The 2014 season at Peterborough Speedway came down to a one-night showdown Saturday, August 30th as the Championship Clash settled this year’s track championships in the Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun, Peterborough Hyundai Mini Stock, Parry Spring Service Renegade Truck, Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car and Earl Ireland Auto Sales Late Model divisions. In addition to the title fights, fans also witnessed action with the popular OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Models.

Main events for the night took the green flag with a 15 lapper for the Parry Spring Service Renegade Trucks, as Bill O’Hara and Stephen Bierworth occupied the front row. With a handful of laps complete, the top 4 machines broke away from the pack. Bierworth and O’Hara were in control, with 7 time feature winner Jack Dallin running comfortably in 4 spot. Bierworth hung on for the win, with O’Hara, Andy McCann, Josh Milwain and Jack Dallin completing the top 5. Dallin clinched the 2014 point title.

Chris Mulders and Brandon Hannah paced the Peterborough Hyundai Mini Stock field to the line for their 20 lap feature tilt. The pack wasn’t through the first turn before Hannah slapped the outside wall, ending the night for the #47. From the restart, things settled down until Mulders and James Townsend were involved in a turn 3 mishap with 6 laps on the scoreboard, to bring out another caution flag. With the former race leaders taking their spots at the back of the pack, the point contenders – Babin and Junkin – were now running nose to tail in 1st and 3rd for the restart. With 18 laps complete, the Babin was leading when Junkin made contact with the #89 on the back straight. Junkin was parked for the night due to rough driving, handing the crown to Babin. James Townsend scored the feature win, over Kevin Strutt, Donovan Price, Ember Junkin and Babin.

As the Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car teams came to the stripe, Steve Mayhew and Mike Balson led the way, but everyone was waiting for the outcome of the battle between title hopefuls Howie Crowe and Anthony DiBello. Aggressive racing was evident throughout the pack, but it wasn’t until the lap counter read 16 down that the championship ‘fight’ would live up to its name. A yellow flag bunched the field, putting Crowe and DiBello within striking distance of each other. Crowe needed to work around Donny Beatty to catch DiBello, while at the front of the pack John Baker Jr. and Daryl Fice had moved past Mayhew. At the checkered flag, it was Baker, Fice, Mayhew, DiBello and Donny Beatty. Anthony DiBello clinched the track championship by a single point over Crowe.

Championship hopeful Ray Schroer and Griffin Powell brought the field of 18 Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun teams to the green flag for their ‘A’ main. The battles were strong throughout the pack, but at the end of the 20 lap dance, the checkered flag belonged to Griffin Powell, with Matthew Vanderbelt, Tiffany Vanderbelt, Schroer and Cody Fenton finishing out the top 5. She may have finished 13th in the final rundown after a late race spin on the backstretch, but it was a strong enough run to award Willow Barberstock with the 2014 track championship.

The Earl Ireland Auto Sales Late Model track championship was clinched by Ryan Kimball, just by taking the green flag in the showcase event. The #73 car started 2nd, alongside polesitter Bryan Mercer. A pair of early yellow flags may have delayed the issue, but not the final result. Despite multiple on track incidents involving a number of competitors, Kimball was officially named the 2014 Late Model champ at Canada’s Toughest 3rd of a Mile Paved Oval with a 3rd place finish. Dan McHattie took the win over Tyler Betts. Al Shepstone and Craig Parry were 4th and 5th.

The 50 lap OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Model feature went to John Owen, over Glenn Watson and Jesse Kennedy. Full race details can be found at www.oscaar.ca.

Qualifying event wins went to Jack Dallin and Stephen Bierworth in the Parry Spring Service Renegade Trucks. Tyler Junkin with a pair, James Townsend and Ryan Babin won the Peterborough Hyundai Mini Stock preliminary rounds. Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car heats belonged to Daryl Fice with a pair, John Baker Jr. and Howie Crowe. Marilyn Junkin, Willow Barberstock, Jeremy Kelly and Matthew Vanderbelt took the Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun qualifiers. Earl Ireland Auto Sales Late Model qualifiers were won by Tyler Betts, Al Shepstone, Bryan Mercer and Ryan Kimball. Shane Gowan, Mike Beyore, Kevin Cornelius and Corey Jones claimed the OSCAAR heat races.

Bullring Bullet Points: The 50/50 draw paid $908.00 to Joe Oliver of Brampton…With the point championships on the line, track officials were kept busy, as the margins changed several times following each event…Cole McFadden – who raced an Inex Ontario Legends machine just a week ago – made his first start with the Late Model division. Another Ontario Legends driver, Fred Jordan took a turn at the controls of the 4Fun machine of Scott Brooks…Thunder Car driver Dan Price missed the final night of action after breaking an axle during one of the pre-race practice sessions. He spent the rest of the night as a crew member on Kelly Balson’s #B10 Super Late Model…Mini Stock driver Danny Benedict had his night come to an early end when the #54 Mustang blew a head gasket.

Race action at the tight, tricky bullring on Mount Pleasant Road, west of the Liftlock City now takes a break until an open practice session for the Autumn Colours Classic – from 9:00 ’til 3:00 – Saturday, September 13th. The 22nd running Super Bowl of Stockcar Racing – presented by Lucas Oil Products – takes centre stage October 10th, 11th and 12th.

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.