SUNSET SPEEDWAY QUICK RESULTS

SUNDAY MAY 22^ND, 2O11

Lucas Oil TQ Can Am Midgets

Heat 1: JR Fitzpatrick                                Cambridge, ON

Heat 2: Rob Neely                                     Rockwood, ON

A Main:

1)    Darren McLennan                          London, ON

2)    Daniel Bois                                      Brampton, ON

3)    Jeff Blackburn                                 Newmarket, ON

4)    Tom Kyle                                         Vanastra, ON

5)    Mike Westwood                             Milton, ON

Canadian Vintage Modifieds

Heat 1: Jason Keen                                  Oakville, ON

Heat 2: Ben Charbonneau                       Breslau, ON

A Main:

1)    Jason Keen                                     Oakville, ON

2)    Ben Charbonneau                          Breslau, ON

3)    Steve Trendell                                Mississauga, ON

4)    Pat Ruelens                                     Milgrove, ON

5)    Daryl Henwood                              Paris, ON

OSCAAR Super Late Model

Heat 1: Todd Campbell                           Guelph, ON

Heat 2: ‘The Bully’ Dwayne Baker         Stayner, ON

Heat 3: Al Thomson                                 Uxbridge, ON

Heat 4: Brandon Watson                         Stayner, ON

A Main:

1)    Glenn Watson                                 Barrie, ON

2)    ‘The Bully’ Dwayne Baker              Stayner, ON

3)    Brandon Watson                            Stayner, ON

4)    Wayne Isaacs                                  Brampton, ON

5)    Dave Taylor                                                

Cornelius Takes First Step Toward Title Contention With Second Straight Victory

May 21, 2011 - Spencer Lewis -

After losing week 2 to rain, the Sunset Speedway competitors appeared poised for an action-filled event to kick off the 2011 points-season on week 3.

The Limited Late Model A-Main saw 17-cars take the green flag. ‘The Bully’ Dwayne Baker (No. 48 Clearview Heating/St. Onge Recreation Chevrolet) took top-qualifier honours after a pair of strong heat races, rolling a ‘6’ on the re-draw to start from outside the third row.

Baker’s re-draw would hand the pole position to sophomore Sean Grosman (No. 29 Landing Strip Gentleman’s Club/Stompin’ Tom Motorsports Chevrolet) who would lead the field to green, commencing the 30-lap event.

Grosman’s time at the front of the field would be short lived, as four-year veteran Sean Cronan (No. 84 Women in Stride Physiotherapy/Sturdy Power Lines Chevrolet) utilized an excellent start to remove Grosman from the point position by the time the pack entered turn-2.

Jason ‘Bam Bam’ Witty (No. 19 LaRue’s Haulage/Toronto Bearing Chevrolet) and fast qualifier Baker would follow Cronan to the front, bouncing Grosman from the top-3 as the cars completed the first lap.

The lone caution would slow the event at lap 6, just as Week 1 winner Kevin Cornelius (No. 17 Halton Crushed Stone/Lee Sand & Gravel Chevrolet) had reeled in the top-3 from his fifth place starting position.

The ensuing restart would see Witty usurp the lead, utilizing the outside line to find a way past Cronan’s McColl Racing Enterprises chassis, bringing Cornelius with him as the pair worked to distance themselves from the rest of the field.

Cornelius would follow Witty until lap 9, when the Orangeville, ON native was able to find room on the bottom of the race track to complete the pass for the lead, snatching the top spot as Witty chased an ill-handling racecar up the banking in turn-4.

With ‘Bam Bam’ working overtime to settle his Chevrolet back into the racing groove, Baker and Cronan also found room to pass on the bottom of the racetrack, in pursuit of Cornelius.

The rest of the event would be contested under green flag conditions, with Cornelius putting more and more distance between himself and the second-placed Baker as the laps wore on, eventually holding a commanding full-straightaway lead over the remaining 16 cars.

Cruising under the checkered flag for the second straight week, Cornelius led a train of cars comprised of Baker, Cronan, defending Stompin’ Tom Walters (No. 47 McColl Racing Enterprises/Pro Floor Sanding & Refinishing Chevrolet) and ‘Mr. Excitement’ Chris Morrow (No. 11 Morrow Electric/CRS Rentals Chevrolet) to complete the top-5.

