OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY: SEASON OPENER, TAKE TWO

By Tommy Goudge (May 19, 2010) – Mother Nature decided to give Ohsweken Speedway’s race teams and fans an extra week to get ready for the 2010 season, but now the sky has cleared and it’s time to go racing! Ohsweken’s fifteenth anniversary season kicks off this Friday night when RapStar Energy Drink presents Friday Night Thunder featuring the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars, ESSO Thunder Stocks, ESSO Mini Stocks, and Bombers, plus the first of three visits by the Mod Lite Stars Championship Tour North!

The Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars are once again the headline division for Friday Night Thunder in 2010, and 2009 Corr/Pak Champ Tom Huppunen enters the season as the driver to beat. Veterans Kevin Job, Keith Dempster, Glenn Styres, Mikey Kruchka, and Jamie Collard are just a few of the challengers for the title this season, while former Ohsweken feature winner Mike Ling returns to dirt after a decade of pavement racing. The Rookie of the Year award is sure to be fiercely contested as an even half dozen first year drivers are signed up, including Jamie Turner, Chris Steele, Stevin Goldner, Shane Butler, Todd Hoddick, and 2009 Ohsweken Speedway ESSO Mini Stock champion Mitchell Brown

The always competitive ESSO Thunder Stocks division featured the closest points chase of any Friday Night Thunder division last season, and the same could happen this year. Defending champ Shayne Pierce will be back this season, this time in his family owned car. Meanwhile, other top ten drivers such as Billy Bleich, Jamie Cox, Jeremy Bean, Mike Thorne, Brad Herron, Ryan Dinning, Rob Disher, Lee Winger, and Chris Dickie would all like to take their first Thunder Stock title.

The ESSO Mini Stock division won't feature a repeat champion in 2010, as '09 champ Mitchell Brown has moved to the Corr/Pak Sprints. Former champions Abel Castelein (2007, 2008), Rick Emberson (2005), Kelly Hallett (2000, 2001) and Mike Giberson (1996) will try to add to their totals, while Dave Goodacre, Dan Stewart, Rob Slater, Ethan Martin, and Mike Evers are sure to compete for feature wins as well. Five first year drivers are also signed up to compete for the Rookie of the Year award, including Jacob Brown in the #10 seat vacated by brother Mitchell, along with Ryan Beagle, Brittani Myers, Jamie Goudge, and Robin Elliott.

The driver to beat in the Bomber division is Karl Sault, who claimed his first championship in 2009. The always unpredictable Bombers are also likely to include Jesse McDonald, Kacey Huffman, new driver Rob Twitchett, and a host of others having fun in the very affordable division.

Before Friday's action takes the green flag, Thursday night features Test and Tune for all divisions competing at the Speedway in 2010. The Test and Tune session offers a sneak peek at the 2010 season, and the best part? It's free for fans to observe from the main grandstand!

Ohsweken Speedway's Friday Night Thunder kicks off this Friday, May 21 when RapStar Energy Drink presents the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars, ESSO Thunder Stocks, ESSO Mini-Stocks, and Bombers, plus the Mod Lite Stars Championship Tour North.

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 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, May 21

PIERCE WINS WILD MUST SEE RACING DEBUT AT SALEM

From Jim Hanks: SALEM, Ind. – Aaron Pierce led the final few yards of the Winged Sprint Spectacular at Salem, in a thrilling debut of the Biobased USA Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series.

Pierce took the white flag in third place behind race leader Troy DeCaire and Jason Blonde, and a few moments later Blonde made a final try to the inside as the two cars entered turn three. DeCaire wiggled and snagged the outside wall, while Blonde spun to the inside. DeCaire’s bent machine slid along the front straightaway, sliding to a stop a few yards short of the finish.

Pierce steered clear of the melee and flashed across the finish line ahead of veteran Jeff Bloom and a surging Tim Cox. Jason Cox was fourth with Mike Ling completing the top five.

The night began in spectacular fashion when Blonde shattered the track record with a 14.224 clocking.

Heats were won by Pierce, Blaze Martin, and Jimmy McCune, while Tim Cox won the B-main.

The 30-lap feature provided a spectacular display of banzai racing, with the highlight being DeCaire’s amazing move to wrest the race lead from Bloom.

The Biobased USA series now moves to Winchester Speedway for the “King of the Wings” classic on May 23.

