Brennan Didero Wins Back To Back Lucas Oil Sportsman Features At Flamboro Speedway

By Randy Spencer - The final one hundred lap race at Bennett Chevrolet Flamboro Speedway in 2015 turned out to be one crazy affair here Saturday night. The Lucas Oil Sportsman series put on another great show, the second one in two weeks and a familiar face once again put himself in victory lane.

Time trials got under way at 530pm. Fourteen cars were ready to try and break the LOSC track record of 15.369 put down by Shawn McGlynn a couple years back. But the hot and humid weather would likely prevent that record from falling. And indeed when all was said and done the record wasn't in much trouble as the fast time on the night went once again to McGlynn, this time however about a full second off the record time. Fast time on the night was 16.348.

Feature racing got underway at 630pm with the first of two Pure Stock main events. Peter Becker and Wayde Thorne were on the pole and Becker as usual got off to a quick start and took the lead off the first lap. A caution on lap 5 as Caroline Kelly's car came to a stop close to the wall in turn four. Ten laps in the 17 of Blair Mayhew and 10 of Lofton Schutts got involved heading into turn three. Mayhew who was debuting a new car on the night after a hard hit to the other car last time out, took a hard hit backwards and up onto the wall. The rear bumper came off and the force of the crash affected the transmission and the car would not go in reverse. He went to the pits for repairs and was able to return before the end of the race. He was pretty sore after the race. Up front Peter Becker continued to lead but he was challenged through out by Josh Shantz, making a rare appearance back in the Pure Stock, over from the dirt at Ohsweken. As the checkers flew it was Becker followed by Shantz and Michael Kenny.

Chad Ditner and Dave Goodacre led the Mini Stocks to green in their first feature of the night. Early on a flat on the 92 of A.J. Miller on lap three brought the first caution. Clark Hartman who had been running very well of late started third and took the lead and built it to a ten car lead early on. Chad Ditner and Scott Mast raced hard behind making the real battle for second and third. Shawn Taylor's car started to slow after running close to the front and a suspected mass airflow switch was the culprit. Hartman continued to battle is way through lapped traffic and as the race came to an end it was Hartman followed by Ditner and Mast.

Seven Thunder Cars took green in their first feature of the night. Justin Collison, still showing he's coming along strong in his rookie season led the first six laps. But right their on his back bumper was the Ice Man, dad Brad Collison in the 89. My first thought was maybe dad would block for son to get him that first checkered flag but in true Collison fashion, he raced hard and wasn't about to hand over the victory that easy. Brad got by Justin and managed to build up a half track lead when the checkered flag fell on this race.

The Pro 4 Modifieds had two ten lap heat races to wrap up round one of qualifying. Dan Petit and Linc Ersion led the field to green. Early on you could have thrown a blanket over the first four cars as Petit, Josh Lassaline, Dan Nanticoke and Erison battled hard. Coming out of four on lap six, Lassaline took the lead followed closely by Nanticoke. The two battled hard the last couple of laps and Lassaline held off a hard charge by Nanticoke for the victory.

Race two saw a couple of drivers familiar with the track but not recently. Ryan Hunsinger was in the 8 for Craig Shaver and the 36 of Gary Elliott was out with his Modified. Gear box problems gave the veteran Elliott fits all night however. Hunsinger got out to a big lead early and his only real challenge came from Tom Houghton in the 33. A few more laps Houghton, a stand out at Full Throttle Motor Speedway, may have made it close but at the checkers it was Hunsinger leading flag to flag for the victory.

