by Tommy Goudge
(July 22, 2011) – Mikey Kruchka finally got the monkey off his back on Friday night at Ohsweken Speedway by claiming his first career Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car feature win. Larry Czinege, Jr. was declared the Lighthouse Tattoos Thunder Stock winner, while Karl Sault won another HRW Automotive Mini Stock feature, and Jesse McDonald triumped again in the Pierced Parts Bomber event.
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING SPRINT CARS
Mikey Kruchka and Jesse Costa began the Sprint Car feature on the front row, and Kruchka jumped out to the lead knowing he had a great shot at his first career win. Often found in the top groove, Kruchka utilized the low side for much of the race. Dave Dykstra and Jamie Collard gave chase until Collard spun to bring out a caution on lap seven. He restarted at the back and recovered to finish 11th.
The race restarted with Kruchka out front and Dykstra 2nd, but many were watching Glenn Styres, who was gaining ground in the top groove. Great racing ensued as Kruchka, Styres, and Dykstra diced in slower traffic. A red flag flew on lap 16 as Chris Durand and Keith Dempster made contact, sending Durand upside-down in turn one. Both drivers were unhurt, but done for the night.
Kruchka pulled away after the restart and claimed his first career win in any form of race car. To say he was excited is an understatement.
“I never want to get down from here!” Mikey exclaimed from atop his wing in the Engine Pro Racing Winner’s Circle. “I need to thank everybody. My mom first and foremost, and my Dad. I started racing go-karts when I was 8, and my brother used to help carry it into my mom’s dining room for the first two summers.”
Styres settled for 2nd, followed by Dykstra, Kyle Moffit, and Kyle Patrick. Heat races for the 22 car field went to Kyle Moffit, Jim Huppunen, and Jamie Collard.
LIGHTHOUSE TATTOOS THUNDER STOCKS
An all-rookie front row featured Brett Rodwell and Brittany Gyokery, but sophomore driver Phil Nyssen quickly established himself at the front of the field. Great racing ensued throughout the pack as Larry Czinege, Jr., Mike Thorne, Brian Pescetti, and others made their way forward from the back. Nyssen stayed out front and crossed the line first, but couldn’t get through post-race inspection, which handed the win to Czinege. Thorne was credited with 2nd, followed by Pescetti, Ryan Dinning, and Wyatt Van Wart.
Heat races for the 23 car field went to Mike Miller, Cory Turner, and Brad Herron.
HRW AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS
Rob Slater and Brittani Myers began the Mini Stock feature on the front row, but it wasn’t long before Jeremy Hughes came knocking, looking for his second consecutive victory. Hughes was just over a lap away from the checkered flag when something in his engine compartment went up in smoke and ended his race. Karl Sault inherited the lead for a one lap dash to the finish, and held on for his fourth win of the season.
“I saw (Jeremy) go up in smoke, and I felt bad for him,” said Karl afterward. “It was fun. I got to start on the inside so I got to pass more cars – get through a few quicker on the bottom. It was challenging.”
Mike Taylor had previously raced hard with Sault, but settled for 2nd, followed by Mike Evers, Dale Cooke, and Mike Sarantakos.
Heat races for the 27 cars in attendance were claimed by Myers, Hughes, and Sault
PIERCED PARTS BOMBERS
Brady Longboat looked good out front in the Bomber feature, but couldn’t stop the Jesse McDonald juggernaut. McDonald claimed his second win in a row, followed by Longboat, Kathi Dickie, Trevor Roszell, and Rodney Rutherford.
Heat races for the 18 car field went to Longboat and McDonald.
NEXT 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. 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. Gates open at 4:00 with racing starting at 7:45!
GET YOUR TICKETS
Advance reserved seat tickets for both Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s events will remain on sale by phone at 1-888-720-RACE (7223) until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 24. 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.
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, and a photo opportunity with Tony…and 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!
COMING SOON
Next week’s busy slate will continue with another round of Friday Night Thunder on July 29. 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.
FRIDAY NIGHT THUNDER 2011
ROUND 7 RACE REPORT – JULY 22
OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY
OHSWEKEN, ONTARIO
EVENT SPONSOR – OUTHOUSE IMAGE & DESIGN
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING SPRINT CARS (22 entries)
HEAT RACES (8 laps each – Top 12 in passing points redraw for A-Feature starting positions):
Finish. [Starting Position] Number Name (Hometown)
ENGLER MACHINE & TOOL HEAT RACE #1
1. [1] 7Kyle Moffit (South Dayton, NY), 2. [3] 33k Kyle Patrick (Tilbury), 3. [2] 49 Todd Hoddick (Cheektowaga, NY), 4. [4] 5 Keith Dempster (Alton), 5. [6] 90 James Evans (Beamsville), 6. [7] 84 Tyler Rand (Consecon), 7. [8] 11 Jamie Turner (Caistor Centre), 8. [4] 30g Stevin Goldner (Aylmer). Time – 2:01.190.
GRISDALE RACING PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #2
1. [5] 14h Jim Huppunen (Fenwick), 2. [4] 0Glenn Styres (Ohsweken), 3. [1] f37 Jim Porter (Grand Island, NY), 4. [7] 52 Jesse Costa (St. Thomas), 5. [6] 67 Chris Durand (Port Stanley), 6. [2] 71 Travis Cunningham (Grimsby) DNF, 7. [3] 81 Derek Jonathan (Lewiston, NY) DNS. No Time.
BS&B RADIATOR HEAT RACE #3
1. [2] 7x Jamie Collard (Burford), 2. [6] 5d Dave Dykstra (Port Colborne), 3. [3] 80 Chris Steele (Fenwick), 4. [5] 10 Mitch Brown (Brantford), 5. [7] 01 Mikey Kruchka (Hamilton), 6. [4] Shane Butler (St. Thomas), 7. [1] 07x Dain Naida (Tecumseh, MI) DNF. No Time.
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING
SPRINT CAR FEATURE (20 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 01 Mikey Kruchka (1)
2. 0 Glenn Styres (5)
3. 5d Dave Dykstra (4)
4. 7 Kyle Moffit (7)
5. 33k Kyle Patrick (8)
6. 14h Jim Huppunen (9)
7. 84 Tyler Rand (16)
8. 07x Dain Naida (20)
9. 49 Todd Hoddick (10)
10. 10 Mitch Brown (11)
11. 7x Jamie Collard (6)
12. 71 Travis Cunningham (19)
13. 80 Chris Steele (12)
14. 90 James Evans (14)
15. 96 Shane Butler (18)
16. f37 Jim Porter (3)
17. 52 Jesse Costa (2)
18. 11 Jamie Turner (17) DNF
19. 67 Chris Durand (15) DNF
20. 5 Keith Dempster (13) DNF
21. 30g Steve Goldner (21) DNF
22. 81 Derek Jonathan (22) DNS
No Time.
SPRINT CAR AWARDS:
Nathan Ackland State Farm Insurance “Top Gun” (highest passing points total): 14h Jim Huppunen ($100)
RNB Restorations Feature Winner: 01 Mikey Kruchka (case of Champion Motor Oil)
Days Inn Brantford Feature Winner: 01 Mikey Kruchka