GAUDET WINS FIRST MODIFIED FEATURE AT BROCKVILLE
BROCKVILLE-Randy Gaudet was a multi time Sportsman track champion at Brockville Ontario Speedway. However, late last year following a less than stellar season jumping up to the 358 Modified class, the North Augusta driver was considering getting out of the cockpit. A heart to heart talk with a representative of Bicknell Racing Products changed his mind and Friday night his luck changed too. Gaudet used a restart just past the halfway mark to power by Todd Stewart and went on to claim his very first Modified feature win.
Stewart who charged out to an early lead had to settle for second. A sore Mark Hitcock, who was involved in a bone jarring crash last weekend in Cornwall managed to wheel his mount home in third spot in front of Jeff Sykes and Boomer MacIntryre.
Tim VanBrocklin’s crew managed to put his car back together after a heat race crash. It didn’t look good but somehow when the checkered flag flew Watertown’s Van Brocklin was the first one under it in the 20 lap Sportsman event. The race was marred by two separate 6 car pileups in the early going. Kyle Dingwall appeared headed for a win until he and his teammate came together in turn 3 with 5 remaining. VanBrocklin squeezed through the melee to take the lead for the first time even though his car was working far below 100 percent. On the last restart Lance Willix roared by to take the top spot only to have the car die on the final corner of the final lap enabling Van Brocklin to go by for the win. Randy Earl was second with Lee Miller, Jason Potter and Bob Albright rounding out the fast five.
Sheldon Hoogwerf of Brockville took advantage when his main competition on the night, John Simmons dropped out with 5 laps to go and grabbed his second Novice win of the season. Roger Bushey was second with Barry Baker, Steve Billings and Joe Woods third through fifth respectively.
Kurtis McPhee continues to dominate the Rookie wars. The Cornwall pilot easily outdistanced Brad Kirkland, Dave Watchorn, Stuart Mullin and Don Hall.
The Speedway returns to action on Tuesday night with the return of the Turning Stone Casino Super DIRT Series for 358 Modifieds for the Coca-Cola 100. Time Trails begin around 6:30 with racing beginning at 7:30. Danny O Brien is expected to try and defend last years victory against a strong field led by Alan Johnson and Frank Cozze. The rookies and novice cars will also be in action on Tuesday. The Speedway will be back in operation on Friday Night, June 27th at 7:30 pm for fan appreciation night presented by Tackaberry Construction. The cost will be just $20 a car load for as many folks as you can pile in a car with all four divisions taking part.
Modifieds 30 laps: 1. Randy Gaudet 2. Todd Stewart 3. Mark Hitchcock 4. Jeff Sykes 5. Boomer MacIntryre 6. Adam Moore 7. Doug Fuller 8. Sam Vanderlinden 9. Jeff Marshall 10. Paul Pekkonen 11. Lee Gill 12. Chris Herbison 13. Steve Bilow 14. Brian Rogers 15. Stephane LaFrance 16. Bill Gill
Sportsman 20 laps 1. Tim Van Brocklin 2. Randy Earl 3. Lee Miller 4. Jason Potter 5. Bob Albright 6. Dave Wilgosh 7. Harm Vanderweide 8. Lance Willix 9. Kyle Dingwall 10. Kurtis Lee 11. John Mulder 12. Tim Alton 13. Ben Tucker 14. Kees VanWinden 15. Josh Plooy 16. Jason Riddell
Novice 15 laps 1. Sheldon Hoogwerf 2. Roger Bushey 3. Barry Baker 4. Steve Billings 5. Joe Woods.
Rookie 10 laps 1. Kurtis McPhee 2. Brad Kirkland 3. Dave Watchorn 4. Stuart Mullin 5. Don Hall