By: Clayton Johns/Brighton Speedway
July 17 2016

Brighton, Ontario – A thrilling night of action at Brighton Speedway saw 72 stock cars signed in to the pit area on CANEX Salute to the Forces race night on Saturday, July 16. Lieutenant Rob Keaveney of the Canadian Armed Forces’ 8 Wing CFB Trenton was on hand as the honourary starter and trophy presenter. The Eastern Ontario Vintage Stock Car Club also made their first visit of the season.

Gregory Claims Eastern Ontario Vintage Feature

Shawn Gregory drove his 1979 AMC Spirit bodied modified from the ninth starting spot to the lead on lap 13 and narrowly edged Pete Stapper (No.28) over the final two laps to claim the Eastern Ontario Vintage Stock Car Club’s return to Brighton Speedway on Saturday night.

Paul Billings (No.B10) and Denzil Billings Jr. (No.X22) started on the front row for the 15-lap main event. Paul Billings jumped to the early lead, but it was Stapper charging through the field from seventh to fourth on lap two who was noticeably the man on the move.

The only restart of the race on lap four saw Steve Lackie (No. B22) drive to the lead, but Stapper provided plenty of company up front. Stapper carved out the top lane of the speedway while Lackie remained on the bottom. Stapper used the outside groove to take the lead on lap 10, while Gregory followed the same line to second.

Stapper went back to the bottom with three laps to go and Gregory continued to build momentum up top. Gregory took the lead on lap 13, and momentarily gave it back to Stapper coming to the white flag when he jumped the cushion in turn three. Stapper couldn’t capitalize though, as Gregory retook the lead back exiting turn two and led the final two corners to claim the victory. It was Gregory’s first win at Brighton with the Eastern Ontario Vintage Stock Car Club since 2014.

Potts Surges To Third Pro Late Model Win

Phil Potts (No.29 Vanderlaan) wasn’t bothered in the least by a ninth-place starting position for the Vanderlaan Building Products Pro Late Model 30-lap main event. Potts took the lead from Kyle Sopaz (No.12 Lots and Lines) on lap 17 and led the final 13 circuits for his third win of the season.

Robbie Wilson (No.09 Bay Mazda) and Austin King (No.89 Durmach Excellence in Tooling) brought the field to the green flag with King claiming the early advantage. King raced side-by-side for the lead with third-starting Sopaz over the opening seven laps. King bobbled the car in turn one and Sopaz took over the point on lap seven.

As the field began to work through lapped traffic on lap 11, King made contact with lapped car Chris Heard (No.9 Bernheisel Racecars) in turn one. The contact saw the left side of Heard’s car dig in to the track, sending him flipping in the air. Heard did a complete barrel roll before coming to rest on all four wheels. Heard was uninjured, but the car was severely damaged.

When the field came back to green, Tyler Rand (No.84 Terry’s Taxi) battled for the lead, but Sopaz held serve in the bottom lane. Potts restarted in third and on lap 16 took the runner-up spot from Rand in turn four.

Potts then found grip in the top lane of the racetrack and used it to reel in Sopaz. A five car-length Sopaz lead was erased by the final caution of the night on lap 17. Potts used the same outside line to take the lead and cruised to the finish line 2.2 seconds ahead of Sopaz and Rand. Brandon Mowat (No.46 Target Fabrication) and Adam Turner (No.92 Village Variety) completed the top-five.

Ferguson Avenges Motor Problems With Third Win

Bloomfield’s Dan Ferguson (No.11) recovered from a blown motor one week ago with best dose of medicine possible: a trip to victory lane. After last week’s misfortune, Ferguson started on the pole and led all 25 laps in the Bainer’s OilGARD Canadian Modified A-Main to claim his third win of the season.

Despite Ferguson’s presence up front all race, the win did not come uncontested. Kraig Handley (No.91 Tri-Canadian Energy) started second after his own basketful of misfortune one-week prior and challenged Ferguson all race long.

