by Tommy Goudge,Dale Calnan/www.ImageFactor.ca
(August 24, 2012) – The Lighthouse Tattoos Thunder Stocks raced at Ohsweken Speedway in memory of former track official Brock Leonard on Friday night, and Brad Herron outlasted the field to claim the big win in the 50 lap feature. Meanwhile, Tom Huppunen quietly moved up through the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car standings over the past month, and now has the points lead after a feature win on Friday night. Derek Wagner won another Modified Lite Stars International Championship Tour feature, Jeremy Hughes went back to the Engine Pro Racing Winner’s Circle after the HRW Automotive Mini Stocks feature, and the Pierced Parts Bombers division saw a first-time winner in the form of Mark Bazuin.
LIGHTHOUSE TATTOOS THUNDER STOCKS “BROCK LEONARD MEMORIAL 50”
Wyatt Van Wart and Ryan Turner made up the front row for the inaugural Brock Leonard Memorial race, but third starter Cory Turner quickly took over the lead before a rash of early caution flags slowed the pace.
Cory led much of the first half of the race before falling back after contact with Rob Murray, but then rebounded to take the lead again. Cory looked like he might be on the way to his first win of the season, but Brad Herron had other ideas and grabbed the lead with less than 10 laps left.
Herron cruised to a lucrative victory thanks to extra money in the purse courtesy of Gale’s Auto Aftermarket, while Cory and Ryan Turner settled for second and third, and also shared in some additional prize money from Gale’s. Devin Habiuk and Rob Murray came home with top five finishes.
“It was a little sketchy at the beginning, but everybody kind of settled in,” Herron said after his big win. “I don’t even know what to say. This is awesome. This race has been fairly hyped up – I know I’ve been looking forward to it for a long time. I want to dedicate this to Doug, and all the Leonards.”
Heat races for the 36 car field went to Mike Thorne, Ryan Turner, Brad Herron, and Jake Brown, while Brad Sheehan won the B-Main.
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING SPRINT CARS
Glenn Styres and Tom Huppunen started on the front row of the Sprint Car feature, and the race quickly turned into a duel between those two veteran drivers. A caution flag flew on lap 9 when Steve Goldner contacted the wall on the front stretch, giving Styres a good chance to get around Huppunen on the restart.
Styres had trouble in turns one and two that time, and Huppunen streaked away briefly until another caution flag came out for the stopped machine of Shane Ross. Styres got a much better restart on his second chance, and began pressuring Huppunen for the lead. Huppunen officially led all but one lap of the 20 lap race, but Styres was ahead of Huppunen several times as they traded slide jobs in turn 4. Styres officially led lap 17 at the start/finish line, but couldn’t stay there to get the win.
Mitch Brown had run in the top five for much of the race, but went to the infield with less than 5 laps to go. Huppunen prevailed for the win, while Styres settled for second, followed by Mikey Kruchka, Bryan Howland, and Jared Zimbardi. Huppunen’s win coupled with a 9th place finish for Travis Cunningham has Huppunen atop the points standings for the first time this season, with just two races left.
“That was awesome,” Huppunen said after his second win of the season. “This year’s been kind of up and down for me – wrecked it once on my own, and I guess this will make up for that. Glenn’s a tough competitor, and over the years I’ve raced with him side-by-side with him many times. We’ve bumped a few times and apologized to each other, and you know it was just a great race – very clean, and I heard him coming and gave him a little extra room, and he did the same for me, and that’s what racing is all about.”
Heat races for the 25 car field went to Jared Zimbardi, Tom Huppunen, and Keith Dempster, while Scott Kreutter won the B-Main.
MODIFIED LITE STARS INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR
The Mod-Lite event quickly turned into a two car race between Jason Corless and Derek Wagner, with Corless leading laps 2 through 7 before Wagner got into him as the two exited turn four. Corless spun out, while Wagner was sent to the back of the field for the restart. Wagner was faster in making his way forward again, and took the lead from Derek Moore with 5 laps to go.
Wagner went on to win, while Corless crossed the line second, but was disqualified after running into Wagner during the cool-down lap. Derek Moore claimed the runner-up spot, with Paul Klager joining him on the podium.