QUALIFYING
1 Jason Blonde 10s 14.224 (new track record)
2 Troy DeCaire 81 14.299
3 Jacob Wilson 07w 14.351
4 Tim Cox 07c 14.391
5 Mike Ling 55 14.493
6 Jason Cox 40 14.595
7 Aaron Pierce 26x 14.635
8 Ryan Litt 07L 14.661
9 Chris Neuenschwander 8 14.694
10 Travis Miniea 82 14.708
11 Jeff Bloom 26 14.826
12 Geoff Kaiser 99k 14.846
13 Hank Lower 37 14.875
14 Jimmie McCune 88 14.964
15 Blaze Martin 5 15.005
16 Sondi Eden 70 15.149
17 Ryan Myers 56r 15.304
18 Bo Hartley 3x 15.467
19 Brad Armstrong 99 15.600
20 Mike Larrison 6 15.668
21 Tom Tolbert 2t 15.831
22 Ron Koehler 10k 15.976
23 Jim Payne 11 16.004
24 Doug Stepke 66 16.169
25 Jim Swain 46 16.189
26 Jim Dolph 10d 16.638
27 Jerry Caryer 75c 16.828
28 Kyle Flint 20k 16.935
29 Chad Goff 9 DNQ

Heat Race 1

1. 1 Aaron Pierce 26x
2. 2 Jason Blonde 10s
3. 3 Sondi Eden 70
4. 4 Hank Lower 37
5. 5 Brad Armstrong 99
6. 6 Ron Koehler 10k
7. 7 Jim Swain 46
8. 8 Travis Miniea 82
9. 9 Tim Cox 7c

Heat Race 2

1. 1 Jimmy McCune 88
2. 2 Troy DeCaire 81
3. 3 Mike Ling 55
4. 4 Jeff Bloom 26
5. 5 Ryan Litt 07L
6. 6 Ryan Myers 56r
7. 7 Jim Payne 11
8. 8 Mike Larrison 6
9. 9 Jim Dofph 10d

Heat Race 3

1. 1 Blaze Martin 5
2. 2 Tom Tolbert 2t
3. 3 Bo Hartley 3x
4. 4 Chris Neuenschwander 8
5. 5 Jason Cox 40
6. 6 Jacob Wilson 07w
7. 7 Geoff Kaiser 99k
8. 8 Doug Stepke 66
9. 9 Jerry Caryer 75C

B Main

1. 1 Tim Cox 7c
2. 2 Mike Larrison 6
3. 3 Ryan Myers 56r
4. 4 Ron Koehler 10k
5. 5 Jim Swain 46
6. 6 Jim Payne 11
7. 7 Jim Dolph 10d

Feature

1.
* 1 Aaron Pierce 26x
* 2 Jeff Bloom 26
* 3 Tim Cox 7c
* 4 Jason Cox 40
* 5 Mike Ling 55
* 6 Sondi Eden 70
* 7 Jimmy McCune 88
* 8 Bo Hartley 3x
* 9 Troy DeCaire 81
* 10 Jason Blonde 10s
* 11 Hank Lower 37
* 12 Brad Armstrong 99b
* 13 Ryan Myers 56r
* 14 Blaze Martin 5
* 15 Tom Tolbert 2t
* 16 Mike Larrison 6
* 17 Ron Koehler 10k
* 18 Ryan Litt 07L
* 19 Chris Neuenschwander 8
* 20 Jim Swain 46

OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY STAFF AND RACERS READY FOR 2010 SEASON

By Tommy Goudge (April 1, 2010) – Test and tune day at Ohsweken Speedway is coming up fast, and racers and Speedway staff gathered at Brantford's Best Western Brant Park Inn on Saturday for the annual registration and information meeting, as preparations continue for the track's fifteenth anniversary season.  If the standing room only turnout at the meeting is any indication, this season is shaping up to be the best ever at Ohsweken.

MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Procedure and rules changes were outlined during the meeting, while officials in new roles were introduced to those in attendance. 

Wing and tire rule amendments including designation of the Hoosier 105/18 – 15 RD15 plated HTC as the Right Rear SPEC tire for the 2010 season were outlined for the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car division.

Introduction of the American Racer RJS Stocker branded medium compound tire as an option for the ESSO Thunder Stocks also highlighted the changes.

The formation of a new competition committee for the ESSO Mini Stock and ESSO Thunder Stock divisions was also announced.  The committee will interact with track officials on rules issues and other items that can improve the stock car divisions.