Following a lap two restart, Ferguson and Handley broke away from the rest of the field until a caution at the halfway mark when Derrick Greig (No.48 Greig Truck and Trailer) and Derek Bowers (No.03 Competition Motors) came together in turn three. The ensuing restart produced carnage on the frontstretch. Involved in the incident were Bowers, Darrell Toms (No.00 Diamond Detailing), Mike Lucas (No.74 Jesen Property Management), Adam Whaley (No.12 Giant Tiger) and Dan Insley (No.28 Ball Machine).

When the field came back to green, Ferguson maintained the point position with Handley still in hot pursuit. The tightest battle on the track was for third between Shawn Gregory (No.1 PartSource), Josh Hennessy (No.88 A&A Haulage) and Andrew Hennessy (No.87 RJ Equipment).

Ferguon’s lead was as large as 0.6 seconds on lap 20, but Handley couldn’t get much closer and was forced to settle for second at the checkers. Gregory, Josh Hennessy and Andrew Hennessy completed the top-five following a thrilling side-by-side battle for third.

Purchase Revels In Second Victory

Wade Purchase (No.53 Independent Alternator and Starter) inherited the lead on lap 19 and held off a tough effort from Doug Anderson (No.72 Hunt’s Landscape Service) over the final six laps for his second win of the season in the Brighton Automotive Pro Stock feature.

The race seemed sewn up after pole sitter and current point leader Justin Ramsay (No.03 Empey Tire) led the opening 19 laps with a full straightaway advantage over Purchase. The battle appeared to be for second, as Purchase defended the runner-up spot from rookie Austin Reid (No.85 Kids R Kool) and Anderson.

Everything changed on lap 19 as Ramsay encountered lapped traffic. With Carissa Burrows (No.02 7&25 Tire) set to go one lap down, Ramsay made contact with the slower car at the bottom of turn one, sending the leader spinning in to the middle of the track.

That gave the lead to Purchase, who raced side-by-side with Reid on the restart. The race was slowed for the second and final time on lap 21 for a piece of metal debris on the front stretch. With Anderson in second, Purchase had to be flawless around the bottom of the track and was just that to claim the win. Anderson, Reid, Brandon Murrell (No.19 Hannah Motors) and Jonah Mutton (No.39 Apex Auto) completed the top-five.

Toms Earns First Career Victory

Luke Toms (No.19 Gardenhill Towing) engineered his third-place starting spot in to his first career win during the Bill’s Johns Comp 4 main event. Toms wasted little time making his move up front, taking front row starters Matthew Moore (No.14 Farl’s Auto Body) and Adam Flieler (No.11 Double D Sports Bar) three-wide down the backstretch.

Toms led the opening lap and never relinquished the point position in a caution-free 15-lap main event. Flieler and Moore battled side-by-side for second in the opening five laps until Flieler settled in to the position.

At the halfway mark, a three-wide battle for third developed between Moore, point leader Tyler French (No.0 Empey Tire) and Peter Moore (No.17 Sherry’s Pet Grooming). French eventually emerged with the spot after an extended battle between the three drivers.

With two laps to go, Toms held an indestructible 10-car length advantage over Flieler. French couldn’t reel in Flieler for the second spot before the checkered flag and finished third ahead of Peter Moore and Matthew Moore.

Up Next

The Adecco Monster Truck Summer Smash presented by Owasco RV takes on Brighton Speedway next Saturday, July 23. Monster Trucks will be here along with racing for Pro Late Models, Canadian Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Stingers and Round 3 of the ABC Taxi Comp 4 Triple Crown. It all gets underway at 7:00pm. Grandstand gates will open at 5:00pm. Adults are $15, a Family Pass is $40. More information available at www.brightonspeedway.ca.

