Coniam becomes first ever ESS winner from Ontario
BROCKVILLE-Ryan Coniam has a real legacy to live up to. The Burlington, Ontario driver is the son of Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame Supermodified pilot Warren Coniam. The younger Coniam however did manage to put his name into the history books as the first ever winner from the province in Ontario in a Empire Super Sprint feature race. Ryan won the 20 lap main event on Friday night at Brockville Ontario Speedway.
Coniam started on the outside pole and led all 20 laps for the win, also the first sprint car featurecwin by a Canuck on the fast quarter mile Brockville track. Bobby Podolak was second and closed on Coniam in traffic with 5 laps to go. He was never close again after a restart a lap later. Rob Dietrick, Dick Nash and 16 year old Kyle Drum all out of New York State rounded out the top five. Local favorite Rick Wilson skidded off the track in turn 1 early in the race but did manage to finish on the lead lap despite starting 22nd in the field.
Lee Gill took another solid step in defending his BOS Modified track title. The LeFargeville NY driver took the lead in the final 10 laps and cruised to his second straight win in his new Bicknell chassis. Frank Caprara worked his way through the field of 24 cars to finish second about a half straightaway back with Scott Parliament, early leader Chris Jones and Mark Hitchcock rounding out the top 5. The race was red flagged on lap 9 after a violent flip on the front stretch involving Brian MacDonald. The Cornwall driver was not hurt but his car was severly damaged.
Randy Gaudet of North Augusta and Hardington’s Dave Austin kept their perfect feature records in tact. Gaudet put on another clinic in winning his 3rd of the year passing Lance Willix with 7 laps to go with a power move in turn 4 and went on to the 20 lap Sportsman feature. Willix, Kyle Wilson, Doug Matthews and Tim Alton made up the rest of the top 5.
Austin once again used a patient approach in a caution filled Novice feature. He seemed to be the only car to stay out of trouble in posting his third straight 10 lap win. John and Earl Simmons were next across the line followed by Leonard Washer and Roger Bushey.
The next event at Brockville Ontario Speedway will be next Friday night with a full race program sponsored by Highway 29 Mr. Gas including the always popular spectator bag race. The green flag drops at 7:30 on June 15th.
Empire Super Sprints 20 laps 1. Ryan Coniam Burlington ON 2. Bobby Podolak Auburn NY 3. Rob Deitrick Farmington NY4. Dick Nash Auburn NY 5. Kyle Drum Wayland NY 6. Dan Kaszubinski Syracuse NY 7. Bubby Kerrick Gorham NY 8. Mike Woodring Eden NY 9. Dale Planck Homer NY
Modifieds 30 laps 1. Lee Gill Lefargeville NY 2. Frank Caprara Watertown NY 3. Scott Parliament Clayton NY 4. Chris Jones Demorestville 5. Mark Hitchcock Kingston 6. Billy Cook Hogansburg NY 7. Chris Herbison Brockville 8. Bill Mullin Iroquois 9. Paul Pekkonen Brockville 10. Gil Evoy Athens
Sportsman 20 laps 1. Randy Gaudet North Augusta 2. Lance Willix Theresa NY 3. Kyle Wilson Joyceville 4. Doug Matthews Kingston 5. Tim Alton 6. Adam Moore Elgin 7. Darren Catallier Addison 8. Mike Amell Watertown NY 9. Dave Wilgosh Lyn 10. Kyle Dingwall Brockville
Novice 10 laps 1. Dave Austin Hardington 2. John Simmons Goveuneur NY 3. Earl Simmons Star Lake NY 4. Leonard Washer Mountain Grove 5. Roger Bushey Ogdensburg NY