TODD STEWART BECOMES BIG CASH BOUNTY HUNTER AT BROCKVILLE
BROCKVILLE-There’s nothing like a little extra cash on the line and a near capacity crowd to make things more interesting at a race track. Bath’s Todd Stewart proved that he is a pretty good bounty hunter on Friday night as he won the 30 lap Modified feature that included $1,000 extra for the first driver put up by Pastime Motors of Brockville to beat three time defending track champ Lee Gill.
Stewart was impressive in his heat race and started up front in the main event. He built a good lead that was quickly reduced by a couple of mid race cautions. Mark Hitchcock stormed through the field for the second straight week and grabbed the second spot with 9 laps remaining. He would hound Stewart the rest of the way but had to settle for second. Gill as usual put on a superb display getting as high as third as his winning streak to start the season came to an end. Stephane LaFrance was fourth with Paul Pekkonen rounding out the fast five.
Christmas came early for Bobby Podolak of Auburn NY. Bill Bailey had dominated the 25 lap Empire Super Sprint feature despite 4 red flag situations for flips. However, Bailey himself went off the track with 4 laps to go. Podolak inherited the top spot and then held off a determined Justin Barger for the win. Quebec’s Alain Bergeron was third followed by Buddy Kerrick and Don Sharp Jr. The event was the first of two visits in 2003 by ESS tour and they will return on August 15th.
Jason Potter scored his Sportsman feature win at Brockville. Potter got by early leader Dave Wilgosh in turn 3 on the 8th lap and cruised the rest of the way in the 20 circuit confrontation. Randy Earl was second in front of Lance Willix, Tim Van Brocklin and Bob Albright.
Long time Brockville driver and native Sheldon Hoogwerf finally savoured a victory with a big smile and a borrowed engine. Hoogwerf was the winner in the 15 lap Novice event leading from start to finish. Peter Stapper settled for the second with Shane Ray, Kees VanWinden and Dave Austin third through fifth respectively.
One winning streak remains in tact, Kurtis McPhee continues to rule the Rookie division. The Cornwall driver took his third straight 10 lap feature win. Martin Walter was second followed by Billy Woodward Jr., Joseph Banks and Josh Read.
The Speedway returns to action with a full race program featuring all four divisions along with some mechanics racing on Friday Night, June 6th at 7:30 pm.
Modifieds 30 laps: 1. Todd Stewart 2. Mark Hitchcock 3. Lee Gill 4. Stephane LaFrance 5. Paul Pekkonen 6. Chris Herbison 7. Bill Gill 8. Doug Fuller 9. Boomer MacIntyre 10. Randy Gaudet 11. Kyle Wilson 12. Jeff Marshall 13. Bryan Rogers 14. Adam Moore 15. Jeff Sykes 16. Danny O Brien 17. Dan Foss 18. Jamie Martin 19. Sam Vanderlinden
Empire Super Sprints 1. Bobby Podolak 2. Justin Barger 3. Alain Bergeron 4. Bubby Kerrick 5. Don Sharp Jr. 6.Bill Coffey 7. Gordy Button 8. Don Karkland Jr. 9. Tim Zambardi 10. Randy Years
Sportsman 20 laps 1. Jason Potter 2. Randy Earl 3. Lance Willix 4. Tim VanBrocklin 5. Bob Albright 6 Dave Wilgosh 7. Harm Vanderweide 8. Josh Plooy 9. John Mulder 10. Kurtis Lee 11. Tim Alton 12. Jason Riddell 13. Leonard Washer 14. Ben Tucker 15. Pernie Banks 16. Kyle Dingwall
Novice 15 laps 1. Sheldon Hoogwerf 2. Peter Stapper 3. Shane Ray 4. Kees VanWinden 5. Dave Austin
Rookie 10 laps 1. Kurtis McPhee 2. Martin Walter 3. Bill Woodward Jr. 4. Joseph Banks 5. Josh Read