A new month of action kicked-off Saturday, July 5th on Canada’s Toughest 3d of a Mile Paved Oval with racing for the Earl Ireland Auto Sales Late Model, Parry Spring Service Renegade Truck, Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun, Peterborough Hyundai Mini Stock and Ontario Legend divisions. Peterborough Speedway was also happy to welcome the Canadian National Autism Foundation for Autism Awareness Night.

The Earl Ireland Auto Sales Late Models were the first of the night’s main events to hit the tight, tricky bullring on Mount Pleasant Road, west of the Liftlock City. Rookie of the Year hopeful Matt Spence and Craig Parry brought the pack to the stripe for their 20 lap headline dance. Before a lap went into the books, the yellow was displayed when Adam Cuthbertson spun the #31 of Jack Horner, coming off the 2nd turn. Ryan Kimball started deep in the field but took the lead with12 laps complete and held off the competition to become the Late Model division’s first repeat feature winner. Spence, Parry, Cuthbertson and Al Shepstone completed the top 5.

Jeff Vandebelt and Stephen Bierworth paced the Parry Spring Service Renegade Trucks to the green flag. With 4 laps complete, leaders Jack Dallin and Vandebelt came through the 3rd and 4th turns and Vandebelt made hard contact with Bierworth, who had spun high on the track. Bierworth pulled to the infield escape road, while Vandebelt was towed from the scene with flat tire. Quick attention from the crew got Vandebelt back onto the track before the green flag. Dallin collected another feature win, with O’Hara second. Vandebelt, Stacey Bierworth and Stephen Bierworth rounded-out the fast 5.

With the goal of reaching Dart Heating and Air Conditioning victory lane, Matthew Vandebelt and Brandon Feeney started from the front row in the Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun main event. Halfway through the 20 lap distance, Tiffany Vandebelt was in control of the field, with drivers fighting for position all the way around the track. A late race spin by Feeney created a green-white-checkered finish and that was all the temptation Griffin Powell needed to steal the win away from Tiffany Vandebelt. Andrew Massey, Willow Barberstock and Matthew Vandebelt completed the top 5.

Defending track champion Ryan Oosterholt and James Townsend paced the Peterborough Hyundai Mini Stock crowd to the line for their 20 lap feature. Oosterholt, Ryan Babin and Townsend broke away from the pack, with Tyler Junkin closing in 4th. Even with his 3 teammates and a hungry pack on his tail, Oosterholt led every lap for the win. A trio of Farm Bro Racing team cars were first across the stripe, with Babin and Townsend following Oosterholt across the line. Tyler Junkin and Kevin Strutt were 4th and 5th.

Corey Hayward and Fred Jordan brought a strong field of Ontario Legends machines from the staging area for a 25 lapper that would close-out the night’s action. With 6 laps complete, Bill Mason and Hayward tangled on the front stretch as the leaders were entering the first turn. Defending series champ Nick Ledson had taken the lead, with Matt Haufe running second when green flag racing returned to Canada’s Toughest 3rd of a Mile Paved Oval. Haufe had hoped to run away and hide during the late stages, but even though second best was the best he could do, Nick Ledson was never far from his back bumper. Cole Ledson, Duane Cinnamon and Mason chased the lead duo to the checkered flag.

Heat race wins on the night went to Ryan Kimball and Craig Parry in Late Model action, Jeff Vandebelt and Bill O’Hara in the Renegade Trucks, while James Townsend and Tyler Junkin shared Mini Stock checkered flags. Andrew Massey had a pair of 4Fun qualifier wins, with Griffin Powell and Tiffany Vandebelt taking the others. Nicholas Ledson claimed a couple of Legends heats, with Cole Ledson and Matt Haufe also winning a preliminary event.

Bullring bullet points: Oshawa’s Randy Patterson walked away from Peterborough Speedway with an extra $423 after winning the night’s 50/50 draw…Veteran Al Shepstone made his first start of the year, wheeling the #55 Late Model from Jessup Motorsports. Andrew Massey took a turn behind the wheel of the #50 4Fun ride usually piloted by Ray Schroer. Former 2 time Mosport/Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Speedway Pure Stock track champion Willy Howells made his first start with the Ontario Legend Series.

Saturday, July 12th action returns to Canada’s Toughest 3rd of a Mile Paved Oval when Country 105 presents the Mid Summer Shootout. Racing includes the Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun, Peterborough Hyundai Mini Stock, Parry Spring Service Renegade Truck, Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car and OMRS Ontario Modifieds Racing Series divisions. There will be a kid’s barrel race at the intermission. Pit gates open at 3:00, with the spectator areas unlocked at 5:00 and racing at 6:00.

Fans can always find the latest news at www.peterboroughspeedway.com or by liking the track on Facebook or following it on Twitter. You can also download the free Peterborough Speedway app on your Smartphone.