Stompin' Tom Proves The Parts Don't Make The Man With Victory Number 5 Of 2009 Season
By Spencer Lewis
STROUD, ON - With a track leading 4 feature wins in 2009, it's tough not to rank Stompin' Tom Walters among the province's best. No matter what you think of him personally.
The Bradford, ON veteran has topped the Sunset Speedway Late Model points for the entire 2009 campaign, and entered September 5th's event with every intention of padding his current lead.
Walters (No. 47 G & D Wholesale Tires Chevrolet) started on the inside of row 6, behind a strong contingent of quality drivers including former winners Jason 'Bam Bam' Witty, Scott Beatty and Kevin Cornelius among others.
While Stompin' Tom navigated traffic, Rookie of the Year contender Steve Slaughter Jr. (No. 59 Slaughter Motosports/Paint By Watson
Chevrolet) used his inside pole starting position to catapult himself into a six car length lead.
With the laps winding down, Walters would battle with Witty (No. 19 Toronto Bearings/Wayne Winch Remax Chevrolet) as well as young upstart Steven Mathews (No. 88x Mathews Motorsports Ford) before finally reaching second spot.
The current points kingpin would then need only 2 laps to close Slaughter's six car length lead, passing the rookie on the inside as the pair entered turns 3 & 4.
As Walters checked out on the field, a highlight of the night battle took place for second between Witty and Mathews. After a steadily intensifying game of 'cat and mouse', Witty was able to slip by Mathews on the final restart of the night, securing second place in doing so.
At the stripe, it was Walters, Witty, Mathews, Darin Malcolm and Steve Slaughter Jr.
"I just want to thank all the guys that put so much effort into this car. I really couldn't do it without them" an exuberant Walters explained in victory lane.
"I got a call from the [Sunset Speedway] management this week, and it turns out we had a couple of parts on the car that guys were complaining about. So, we took them off just to keep the peace, and that just made the car better" said Walters. "I guess it wasn't the parts.." Added the veteran with a smile.
"We absolutely love coming out here and racing with lots of cars. I mean, Jason [Witty], Chris [Morrow] and Darin [Malcolm] are such strong runners. They really make you work for it every week" replied Walters when asked about the level of competition he faces weekly.
The 25-time champion also took a chance to show his fatherly side in victory lane, taking a moment to let his daughter Connie know he would pay for her wedding dress as he closed out the victory lane ceremonies.
Ryan Semple entered Saturday night on a certified hot streak. The Loretto, ON youngster debuted a new ride on August 29th, winning his qualifying heat as well as the 30-lap feature event. Still unbeaten in his newly numbered 64B, Semple was ready to show the entire division his first win of 2009 was no fluke.
Semple (No. 64B Lucas Oil/Anderson Sheet Metal Chevrolet) took off from the pole position, and was not seriously challenged throughout the entire 30-lap affair.
Division veteran and fellow 2009 feature winner Mark Adams (No. 51 Rankin's Auto/Racin' Stuff Chevrolet) was able to pull within a few car lengths in the race's dying stages, though did not pose a threat to the 2007 Thunder Car Rookie of the Year.
As Semple picked up his second feature victory in as many weeks, he was followed by Adams, Edward Cole, Flyin' Frank Davey and Charlie Smith.
"I really can't complain, this car has been absolutely awesome"
exclaimed Semple from victory lane. "The only thing we've changed is 4 brand new tires from last Saturday to tonight, the setup is just perfect. We'll be here tomorrow night [for the invitational] to represent the Sunset cars, for sure!"
When the experimental Outlaw Mini Stock class folded midway through the 2009 season, horsepower enthusiast Rob Gibson Jr. wasn't left with too many options. The second-generation driver could have easily chosen to take the rest of the summer off, but instead took a 2-week hiatus to "de-tune" his Honda to once again meet traditional Mini Stock standards.
The process was certainly not without it's speed bumps, as Gibson would experience more than his fair share of mechanical misfortunes in the weeks that followed the modifications.
The Barrie, ON native found his redemption on September 5th, when he led a flag-to-flag feature en route to his first win of the season.
Gibson started inside pole and used his pin-point setup and knowledge of the tricky oval to run the first and second grooves of the race track, at times building a lead of almost a half-straightaway.
As the checkered flag flew, it was Gibson, Harold Noseworthy, Marshall Pender, "Mr. White Walls" Nick Brown and 2008 Four Fun Champion Nicole Podewils.
"This is definitely some sweet retribution for me, cause I have struggled a bit lately" admitted Gibson once outside his winning ride.
"The toe was a bit out in the heat race, so I fixed that for the feature.and man it was fast" continued Gibson with a mix of excitement and relief.
Gibson continued on to thank both his father and his sister, finally confirming his attendance for the following night's 35-lap Mini Stock invitational.
QUICK RESULTS
Mini Stock
Heat 1: Rob Krystal Holland Landing, ON
Heat 2: 'Good Luck' Chuck Ireton Newmarket, ON
Heat 3: Doug Butler New Lowell, ON
B Main: Gil Harpin Holland Landing, ON
A Main:
1) Rob Gibson Jr. Barrie, ON
2) Harold Noseworthy Barrie, ON
3) Marshall Pender Beeton, ON
Thunder Car
Heat 1: Charlie Smith Orillia, ON
Heat 2: Flyin' Frank Davey River Drive Park, ON
Heat 3: Paul Maltese Innisfil, ON
B Main: Steve Lang Bolton, ON
A Main:
1) Ryan Semple Loretto, ON
2) Mark Adams Mississauga, ON
3) Edward Cole
Late Model
Heat 1: Stompin' Tom Walters Bradford, ON
Heat 2: Scott Beatty
Heat 3: Jason 'Bam Bam' Witty Queensville, ON
Heat 4: Kevin Cornelius Orangeville, ON
A Main:
1) Stompin' Tom Walters Bradford, ON
2) Jason 'Bam Bam' Witty Queensville, ON
3) Steven Mathews New Liskeard, ON
Photos Courtesy of Al McLean / Sunset Speedway
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