“We had an interesting little run there,” Wagner said after yet another Ohsweken win. “Made a little mistake there down there with Corless. I’ve got to apologize to him for that. It’s just hard racing trying to put a show on for the fans here, and we got down on the bottom, got in there a little heavy.”
The heat race for the 6 car field was claimed by Jason Corless.
HRW AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS
Jeremy Hughes made this week’s Mini Stock feature look like a carbon copy of last week’s race, as he got to the front quickly from mid-pack, and drove away to his fifth win of the season. Karl Sault tried to keep pace, but settled for the runner-up spot again while he continues to lead the championship standings.
Bill Rutherford drove through the field from the last row to claim third, followed by Mike Taylor and Lee Hils.
Heat races for the 24 car field went to Lee Hils, Robin Elliott, and Jeremy Hughes.
PIERCED PARTS BOMBERS
Mark Bazuin led the entire Bombers feature to get his first ever win on Friday night, but Kathi Dickie was never far behind as she went after her consecutive win. Bazuin got the win, while Dickie settled for second, followed by Dusty DeBoer, Dwight Staats, and Davey Boughton. Max Chechalk led the standings entering Friday night’s action, and finished one spot behind currently second place points driver Boughton, meaning the two are now tied for the championship lead with two races left on the schedule.
“It’s been a long time, but we’re finally getting it working,” said Bazuin the first-time winner afterwards. “I was watching as much as I can see out the back of this car, and I knew there was someone right there, and then I just didn’t look back.”
Heat races for the 15 car field went to Joe DeBoer and Brady Longboat.
NEXT WEEK AT OHSWEKEN
Woodstock Ford presents the Awesome Racewear Labour Day Special this Friday, August 31. The Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars, Lighthouse Tattoos Thunder Stocks, HRW Automotive Mini Stocks, and Pierced Parts Bombers are all part of this event, along with a Double Flagpole Race, and Kids Box Car Races. The Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car A-Main will also serve as a qualifier for the Ohsweken Shootout scheduled for Friday, September 14th, during Canadian Sprint Car Nationals weekend. Gates open at 6:00 with racing starting at 7:45!
COMING SOON
Advanced reserved seat tickets for the 8th annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals coming up on Friday, September 14, and Saturday, September 15 at Ohsweken are on sale now! Please visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com and call 1-888-720-RACE to order yours today!
FRIDAY NIGHT THUNDER 2012
RACE REPORT – AUGUST 24
OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY
OHSWEKEN, ONTARIO
EVENT SPONSORS –
KIDS RACE & GALE’S AUTO AFTERMARKET
TOTAL ENTRIES – 106
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING SPRINT CARS (25 entries)
HEAT RACES (8 laps each – Top 16 in passing points transferred to A-Feature):
Finish. [Starting Position] Number Name (Hometown)
ENGLER MACHINE & TOOL HEAT RACE #1
1. [1] 35 Jared Zimbardi (Salamanca, NY), 2. [3] 10 Mitch Brown (Brantford), 3. [2] 01 Mikey Kruchka (Hamilton), 4. [7] 51 Bryan Howland (Auburn, NY), 5. [5] 5m Brad Malloy (Niagara Falls), 6. [6] 33k Kyle Patrick (Tilbury), 7. [8] 9nz Havard Daniels (Coatesville, NZ), 8. [9] 84 Tyler Rand (Consecon), 9. [4] 40 Sammy Steiss (Ohsweken). Time – 1:58.148.
GRISDALE RACING PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #2
1. [5] 27h Tom Huppunen (Fenwick), 2. [1] 0 Glenn Styres (Ohsweken), 3. [6] 80 Chris Steele (Fenwick), 4. [7] 07x Dain Naida (Tecumseh, MI), 5. [4] 49 Todd Hoddick (Cheektowaga, NY), 6. [2] 11 Jamie Turner (Caistor Centre), 7. [8] 5c Conor Mahoney (Waterdown), 8. [3] 15 Mike Ferrell (London). Time – 1:54.978.