After climbing from his winning ride, Cornelius was all smiles, musing “Well, we talked about consistency last time [in victory lane]. I guess 2 wins in a row is about as consistent as it gets right now”

“We want to just keep things rolling, but we’ll have to come from the back next week, so no doubt it’ll be tough racing”

When asked about the handling of his new car as the event wore on, Cornelius explained “We felt as though we had an absolute rocket at the beginning of the race. But as the green flag stayed out, the car just kept getting looser on entry.”

“My guys told me that I had a big league, kept me calm and just told me to stay smooth”

With the victory in hand, Cornelius will walk out with the Limited Late Model points lead for the first time in his career.

After a spectacular Super Stock event on opening night that saw Marty Monette (No. 66 aatel.com/Arnott’s Automotive Camaro) grab the checkers to kick off the 2011 campaign, all eyes were on the field of 19 starters to see who would break through with a victory on the first points-paying night of the season.

The field was set through time trials earlier in the evening, with top-qualifier honours going to third-year competitor ‘Too Quick’ Kenny Britt (No. 14 TSS Top Shops/Paint by Watson Mustang) after a blistering lap of 16.084 seconds.

With a invert dice roll of ‘8’, Britt would roll off the grid from outside row four, handing the pole position to Innisfil, ON veteran Paul Maltese (No. 28 Bradford Bowl/Graham Contracting & Landscaping Monte Carlo).

Unfortunately for Britt, after a strong start that saw the Midhurst, ON upstart advance several positions in short order, a kill switch wire would malfunction on lap 2, effectively removing the Mini Stock graduate from contention.

Maltese would control the field from the drop of the green flag, but would spend the second-half of the 30-lapper fending off motivated prospect Matt Bentley, (No. 21 Gary Bentley Motorsports/Thring Race Car Fabrication Nova) who oft-appeared poised to take his first victory of 2011, only to have Maltese rally back and hold on to the lead.

The battle would culminate on the final lap of competition, as Bentley drove hard to the inside of Maltese’s Chevrolet in search of the track room and grip necessary to complete the pass. Maltese would diffuse the challenge with a phenomenal run on the outside of the racetrack off of turn-4, edging ahead of Bentley with scant inches to spare. Jason Elliott (No. 22 Simcoe Auto Recyclers/Aqua Magic Mobile Wash Monte Carlo), Flyin` Frank Davey (No. 49 Grass Pro Plus/Bradford Print Shoppe Camaro) and Lane Zardo (National Exhaust/Holmes on Homes Monte Carlo) completed the top-5.

In victory lane, Maltese would have his tongue firmly planted in cheek when asked about the new Time Trial format, ``Well, I was sideways just about the whole time for my 2 laps of qualifying. We weren`t very good at it. So I guess you could say that, for now, I don`t like it``

On his competition, Maltese explained ``We were worried about everyone tonight. From Matt Bentley all the way back through the field. I was even worried something was going to fall off the car towards the end. Every guy out here tonight made me drive harder``

``We`ve changed so much on this car, and we`re going to make more changes as we move forward. I still feel the car was stronger last year, so I feel there`s still more to work on``

Of the 28 Mini Stocks that arrived to qualify for Saturday`s event, 23 took to the track for the 25-lap A Main. Conspicuous by his absence was 2-time defending track champion Doug Butler (No. 10 Homeworks Certified Home Inspections/Classic Pro Tube and Muffler Nissan) who had rear-end troubles in practice, suffering a disappointing DNF for the second time in the 2011 season.

With the drop of the green, perennial contender `Mr. White Walls` Nick Brown (No. 48 Metrowide Auto Recycling/Sterling Tire Dodge) assumed control of the point, with relentless veteran – and week 1 victor – Terry Clodd (No. 34 Pennzoil/ShipCanada.ca Honda) nipping at his heels from the word `go`.

Brown would pace the field until lap 6, when his Dodge Neon would yield to Clodd`s pressure, relegating `Mr. White Walls` to the runner-up position.

Clodd would appear dominant until lap 17, when an incident with a lapped car would hand Clodd`s CRX race-ending suspension damage, handing the lead – and subsequently the victory – back to Brown, who would survive a strong late-race challenge from former Four Fun champion Nicole Podewils (No. 79 Central Appliance and Repair/Fox`s Bakery and Deli Ford) to claim the checkered.