Round two of features saw Roger Lessard and Lofton Schutts lead 20 Pure Stocks to green. The field of cars steadily increases every week and with that many cars, racing can get pretty wild. Three wide and three deep off the start. Andy Wheller was off like a shot followed by Shantz. Four wide action on lap three as the craziness continued. As the lead cars headed out of four and down the straight away on lap 13, the 59 of Peter Becker and 70 of Josh Shantz were beating and banging on each other and neither would give an inch. Both cars were headed for the infield with Becker going around and had to head to the pits with a flat. A couple more cautions as the cars continued to battle hard and fast for position. Shantz and Wheller were hard at it battling door to door and bumper to bumper. It appeared that Shantz was better in the corners while the veteran Wheller had it on the straights. As the cars came down to take the checkered flag Wheller held off Shantz for the win.

The second Mini Stock feature saw Shawn Taylor and Hudson Nagy up front. Taylor was hoping they had figured out the gremlins in that car after the first race. The car was great off the start and shot out to the lead but the 71 of Russ Aicken and 03 of Jake Gilbert got tangled down the back stretch and brought out the caution. On the restart the story was different as the 76 slowed up once again and eventually retired to the pits. Nagy was the new leader followed by Scott Mast, Clark Hartman and Chad Ditner. Mast made a couple attempts to take the lead and almost took it from Nagy. A couple laps later Mast slowed heading into turn three with a flat tire, went high and the field went past as he made his way to the pits. Nagy continued to lead and now had the crafty veteran Clark Hartman on his tail. Hartman made numerous attempts to pass Nagy but fell short. On lap 13 down the front stretch Hartman once again almost had him but to no avail. Three laps later heading into turn three, the scatter shield came off Nagy's car and he cut a tire as he ran over it allowing Harman to get by and take the lead. Ditner and Aicken were close behind. Hartman held off the field and made a clean sweep in Mini Stock feature wins on the night.

Flamboro Speedway July 18, 2015 Mini Stock

The Thunder Cars were next and Jeff Bean and Shawn Arnott were up front. The 7 of Bobby Mercer retired to the pits on lap four with transmission problems he had been experiencing all night. With just five cars left to battle you might think it would be a ho hum race but Collison and Arnott made it anything but. The two battled back and forth making contact, banging bumpers and plenty of great side by side action. Collison got by Arnott on lap 7 going down the back stretch and held off the hard charger out of New Hamburg and Collison too made it a clean sweep on the night.

The final feature race before the 100 lap man event was for the Pro 4 Modifieds. Thirteen cars took the green, this time led by Dan Petit and Mark Lucas. Gary Elliott still experiencing those gear box issues retired to the pits on lap one. Thee wide action on lap five showed these guys meant business, Dan Nanticoke was running real well and shot out to the lead early. As the race approached half way, Nantiokce had a half track lead. A caution on lap 10 as the 8 of Hunsinger spun down the back chute, sliding back up into traffic narrowly averting a crash. That tightened the field and Nanticoke lined up along side Tom Houghton. But a good restart by Nanticoke kept him out front. The 24 of Josh Lassaline got high out of four a couple laps later and showed some fancy driving to hold onto to third place and as the cars took the checkers it was Nanticoke followed by Houghton and Lassaline.

