Cornelius Snatches Division-High Fourth Win, Rusnell Dominates In Breakthrough Victory

Spencer Lewis - July 9, 2011

Veteran Kevin Cornelius turned a potentially disastrous outing into a lucrative points evening, leading the final 2/3rds of Saturday’s A Main for his 4^th win of the season, after experiencing crippling motor problems through practice and qualifying.

“We had a miss in the motor that we couldn’t figure out through practice and qualifying” explained Cornelius in victory lane, “between the first and second rounds of qualifying we changed the carburetor and she just came to life”

Cornelius (No. 17 Halton Crushed Stone/Lee Sand and Gravel Chevrolet) took over the lead on a lap 9 restart from Golden Beach, FL driver Sean Grosman (No. 29 Landing Strip Gentleman’s Club/SMG Ventures Chevrolet). Grosman, competing in his sophomore season as a teammate to defending champion Stompin’ Tom Walters, assumed the lead from his second row starting position on the first turn of the first lap, after a brilliant three-wide pass.

Grosman would appear strong through the first 8 laps, but would surrender the lead after being deemed an involved car in a skirmish with Dario Capirchio (No. 03 Innisfil Machine & Welding/Ground Work Drilling Chevrolet) as the pair battled for the lead, the contact would see Capirchio sent nose-first into the front stretch wall resulting in significant damage.

After assuming the top spot, Cornelius would be closely pursued by fan favourite Dwayne Baker (No. 48 Clearview Heating/St. Onge Recreation Chevrolet), although ‘The Bully’ would not be able to find the speed necessary to make a serious challenge to Cornelius’ lead. Sean Cronan, the debuting Mike ‘Lights Out’ Bentley and ‘The Professional’ Rob Poole completed the top-5.

Upon climbing from his winning ride, Cornelius appeared equal parts surprised and relieved, “Our record so far this season really is deceiving, because we’ve been struggling. We’ve needed these victories to boost morale and keep us going”

“Originally we were worried about our troubles through the early part of the evening, but it turned out to be a great points night with some of the other top guys having some troubles” remarked the victor, in reference to a mid-race wreck that removed 7-time champion Chris Morrow from the event and distributor problems that saddled defending champion Walters with a DNF.

“Words don’t even begin to describe how phenomenal my crew is. They are absolutely irreplaceable. These guys actually use their holiday time to work on this car”, stressed Cornelius when asked to thank those who enable him to contend each Saturday.

When the topic of the track surface was broached, with the mention of other drivers complaining that the surface was ‘greasier’ than normal, Cornelius shrugged “This is the best facility in Southern Ontario. I had absolutely zero trouble with the race surface tonight”

Exiting the night’s events, Cornelius currently sits 2^nd in the points standings, only 5 markers behind race runner-up Dwayne Baker.

In Super Stock competition, the flag-to-flag 30-lap affair was dominated by 6-time Flamboro Speedway track champion Randy ‘The Rocket’ Rusnell.

Rusnell (No. 72 McCordick Glove & Safety/Spira Fire Protection LeMans), in his first career Sunset victory, made his way past early leader Steve Lang (No. 57 Caledon Transmission/Arthur’s Fuel of Orangeville Monte Carlo) on lap 4 and never looked back.

The Cambridge, ON veteran would navigate lapped traffic flawlessly, at times exercising an entire straightaway lead over his closest competitors Frank Davey (No. 49 Bradford Print Shoppe/Hwy 400 Transmission Camaro) and Marty Monette (No. 66 AATEL Communications/NAPA Muscle Cars Plus Camaro). 2011 Chase for the Colours champion ‘Too Quick’ Kenny Britt and 14-year old sophomore Lane Zardo rounded out the top-5.

Immediately after taking possession of his first career Sunset checkered flag, Rusnell headed for the catch-fence for a celebratory scale to the top in salute of the fans.

“This is totally awesome” beamed Rusnell upon descending, “we struggled through the early part of this season, I think alot of it has had to do with me over-driving the car”

“There were some weeks where we would start at the front, but would end up falling back and finishing around 9^th or 10^th” continued the multiple time champion, “for me, I expect more of myself”

“We had a good starting spot, and my wife actually suggested to change all 4 springs on the car and lo and behold we’re in victory lane!”