COMPLETE RESULTS – JULY 17, 2016 – CANEX SALUTE TO THE FORCES RACE NIGHT

EASTERN ONTARIO VINTAGE STOCK CAR CLUB

A-Main (15 Laps - 15 Entries): 1. 01 Shawn Gregory, 2. 28 Pete Stapper, 3. B22 Steve Lackie, 4. 2 John Stanley, 5. 73 Josh Powers, 6. B10 Paul Billings, 7. X22 Denzil Billings Jr., 8. 2X Ally Amell, 9. 12 Tim Charland, 10. R7 Ryan Comeau, 11. 4 Tim Hagerty, 12. 11 Justin Saunders, 13. 00 Darrell Wilson, 14. B3 Steve Billings, 15. 62 Roy Rinne.

Heat 1 (6 Laps): 1. B10 Paul Billings, 2. X22 Denzil Billings Jr., 3. 2X Ally Amell, 4. B22 Steve Lackie, 5. 2 John Stanley, 6. B3 Steve Billings. No Time.

Heat 2 (6 Laps): 1. 73 Josh Powers, 2. 28 Pete Stapper, 3. 01 Shawn Gregory, 4. B7 Ryan Comeau, 5. 62 Roy Rinne. No Time.

Heat 3 (6 Laps): 1. 4 Tim Hagerty, 2. 11 Justin Saunders, 3. 00 Darrell Wilson, 4. 12 Tim Charland. No Time.

VANDERLAAN BUILDING PRODUCTS PRO LATE MODELS

A-Main (30 Laps –16 Entries): 1. 29 Phil Potts, 2. 12 Kyle Sopaz, 3. 84 Tyler Rand, 4. 46 Brandon Mowat, 5. 92 Adam Turner, 6. 1 Andy Mayhew, 7. 57 Charlie Sandercock, 8. 5 Steve Baldwin, 9. 20 Corey Earl, 10. 60 Norm Mayhew, 11. 8 Brian Down, 12. 89 Austin King, 13. 09 Robbie Wilson, 14. 42 Adam Nayler, 15. 79 Nathan Bosma, 16. 9 Chris Heard. No Time. Margin of Victory: 2.270 seconds.

Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 12 Kyle Sopaz, 2. 89 Austin King, 3. 57 Charlie Sandercock, 4. 46 Brandon Mowat, 5. 1 Andy Mayhew, 6. 8 Brian Down, 7. 5 Steve Baldwin, 8. 9 Chris Heard. Time: 1:58.330.

Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 84 Tyler Rand, 2. 92 Adam Turner, 3. 29 Phil Potts, 4. 42 Adam Nayler, 5. 20 Corey Earl, 6. 09 Robbie Wilson, 7. 60 Norm Mayhew, 8. 79 Nathan Bosma. No Time.

BAINER’S OILGARD CANADIAN MODIFIEDS

A-Main (25 Laps - 14 Entries): 1. 11 Dan Ferguson, 2. 91 Kraig Handley, 3. 1 Shawn Gregory, 4. 88 Josh Hennessy, 5. 87 Andrew Hennessy, 6. 07 Curtis King, 7. 32 Doug O’Blenis, 8. 78 Shelby Mills, 9. 03 Derek Bowers, 10. 48 Derrick Greig, 11. 74 Mike Lucas, 12. 12 Adam Whaley, 13. 28 Dan Insley, 14. 00 Darrell Toms. No Time. Margin of victory: 0.455 seconds.

Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 1 Shawn Gregory, 2. 88 Josh Hennessy, 3. 91 Kraig Handley, 4. 48 Derrick Greig, 5. 28 Dan Insley, 6. 78 Shelby Mills, 7. 00 Darrell Toms. Time: 2:11.174.

Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 11 Dan Ferguson, 2. 87 Andrew Hennessy, 3. 07 Curtis King, 4. 03 Derek Bowers, 5. 74 Mike Lucas, 6. 12 Adam Whaley, 7. 32 Doug O’Blenis. No Time.