Prior to the start of the race, the fast five draw took place for the Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup drivers to set the starting five for the feature. After qualifying the top five looked like this, Shawn McGlynn, Chad McGlynn, Dave Connelly, Tim Tolton and Alvin McNichol. After the fast five draw where each driver was paired with a youngster from the crowd, the order changed to McNichol with his first pole, Chad McGlynn, Shawn McGlynn, Connelly and Tolton. Chad McGlynn got out to an early lead leading lap one. He continued out front followed closely by brother Shawn and McNichol. By lap 14 they had a half track lead on the next pack of cars and lap traffic was now becoming an issue. The 6 of Jeremy Coulter brought out the first caution on lap 23  with a spin in turn three bringing the pack back to even. This time however the cars kept it close with Chad still in the lead. Brother Shawn was second with McNichol and Brennan Didero in fourth. Didero who won last time out here two weeks ago, showed his experience at this track and why he has picked up the name Mr. Highside. Didero has mastered the outside lane and ran it well once again tonight. Chad led brother Shawn as the race approached half way. Lapped traffic caused Shawn some problems and before he knew it, he was caught on the outside and was quickly shuttled back to fifth spot. At the half way Dave Connelly took over the lead followed by Didero and McNichol. Another spin by Coulter on lap 65 once again tightened the field. Connelly led and Didero was once again battling Shawn McGlynn. Several cautions between laps 70 and 76 slowed the action down. On the restart on lap 77, all hell broke loose and all but three cars were involved in a major wreck. A hurried restart or fluid on the track may have been contributing factors as contact was made with the 81 of Shawn McGlynn sending him spinning out and collecting number of the contending cars including Didero, Connelly, Cathcart, Wood, and McNichol.  McNichol and Cathcart were unable to continue and a promising start for McNichol was all for not. The only cars to make it through were Brennan Didero, Mike Nelson and Kevin Trevellin. However Didero had a flat and had to go pit-side and rejoin the pack at the rear. Chad McGlynn also had to retire for the evening when his rear end seized up. The new leader now was Mike Nelson. Nelson had a horseshoe perhaps as he was lapped several times but regained his position each time with the lucky dog. The restart went off well and Didero and McGlynn made their way to the front. Josh Wood drove into the 8 of Adam Martin sending him spinning bringing out another caution with ten to go. Some hard nosed battles as the leaders jockeyed for position. Didero continued to hold off Shawn McGlynn and the two continued to lap 99 when Bob Merrifield and Mike Nelson spun in one and two but the leaders took the white so that meant the yellow and checkers flew to end the race and the 24 of Brennan Didero won his second straight LOSC race at his home track and continued his points lead in the series.

Flamboro Speedway July 18,2015 Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup

That brought to a close another exciting night of racing at Bennett Chevrolet Flamboro Speedway. Please make plans to join us next week, July 25th. Racing gets under way at 7pm as the Lucas Oil Can Am Midgets and Ontario Pro Challenge return. They are also joined by the Ray’s Auto Centre & Towing Thunder Cars, Klotz Auto Repair & Engine Machine Shop Mini Stocks and the BOMB Energy Drink Pro 4 Modifieds. Pit gates open at 4pm, Grandstands at 5pm and green flag flies at 7pm.

DON'T FORGET, at intermission is Spectator Drags, a.k.a. King of the Hill, bring your car from the parking lot, square off with another fan to battle for the $100 prize. All you need is a helmet and working seat belt. Sign in, in the pit tower prior to racing.

-Please check the website, www.flamborospeedway.ca for more details including the schedule, Admission Prices for the grandstands and pits and updated point standings for all divisions.
-Make sure you follow us on twitter as well @flamborospdwy
-Thanks to Ingrid Hartman for the videos and to Mike Kiers for the great photos!

Unofficial Results

Pure Stock Feature #1 : #59 Peter Becker, #70 Josh Shantz, #07 Michael Kenny, #90 Andy Wheller, #95 Wayde Thorne, #25 Jason Tolton (-1J), #7 Matt Young, #44 Sam Heibien, #77 Jeff Miller, #24 Tyler Mayhew, #01 Thomas Ward, #42 Leo Labarbera, #14 Elijah Hawrylyshyn, #10 Lofton Schutts, #69 Roger Lessard, #31 Keara Gallant, #17 Tyler Mayhew, #61 Jerome Falle (NF), #5 Courney Scott (NF), #79 Caroline Kelly (NF)

Pure Stock Feature #2 : #90 Andy Wheller, #70 Josh Shantz, #07 Michael Kenny, #25 Jason Tolton, #95 Wayde Thorne, #10 Lofton Schutts, #7 Matt Young, #77 Jeff Miller, #69 Roger Lessard, #44 Sam Heibien, #24 Tyler Mayhew, #42 Leo Labarbera, #31 Keara Gallant, #01 Thomas Ward, #14 Elijah Hawrylyshyn, #17 Blair Mayhew, #5 Courtney Scott, #59 Peter Becker (NF), #79 Caroline Kelly (NF), #61 Jerome Falle (NF)

