JUST 6 POINTS SEPARATE TOP 3 HEADING INTO OHSWEKEN SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT
by Tommy Goudge (September 3, 2008) -
The final edition of Ohsweken Speedway Friday Night Thunder for 2008 hits the track this Friday, September 5th as Iroquois Poker presents Season Championship night, and the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car division could not get any closer. Heading into the night, the top 3 drivers are separated by just 6 points, while the top 6 drivers in the standings still have a shot at the championship, making for a battle that is sure to go down to the very last lap on Friday night. The Corr/Pak Sprints, ESSO Thunder Stocks, ESSO Mini-Stocks, and Friday Night Fun Stocks will all be in competition on Friday, and each division will be running special extra distance feature races for Championship night, and receiving extra prize money.
After a spin in the feature last Friday night, Keith Dempster was in danger of losing his points lead in the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car division, but the Alton resident fought back to salvage an 8th place finish and stay out front in the title chase. Despite the fact he has not won a feature race this year, Dempster's consistency has kept him at the top of the standings for much of the season, as he is the only driver who has competed in all the Corr/Pak points races run thus far without finishing outside the top 10. Just 3 markers behind Dempster in the standings is Jared Zimbardi of Salamanca, NY, who claimed a feature victory on June 6, while Brantford's Ryan Hunsinger, who has 2 Corr/Pak feature wins to his credit this season, is just 6 points out of the lead.
Besides Dempster, Zimbardi, and Hunsinger, 3 other drivers are also still in the championship hunt, including Kevin Job of Campbellville, who is currently 17 points out of the lead, followed by Ohsweken's Glenn Styres just 6 points behind Job, and Port Colborne driver Rob Pietz, another 5 markers behind Styres and just 28 points out of the lead. Styres claimed the most recent sprint car feature run at Ohsweken this past Friday, his 2nd overall Corr/Pak win this season after winning on opening night back in May. The top 10 finishers in the Corr/Pak standings will receive a percentage of the lucrative points fund that has been established for the new division in it's first year at Ohsweken, and the battle for the 10th spot in the standings is also very close, as John Riegling of Chatham holds down the spot, but Sutton driver Bob Crawford and Wainfleet's Jim Price are tied for 11th, just 2 points behind Riegling. The points chase will not be completely official until September 12 and 13, however, as 50 show-up points will be awarded (one time) to any registered Corr/Pak driver who attempts to compete on either Friday or Saturday of the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals weekend.
Cody McPherson put an exclamation point on his championship season in the ESSO Thunder Stocks division by claiming his 8th feature win of the season last Friday night. The St. Catharines driver is currently 196 points ahead of 2nd place Ryan Dinning, while Glen Leinen, Rob Disher, and 2007 Thunder Stock champ Brad Bacher round out the top 5. After claiming multiple victories in 2007, Bacher and Leinen are both winless in 2008 and will be looking to finish the season off on a high note with a feature win this Friday night, while rookie Jamie Cox has been in contention for the win in each of the last few weeks and would like nothing more than to cap off his first season at Ohsweken with a feature win. Cox is currently 11th in the points, just 5 points behind Brian Pescetti heading into Friday night.
While not officially the champion of the ESSO Mini-Stocks division yet, Abel Castelein of Cayuga is currently 70 points ahead of young Brantford driver Mitchell Brown in the points chase, and stands a good chance to take the Ohsweken track championship for the 2nd year in a row this Friday night. Brown, meanwhile, is not assured of 2nd yet as Rick Emberson of Paris is just 6 points behind, followed by Kevin Hilborn and Brent Hill. Despite many good runs this season, both Emberson and Hilborn have yet to win a feature in 2008 and will be looking to visit the Engine Pro Racing Winner's Circle on Friday night. With a feature win last Friday, Rick Robinson of Brantford moved his 05 Racing team which he shares with David Goodacre into 10th in the standings, 26 markers ahead of the team of Kelly and Marc Hallett.
The Friday Night Fun Stocks have been an entertaining addition to the Friday Night Thunder action this season, and will put the wraps on their inaugural season this Friday night. Lee Hils took yet another feature win last Friday night and holds a commanding 66 point lead over son Chris heading into the event, while Karl Sault is 3rd, just 2 points behind. An extra distance race with a few surprises in store could make things interesting this Friday, while the feature winner will take home an increased cheque of $250.
One more event remains on the Ohsweken schedule after this Friday's Season Championship, and it is a huge one - The 4th annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals presented by Arrow Express. Scheduled for Friday, September 12th and Saturday, September 13th, the Nationals promise once again to be a spectacular event this season, and reserved seats are available for purchase for both nights this year. Last season, 76 of the best 360 sprint cars in the Northeast came together at Ohsweken for the 3rd annual edition of the event, with Quebec driver Steve Poirier taking the feature win for the 2nd year in a row. This year, the huge field of competitors - 58 have already pre-entered - will be looking to end Poirier's streak and take home the $8,000 winner's cheque, as well as the bragging rights that go along with winning this great event. Don't miss any of the exciting Nationals action: Visit HYPERLINK
http://www.OhswekenSpeedway.com now for details on how to reserve your seats!
Ohsweken Speedway's Friday Night Thunder series concludes this Friday, September 5th when Iroquois Poker presents the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars, ESSO Thunder Stocks, ESSO Mini-Stocks, and Friday Night Fun Stocks, all running special extra-distance championship feature races! 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 HYPERLINK
http://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, September 5!
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Tommy Goudge
Ohsweken Speedway Media
media@ohswekenspeedway.com
Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=8303.msg53059#msg53059