After victory lane ceremonies, Brown explained how tough it was to hold on to the top spot nearing the end of the race, ``We were real bad on restarts tonight. When the tires build up rubber on these cars, they`re real tough to control. The 79 car is so quick, she‘s been dominant here in the past because she‘s such a strong competitor`

`We had some mechanical problems in 2010 that were associated with building this thing brand new. But we`ll absolutely be here full time for 2011`

SUNSET SPEEDWAY QUICK RESULTS
SATURDAY MAY 21ST, 2011

Mini Stocks
Heat 1: Nicole Podewils                Barrie, ON
Heat 2: Rob Gibson Jr.                Barrie, ON
Heat 3: Terry Clodd                Holland Landing, ON
Heat 4: ‘Mr. White Walls’ Nick Brown        Keswick, ON
Heat 5: Rob Gibson Jr.                Barrie, ON
Heat 6: Terry Clodd                Holland Landing, ON
B Main: James Lowe                Stroud, ON
A Main:
1) ‘Mr. White Walls’ Nick Brown        Keswick, ON
2) Rob Krystal                    Holland Landing, ON
3) Nicole Podewils                Barrie, ON
4) Rob Gibson Jr.                Barrie, ON
5) Brandon Bullen                Holland Landing, ON

Super Stocks
Time Trials
1) ‘Too Quick’ Kenny Britt            Midhurst, ON
16.045
2) Lane Zardo                    Brampton, ON
16.118
3) Jason Elliott                    Barrie, ON
16.155
4) Matt Bentley                Acton, ON
16.195
5) Randy ‘The Rocket’ Rusnell        Cambridge, ON
16.274

A Main:
1) Paul Maltese                Innisfil, ON
2) Matt Bentley                Acton, ON
3) Jason Elliott                    Barrie, ON
4) Flyin’ Frank Davey                River Drive Park, ON
5) Lane Zardo                    Brampton, ON

Limited Late Models
Heat 1: ‘The Bully’ Dwayne Baker        Stayner, ON
Heat 2: Kevin Cornelius                Orangeville, ON
Heat 3: Sean Cronan                Barrie, ON
Heat 4: ‘The Frequent Flyer’ Sean Grosman    Miami, FL
A Main:
1) Kevin Cornelius                Orangeville, ON
2) ‘The Bully’ Dwayne Baker            Stayner, ON
3) Sean Cronan                    Barrie, ON
4) Stompin’ Tom Walters            Bradford, ON
5) ‘Mr. Excitement’ Chris Morrow        Anten Mills, ON

Cornelius Wins A Wild One On Opening Night

Spencer Lewis

After a 7-month layoff, May 7^th saw Sunset Speedway back in action, as the speedway, its drivers and a much-larger-than average opening night crowd rang in the new season under picture perfect Spring conditions.

The evening’s sponsor, Georgian College Auto Show (www.georgianc.on.ca/autoshow), was in attendance, taking in the action and reminding fans of their upcoming event – taking place on June 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th.

Heading into the Limited Late Model 30-lap A Main, a healthy field of 18 cars looked to get their summer started in style, after 2 rounds of heat race qualifying that saw 4 drivers head to victory lane.

Jason ‘Bam Bam’ Witty (No. 19 Toronto Bearing/Larue’s Haulage Chevrolet) wasted little time in capitalizing on his front-row starting position, bolting ahead of fellow pole-sitter Tony ‘The Gun’ Tiemersma (No. 7 Tiemersma Motorsports Chevrolet) by the time the field had exited turn 4 on lap 1.

The pair would captivate fans for 19 laps, with Tiemersma trying high and low on the Queensville, ON youngster, only to have Witty slam the door on each passing attempt.

Although ‘The Gun’s relentless pursuit of the top spot would prove fruitful on lap 20, when the veteran slipped past Witty exiting turn 2 as the leaders worked to lap a slower car.

As Tiemersma began to place real estate between himself and the rest of the pack, Witty would find himself concerned with holding on to his runner-up position, as perennial contenders Dwayne Baker (No. 48 Zancor Custom Homes/Baker Performance Parts Chevrolet) and Kevin Cornelius (Halton Crushed Stone/Lee Sand and Gravel Chevrolet) applied liberal pressure in search of a route to Tiemersma’s back bumper.

The first caution of the event would come on lap 27, with Ernie Fumerton (No. 10 Coves of Keswick./JFS Sodding and Hydroseeding Chevrolet) facing oncoming traffic in-between turns 3 and 4.

