By Tommy Goudge (May 12, 2010) - The wait is finally over! Seven long months have passed since Shane Stewart won the fifth annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals, and bringing the 2009 season to a close at Ohsweken Speedway. This Friday, May 14, the Speedway roars back to life in fine fashion with the Fifteenth Anniversary Season Opener presented by Corr/Pak Merchandising. The season opening event features all of the regular Friday Night Thunder divisions including the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars, ESSO Thunder Stocks, ESSO Mini Stocks, and Bombers.
The Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars are once again the headline division for Friday Night Thunder in 2010, and 2009 Corr/Pak Champ Tom Huppunen enters the season as the driver to beat. Veterans Kevin Job, Keith Dempster, Glenn Styres, Mikey Kruchka, and Jamie Collard are just a few of the challengers for the title this season, while former Ohsweken feature winner Mike Ling returns to the dirt after a decade of pavement racing driving for Miles Hill. The Rookie of the Year award is sure to be fiercely contested as an even half dozen first year drivers are signed up this year, including 2009 ESSO Mini Stock champ Mitchell Brown, Jamie Turner, Chris Steele, Stevin Goldner, Shane Butler, and Todd Hoddick.
The always competitive ESSO Thunder Stocks featured the closest points chase of any Friday Night Thunder division last season, and the same could happen this year. Defending champ Shayne Pierce will be back this season, this time in his family owned car. Meanwhile, other top ten drivers such as Billy Bleich, Jamie Cox, Jeremy Bean, Mike Thorne, Brad Herron, Ryan Dinning, Rob Disher, Lee Winger, and Chris Dickie would all like to take their first Thunder Stock title.
The ESSO Mini Stock division won't feature a repeat champion in 2010, as '09 champ Mitchell Brown has moved to the Corr/Pak Sprints. Former champions Abel Castelein, Rick Emberson, Kelly Hallett and Mike Giberson will try to add to their totals, while Dave Goodacre, Dan Stewart, Rob Slater, Ethan Martin, and Mike Evers are sure to compete for feature wins as well. Five first year drivers are also signed up to compete for the Rookie of the Year award, including Jacob Brown - younger brother to Mitchell - Ryan Beagle, Brittani Myers, Jamie Goudge, and Robin Elliott.
In the Bomber division, the driver to beat is Karl Sault, who claimed his first championship in 2009. The always unpredictable Bombers are also likely to include Jesse McDonald and Kacey Huffman, and a host of other drivers having fun in the very affordable division.
Before Friday's action takes the green flag, Thursday night features Test and Tune for all divisions competing at the Speedway in 2010. The Test and Tune session offers a sneak peek at the 2010 season, and the best part is it's free for fans to observe from the main grandstand!
Ohsweken Speedway's Friday Night Thunder kicks off this Friday, May 14 when Corr/Pak Merchandising presents the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars, ESSO Thunder Stocks, ESSO Mini-Stocks, and Bombers. Friday Night Thunder at Ohsweken offers affordable exciting family entertainment just a short drive away from most Mid-Western Ontario locations. Friday Night Thunder Adult General Admission is $10, while Seniors and Students are $8, and Kids age 12 and under are FREE! Please visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com for more information. Spectator gates open @ 6:00p.m., with the first race taking the green flag at 7:45p.m. this Friday, May 14!
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