A Different O Brien in victory lane at Brockville
BROCKVILLE-Pat O Brien has always been a proven winner on and off the race track. However, the Kingston driver has had a challenge when it comes to finding victory lane at Brockville Ontario Speedway since his return as a regular at the track last season. The string of close calls finally came to a end on Friday night as O Brien scorched the field Friday night at the fast quarter mile clay oval in the 30 lap 358 Modified feature.
John Mulder took the early lead in the event and soon had O Brien's red Gypsum Logistics Bicknell at his back bumper. Mulder was able to hold onto the lead until just before the halfway point. With brother Danny now nipping at O Brien's heels, the older brother decided it was time to go. Pat finally finished off a pass coming off of turn 4 on lap 14 and then led the rest of the way. Mulder continued his best effort of the young season holding off the defending track champ Danny O Brien for second. Bryan Rogers and Mark Hitchcock rounded out the top 5.
28 Empire Super Sprints were on hand for the first of four sprint car shows scheduled for the BOS in 2005. The 25 lap feature began on a scary note as Chuck Hebing got airborne on the front straightaway taking out a light. Debris from the car also impacted the starters stand's protective lexar but no one was injured and race continued after a lengthy red flag cleanup. Defending ESS Champ Lance Yonge moved up quickly from his 13th starting spot, then sped around Billy White in turn 3 and went on for the victory. White was second followed by local favourite Kyle Wilson of Joyceville in third. Bobby Podolak in the Swiffer number 7 and Alain Bergeron were fourth and fifth respectively.
Marcel Pecore picked up the lead on lap 10 and then laid a pounding on the field in grabbing the 20 lap Sportsman feature. Kurtis Lee continued his improvement with a strong second place showing in front of Jason Riddell, Bob Albright and Kees Van Winden. Jeff Welsh became the third different winner in three events for the Street Stocks this season. Welsh was pressured lap after lap by Billy Code but never buckled even when Code managed to almost pull along side with 2 laps remaining. Robin Perrin, Shane Ray and Jack Code made up the remainder of the fast five. in the 12 lap Rookie feature Steve Smith scored his second win of 2005 in a race that featured multiple leaders until Smith took over and dominated the closing laps. Chris Bakker came home in second spot followed by Martin Bernard, Brad Banks and Josh Kane.
Brockville Ontario Speedway returns to action next Friday night, June 4th with a full race program along with the popular annual driver autograph session at intermission. The green flag drops at 7:30 pm.
ESS Feature 25 laps: Lance Yonge, Billy White, Kyle Wilson, Bobby Podolak, Alain Bergeron, Nick Fratto, Jeff VanDusen, George Ely, Ray Preston, Mike Stelter, Jeff Cook, Dan Kaszubinski, Russ Bennett, Doug Norrie, Matt Norrie, RC Faigle, Randy Years, Kyle Moffit, Shawn Donath, Luke Erickson, Rick Wilson, Don Sharp Jr, Chuck Hebing
358 Modified feature 30 laps: Pat O Brien, John Mulder, Danny O Brien, Bryan Rogers, Mark Hitchcock, Paul Pekkonen, Chris Jones, Stephane LaFrance, Perry Francis, Kyle Jacobs, Tom Jock Jr, John Lazore, Kyle Dingwall, Jeff Ciglich, Andy Lloyd, Adam Moore
Sportsman feature 20 laps: Marcel Pecore, Kurtis Lee, Jason Riddell, Bob Albright, Kees Van Winden, Sheldon Hoogwerf, Shawn Donath, Brad Kirkland, Bobby Herrington, Jeremy Lasalle, Jim Peters, Brett Horner
Street Stock feature 20 laps: Jeff Welsh, Billy Code, Robin Perrin, Shane Ray, Jack Code, Peter Stapper, Steve Billings, Charles Barkley, Jeff Brown
Rookie feature 12 laps: Steve Smith, Chris Bakker, Martin Bernard, Brad Banks, Josh Kane, Jessica Power, Jesse Perrin