O’NEIL’S FARM EQUIPMENT HEAT RACE #3
1. [3] 5 Keith Dempster (Alton), 2. [1] 14h Jim Huppunen (Fenwick), 3. [8] 71 Travis Cunningham (Grimsby), 4. [4] 3r Shane Ross (Thedford), 5. [2] 30g Steve Goldner (Aylmer), 6. [5] 49x Scott Kreutter (Alden, NY), 7. [6] 31 John Burbridge, Jr. (St. Williams), 8. [7] 94 Stan Zanchin (Fort Erie). Time – 1:58.097.
AWESOME RACEWEAR B-MAIN
(10 laps – Top 6 finishers transfer to A-Feature)
1. 49x Scott Kreutter, 2. 9nz Havard Daniels, 3. 84 Tyler Rand, 4. 5c Conor Mahoney, 5. 11 Jamie Turner, 6. 31 John Burbridge, Jr., 7. 40 Sammy Steiss, 8. 94 Stan Zanchin, 9. 15 Mike Ferrell. Time – 2:29.110.
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING
SPRINT CAR FEATURE (20 laps)
Finish. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 27h Tom Huppunen (2)
2. 0 Glenn Styres (1)
3. 01 Mikey Kruchka (3)
4. 51 Bryan Howland (6)
5. 35 Jared Zimbardi (5)
6. 80 Chris Steele (11)
7. 07x Dain Naida (7)
8. 14h Jim Huppunen (10)
9. 71 Travis Cunningham (9)
10. 11 Jamie Turner (21)
11. 9nz Havard Daniels (18)
12. 5 Keith Dempster (12)
13. 33k Kyle Patrick (16)
14. 5m Brad Malloy (13)
15. 49x Scott Kreutter (17)
16. 49 Todd Hoddick (14)
17. 5c Conor Mahoney (20)
18. 31 John Burbridge, Jr. (22)
19. 10 Mitch Brown (4) DNF
20. 3r Shane Ross (8) DNF
21. 30g Steve Goldner (15) DNF
22. 84 Tyler Rand (19) DNF
No Time.
Lap Leaders – Huppunen (1-16, 18-20), Styres (17).
SPRINT CAR AWARDS:
Nathan Ackland State Farm Insurance “Top Gun” (highest passing points total): ($100)
LIGHTHOUSE TATTOOS THUNDER STOCKS (36 entries)
HEAT RACES (8 laps each – Top 4 finishers in each transferred to A-Feature, Top 3 from each redrew for A-Feature starting positions):
Finish. Number Name (Hometown)
ENGINE PRO RACING HEAT RACE #1
1. 55 Mike Thorne (Caledonia), 2. 2 Lee Winger (Caledonia), 3. 33t Cory Turner (Caistor Centre), 4. 33m Jack Myers (Wainfleet), 5. 8 Ryan Dinning (Caledonia), 6. 57 Murray Nicholls (Hamilton), 7. 85b Luke Greiner (Barrie), 8. 4 Chris Gyokery (Jarvis), 9. 9 Dave Silverthorn, Jr. (London).
6 NATIONS BINGO HEAT RACE #2
1. 91 Ryan Turner (Caistor Centre), 2. m1 Rob Murray (St. Catharines), 3. 5h Devin Habiuk (Port Robinson), 4. 00x Derek Miller (Ohsweken), 5. 84rk Ryan Beagle (Vittoria), 6. 40 Terry Osmond (Cambridge), 7. 23 Tim DeBoer (Caledonia), 8. 85h Bucky Hill.
O’NEIL’S FARM EQUIPMENT HEAT RACE #3
1. 12 Brad Herron (Waterford), 2. 17 Rob Disher (Grimsby), 3. 04 Wyatt Van wart (Cambridge), 4. 48 Shaun Quinn (Caledonia), 5. 25 Billy Bleich, Jr. (Port Robinson), 6. 68 Aaron Turkey (Ohsweken), 7. 56b Brad Sheehan (St. Catharines), 8. 38 Terry Martin (Ohsweken), 9. 00 Robbie General (Ohsweken).
