Bicknell Picks Up 358-Mod Victory At Gasport On Sunday

PORT COLBOURNE, ONT Pete Bicknell of St. Catharines, Ont., captured Sunday night's 30-lap DIRT 358-Modified feature Gasport Speedway. at

The race was part of the track's seven-event mini-series this season for the small-block machines.

Bicknell, a well-known car builder from the area who was a big winner at the oval when it was known as Humberstone Speedway, worked his way quickly to the front.

Bicknell's first obstacle was Alex Hoag, a teenager 358 Modified Super DIRT Series regular.

Hoag, who grabbed the lead at the start, found Bicknell's No. 42 on his rear bumper by lap 10. When a caution flag flew moments later, Hoag and Bicknell engaged in a paint swapping, bumper-banging duel for the inside restart posi tion under the yellow flag.

After contact was made

under caution, Hoag was sent to the rear of the field by offi cials.

As a result, Bicknell found himself sitting in the lead posi tion.

There was simply no catch ing Bicknell over the remaining laps. He held off some minor pressure from Fred Carleton to · record his second 358 Modified victory in three starts this season at Gasport.

Carleton settled for second place, followed by Dan Miller, Kenny Cosgrove and Hoag, who was involved in a tangle with Paul Ashton and brought out a yellow flag on lap 19.

In DIRT Sportsman action, Rob Pietz raced to victory in the division's 20-lap feature.

The event became the "Rob and Rob" show--that is, Rob Pietz and Rob Ledingham.

Pietz was able to hold off Ledingham's many challenges in the closing circuits to reach the checkere flag first.

Ledinghman finished sec

ond, followed by Jeff Leggett, Paul Gaboury and Brian Elliottson.

Other winners included Billy Bleich in the 15-lap Pro-Stock feature; Lloyd Cichocki in the Street Stock 15-lapper; and Blair Young in the 15-lap Mini Stock main.

After the night's action, Gasport promoters Al and Edith Wagner announced that Sunday's race was the last for the 358-Modifieds this season.

The Wagners thanked the drivers who competed in the three events, but due to a gen eral lack of support from oth ers, the 358s will not run any more events at the one-third mile oval this season.

358-Modified Finish: Pete Bicknell, Fred Carleton, Dan Miller, Kenny Cosgrove, Alex Hoag, Luke Carleton, Fred Carleton III, Kenny Winfield, Todd Gordon, Scott Harris, Paul Ashton.

Sportsman Finish: Rob Pietz, Rob Ledingham, Jeff Leggett, Paul Gaboury, Brian Elliottson, Jack McKinney, Dwayne Winfield, Pat Vigneri, Chad Chevallier, Phil Vigneri.