Brennan Didero Wins LOSC Feature At Wild Night Of Racing At Flamboro Speedway
By Randy Spencer - Just 72 hours after the APC 100 lap feature race for Pro Late Models on Canada Day, the Bennett Chevrolet Flamboro Speedway faithful were back with another 100 lap feature event for the Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup series. This race was originally schedule for June 27th but bad weather forced a postponement.
With a big night of racing ahead, time trials for the LOSC got under way at 5pm. Flamboro favorite Shawn Chenoweth in his first start with the LOSC set the fast time with a lap of 16.517. Brennan Didero, also no stranger to the track has the second best time of 16.526. The rest of the top 5 were Jason Meyer, Tim Tolton and Chad McGlynn. It's not new to see at McGlynn in the fast five here at Flamboro but it's usually Shawn that sets the top time. He came in with the 9th fastest time on this night at 16.724.
Racing got underway with the first of the Pure Stock features. Andy Wheller was on the pole with rookie Caroline Kelly to his outside. Michael Kenny soon moved up to challenge Wheller early with the veteran leading the first four laps until a caution brought the field back to even for debris in turn one. Another veteran Peter Becker moved up to challenge Wheller and the two battled hard the entire race. On lap 9, the 17 car of Blair Mayhew got high out of four and hit the wall quite hard and without much steering or brakes headed for the infield but managed to escape further damage. Other than some bruised ribs he was ok. The race continued with top 5 cars putting some distance from the rest of the pack. Peter Becker took the lead from Wheller and held on for the win.
In the first Mini Stock feature, Clark Hartman and Chad Ditner were up front. A couple cars retired early to the pits while Clark Hartman led and continued to build on it. Chad Ditner had a great run as well. Gillian Hils and Hudson Nagy battled each other hard but as the checkers flew it was Hartman leading from start to finish for the victory.
Nine Thunder Cars lined up for green led to the start by Justin Collison and Mike Gilmour. Collison showed he indeed the apple did not fall far from the tree as he as showed continual improvement all season. He held the lead for the first 14 laps while the veteran Mark Burbridge closed the gap. On lap 15 entering turn 3, Brubridge caught the rookie of Collison and took the lead. Father Brad Collison in the 13 was on a mission. From my seat it looked like he was doing whatever he could to get to the front to maybe help his son pick up his first checkered flag. Collison was on the bumper of the 12 but on the final lap the 76 of Shawn Arnott got involved with the 13 car and he spun. As the cars crossed the line it was Mark Burbridge picking up the win.
The Late Models took to the track and Jeff Ruddy and Dave Osborne were on the pole. The race ran well for the first ten laps until the 27 of Kevin Albers spun in 3-4. David Elliott took the lead on the restart followed by Brad Corcoran and that's where he stayed, glued to Elliott's bumper. They battled tooth and nail for the entire race until lap 24 when Corocoran did a bump and run out of 4 and disrupted Elliott enough to get by, take the lead and take the checkered flag.
The Pro 4 Modifeds were up for their 10 lap heat race. Bill Pearsall made it look easy leading from start to finish with a big lead on the field. The second Pro 4 race was warmup for the Pro 4 Modified Memorial Night race. The 33 of Cliff Hodkinson built a big lead over the rest of the field and although Dave Hodgkinson made up some ground he couldn't catch Cliff and picked up the win.
The second Pure Stock feature sa Roger Lessard and Caroline Kelly up front. Kelly showing some promise in her young career led the first two laps. On the original start it was called by the start that Lofton Schutts, Andy Wheller and Sam Heibien all jumped the green. That would play a factor at the end. Early on the veterans were at it again. Becker and Wheller sparred and Wheller got the worst of it and had a left front flat tire. This normally would be disaster but he was saved when the 0 of Thomas Wood and 7 of Matt Young got involved on the same lap heading into turn three. Young took the wild ride, spun hit the wall hard backwards and went up and over onto his roof. A shame as it was a new car for the night. Young was a little sore but otherwise faired pretty well considering the very hard backwards hit into the wall then over on his roof. The 10 of Schutts continued to lead while the 07 of Michael Kenny, who started 11th in the field was now up to second by lap 9. Schutts however held off Kenny and was docked one spot for jumping so the win went to Michael Kenny.
The second Mini Stock feature saw Rick Robinson and Rich Schwartzenberg out front. Some great three wide racing early in turns 3-4 made for some excitement. Russ Aicken was back from being under the weather earlier in the week and showed no effects as he took the lead on lap 5. Aicken battled Gillian Hils and the two broke away. Soon Clark Hartman was on Hils bumper and he got passed on lap 19. When the checkers flew it was Russ Aicken picking up the victory followed by Hartman and Hils.