METAL WORKS HEAT RACE #4
1. 10 Jake Brown (Brantford), 2. 23x Dave Bitner, Jr. (Port Colborne), 3. 4k Kevin Knapp (Thorold), 4. 333 Kameron Kocarik (Fonthill), 5. 11r Bryce Richardson (Port Colborne), 6. 67 Dave Small (Port Colborne), 7. 28 Jim Lampman (Caistor Centre) DNF, 8. 77 Brett Rodwell (Caledonia) DNF, 9. 13 Kacey Huffman (Hamilton) DNF.
LIGHTHOUSE TATTOOS THUNDER STOCKS B-MAIN
(10 laps – Top 10 finishers transferred to A-Feature)
1. 56b Brad Sheehan, 2. 67 Dave Small, 3. 8 Ryan Dinning, 4. 11r Bryce Richardson, 5. 68 Aaron Turkey, 6. 85b Luke Greiner, 7. 84rk Ryan Beagle, 8. 38 Terry Martin, 9. 40 Terry Osmond, 10. 25 Billy Bleich, Jr., 11. 9 Dave Silverthorn, Jr., 12. 00x Derek Miller, 13. 23 Tim DeBoer, 14. 00 Robbie General, 15. 4 Chris Gyokery, 16. 57 Murray Nicholls DNF, 17. 85h Bucky Hill DNF, DNS. 28 Jim Lampman, DNS. 77 Brett Rodwell, DNS. 13 Kacey Huffman.
LIGHTHOUSE TATTOOS THUNDER STOCKS
“BROCK LEONARD MEMORIAL 50”
A-FEATURE (50 laps)
Finish. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 12 Brad Herron (6)
2. 33t Cory Turner (3)
3. 91 Ryan Turner (2)
4. 5h Devin Habiuk (14)
5. m1 Rob Murray (11)
6. 1 Chris Dickie (8)
7. 55 Mike Thorne (7)
8. 11r Bryce Richardson (20)
9. 84rk Ryan Beagle (23)
10. 9 Dave Silverthorn, Jr. (26)
11. 8 Ryan Dinning (19)
12. 2 Lee Winger (10)
13. 40 Terry Osmond (25)
14. 48 Shaun Quinn (15)
15. 23x Dave Bitner, Jr. (9)
16. 4k Kevin Knapp (5)
17. 38 Terry Martin (24)
18. 10 Jake Brown (4)
19. 68 Aaron Turkey (21)
20. 33m Jack Myers (13) DNF
21. 17 Rob Disher (12) DNF
22. 67 Dave Small (18) DNF
23. 333 Kameron Kocarik (16) DNF
24. 04 Wyatt Van Wart (1) DNF
25. 56b Brad Sheehan (17) DNF
26. 85b Luke Greiner (22) DNF
DNS. 25 Billy Bleich, Jr. (26)
HRW AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS (24 entries)
HEAT RACES (8 laps each):
Finish. Number Name (Hometown)
ENGINE PRO RACING HEAT RACE #1
1. 81h Lee Hils (Dundas), 2. 4 Jason Coutu (St. Catharines), 3. 10 Laura Hughes (Flamboro), 4. 53 Sarah Rutherford (Dundas), 5. 27 Ashton Reekie (Hamilton), 6. 12 Jonathan Ayrton (Hamilton), 7. 11 Mike Giberson (Caledonia), 8. 69 Rob Twitchett (Dundas).
STYRES GAS BAR HEAT RACE #2
1. 99 Robin Elliott (Woodstock), 2. 69e Dan Erskine (Caistor Centre), 3. 55 Rob Slater (Dundas), 4. 22 Brittani Myers (Hamilton), 5. 79 Steve Miller (Paris), 6. 05 Dave Goodacre (Brantford), 7. 84 Dale Gyokery (Jarvis), 8. 38 Bill Rutherford (Dundas).
O’NEIL’S FARM EQUIPMENT HEAT RACE #3
1. 10j Jeremy Hughes (Burlington), 2. 777x Steve Hess (Ohsweken), 3. 7 Jason Lungaro (Hamilton), 4. 81 Karl Sault (Dundas), 5. 02 Mike Taylor (Burlington), 6. 265 Mike Evers (Caledonia), 7. 44 Josh Shantz (St. Agatha), 8. 64 Doug Erskine (Hamilton) DNF.