BRIGHTON AUTOMOTIVE PRO STOCKS

A-Main (25 Laps – Duel on the Dirt Qualifier 2 - 16 Entries): 1. 53 Wade Purchase, 2. 72 Doug Anderson, 3. 85 Austin Reid, 4. 19 Luke Toms, 5. 39 Jonah Mutton, 6. 03 Justin Ramsay, 7. 08 Brian Cross, 8. 51 Mike Freeman, 9. 33 Samantha Mayhew, 10. 29 Rich Sanders, 11. 2 Leslie Mowat, 12. 02 Carissa Burrows, 13. 38 Art Rodgers, 14. 55 Jamie Marshall, 15. 7 Rob Dier, 16. 6 James Boyer. No Time.

Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 03 Justin Ramsay, 2. 55 Jamie Marshall, 3. 7 Rob Dier, 4. 85 Austin Reid, 5. 19 Brandon Murrell, 6. 51 Mike Freeman, 7. 33 Samantha Thompson, 8. 6 James Boyer. No Time.

Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 2 Leslie Mowat, 2. 72 Doug Anderson, 3. 39 Jonah Mutton, 4. 53 Wade Purchase, 5. 08 Brian Cross, 6. 38 Art Rodgers, 7. 02 Carissa Burrows, 8. 29 Rich Sanders. No Time.

BILL’S JOHNS COMP 4s

A-Main (15 Laps – 11 Entries): 1. 19 Luke Toms, 2. 11 Adam Flieler, 3. 0 Tyler French, 4. 17 Peter Moore, 5. 14 Matthew Moore, 6. 13 Matthew French, 7. 44 Nick Hamer, 8. 04 Jeff Humphrey, 9. 7 Kevin Hertendy, 10. 10 Jeremy Toms, 11. 22 Keith Dunk. No Time.

Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 19 Luke Toms, 2. 17 Peter Moore, 3. 14 Matthew Moore, 4. 04 Jeff Humphrey, 5. 44 Nick Hamer, 6. 10 Jeremy Toms. No Time.

Heat 2 (6 Laps): 1. 0 Tyler French, 2. 11 Adam Flieler, 3. 13 Matthew French, 4. 7 Kevin Hertendy, 5. 22 Keith Dunk. No Time.

SEASON WINNERS

Vanderlaan Building Products Pro Late Models: 3 – Phil Potts (April 30, July 2, July 16); 2 – Steve Baldwin (May 21, June 11); 2 – Adam Turner (May 14, June 18); 2 – Charlie Sandercock (May 28, July 9); 1 – Tyler Rand (June 4)

Bainer’s OilGARD Canadian Modifieds: 4 – Andrew Hennessy (May 28, June 4, June 18, July 2); 3 – Dan Ferguson (April 30, June 25, July 16); 1 – Doug O’Blenis (May 14); 1 – Curtis King (June 11); 1 – Josh Hennessy (July 9)

Brighton Automotive Pro Stocks: 5 – Justin Ramsay (April 30, June 4, June 18, June 25, July 2); 2 – Wade Purchase (May 14, July 16); 2 – Doug Anderson (May 21, June 11); 1 – Brandon Murrell (May 28); 1 – Jonah Mutton (July 9)

Bill’s Johns Comp 4s: 4 – Tyler French (April 30, May 14, May 28, June 4); 2 – Josh Read (June 11, July 2); 2 – Josh French (June 18, June 25); 1 – Adam Flieler (May 21); 1 – Luke Toms (July 16)

Quinte Septic Super Stingers: 2 – Chris Lammle (May 28, June 11); 1 – Rick Phillips (May 14); 1 – Arthur McCauley; 1 – Del MacGregor (July 9)

Quinte Septic Junior Stingers: 1 – Chantel Golden (May 14); 1 – Brittany Golden (May 28); 1 – Willy Bolton (June 11); 1 – James Turgeon (June 25); 1 – Dylan Lobb (July 9)

Southern Ontario Sprints: 2 – Mitch Brown (May 21, June 18)

Go Nuclear Late Model Series: 1 – Charlie Sandercock (June 25)

Eastern Ontario Vintage Stock Car Club: 1 – Shawn Gregory (July 16)

About CANEX: CANEX, established in 1968, is a retail operation made up of a number of stores and services, designed specifically to meet the needs of the military community. In many ways, CANEX goes beyond the normal retail requirements in order to ensure the military community reaps extra benefit from the operation. Log on to www.canex.ca for more information.