Details on rules changes can be found on the Ohsweken Speedway website at www.OhswekenSpeedway.com/rules.htm

DRIVER ROSTERS
As the season approaches, more news is coming in each day on the driver front.  Rookies are plentiful in all divisions, especially in the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car division, where no less than six drivers are set to compete for the Rookie of the Year award including Shane Butler, Stevin Goldner, Mitchell Brown, Chris Steele, Todd Hoddick, and Jamie Turner.

Veteran driver Kyle Patrick is set to return in his potent Sprint Car after some time away from the track, while local favourite Ryan Hunsinger will sit out much of the 2010 season for personal reasons. The seat of the Myles Hill Racing machine will be filled with the return of London-area open wheel star Mike Ling. 

Ling is returning to dirt track action after a lengthy and successful stint on the asphalt Sprint Car circuit in the United States.  The Mount Brydges driver was a top contender in the late 90’s at Ohsweken and other area tracks, and racked up eight feature wins – including two at Ohsweken – before moving to the pavement where he’s claimed six more feature wins and fifty-five “top 5’s” in the last ten years.

Fender fans will see Wyatt Van Wart moving up from the Mini Stocks and running for ESSO Thunder Stocks Rookie of the Year driving a former Mark Thorne machine, while local karting veteran Philip Nyssen is moving to Thunder Stocks as well.

The ESSO Mini Stocks Rookie of the Year award will be hotly contested this season.  Another member of the Brown family will get behind the wheel when Jacob Brown takes over the seat of the #10 which carried brother Mitchell to the ESSO Mini Stock track championship last season.  Brittani Myers is moving into the Mini Stocks after some time in the Bombers, while newcomers Jamie Goudge and Robin Elliott will also be Mini Stock rookies.

CAR SHOWS
Ohsweken Speedway also participated in the London Auto Expo at the Western Fairgrounds over the weekend.  Ohsweken Speedway would like to thank all the fans who visited the Speedway booth over the weekend and got a chance to check out John Riegling's #1a Sprint Car.

One more opportunity for fans to get a sneak peak at the 2010 paint schemes and meet their favourite drivers is coming up at the Ohsweken Speedway Brantford Mall show.  The show runs at the Lynden Park Mall from Wednesday, April 21 to Saturday, April 24 during regular mall hours. 

A final stop on the show circuit will take place at the Ancaster Fair Grounds on Sunday, April 25 at the annual spring Flea Market.  Stop by and get a bit of bench racing in before the action gets underway on the track for the 2010 season.

HISTORY PROJECT
Do you have old Ohsweken Speedway programs, photos, videos, or results pages just sitting around collecting dust?  The Ohsweken Speedway history project can use your help.  If you would like to contribute to the project, just send an e-mail to media@OhswekenSpeedway.com and share your favourite photos and other items with the world!

NEXT AT OHSWEKEN
Ohsweken Speedway’s fifteenth anniversary season is coming up faster than you think!  Just five weeks remain until the engines fire for the first time at the Speedway for Test and Tune on Saturday, May 8.  Make sure to visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com and make your plans to attend Friday Night Thunder each week starting May 14, as well as the World of Outlaws Sprint Series events on July 30th and 31st, and the Sixth Annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals September 16th to 18th!

ABOUT
Ohsweken Speedway is located in the village of Ohsweken, Ontario approximately twenty-five minutes Southeast of Brantford, forty minutes Southwest of Hamilton, one hour and twenty minutes West of Niagara Falls, one hour and twenty minutes East of London, and one hour and twenty minutes Southwest of Toronto. 

Ohsweken Speedway is a state-of-the-art Styres family-owned three-eighths mile clay oval racing facility featuring Musco lighting and seating for 8,000.  

Friday Night Thunder provides weekly racing at the track, featuring Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars, ESSO Thunder Stocks, ESSO Mini Stocks, and Bombers, along with touring series visits by the World of Outlaws Sprint Series, Empire Super Sprints, ASCS Patriots, and Mod-Lite Stars Championship Tour North. 

The track’s signature event is the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals held in September each season.  Up to eighty or more of the best 360 sprint car drivers and teams from across Canada, the United States, and beyond will converge on Ohsweken to contest the Sixth Annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals September 16 – 18, 2010.

Regular Friday Night Thunder admission is just $10, while students and seniors are $8, and Kids age 12 and under get in free.  Please visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com for more information, or call 1-888-720-RACE!