL PRESENTS:
“NORFOLK COUNTY NIGHT”
FEATURING CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING SPRINT CARS,
LIGHTHOUSE TATTOOS THUNDER STOCKS,
HRW AUTOMOTIVE MINI-STOCKS,
& PIERCED PARTS BOMBERS,
PLUS VINTAGE CARS, AND “SMALL CAR FIGURE 8” RACE
ADULTS $10, SENIORS AND STUDENTS $8, KIDS 12 AND UNDER FREE!
SPECTATOR GATES OPEN @ 6:00 P.M., RACING @ 7:45 P.M.