A night for Champions, 3 win features on final points night
BROCKVILLE-The final points night of the 2004 racing season at Brockville Ontario Speedway was one of celebration as 3 track champions clinched their crowns with wins and the other 2 recorded close second place finishes. However, the one that had the fans on the edge of their seats came in the Modified division where Danny O Brien needed a win to have any hope of catching Steve Paine.
It didn't start out well for the Kingston driver in his small block modified as he was involved in a multi car fiasco in turn 2 on lap 3. O Brien quickly regrouped and began a wild ride back through the field eventually taking over the top spot from early leader Kyle Wilson. Paine meanwhile worked his big block TEO chassis hard to get by Wilson finally prevailing just past the halfway mark. Despite an anxious moment, almost getting into a lapped car with 3 laps to go O Brien prevailed with Paine about 5 car lengths back in second spot. Bryan Rogers was third followed by Wilson and Steve Bilow. The emphasis quickly switched to the points race as for the first time drivers were allowed to drop their 2 worst finishes of the year. The result was a dead heat for the Modified track title as both drivers finish with 624 points.
The last month has been a challenging one for Kyle Dingwall, but despite that he clinched his first Sportsman track crown in style winning the 20 lap Sportsman feature. The Brockville native led all 20 laps after starting on the outside pole. Randy Earl grabbed a strong second followed by Marcel Pecore, Ben Tucker and Jason Potter. Dingwall finished the campaign with 662 points good for a 56 point victory over the second place Pecore.
Dana Aikens like Dingwall would be the first one to tell you that he has struggled the last month or so as well. It didn't show at all on Friday night as he rocketed to a relatively easy victory in the 20 lap Street Stock event. Steve Billings in his best ride of the season was second with rookie Jason Powers recording a top 3. The two Codes, Jack followed by Billy rounded out the fast five. Aikens finished the year with 704 points, good for a 34 point edge over Billy Code.
Bob Ray needed to win and get some help to take Rookie honours. Ray did what he was in control of taking the 12 lap feature run. However Billy Woodward Jr. was in hot pursuit of the leader throughout the race finishing a car length back in second. Dave Blue was third in front of Gerry O and Brad Kirkland. The second place finished cemented Woodward Jr's track crown which saw him have to drive multiple different cars at one stretch in the season to stay alive in the chase. Ray was 48 points back in second.
Two Powder Puff events closed out the evening with Rose Archambault taking the Rookie run and Caroline Stapper fending off Gwen Wilkinson to take the Street Stock feature.
Brockville Ontario Speedway returns to action next Friday night with the first ever visit of the Sunoco Super DIRT Series for Sportsman along with a special Modified run what you brung event. Rookies and Street Stocks will also be in action. The green flag drops at 7:30 pm.
Modifieds 30 laps 1. Danny O Brien 2. Steve Paine 3. Bryan Rogers 4. Kyle Wilson 5. Steve Bilow 6. Pat O Brien 7. Andy Lloyd 8. Sam Vanderlinden 9. Perry Francis 10. Victor McAlpin 11. Mike Adderley 12. John Calgey 13. Ryan Barlett 14. Yannick Ledoux 15. Todd Stewart DNS John Mulder
Sportsman 20 laps: 1. Kyle Dingwall 2. Randy Earl 3. Marcel Pecore 4. Ben Tucker 5. Jason Potter 6. Kees VanWinden 7. Pernie Banks 8. Jason Riddell 9. Joe Woods 10. Cole Dingwall 11. Brad Winters 12. Kurtis Lee 13. Ryan Poole 14. Philip Vanderlinden DNS Sheldon Hoogwerf
Street Stock 20 laps 1. Dana Aikens 2. Steve Billings 3. Jason Powers 4. Jack Code 5. Bill Code 6. Dave Austin 7. Art Brown 8. Charles Barkley 9. Robin Perrin 10. Wayne Holmes 11. Peter Stapper 12. Jeff Brown 13. Shane Ray 14. John Simmons 15. Jason Riemersma 16. Jeff Welch 17. Dave Smith DNS Brandon Bolton
Rookies 12 laps 1. Bob Ray 2. Bill Woodward Jr. 3. Dave Blue 4. Gerry O 5. Brad Kirkland 6. Josh Kane 7. Joe Banks 8. Adam Trickey 9. Chris Bakker 10. Steve Smith 11. Chris Riddell DNS Danny Larose