Thunder Cars hit the track for their second feature of the night. Jeff Bean and Bobby Mercer led the field to green and Bean led early. Mike Gilmour took the lead three laps in. On lap seven he got high and up on the wall came down and got into the 31 of "The Flying Farmer" Kevin Gallant. On the same lap in turn 3-4 Justin Collison lost a wheel bringing out the caution. A few laps later another caution as Shawn Arnott cut a tire and slowed in turn four. Gilmour, a part time runner this season, led 7 laps but by lap 10 some handling issues allowed Mark Burbridge to get by and go on and make it two for two on the night taking both checkers.
Mike Klotz and Kevin Albers led the Grisdale Late Models to green in their final feature of the night. Albers led early but Nick Roth made it by on lap five. David Elliott, Dale Shaw and Brad Corcoran followed Roth and the foursome raced nose to tail for several laps. Corcoran was on Roth's bumper and thought several times about trying to take Roth on the inside but just couldn't make it work. Shaw and Elliott were waging their own battle and got loose on several occasions. As the checkers flew, Roth was able to hold off the charge and picked up the feature win.
The final race before the LOSC 100 lapper was the Pro 4 Modified Memorial Night. Several guest cars were on hand from Full Throttle Speedway for the event. it was so awesome to see them all back together again at Flamboro. Robert Mercer and Aaron Turkey led the field of 15 to green. Two laps in coming down the front stretch, the 8 of Craig Shaver and 68 of Aaron Turkey got into it coming down the front stretch and the 68 car of Turkey went up and over onto his side as they came to rest short of the start finish line. Both drivers were ok and both cars received very heavy damage. The race went well from then on, Brian Nanticoke led most of the way, holding off a charge from Robert Mercer. Brian was one happy racer doing some donuts in the infield. All I could hear Frank Casale say is Oh no not the grass! Bev Whitby and Sylvia Gerono were at the start finish line to present Brain with the trophy. All the racers were in on the picture and all line up on the front stretch to salute all those who race with the club over the years at Flamboro and elsewhere.
The final race of the night was the Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup race presented by Race Time Radio. Joe Chisholm and Gerry Paxton were on hand to call the race live. After suffering four rain outs to start the 2015 season, the LOSC finally got back on the track for the second time for the MS Society 100. Prior to the race, the Fast Five draw was held as it is before each race. The top five drivers in qualifying are matched with a young fan. They pick one of them, remove their Lucas Oil hat to reveal a number, the number of the position they will take to start. The order did change significantly. After qualifying it was Chenoweth, Didero, Meyer, Tolton and Chad McGlynn. After the draw it was Tolton, McGlynn, Meyer, Diedero and Chenoweth.
The green flag flew and Tim Tolton and Chad McGlynn dueled for a number of laps and it seemed we could go green the entire way. Jason Meyer was battling with Chenoweth for third while Didero, Wood, and Cathcart followed. The first caution didn't come until lap 54 when Chenoweth slowed in turn four with a flat tire. A couple laps later a mix up in turn three and contact between Chad McGlynn and Jason Meyer sent Meyer into the wall. Another red flag as some flames were present as the car spun and hit the wall. On the restart, Tolton and Didero were side by side and it was Didero the made the lost of it and took the lead albeit a slim one. With 25 laps to go Chenoweth had found his way through the field and was finally on Didero's back bumper. A couple of cautions tightened the field and made it interesting but Didero was able to fend off the attack. Chenoweth was getting through the corners better than Didero but Didero was faster down the straight away an was able to hold off a late race charge through lapped traffic to pick up the win. The series will return to Flamboro Speedway in two weeks for their last race at the track for 2015. As always, the action will also be available live on Race Time Radio.
That brought to a close another exciting night of racing at Bennett Chevrolet Flamboro Speedway. Please make plans to join us next week, July 11th. Racing gets under way at 7pm as the Lucas Oil Canadian Vintage Modifieds return. The Grisdale Late Models are on hand and are also joined by the Klotz Auto Repair & Engine Machine Shop Mini Stocks, the Pure Stocks and the BOMB Energy Drink Pro 4 Modifieds. Pit gates open at 4pm, Grandstands at 5pm and green flag flies at 7pm.
-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 Derek Smith and Mike Kiers for the great photos!
