POWELL WINS THE GREAT CANADIAN RACE
Saturday September 19th, 2015
By: Ryan Dyson
After all the anticipation, and a day later than originally scheduled, the Great Canadian Race proved to be worth the wait as fans were treated to a spectacle of speed and great racing on a Sunday afternoon. The race will go down in the history books as one to remember for many, especially for young Cole Powell (#25) who captured his first Great Canadian Race win in spectacular style taking the lead with just a few laps to go.
The opening laps were clean as drivers started to settle into their rhythm until the first caution flew on lap 10 for a spin by Nick Goetz (#24) in turn 1. On the restart fan favourite Jesse Kennedy (#10) took over the lead from Dale Shaw. The second caution of the race flew on lap 18 for a multi-car accident in turn 4 with Shawn McWhirter (#31), Trevor Collver (#97), Wayne Pilkey (#75), and Nick Goetz (#24). All drivers would be able to continue. On lap 21 Trevor Collver slipped in his own fluid in turn 3 and spun, bringing out the caution once again. Once the field was let loose they went on a green flag run that saw Jesse Kennedy continue to lead. There were a few solo spins between lap 33 and the refueling break on lap 49. Once the race resumed it saw some fantastic side by side racing that had fans on the edge of their seats in anticipation of not only the race but that championship battle. After lap 77 when Shawn Thompson (#72) spun the race once again went on a green flag run. The front running cars broke away from the field and began jostling for positions as the laps wound down. It appeared Jesse Kennedy was going to be able to hold off Cole Powell for the win but a lap 96 caution for another spin by Shawn Thompson set the field for a final restart. Kennedy got the jump but with just a few laps to go he slipped up and Powell made a pass on the back straightaway. Powell went on to win his first Great Canadian Race while Shawn Chenoweth (#89c) finished 2nd and Matt Pritiko (#21) finished third. Kennedy and Andrew Gresel (#81) tangled in turn 4 on the final lap which caused them to finish outside the top 10.
shaw_trackrecordDale Shaw captured the inaugural APC United Late Model Series championship as he finished the event in the 5th position. Shaw shattered the track record earlier in the day running a wicked fast 18.238.
In post race tech Cole Powell was found to have a technical infraction and forfeited all points and payouts.
The Great Canadian Race Weekend opened up on Friday evening with a thrilling night of action. After weather threatened the program, Delaware Speedway came out on top. Gary Mclean (#8) won the 25-lap OSCAAR Modified feature, Trevor Collver (#1) captured his first career Ground Masters Super Stock feature race win in the 40-lap event. Derek Moesker (#51) won the eventful 50-lap Bone Stock Enduro.
Saturday’s action was cut short by rain, but two divisions were able to get racing in. One of which was the Bone Stock Enduro Series which was able to complete their 25-lap feature race which was won by Kyle Neumeister (#82). The V8 Stock Muscle cars were able to complete half of their event before the rain moved in. The race was considered to be final and Steve Arrand (#37) captured the victory.
Friday night’s OSCAAR Modifieds feature race was won by Gary Mclean who started towards the front and held off a late race charge from 2013 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Rookie of the Year Cole Powell who was driving the Christie Motorsports #5. Powell started the race outside the top 12 and was able to make his way up to 3rd by lap 11 when a caution flag came out. Gary Elliot (#36) started the race from the front of the field in what was his 1198th race night.
The Ground Masters Super Stocks started their Friday night off with qualifying as drivers tried for the final time this season to break the track record. Although a few drivers ventured into the right territory, none were able to break that record that is held by Gary Adriaensen (#55). After a complete invert of the field following qualifying, Jerry Broom (#93) led the field to green. Trevor Collver (#1) took over the lead on the 2nd lap and was able to hold off challenges from series champion Gary Adriaensen, as well as Matt Robblee (#51), Shawn Chenoweth (#89c) and 2014 champion Branden Verhoeven (#7).
Sunday afternoon played host to a great Ground Masters Super Stock race that saw Branden Verhoeven (#7) emerge with the win. 14 year old Ray Morneau Jr. (#03) led the opening 30 laps of the 35-lap race after starting the event on the outside of the front row. A caution on lap 30 allowed Verhoeven to make the pass for the lead. Morneau Jr. was able to hold onto 2nd place, Darrell Lake (#77) finished 3rd.
The Demar Aggregates Truck Series ran a pair of 10-lap heat races on Friday night with Jeff Denboerr (#22) and Joe Windis (#65) taking wins. Sunday saw the 30-lap feature race being won by Devon Bloemendal (#01) in what was easily one of the wildest Demar Aggregates Truck Series races of the season. Kyle Neumeister (#6) led the opening half of the 30-lap event until series champion Rick Verberne (#88) took over top spot on lap 16. Verberne’s lead was short lived as on lap 21 Neumeister regained top spot. After numerous flat tires and spins and even a hard crash on the back straightaway with Lucas Manning (#66) and Cameron McQueen (#78) Bloemendal was able to take the top spot and emerge with the win. Verberne finished 2nd after pitting under caution for a flat tire, and 2014 champion Tom Zagorodny (#77) finished in 3rd.
The V8 Stock Muscle Cars also ran a pair of 10-lap heat races on Friday night with Jamie Klumper (#07) and Steve Arrand (#37) taking wins. Saturday’s 30-lap feature race was won by Steve Arrand after the event was cut short by rain on lap 16. Andrew Ferreira (#8) led much of the race early but started to slide back just before the race was called. Steve Arrand was able to keep the car under him as the track conditions worsened and other drivers began to slide around and even spin. Gary Zwygers (#93) finished the event in 2nd, and Jeff Ferguson (#23) finished the event in 3rd.
Friday night’s 50-lap Bone Stock Enduro event saw a great battle for the win between eventual race winner Derek Moesker and Roy Lewis (#92). The two swapped the lead and weaved in and out of traffic for the last 10-laps as they treated the fans to a race they likely will not forget soon. Nathan Hawkins (#47) has found himself suspended after a series of on track altercations, failure to follow officials directions, and and and a host of other violations both on and off the track. The altercation began early in the race when Hawkins made contact with another driver. Hawkins proceeded to track down the #070 of Ben Davey for retaliation — it was later discovered that Hawkins had targeted the wrong driver.
Saturday’s 25-lap Bone Stock event was tame compared to the night before but in typical fashion there was some spins, slides and side by side battles. Kyle Neumeister (#82) emerged with the win after holding off rookie Chris Radder (#31) who is enjoying racing after sitting in the grandstands last year. Friday night’s event winner Derek Moesker (#51) finished the event 3rd after driving from deep in the field. Race fans were treated to a unique celebration as three drivers did burnouts against the inside wall after the race.
The next event at Delaware Speedway is Saturday September 26th at 2:00pm with the 5th annual Pumpkin Smasher featuring the Bone Stock Enduro and a demolition derby on the front straightaway.
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