A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER!

August 9 & 10, 2008

John Houghton

Delaware Speedway PR

Friday night was Highbury Ford Night at Delaware Speedway and provided the fans with a lot to talk about - - but so did the “Enduro in the Rain” presented by All-Round Truck and Auto Care on Saturday.

On Friday, The Powerade Open-Wheel modified race turned out to be quite the nail biter, with one of the most thrilling finishes of the year for the division.  The event began with an early caution as Dan Prudhomme (#96) of Ingersoll found himself in trouble in turn one and impacted the wall.  On the restart Lloyd Rawlings (#69) of Windsor was leading the way, with David McCullough of Glencoe quickly moving into second position.  As the laps ticked away McCullough began to make charges on Rawlings eventually pulling along the outside of the Windsor driver.

At the start finish line on lap twelve McCullough was able to lead by just a nose.  That nose would prove to be enough as the caution flew in turn two.  For the restart the lineup reverted to the last time across the line with McCullough in the lead and Rawlings in second.  After the restart Paul Shipway (#88) of Ailsa Craig, who had been waiting in the wings after a seventh place start, made a move up to second position.  Shipway would chase McCullough for the remainder of the race until only two laps remained.  Shipway would look to the high side of McCullough down the back stretch and run wheel to wheel for the lead.  As the duo screamed down the backstretch for the final lap they were neck and neck.  On the front stretch heading for the checkers Shipway was able to narrowly edge out McCullough.

“Highbury Ford should be every single night,” said Shipway of his sponsor in victory lane.  “I got up there, and this car was rocket on the outside.”

Jens Peters (#66) of London won the Peterbilt of Ontario Super Stock feature race Friday evening at Delaware Speedway.  Jim Mairs (#5) of London led the event up until lap 10 before an incident in turn three took him out of competition.  Peters would inherit the lead with DJ Dejesus (#9) of London running second, followed by Kris Lawrence (#28) of London.  As the race continued Peters would continue to lead the event and move on to his first ever Delaware Speedway feature race win.  DJ Dejesus (#9) finished second, third was Brad Clarke (#52) of Parkhill.

“This time we actually had the luck,” said Peters “We’ve been working hard for three years.  I’m not so used to this!  I had a lot of fun during this event.  I’m very happy.”

The APC Late Model Feature race ran caution free - “flag-to-flag” on Friday evening.  Scott Lindsay would start from the first position with Jesse Kennedy (#10) of Southwold on his outside.  The pair ran side by side for the first six laps of the event putting on one of the best examples of side by side racing of the year.  After Kennedy took the lead he would hang onto it for the remainder of the event, but would face challenges from “Rocket” Ron Sheridan (#52) of Mt. Brydges.  Near the end of the race Sheridan was able to lay a bumper to the back of Kennedy’s car but was not able to complete a pass.  Kennedy would win, Sheridan would take second, third was Scott Lindsay (#20) of St. Marys.

“Ronnie was sure quick there,” said Kennedy.  “I did my best to get around Scott.  I needed this one for the fans.  We’re still in contention anyway.  Our goal is to do well in the next races here, then it’s $10,000 up again.”

Jesse was referring to the $10,000 up for grabs on the Great Canadian Race Weekend in the APC 300 on Labour Day Weekend.  Jesse is the defending winner of that event.

The first-ever Throne Queen of the Hill Spectator Race was won by the Grocery Getter, this time with a new driver behind the wheel, Krista Cowell.  The Throne Kings of the Hill Spectator Race was won by Ken Farquar’s in his black old-style Mustang.  In the final “Battle of the Sexes” between the King and Queen, the grocery getter won the first round, with the Mustang winning the other two best of three.  The final Throne Kings of the Hill Spectator race is taking place on August 29th, the Throne Kings of the Hill Nationals.

---

Saturday’s Transmission Direct Enduro 250 proved to be one of the most exciting enduro events of the year.  With showers in the area the drivers and officials were determined to run the event.  The speedway, working in cooperation with the competitors was able to successfully run the event in the rain!  The result was some of the best enduro racing of the year.  Jacob Orr (#41) led the first half of the event before being passed by eventual winner Steve Book (#64) of Brantford.  Book was able to make his move once the rain subsided and the track dried up.  Prior to the track drying Orr had been able to put every driver one lap down with the exception of Book.  John Lynch (#4) of Blenheim would finish second, third was Dave Goertz (#15) of Arkona, fourth was Terry Cole (#129) of Fingal, and fifth was David McCullough of Glencoe.  Orr would end up with a respectable thirteenth place finish in the event.

“In the past I have been quicker than the 41 on a dry track,” said Steve Book in victory lane.  “I didn’t know what would happen when it dried up!  He seemed to have it hooked up.  I want to thank everyone in the stands for coming out to this one.  We had transmission trouble and motor trouble, but it worked pretty good.”

The Ultimate Sandblasting & Coating Chaos Car event entitled “The Forest” also ran in the rain.  The event featured two new obstacles - - “The Gauntlet”, which narrows down the speedway to one lane, as well as “The Forest” where obstacles are randomly placed in an area of the track for the drivers to avoid, or risk receiving penalty.  The race also saw the introduction of three new Chaos Cars, “Wrinkles”, “O.P.P.” and “Young Blood”.  “Wrinkles” (driven by Jake Truax of Komoka) would surprise many by winning the event on his first ever start!  Two vehicles sustained notable damage in the event, Young Blood blew his radiator in a front straightaway spin, and “Kazakhstan Krunch” ran into the pit wall while attempting to spin “Snot Rod”.  The “Red Baron” also continued his tradition of losing his front bumper cover (three races in a row).

The next racing event at Delaware Speedway is Friday, August 15.  The linup features the APC Late Models, Peterbilt of Ontario Super Stocks, and Challenger Motor Freight Trucks.  As an added bonus the evening will also feature the Ultimate Sandblasting & Coating Chaos Cars!  Gates open at 6:00 PM, racing starts at 8:00 PM.  Don’t miss it!