Unofficial Results
Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup Time Trials (fast lap) :#89 Shawn Chenoweth (16.517), #24 Brennan Didero (16.526), #93 Jason Meyer (16.532), #3 Tim Tolton (16.553), #18 Chad McGlynn (16.571), #66 Josh Wood (16.633), #48 Doug Cathcart (16.691), #6 Jeremy Coulter (16.706), #81 Shawn McGlynn (16.724), #14 Brandt Graham (16.768), #77 Alvin McNicol (16.770), #82 Dave Connelly (16.876), #45 Kevin Trevellin (16.977), #43 Bob Merrifield (17.137), #8 Adam Martin (17.240), #86 Mike Nelson (17.260), #12 Mark Patrick (17.315)
Pure Stock Feature #1 : #59 Peter Becker, #90 Andy Wheller, #07 Michael Kenny, #77 Jeff Miller, #44 Sam Heibien (-1J), #10 Lofton Schutts, #24 Tyler Mayhew, #0 Thomas Wood, #7 Matt Young, #48 Steve DeLeeuw, #42 Leo Labarbera, #79 Caroline Kelly, #69 Roger Lessard, #61 Paul Ditner, 314 Elijah Hawrylyshyn, #17 Blair Mayhew (NF)
Pure Stock Feature #2 : #07 Michael Kenny, #10 Lofton Schutts (-1J), #59 Peter Becker, #77 Jeff Miller, #44 Sam Heibien (-1J), #90 Andy Wheller (-1J), #79 Caroline Kelly, #24 Tyler Mayhew, #42 Leo Labarbera, #48 Steve DeLeeuw, #69 Roger Lessard, #61 Paul Ditner, #7 Matt Young (NF), #0 Thomas Wood (NF), #14 Elijah Hawrylyshyn (NF), #17 Blair Mayhew (NS)
Mini Stock Feature #1 : #51 Clark Hartman, #61 Chad Ditner, #36 Hudson Nagy, #32 Gillian Hils, #76 Shawn Taylor, #03 Jake Gilbert, #71 Russ Aicken, #72 Rich Schwartzenberg, #42 Rik Robinson, #22 Mark DaSilva, #5 Stepheny Dean, #38 Rodney Rutherford, #05 Dave Goodacre, #69 Rob Twitchett (NF), #92 A.J. Miller (NF)
Mini Stock Feature #2 : #71 Russ Aicken, #51 Clark Hartman, #32 Gillian Hils, #36 Hudson Nagy, #03 Jake Gilbert, #61 Chad Ditner, #76 Shawn Taylor, #72 Rich Schwartzenberg, #22 Mark DaSilva, #42 Rick Robinson, #5 Stepheny Dean, #38 Rodney Rutherford, #05 Dave Goodacre, #69 Rob Twitchett (NF), #92 A.J. Miller (NF)
Thunder Car Featue #1 : #02 Mark Burbridge, #12 Justin Collison, #31 Kevin Gallant, #14 Mike Gilmour, #7 Bobby Mercer, #87 Jeff Bean, #13 Brad Collison, #76 Shawn Arnott (BF), #74 Kelsey Lamont
Thunder Car Feature #2 : #02 Mark Burbridge, #13 Brad Collison, #31 Kevin Gallant, #14 Mike Gilmour, #7 Bobby Mercer, #76 Shawn Arnott, #87 Jeff Bean, #74 Kelsey Lamont, #12 Justin Collison (NF)
Late Model Feature #1 : #05 Brad Corcoran, #37 David Elliott, #83 Dale Shaw, #17 Nick Roth, #9 Jeff Ruddy, #27 Kevin Albers, #46 Mark Klotz, #5 Linda Stenhouse, #41 Steve Adams (NF), #11 Dave Osborne (NF)
Late Model Feature #2: #17 Nick Roth, #37 David Elliott, #83 Dale Shaw, #05 Brad Corcoran, #9 Jeff Ruddy, #27 Kevin Albers, #46 Mark Klotz, #41 Steve Adams, #5 Linda Stenhouse, #11 Dave Osborne (NF)
Pro 4 Modified Heat : #38 Bill Pearsall, #24 Josh Lassaline, #8 Craig Shaver, #91 Robert Mercer, #9 Brian Nanticoke, #23 Linc Erison, #93 Dan Petit, #63 Mark Lucas, #68 Aaron Turkey (NF)
Pro 4 Modified Memorial Night Feature : #9 Brian Nanticoke, #91 Robert Mercer, #24 Josh Lassaline, #38 Bill Pearsall, #63 Mark Lucas, #93 Dan Petit, #0 Jim Houghton, #33 Cliff Hodgkinson, #36 Dave Hodgkinson, #23 Linc Erison, #46 Lisa Hodgkinson, #10 Chris Lebaron, #68 Aaron Turkey (NF), #8 Craig Shaver (NF), #3 Tim Tolton (NS)
Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup Feature : #24 Brennan Didero, #89 Shawn Chenowth, #3 Tim Tolton, #81 Shawn McGlynn, #82 Dave Connelly, #66 Josh Wood, #77 Alvin McNicol, #14 Brandt Graham, #18 Chad McGlynn, #45 Kevin Trevellin, #43 Bob Merrifield, #85 Mike Nelson (NF), #12 Mark Patrick, #48 Doug Cathcart (NF), #93 Jason Meyer (NF), #6 Jeremy Coulter (NF), #8 Adam Martin (NF)
