OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY: Tight title chases highlight Mid-Season Championship on Friday

By Tommy Goudge (July 5, 2011) – Although it seems like the season just got started, this week’s edition of Friday Night Thunder at Ohsweken Speedway will mark “Mid-Season Championship” night at the Styres-owned facility. Wiseco Piston presents extra-distance features this week for the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars, Lighthouse Tattoos Thunder Stocks, and Pierced Parts Bombers, while Evers Financial presents the HRW Automotive Mini Stock portion of Friday’s program.

CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING SPRINT CARS: Derek Jonathan of Lewiston, NY scored a popular win last Friday night at Ohsweken, but Tilbury’s Kyle Patrick continues to lead the championship chase. Patrick entered the night 1 point ahead of Fenwick driver Jim Huppunen, and finished the night 2 points ahead after both drivers scored top 5 finishes in the feature. Jonathan is third in the standings, followed by Brantford sophomore Mitch Brown, and Grimsby driver Travis Cunningham. New York drivers have won each feature so far this year, including Kyle Moffit, Jared Zimbardi, Bryan Howland, and Jonathan.

LIGHTHOUSE TATTOOS THUNDER STOCKS: Larry Czinege, Jr. of Ridgeway, and Caledonia driver Mike Thorne moved past Port Robinson’s Devin Habiuk and into a tie for first place in the Thunder Stock standings by finishing 1-2 last Friday night. Habiuk, who has a feature win this season, is still well within striking distance, just 4 points behind. Brad Herron of Brantford has had a consistent season and sits fourth, while Caledonia's Ryan Dinning rounds out the top 5.

HRW AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS: Dundas driver Karl Sault was able to salvage a decent feature finish in a borrowed car last Friday night in Mini Stock action, but saw his points lead dwindle to just 5 markers over Jake Brown of Brantford.

Caledonia veteran Mike Evers is just 6 points out of the lead in third, and looking to win the race he's sponsoring this Friday. Abel Castelein of Cayuga won Friday's feature, and is up to fourth in the standings, while Burlington driver Mike Taylor rounds out the top 5.

PIERCED PARTS BOMBERS: Waterdown's Rodney Rutherford and Rockton's Dave Patton both overtook Waterdown driver Trevor Roszell by finishing second and fourth respectively last Friday night. Rutherford leads Patton by a single point heading into Friday's race, with Roszell third, Hamilton's Max Chechalk fourth, and Dundas driver Sarah Rutherford fifth.

NEW THIS WEEK: The top five drivers in points in a selected Friday Night Thunder division will be featured in a fan-friendly meet and greet interview session beginning this week at intermission. This week’s featured division is the Lighthouse Tattoos Thunder Stocks. Fans are encouraged to gather under the flag stand to mingle with the drivers. Cameras are welcome!

COMING SOON: “Christmas in July” is approaching quickly, and that event will also feature the only autograph night of the season.. Santa Claus will visit Ohsweken on Friday, July 22, and kick off a busy week of action at the track which includes “Tony Stewart Night” on July 26, the World of Outlaws Sprint Car series on July 27, and another round of Friday Night Thunder on July 29. Make sure to visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com for all the information on these special events.

TICKETS PLEASE!: Advanced reserved seat tickets for “Tony Stewart at Ohsweken” July 26, World of Outlaws Sprint Cars “Six Nations Showdown” July 27, and Canadian Sprint Car Nationals September 15, 16, and 17 at Ohsweken are on sale now! Please visit www.OhswekenSpeedway..com and call 1-888-720-RACE to order yours today!

RIDE WITH THE PROS: Ohsweken Speedway has two custom-built two-seater Sprint Cars available each race night for rides during intermission and after the races. Please visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com to learn how you can take the ride of your life with one of the stars of the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars!

RIDE WITH “SMOKE”!: Ohsweken Speedway will be giving away 2-seater rides with NASCAR champion Tony Stewart during each of the next three rounds of Friday Night Thunder. Tickets will be sold for $2 each, or three for $5 beginning around 8:00p.m. on July 8th, 15th, and 22nd. A new draw will be held each week, with the previous week’s tickets ineligible.

Watch the official Ohsweken Speedway website at www.OhswekenSpeedway.com in the next few days for news and details on how to get involved in a special “Meet and Greet” session with Tony Stewart. “Smoke” will take on Ohsweken’s hometown Corr/Pak Sprint Car racers on Tuesday, July 26, while stars of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car series will invade Ohsweken the following night - Wednesday, July 27.

THIS WEEK AT OHSWEKEN: Ohsweken Speedway’s Friday Night Thunder continues this Friday, July 8 when Wiseco Piston and Evers Financial present “Mid-Season Championship Night”. The Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars, Lighthouse Tattoos Thunder Stocks, HRW Automotive Mini Stocks, and Pierced Parts Bombers will all be contesting extra-distance feature races during the fifth round of Friday Night Thunder this week.

Friday Night Thunder at Ohsweken offers affordable, exciting, family entertainment just a short drive from many Mid-Western Ontario locations. Friday Night Thunder Adult General Admission is just $10, while Seniors and Students are $8, and Kids age 12 and under are FREE!

Spectator gates open @ 6:00p.m., with the first race taking the green flag at 7:45p.m. this Friday, July 8! Visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com and Feel The Excitement!