Before heading to tech lane in a cloud of tire smoke, to a chorus of cheers from the approving audience, Rusnell added “My team and I absolutely love this track. We’re definitely going to stay here”

2009 Rookie of the Year Warren Paxton (No. 33 CB Services of Newmarket/Blue Mountain Honda of Collingwood Honda) took top honours in the Mini Stock division, dominating the event after claiming the lead on lap 4.

The Holland Landing, ON native would be closely pursued for a time by brothers Terry Clodd (No. 34 Pennzoil 10 Minute Oil Change/ShipCanada.ca Honda) and Rob Krystal (No. 99 Dave’s Muffler Shop/Taurus Property Maintenance) but would hold on for his first victory of the 2011 season. Point leader Nicole Podewils and Rory Collett followed the trio across the line.

“Before I say anything, I just want to thank my crew and all of my sponsors for making this possible. I’m not able to do this on my own and these guys beside me are the ones that allow me to do this every Saturday. Thank you very, very, very much” an emotional Paxton exclaimed.

When asked if he felt any pressure even as he widened his lead, Paxton explained “I was worried from the time I took to the track until the time I saw the white flag”

“It’s funny that the car hooked up so well tonight, because we haven’t even touched it since the last time we raced and it sure didn’t run this well then”

“We had OSCAAR [Super Late Models] racing here last weekend, and without any rain their rubber was still on the track. My car certainly took to it nicely, so they can come back any time!” closed Paxton with a smile.

QUICK RESULTS

LIMITED LATE MODELS

Heat 1: ‘The Bully’ Dwayne Baker                                            Stayner, ON

Heat 2: ‘The Frequent Flyer’ Sean Grosman                             Golden Beach, FL

Heat 3: Kevin Cornelius                                                            Orangeville, ON

Heat 4: Stompin’ Tom Walters                                      Bradford, ON

A Main:

1)      Kevin Cornelius                                                            Orangeville, ON

2)      ‘The Bully’ Dwayne Baker                                            Stayner, ON

3)      Sean Cronan                                                                Barrie, ON

4)      Mike ‘Lights Out’ Bentley                                             Acton, ON

5)      ‘The Professional’ Rob Poole                                       Innisfil, ON

SUPER STOCKS

Heat 1: Flyin’ Frank Davey                                                       River Drive Park, ON

Heat 2: Randy ‘The Rocket’ Rusnell                                         Cambridge, ON

Heat 3: Marty Monette                                                 Hamilton, ON

Heat 4: Matt Bentley                                                                 Guelph, ON

A Main:

1)      Randy ‘The Rocket’ Rusnell                                         Cambridge, ON

2)      Flyin’ Frank Davey                                                       River Drive Park, ON

3)      Marty Monette                                                 Hamilton, ON

4)      ‘Too Quick’ Kenny Britt                                               Midhurst, ON

5)      Lane Zardo                                                                  Brampton, ON

MINI STOCKS

Heat 1: Warren Paxton                                                 Holland Landing, ON

Heat 2: Rob Krystal                                                                  Holland Landing, ON

Heat 3: Warren Paxton                                                 Holland Landing, ON

Heat 4: Rob Krystal                                                                  Holland Landing, ON

A Main:

1)      Warren Paxton                                                 Holland Landing, ON

2)      Terry Clodd                                                                 Holland Landing, ON

3)      Rob Krystal                                                                  Holland Landing, ON

4)      Nicole Podewils                                                           Barrie, ON

5)      Rory Collett                                                                  Holland Landing, ON

‘The Professional’ Dominates En Route To First Win of 2011

Spencer Lewis - June 18, 2011

3-time Super Stock champion Rob Poole (No. 45 VisserFarms.ca/AGNAV GPS Systems Chevrolet) earned the first win of his 2011 campaign, with a commanding performance that highlighted the most positive aspects of Poole’s meticulously smooth driving style.

‘The Professional’ would roll off from inside the 5^th row, showing flashes of brilliance early on as he danced his way through the field.

The first 9 laps of the 30-lap A Main would see veteran Bruce Rankin (No. 55 Rankin’s Automotive/B&B Decals Chevrolet) enjoy his best run of the early 2011 season, taking the lead from the drop of the green flag and fending off a multitude of challengers through the first third of the race.

Poole would complete his pass on Rankin for the lead on a lap 13 restart, after Chris Morrow (No. 11 Morrow Electric/Utopia Towing Chevrolet) spun in turn-4 to bring out the event’s first caution.

