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2-DAY SEASON FINALE September 26, 2008 John Houghton
It was a full season finale weekend at Delaware Speedway featuring cars and stars as well as plenty of action. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2008: The ISMA Super Modifieds returned to Delaware Speedway for the third time in as many years, to the delight of area race fans. The event also featured Johnny Benson of the Nascar Craftsman Truck series, along with a number of Canadian drivers. Click here for the full press release and race coverage from ISMA. For the second time this season the POWERADE Modified feature race was won by rookie Robin McCluskey (#44) of London. McCluskey won his heat race earlier in the evening in a thrilling side-by-side battle - - he would do the same thing in the feature. Running on the outside McCluskey was able to hold off Dan Prudhomme (#96) of Ingersoll. A series of ill-timed yellow flags denied second place Prudhomme the lead when the field reverted to the last completed lap under yellow. “I got it hooked up out there [on the outside],” said McCluskey who moved to London from British Columbia earlier this year. “I got to thank God for this one - - that caution saved me twice! I [moved out here because I] wanted to make it in racing. I’ve got a job at McColl [Racing Enterprises] and I love it. I’d love to make it in Late Model if anyone will hire me!” Mark Watson (#20) of St. Thomas finished third securing himself the 2008 points title. “It means a lot, it’s what we look for at the beginning of the year,” said Watson. “We had our share of tough luck and hard racing this year - - it’s all part of. To finish off with a championship it couldn’t be better.” SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2008 Saturday was a wild day of racing featuring the Ultimate Sandblasting & Coating Chaos Cars, the Transmission Direct Demar Nationals Enduro 300 and a new event called the Throne Kings Make A Wish Wreckreation Spectacular. The Ultimate Sandblasting & Coating Chaos cars opened the day with their first ever “Australian Ramp Race”. Eight drivers were put to the strangest test of the year for the division which included regular chaos obstacles as well a specially constructed launch ramps on the straightaways. The event was a timed event with drivers starting a few seconds apart. The “Demar Nationals” car driven by Jeff Connors of London was originally declared the winner of the event. “I loved every minute of it! I’ll be here every weekend next summer.” Connors entered into a draw on the spectator hill by donating to the Make-A-Wish foundation. Conners won the raffle and the opportunity to drive the car in the final race of the year. After the post race time calculation it was revealed that “Bush Bomb” was in fact the true winner of the event.
At the conclusion of the race Snot Rod (Tyssen Toll of London) was declared the inaugural champion in the division. “That was a fantastic year,” said Toll (Snot Rod) after the race. This is a fantastic series. I have never had more fun in my life. Unfortunately the car looks a little worse for wear!” After the Ultimate Sandblasting & Coating Chaos Course was cleared up it was time for the Transmission Direct Demar Nationals 300 event. Seventy drivers lined up on the grid for a standing start in the final race of the year. The event contained great racing as well as a number of spectacular incidents. When the dust settled Steve Book (#64) of Brantford was the winner. Book was followed by Steve Smith (#84) of Arkona, then Don Goertz (#16) of Arkona, fourth was John Lynch (#4) of Blenheim and fifth was Jim Ferguson (#06) of Essex. Book’s win placed him as the 2008 Transmission Direct Enduro champion with Steve Smith eleven points behind.
At the conclusion of the Transmission Direct Demar Nationals 300, preparations began for the Throne Kings Make A Wish Wreckreation Spectacular. The event began with a “Target Tantrum” where demolition derby drivers would fire paintball markers on a moving RV, raising money for the Make A Wish Foundation for each hit on target. Following the target tantrum the drivers engaged in a Figure 8 demolition derby which was won by #01, Don Yorke. The final demolition derby of the day was filled with all the bumping, banging and carnage fans expected. The event was won by Dave Webster (#521) of Glencoe. “This was a blast,” said Webster after the finals. “I think the fans should come try this some time! I hope it is something Delaware continues.” The day culminated with Kevin Overholt’s “RV Launch” where he drove a Crown Victoria over a set of ramps and through a recreational vehicle. Overholt lined up for the launch and aborted his run twice. On the third time Overholt hit the ramps perfectly and launched directly through the centre of the RV - - destroying it. The crowd thundered with applause as Overholt exited his vehicle unscathed. “It was great, I can’t wait until next year!” said Overholt. “I had one eye open, one eye closed [when I went through]!” The Throne King’s Make A Wish Wreckreation spectacular was a fundraiser that raised money for the Make A Wish Foundation. The event was the final race of the 2008 season.
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