About the Eastern Ontario Vintage Stock Car Club: The Eastern Ontario Vintage Stock Car Club (EOVSCC) is a travelling series of open-wheel modifieds styled as 1950s, 60s, 70s, and 80s stock cars. The EOVSCC was formed with the intent of providing a safe, affordable and competitive racing platform to honour and showcase the historical roots of dirt stock car racing in Ontario. The club offers a very exciting and unique brand of Dirt Modified Racing throughout Eastern Ontario and Northern New York State. For more information, visit www.easternontariovintage.com.

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Brighton Speedway’s 2016 season is proudly supported by the following corporate sponsors: ABC Taxi, Adecco, AeCON, Bainer’s OilGARD Anti-Rust, Battlefield Equipment Rentals, Bay Marine, Behan Construction, Belleville Boyer Nissan, Belleville Transmission & Auto, Bellevue Fabricating Ltd., Bicknell Racing Products, Bill’s Johns, BJ McColl Fams, Bonn Law, Boyer Chevrolet Napanee, Brighton Automotive, Brighton Recycling, Budweiser, Campbellford Chrysler, Canadian Energy, Canadian National Autism Foundation, CANEX, Classic Hits 95.5, Classic Rock 107.9 The Breeze, Coca-Cola, Comfort Zone Heating & Air Conditioning, The Community Press, Cool 100, CSC Products, Davis Auto Repair, Deerhaven Farm and Garden, Dibbits Excavating, Eastern Overhead Doors, Electro Cables, Excel Tower Service, First Place Trailers, Gerow Propane, Gilmour’s Meat Shop, Gord’s Water, Greig Truck & Trailer, Hellraiser Race Bodies, Hewbrook Incorporated, Hits FM 95.5, Hotch’s Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire, Humber Nurseries, ImageFactor.ca Motorsport Designs, JJ Stewart Motors, John’s Equipment, Jones Automotive, KD Transmission, Kiwanis Club of Trenton, KOA Campground of Brighton, Krown Rust Control Trenton, Lange & Fetter Ford, Larry’s Towing, Leaf Racewear, Leclair Electric, Lester’s Hot Dogs, Lucas Oil, Maestro’s Painting, Mark Heating & Cooling, McDougall Insurance and Financial, Mix 97, Monacoe’s Hair Salon & Day Spa, Monster Energy, Motosports of Trenton, Muskoka Aircraft Refinishing My FM 100.9/93.3, Mystical Distributing, NecksGen Head and Neck Restraint, NOCO Fuels, Owasco RV, Part Source, Peter’s South End Garage, Qunte Mall, Quinte Septic, Rapid Rad, Read’s Accounting, REMAX (Saoirse Graham & Nicole Parks), ROCK 107, Rona Trenton, Sanderson Tire and Automotive, Stewart Electric, Stix & Stones Billiards, Stoneridge Specialty Insurance, Target Fabrication, TAS Communications, The Trentonian, Therapeutic Massage Centre, Towne and Country Liquidation, Turris Communications, UCB Radio Canada, Ultramar CST, Vanderlaan Building Products, Vandermeer Toyota, VanZuylen Tire and Alignment, The Vinyl Solution, Vito’s Restaurant, VP Racing Fuels and Workman’s OK Tire.

About Brighton Speedway: Brighton Speedway is a 1/3-mile clay stock car racing oval located on the shores of Lake Ontario in Brighton, Ont. The speedway hosts five weekly stock car divisions on Saturday nights from May to September.