Caution Free Features Highlight Night At Varney
After a weekend off due to uncooperative weather, the engines were started at Varney Motor Speedway as all five of the speedway's regular race divisions took to the highbanks under ideal race conditions.
For the first four race nights, #35 Tim Tolton of Guelph had been working out the kinks after showing up for the 2010 season with a newly built car. One may wonder why a new car would even be necessary after he dominated the last half of the 2009 Stock 4 season at Varney. Regardless, Tolton; despite struggling early this season; served notice last Saturday that he is ready to continue where he left off last year. Starting from the pole position, Tolton; with two heat race wins already on the night; was looking for the sweep. Along side on the front row, his son #13 Bob Tolton. At the drop of the green, the two Toltons would take off in an attempt to leave the field, which included several fast cars marred in traffic, in their wake. The march seemed flawless until the younger Tolton would experience mechanical difficulties leaving dad to fend for himself. With a half lap lead, victory seemed certain. Further back in the pack, #51 Clark Hartman of Waterloo was marching through the field. Second place #09 Britton Lundy of Owen Sound and third place #7 Charles Embro of Hanover battled each other as Hartman caught the duo. With only a few laps left, Hartman worked his way into second but, with laps winding down, the Stock 4 points leader could only watch as Tolton cruised home to his first feature win of the season and making it five different drivers in five separate features to win in Stock 4 this year. Hartman earned a hard fought second with Lundy, Embro and #28 Luke Freeman of Meaford rounding out the top five. Qualifying heat races were won by Tolton (X2), Hartman and Embro.
The best battle for the lead this past Saturday came in the Street Stock feature race. Coming to the green flag, #2 Justin Zettler of Stratford sat on the pole with #02 Randy Zettler along side. R. Zettler would take the lead early from outside the front row and build up what seemed like 'sure thing' lead. Just before the halfway point of the race, #93 Bill Cole of Hanover would take the second position after battling with #19 Brian Wilson of Rockwood and #99 Jamie Hunt of Hanover in a tight three-car battle for several laps. R. Zettler was out front by nearly half a lap but, Cole would close the gap with each circuit. Finally catching Zettler in turn three, Cole would make his move to the outside and the two would race side-by-side for several laps exchanging the lead every time they crossed the finish line. The side-by-side battle allowed Hunt to get into the mix and with only a few laps remaining, the three would thrill the crowd with some of the most exciting racing of the night. Hunt would eventually fad slightly and Cole continued to apply steady pressure but, in the end, a flawlessly run effort by Zettler would ensure him of his second feature race win of the season. Cole claimed second with Hunt, Wilson and #06 Bill Keil of Chatsworth rounding out the top five. Heat races were won by R.Zettler and Hunt.
The Super Street Stock feature saw yet another driver pick up his first feature win of the 2010 season as victory lane gets increasingly crowded at Varney Motor Speedway. From the pole, #85 Matt Clarke of Mt. Forest with #64 Larry Cameron of Brampton along side brought the field to the green. Wasting no time, #72 Marty Monette of Hamilton and #83 Scott Way of Fergus raced three-wide down the back stretch on either side of Clarke and both would eventually move into the first and second positions respectively. Following through and into third was #61 Chad Eden of Varney. Monette would try to outrun Way but the 2009 Super Street Champ stayed on the back bumper for the entire race. Unable to afford even the slightest error, Monette would turn each lap with near perfection. Way would certainly keep it close all race long and despite getting alongside Monette on a few occasions, would eventually settle for second as Monette sped on to his first feature win of the season. After finishing third, Eden was disqualified during a post-race technical inspection. Clarke would end up third with Cameron and Eden filling out the top five.
The Late Models would run two feature races on this night as the program started with a rained out feature from June 5th. This race would turn out to be no contest as #12 Justin McLellan of Mt. Forest would take the lead early from outside the front row and blow the field away. The second race however would be a different story. The Late Model field at Varney this season is small but mighty. On the front row for this feature race; #85 Jeff Lotspeich of Rockwood and #63 Jim Bowman of Alma. Lotspeich would hold the early lead with #81 Chris Van Dusen of Guelph and McLellan close behind. Before the halfway point of the race; trouble for Lotspeich as he slowed out of turn three. Van Dusen was able to get by the rest of the field including McLellan would get held up momentarily. More importantly however, no caution flag was thrown as Lotspeich was able to continue on. Van Dusen was able to take advantage and build up a ten car length lead. McLellan would get back up to speed and, with the final lap fast approaching, catch Van Dusen. Not to be denied on this night, Van Dusen conitnued to impress as he held off McLellan to take his second feature race win of 2010. McLellan finished second with Bowman, #89 Tommy Robb of Durham and Lotspeich rounding out the top five. The heat races were won by Lotspeich and McLellan.
The All Pro Modified division has been enjoying somewhat of a resurgence compared to the last few years. The competition is faster and victory attainable to many. Just don't tell that to #8 Gary McLean. McLean has won all but one of the All Pro feature this season and was hoping to continue that trend on this night. From the pole, #27 Les Eccles of Conn would lead early until #4 Aaron McLean of Conn would make a pass for the lead and take a turn upfront. Gary McLean started a little further back but, after working through the field, would hook onto Aaron McLean's back bumper just before the halfway point of the race and make the pass fro the final lead change of the night. Gary McLean cruised on for his fourth win of the season. Aaron McLean finished second with #1 Ted Patterson of Mt. Forest, #34 Terry Pardy of Mt. Forest and Eccles rounding out the top five. Heat races run earlier in the night were won by Pardy and Patterson.
This coming weekend, Varney Motor Speedway welcomes the Hurricane Midgets to the highbanks for the first time in 2010. These high-speed lightweight open wheelers are quick, loud and on Varney's new surface and configuration, are sure to set a blistering pace on the fastest paved oval in Ontario. For more information on this weekend's activities and, a complete schedule of events for the 2010 season, visit www.varneymotorspeedway.com.