Canada’s Toughest 3rd of a Mile Paved Oval Hosts a Hot Night of Action
Peterborough Speedway pulled the cover off a new month – Saturday, July 4th – as the Mini Stock, Renegade Truck and Earl Ireland Auto Sales Late Model teams were joined by the INEX Ontario Legends and Ontario Modifieds Racing Series for an exciting night of edge of your seat action.
Feature race action got underway with a 20 lapper for the Mini Stocks, with Dwight Lavoie and Steven Brier on the front row. The pack was working through the backmarkers with just 6 laps on the scoreboard, as Lavoie had a 4 car battle in his rear-view mirror. Almonte, Ontario’s Nolan Gould grabbed the top spot at halfway, with current point leader Tyler Junkin chasing his back bumper. With drivers fighting for position throughout the pack, the feature ran caution free with Gould taking the win over Junkin. Brandon Hannah, Lavoie and Donovan Price finished out the top 5.
Billy O’Hara Jr. and opening night feature winner Tim Burke brought the Renegade Truck division to the Great Canadian RV green flag for a 15 lap affair. After a rough start that saw former track champion Bill O’Hara sent off the track for rough driving, things settled down with Chris Burrage taking his first feature win over Tim Burke and Jack Dallin.
Mark Gordon and Matt Spence brought the field of close to 15 Earl Ireland Auto Sales Late Model teams from the staging area for their 25 lap headline dance. As the pack had barely taken the green flag, Spence was sent spinning into the second turn wall after contact. With 11 laps complete, Tyler Betts tapped Mike Wallace to bring out a yellow flag. Under the gentleman’s rule, Betts accepted responsibility for the incident and Wallace – who was running second – got his spot back. 17 laps showed on the scoreboard when Jeff Toms was sent spinning coming off the second turn. Gordon led every lap of the show for his first win of the season. Dan McHattie was second, with Al Shepstone, Dave Morgan and Betts following the lead duo across the line.
Alex Pacheco from Charlotte, North Carolina and Kevin Foisy brought the INEX Ontario Legends Series drivers to the stripe for their 25 lap feature. Pacheco, Nicholas Ledson and Foisy took off early, with Brian Saunders, Dave Riopelle and Cole Ledson chasing the lead trio. As the leaders scored the 7th lap, something broke on the #11 machine, sending Michael Glaze into the 3rd turn wall. The driver was unhurt, but the car was unable to continue. After 12 circuits, Foisy and Nick Ledson made contact entering the 3rd turn. Neither driver was hurt and each car to their place at the tail of the field for the restart. Pacheco took the win over Saunders. Nick Ledson made it back to 3rd at the checkers, with Riopelle and Foisy 4th and 5th.
Action wrapped-up with a 25 lap feature tilt for the Ontario Modifieds Racing Series. Nick Lees and John Baker Jr. brought the field to the line, with Lees building a strong lead by the time there were 3 circuits complete. With the #09 in front, a 5 car dog fight was for second spot was being waged for about the first half of the event. Dan Price slowed on the track with 9 complete and 4 circuits later, JBJ would grab a lead he’d never relinquish. Lees held on for second, with Ryan Dick, Brad Stevenson and Donny Beatty completing the top 5.
Qualifying heat wins on the night went to Tyler Junkin with a pair, Donovan Price and Kevin Strutt in the Mini Stocks. Chris Burrage and Jack Dallin in the Renegade Truck field. Tyler Betts, Mike Wallace, Dave Morgan and Al Shepstone took the Earl Ireland Auto Sales Late Model heats, with Nick Ledson, Kevin Foisy and Alex Pacheco grabbed the INEX Ontario Legends preliminary rounds. Nick Lees with a pair, John Baker Jr. and Alex Lees grabbed the OMRS checkered flags.
Bullring bullet points: Mike Wallace made his first start of the season in the Earl Ireland Auto Sales Late Model field. Cavan, Ontario’s Dan McHattie took a turn in the #29 Late Model of Bryan Sudsbury, while 2014 Thunder Car track champion Anthony DiBello wheeled Cole McFadden’s #20…Brandon Feeney took advantage of a break in the schedule and ran his 4Fun car with the Mini Stocks…Doug Dallin drove his son Jordan’s machine in the Renegade Truck division.
Action returns to Canada’s Toughest 3rd of a Mile Paved Oval Saturday, July 11th with the second Toonie Spectator Grandstand Admission/Fan Appreciation Night, presented by Pepsi. Racing includes the Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun, Mini Stock, Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car and Earl Ireland Auto Sales Late Model divisions, with the Ontario Modifieds Racing Series. Pit gates open at 2:00, with the spectator grandstands unlocked at 4:00 and the first green flag at 5:00.
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