Greg Cybulski, WINNIPEG, MB. (August 28, 2009) Darren Pallen fought off a tenacious Roland Bernard to capture his second Northern Lightning Sprint Association feature win of the 2009 racing season at Red River Co-op Speedway on Thursday night.
In the first of two 8 lap heats, Dave Sobczak provided plenty of excitement as he quickly jumped from his fifth place starting position to grab second place. Sobczak's #17 Sprinter gave chase to polesitter Darren Pallen, however, it would be Pallen who took the checkered flag.
In the second heat race, former local 360 Sprint Car racer Richard Rogers took the early lead in the 3X from polesitter Amber Balcaen. The #2 Lightning Sprint of Roland Bernard jumped from his fourth place starting position to challenge Balcaen for second. Bernard tried to pass on the inside with no success. On lap 4, however, he seized his opportunity and passed Balcaen's Imrie Demolition #10 Sprint on the outside. Roland was not done as he passed Richard Rogers for the lead on lap 5 and served notice that the NLSA points leader was prepared to do battle in the feature. Rogers, who wrenches the 3X, traded his crew chief hat for a racing helmet as he was sitting in for NLSA regular Bob Charney who was not available for Thursday night's racing.
In the 15 lap feature race, the #64 of Tyson Hiebert rocketed ahead of polesitter Chris Bouwman from the front row to take the early lead. Darren Pallen followed suit to take over second spot. Starting from the fourth row in eighth place, NLSA points leader Roland Bernard began his assault on the field of Lightning Sprints as he quickly vaulted himself to fifth place after 1 lap.
On lap 2 Bernard passed Amber Balcaen to take over fourth.
While the #11 of Darren Pallen dogged front runner Tyson Hiebert, Roland Bernard continued his charge to the front. Bernard battled Dave Sobczak for two laps before getting past the #17 for third place on lap 4.
Now Tyson Hiebert was running up front with Darren Pallen and Roland Bernard giving chase. Any error by Hiebert would open the door for his fellow competitors and on lap 7 it happened. The #64 got a little high going into turn 3, allowing both Pallen and Bernard to get past Hiebert on the inside groove and take over first and second respectively.
For the remaining 8 laps, Roland Bernard tried every way possible to get past the determined Pallen. Bernard blanketed the leader but could not make the pass as Darren Pallen would go on to take the checkered flag. Dave Sobczak would finish in fourth place. Despite earlier car troubles, Jennifer Carlson, who started the feature from the tail, in eleventh place, gave a spirited performance to earn a solid third place finish.
Rounding up the top five was Darren Pallen, Roland Bernard, Jennifer Carlson, Dave Sobczak and Allan Dayman.
Northern Lightning Sprint Association
Red River Co-op Speedway, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Heat 1
1. 11 Darren Pallen
2. 17 Dave Sobczak
3. 2AWD Allan Dayman
4. 4C Chris Bouwman
5. 27 Chris Unrau
6. 4 Bob Saindon
Heat 2
1. 2 Roland Bernard
2. 3X Richard Rogers
3. 10 Amber Balcaen
4. 64 Tyson Hiebert
5. 6 Jennifer Carlson (DNS)
Feature
1. 11 Darren Pallen
2. 2 Roland Bernard
3. 6 Jennifer Carlson
4. 17 Dave Sobczak
5. 2AWD Allan Dayman
6. 64 Tyson Hiebert
7. 3X Richard Rogers
8. 27 Chris Unrau
9. 10 Amber Balcaen
10. 4 Bob Saindon
11. 4C Chris Bouwman
The next Northern Lightning Sprint Association race is scheduled for Saturday, September 19 at Red River Co-op Speedway. This will be the final points race for the NLSA 2009 racing season. Spectator gates open at 2:00pm. Racing begins at 3:00pm.
About the Northern Lightning Sprint Association:
Created in September of 2008, the Northern Lightning Sprint Association is a rapidly growing organization committed to the creation and maintenance of safe, fast, fun, and affordable open wheel racing. Many of the organization’s members are dedicated to helping charities such as the Children’s Hospital Foundation and Cancer Care of Manitoba. More information can be found at www.nlsprints.com
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