Raabe becomes youngest Sportsman winner ever at Brockville

BROCKVILLE-They say today's young people are always in such a hurry. One 14 year old from Napanee might be on a faster track than most. Chris Raabe after just a month of experience in a DIRT Sportsman car wheeled into victory lane on Friday night at Brockville Ontario Speedway becoming the youngest winner yet at the Beast of the East.

Raabe started the 20 lap feature in row 2 but was all over Jim Peters and Brad Kirkland from the drop of the flag. The teenager who has already become a legend at local go kart tracks used a second race restart on lap 8 to rocket around Peters on the outside and then pulled away from the field for an impressive first victory. Jason Riddell ended up second followed by Peters, Kirkland and another 14 year old in Bobby Herrington.

Pat O Brien survived a couple of late race scares to expand his points lead in the Modified division with another feature victory. O Brien slipped off the track for a second in turn 2 in the closing laps but recovered to hold off brother Danny O Brien for the top spot. Mark Hitchcock was third in front of Chris Jones and Mike Adderley, who was as high as second in his return as a Brockville regular. The race was red flagged on lap 14 after a multi car crash that claimed 5 cars including early leader Steve Bilow. No one was hurt.

Shane Ray methodically worked his way from the back to the front and took the 20 lap Street Stock feature despite a last lap restart that rebunched the field. Billy Code held off a late charge from Adam Turner for second with Peter Stapper and Bruno Richard fourth and fifth respectively. Steve Smith steered clear off of a first lap crash on the back straight and outlasted a determined Joe Banks to take the 12 lap Rookie event. Jesse Perrin was third in front of Chris Bakker and Josh Kane.

Brockville Ontario Speedway returns to action next Friday night, August 19th with a full race program plus the second visit of the season by the popular Empire Super Sprints. The green flag drops at 7:30 pm.

Modifieds 30 laps 1. Pat O Brien 2. Danny O Brien 3. Mark Hitchcock 4. Chris Jones 5. Mike Adderley 6. Kyle Dingwall 7. Cole Dingwall 8. Bryan Rogers 9. Andy Lloyd 10. Victor McAlpin 11. Jeff Ciglich 12. Steve Bilow 13. John Mulder 14. Tom Jock Jr. 15. Paul Pekkonen 16. Pernie Banks

Sportsman 20 laps Chris Raabe, Jason Riddell, Jim Peters, Brad Kirkland, Bobby Herrington

Street Stock 20 laps Shane Ray, Billy Code, Adam Turner, Peter Stapper, Bruno Richard

Rookies 12 laps Steve Smith, Joe Banks, Jesse Perrin, Chris Bakker, Josh Kane