With the field nose to tail, Tiemersma picked up the green flag at the restart stripe in turn-3 for the final 2 circuits of the race, as Witty looked to once again take the lead away from the veteran on the outside. Unfortunately, as soon as Witty picked up the gas exiting turn-3, his Chevrolet skated up the racetrack towards the outside wall. Looking to capitalize on Witty’s misfortunes, both Baker and Cornelius moved to his inside, just as Witty was moving down the speedway to find his way back into the racing line.

The next few moments would see Witty make contact with the tail end of Baker’s ride, sending ‘The Bully’ careening into the front-stretch concrete, leaving a trail of bent parts and fibreglass in his steel-bending wake.

When the dust had settled, Baker’s mangled Chevrolet lay against the turn-1 wall, with Witty facing the opposite direction atop the start finish line. In an effort to dodge the turmoil, Dario Capirchio (No. 03 EatMyPie.ca/Concept Auto Chevrolet) and promising third-generation rookie Billy ‘Z3’ Zardo (No. 46 Holmes on Holmes/Zardo Scrap Metal Chevrolet) sustained fairly serious collateral damage.

The final restart of the night would occur on lap 29, only this time it would be Cornelius pressuring Tiemersma on the outside of the race track.

As the white flag flew, Cornelius would begin to edge his McColl Racing Enterprises chassis past Tiemersma, whilst the pair rocketed towards the first turn for the final time. ‘The Gun’ would put up more than a valiant effort, pulling even with Cornelius down the back straightaway. A final trade of paint would see Tiemersma break loose entering turn-4, handing the victory to Cornelius with less than a fender to spare. Defending champion Stompin’ Tom Walters, Chris Morrow and Taylor Holdaway would complete the top-5.

After climbing from his winning ride, a jubilant Cornelius made sure to convey his appreciation to his devoted crew. “This was fantastic. But I’m nothing without the guys back at our shop. This team has put in so much work, and my car owner has put in so much money, I absolutely can’t thank these guys enough”

“I saw way too much of that last wreck” admitted Cornelius, “I wasn’t sure what was going to happen there, but I’m thrilled we made it through”

“The sky’s the limit for this team in 2011 with this brand new car. Obviously the championship’s our objective, but for now we’re just going to work towards steady, consistent finishes”.

An early Sunday morning report had Dwayne Baker’s son Kyle beginning work on the #48 at 7:00 AM, with the intention of mending the family-run team’s primary car for the first points night on May 14^th.

In Super Stock competition, former freelance driver Marty Monette (No. 66 Arnott’s Automotive Chevrolet) announced his full-time arrival to Sunset Speedway in style, securing a victory in dominant fashion, leading all 30-laps of competition.

And while mastery was the order of the night for Monette, a 5-star battle unfolded just past his rear deck lid, with sophomore prodigy Lane Zardo (No. 46 National Exhaust/Holmes on Homes Chevrolet) working magic to hold off surging veteran Paul Maltese (No. 28 Graham Contracting and Landscaping/Bradford Bowling Chevrolet) for his career-best Sunset Speedway finish. Jason Elliott and Matt Bentley rounded out the top-5.

“We travelled all the way out here and didn’t think we’d be able to make it work at first” admitted Monette

“We still have a list as long as my arm of things we’d like to change on this car, so we’ll have to see what we end up adjusting after tonight”

The Hamilton, ON veteran would go on to assure the Sunset faithful that his Camaro will be campaigning at the high-banked 1/3 mile. “We’ll be here fulltime” adding with a smile “but we’re not racing for points”

The Sunset Speedway Mini Stocks rang in the new season with some very familiar names at the front of the field.

2-time defending champion Doug Butler (No. 10 Iconz Computer/South Barrie Collision Nissan) would control the first 9 laps, dropping to second place on lap-10 after heavy pressure from 2010 rival Terry Clodd (No. 34 Pennzoil 10 Minute Oil Change Honda) .

Butler kept Clodd in his crosshairs until lap-15, when the New Lowell, ON received a black flag from starter Jeff Slaughter for a fuel leak.

With Butler removed, Clodd would distance himself from the field with relative ease through the middle portion of the event, defending an impressive challenge from Nicole Podewils (No. 79 Fox’s Bakery and Deli/Central Appliance and Repair Ford) in the race’s late-goings, Rob Krystal, Dan Britt and Warren Paxton followed the pair across the stripe.