By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications
It was easily the most perfect racing evening of the season and an excellent way to kick-off the unofficial end of summer. Conditions were ideal as Kawartha Speedway’s 3 weekly divisions gathered Friday, September 4th to welcome the Labour Day Weekend. 50 lap feature events for both the thunder car and mini stock divisions were slated to close out the night of action.
First on the agenda was a pair of NAPA Auto Parts Late Model qualifying events – and it was the kid’s turn to shine as 16 year-olds Brandon Watson and Cole Powell took the checkered flags. Mike Sinopoli and Kelly Wood collected the wins in the late model semi feature and consolation round. The Better Carpet Thunder Cars were next as Joe Sinopoli and 2008 champion Willie Reyns split the heats. The semi feature and consolation event wins went to Norm Mayhew and John Roberts. Qualifying concluded with ‘Too’ Moroney and Cory Martin sharing the Discount Car and Truck Rental Mini Stock heats. Martin was back in the winner’s circle after the semi feature, with Dennis ‘The Menace’ Ambrose earning the mini consolation checkered flag.
With the heat races wrapped-up, feature action took centre stage. The NAPA Auto Parts Late Models were first for a 25 lap affair. Chris Morrow – driving Vic Parsons’ #1 Toyota for a second straight week – and Mike Sinopoli brought the field to the green. Three was definately an unlucky number for Bryan Mercer, Owen Smith and Sean Cronan. Their 3 car spin in turn 3 on lap 3 brought out the race’s first and only yellow flag. It was clear sailing from there as the regular cast of characters came through the pack. As the 25 lapper wrapped-up, Dave Morgan had earned his first trip to the winner’s circle in over a year. Morrow, Tim Fernandes, Brandon Watson and Ryan Kimball completed the top 5. Current point’s leader Dan McHattie was 6th.
With 50 laps of action on their plate, the Better Carpet Thunder Cars showed a pack numbering 19 strong when Howie Crowe and 2007 champion Steve Mayhew led the way to the green flag. The yellow was unfurled early as Chad Strawn and John Roberts collected each other in the 4th turn. Roberts was finished for the night, while Strawn returned to the fray a number of laps in arrears. Just as Kyle Donaldson, Willie Reyns and John Baker Jr. – the top 3 drivers in track points – were coming-up on early leader Norm Mayhew, the #60 machine all but stopped in turn 4. He’d broken a rear end and spun in his own oil, making contact with the wall.
He was able to nurse the damaged racer to the infield pit road and the field remained under green flag conditions. The #87 of Willie Reyns assumed the point and paced the field for a number of circuits. Just as he was about to put Chad Strawn another lap down, the #77 pulled-up in front of the leader. With Reyns forced to back out of the throttle, Donaldson worked past and held on for the win. Reyns was 2nd, with Steve Mayhew, John Baker Jr. and Donny Munce finishing out the top 5.
The 50 lapper for the Discount Car and Truck Rental Mini Stocks closed out the night, as Chris McPherson and Mike Nelson paced the crowd of 24 to the starter’s orders. The field ran clean and green until the lap counter showed 26 complete. That’s when things came to a big-time halt on the back stretch. A 3 car crash involving Mason Racine, Kyle Baker and Cory Martin blocked the track. All 3 cars were sidelined for the night. Although shaken, each driver walked away under their own steam. After a lengthy delay to clean-up some fluids, the remaining race distance was completed without another yellow – but the results had been seen before. Current point leader Mike Wallace picked-up another win, with Jason Juriga and ‘Too’ Moroney right on his tail.
Kawartha Klips: With Dan McHattie and Brandon Watson slated to miss the Friday, September 18th event due to their participation in the ACT Invitational, season points for the NAPA Auto Parts Late Model division will conclude following the Friday, September 11th show. McHattie occupies top spot with 771 points. Watson is second, with 734. Dave Morgan is 3rd, nearly 100 points behind Watson...Tickets for all Kawartha Speedway events, including the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season finale Saturday, September 26th can be ordered at www.ticketbreak.com.
Photo attachments: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications
#1). Peterborough’s Mike Wallace collected another Discount Car & Truck Rentals Mini Stock feature win. With 2 events remaining on the schedule, the 3rd generation runner has a 34 point advantage over Jason Juriga.
#2). With another Better Carpet Thunder Car win, Kyle Donaldson has a 37 point cushion over last year’s champion Willie Reyns as the 2009 season winds down.
#3). A win in the NAPA Auto Parts Late Model feature helped his cause, but it won’t be enough to earn Dave Morgan the 2009 track championship.
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