HRW AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS
A-FEATURE (20 laps)
Finish. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 10j Jeremy Hughes (9)
2. 81 Karl Sault (15)
3. 38 Bill Rutherford (23)
4. 02 Mike Taylor (4)
5. 81h Lee Hils (18)
6. 265 Mike Evers (11)
7. 99 Robin Elliott (14)
8. 7 Jason Lungaro (13)
9. 777x Steve Hess (16)
10. 10 Laura Hughes (2)
11. 79 Steve Miller (12)
12. 64 Doug Erskine (24)
13. 22 Brittani Myers (7)
14. 44 Josh Shantz (21)
15. 05 Dave Goodacre (10)
16. 84 Dale Gyokery (20)
17. 55 Rob Slater (6)
18. 27 Ashton Reekie (1)
19. 12 Jonathan Ayrton (8)
20. 4 Jason Coutu (17)
21. 53 Sarah Rutherford (3)
22. 69e Dan Erskine (5)
23. 11 Mike Giberson (19)
24. 69 Rob Twitchett (22) DNF
MODIFIED LITE STARS
INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR (6 entries)
HEAT RACE (6 laps)
Finish. Number Name (Hometown)
1. 19 Jason Corless (Bolton), 2. 61 Derek Wagner (Middleport, NY), 3. 1 Paul Klager (Beamsville), 4. 77 Randy Hollingshead (Stoney Creek), 5. 91 Derek Moore (Welland), 6. 23 Jeff May (Mount Hope). Time: 1:53.089.
MODIFIED LITE STARS
INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR
A-FEATURE (15 laps)
Finish. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 61 Derek Wagner (5)
2. 91 Derek Moore (3)
3. 1 Paul Klager (4)
4. 77 Randy Hollingshead (2)
5. 23 Jeff May (1)
6. 19 Jason Corless (6)
No Time.
PIERCED PARTS BOMBERS (15 entries)
HEAT RACES (6 laps each)
Finish. Number Name (Hometown)
HEAT RACE #1
1. 42 Joe DeBoer (Hagersville), 2. 6 Wayde Thorne (Waterford), 3. 16x Dwight Staats (Ohsweken), 4. 44 Tylor Brock (Dunnville), 5. 21 Mark Bazuin (Caledonia), 6. 007 Ian Myerscough (Burlington), 7. 21x Grant O’Neal, 8. 07 Savannah Jonker (Woodstock).
HEAT RACE #2
1. 66 Brady Longboat (Ohsweken), 2. 5 Kathi Dickie (Brantford), 3. 18x Davey Boughton (Carlisle), 4. 97 Max Chechalk (Hamilton), 5. 23 Dusty DeBoer (Hagersville), 6. 707 Danny Shantz (St. Agatha), 7. 16 Jeremy May (Hamilton).
PIERCED PARTS BOMBERS
A-FEATURE (15 laps)
Finish. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 21 Mark Bazuin (1)
2. 5 Kathi Dickie (6)
3. 23 Dusty DeBoer (7)
4. 16x Dwight Staats (3)
5. 18x Davey Boughton (9)
6. 97 Max Chechalk (8)
7. 42 Joe DeBoer (4)
8. 007 Ian Myerscough (11)
9. 44 Tylor Brock (10)
10. 707 Danny Shantz (12)
11. 21x Grant O’Neal (13)
12. 6 Wayde Thorne (14)
13. 07 Jeremy May (15)
14. 66 Brady Longboat (5) DNF
DNS. 16 Savannah Jonker (14)
Notes: Jeremy May drove Savannah Jonker’s #07 in A-Feature.
UP NEXT @ OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY:
FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012
WOOSTOCK FORD PRESENTS:
THE AWESOME RACEWEAR “LABOUR DAY SPECIAL”
FEATURING CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING SPRINT CARS,
LIGHTHOUSE TATTOOS THUNDER STOCKS,
HRW AUTOMOTIVE MINI-STOCKS,
& PIERCED PARTS BOMBERS,
PLUS “DOUBLE FLAGPOLE RACE”, & KIDS BOX CAR RACES
ADULTS $12, SENIORS AND STUDENTS $10, KIDS 12 AND UNDER FREE!
SPECTATOR GATES OPEN @ 6:00 P.M., RACING @ 7:45 P.M.