Mini Stock Feature #1 : #51 Clark Hartman, #61 Chad Ditner, #75 Scott Mast, #71 Russ Aicken, #03 Jake Gilbert, #36 Hudson Nagy, #76 Shawn Taylor, #5 Stepheny Dean, #32 Gillian Hils, #22 Mark DaSilva, #42 Rick Robinson, #05 Dave Goodacre, #92 A.J. Miller (NF), #11 Nolan Quinton (NS)

Mini Stock Feature #2 : #61 Clark Hartman, #61 Chad Ditner, #71 Russ Aicken, #32 Gillian Hils, #03 Jake Gilbert, #42 Rick Robinson, #22 Mark DaSilva, #5 Stepheny Dean, #92 A.J. Miller, #05 Dave Goodacre, #36 Hudson Nagy (NF), #75 Scott Mast (NF) #76 Shawn Taylor (NF), #11 Nolan Quinton (NS)

Thunder Car Feature #1 : #89 Brad Collison, #12 Justin Collison, #76 Shawn Arnott, #87 Jeff Bean, #01 Wayne Phillips, #7 Bobby Mercer (NF), #31 Kevin Gallant (NS)

Thunder Car Feature #2 : #89 Brad Collison, #76 Shawn Arnott, 312 Justin Collison, #87 Jeff Bean, #01 Wayne Phillips, #7 Bobby Mercer (NF), #31 Kevin Gallant (NS)

Pro 4 Modified Heat #1 : #24 Josh Lassaline, #15 Dan Nantioke, #93 Dan Petit, #9 Brian Nanticoke, #23 Linc Erison, #68 Aaron Turkey, #91 Robert Mercer

Pro 4 Modified Heat #2 : #8 Ryan Hunsinger, #33 Tom Houghton, #0 Chris Lebarron, #36 Gary Elliott, #63 Mark Lucas (NF), #24 Josh Lassaline (NS), #2 Dave Hodgkison

Pro 4 Modified Feature : #15 Dan Nanticoke, #33 Tom Houghton, #24 Josh Lassaline, #9 Brian Nanticoke, #8 Ryan Hunsinger, #93 Dan Petit, #68 Aaron Turkey, #0 Chris Lebarron, #91 Robert Mercer, #23 Linc Erison, #2 Dave Hodgkinson, #36 Gary Elliott (NF), #63 Mark Lucas (NS)

LOSC Time Trials (Fast lap) : #81 Shawn McGlynn 16.348, #18 Chad McGlynn 16.364, #82 Dave Connelly 16.553, #3 Tim Tolton 16.650, #77 Alvin McNichol 16.656, #14 Brandt Graham 16.671, #66 Josh Wood 16,730, #48 Doug Cathcart 16.751, #24 Brennan Didero 16.888, #45 Kevin Trevellin 16.902, #85 Mike Nelson 16.959, #8 Adam Martin 17.366, #43 Bob Merrifield 17.495, #6 Jeremy Coulter no time

LOSC 100 lap Feature : #24 Brennan Didero, #81 Shawn McGlynn, #66 Josh Wood, #8 Adam Martin, #82 Dave Connelly, #85 Mike Nelson, #43 n (NF), #3 Tim Tolton (NF), #56 Mark Burbridge (NS)
Bob Merrifield, #45 Kevin Trevellin, #77 Alvin McNichol, #6 Jeremy Coulter, #48 Doug Cathcart (NF), #14 Brandt Graham (NF), #18 Chad McGlyn
 
         
Flamboro Speedway July 18,2015 Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MH-jGsS-3M&feature=youtu.be# ]! No longer available[/url]

     
Flamboro Speedway July 18, 2015 Mini Stock

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrcLtyjEg6A&feature=youtu.be# ]! No longer available[/url]