Once clear of Rankin, Poole would open up a sizeable lead on the rest of the field, but would twice be brought back to the pack with late-race restarts on laps 21 and 25.

Despite very game efforts from both Taylor Holdaway (No. 41 Holdaway Automotive/ImageFactor.ca Ford) and ‘The Bully’ Dwayne Baker (No. 48 Zancor Custom Homes/Clearview Heating Chevrolet), Poole was a picture of consistency right to the finish, taking the checkered flag with a 6-car length lead. Baker, Holdaway, Kevin Cornelius and Billy ‘Z3’ Zardo completed the top-5.

Poole would confirm in victory lane that the team battled an ill-handling race car through practice, adding “I just have to thank these guys behind me. They worked their tails off to make the adjustments and changes necessary to give me the car I had tonight”

When asked about the late-race restarts, Poole smiled “I would much sooner it have stayed green right to the end, but after taking a look at the damage done to some of these other cars I’m just happy we were at the front for them”

‘The Professional’ would close out his victory lane ceremonies by reminding the crowd that sponsor Visser Farms have just kick-started their strawberry picking season, with more information available at www.VisserFarms.ca

Not to be upstaged, the Super Stock division put on another classic 30-lap A Main of their own, a feat that’s become a repeat occurrence through the first 6 weeks of the 2011 season.

This time around, Matt Bentley (No. 21 Gary Bentley Motorsports/Eramosa Autobody Nova) would snatch his second win in as many starts after having won a 50-lap affair in the first round of the McColl/Sunset Shootout Invitational Series on June 12^th.

The Acton, ON youngster waged war with former Autumn Colours Classic titlist ‘The Deuce’ Dave Doucette (No. 44 Superior Machining & Repairs/Simcoe Auto Recyclers 300C) as well as 6-time Flamboro Speedway track champion Randy ‘The Rocket’ Rusnell (No. 72 Travis Industrial Maintenance Ltd/McCordick Glove & Safety LeMans) in a battle that brought the Sunset faithful to their feet numerous times before the wave of the checkered flag.

Doucette would strike first amongst the trio, dispatching early leader Bob Mercer on lap 2, opening up a healthy lead until Rusnell was able to briefly muscle his way to the front on lap 12. ‘The Rocket’ would pace the field for 3 circuits, until a pressuring Doucette recaptured the top spot 1-lap past the halfway point.

As the championship pair drag raced and swapped paint, Bentley had methodically made his way from deep in the 20-car field, finding himself directly behind the battle for the lead by lap 18. Bentley would originally attempt a pass on the inside of Doucette, though after the veteran wisely took away the bottom of the racetrack as a viable option, Bentley made his pass for the lead on the outside.

What followed was one of the most intense games of cat and mouse the speedway has seen all season, with Bentley working overtime to keep Doucette at bay amidst a volley of bumper tag and paint trading. For several laps, Doucette would make contact with Bentley in an attempt to rattle the cage of the third year driver, always backing off and allowing Bentley to collect his ride if the leader’s Nova found itself out of shape.

Doucette’s pressure would prove unsuccessful, and after a final shot at the lead on a lap 23 restart was denied by Bentley, Doucette would turn his attention to holding on to the runner-up position in a late-race battle with rising star ‘Too Quick’ Kenny Britt (No. 21 Matco Tools/Race2Way.ca Mustang).

At the stripe, Bentley captured his third victory of the 2011 season, followed by Doucette, Britt, Rusnell and Stan Coe (No. 58 SCC Construction/Stayner Tim-BR Mart Camaro).

In victory lane, Bentley made it clear just how much he enjoyed racing with Doucette, “Man, that battle with Dave was awesome!”

“[The contact] definitely gets in your head. It shoots the car up the track and you have to be real careful of what’s going on around you to collect yourself. In the end, even when we got loose, we just hung on and put the pedal right to the boards”

When asked if his hot streak brings any additional pressure, Bentley assured “There’s no pressure at all. I’m just going to come in here and drive my race every week”

“I just want to thank all the fans that have been supporting me, my sponsors and of course my uncle for letting me drive this race car”

To close out the victory lane festivities, Bentley Motorsports announced its Limited Late Model venture would make its 2011 debut in July, with Matt’s older brother Mike behind the wheel.

In Mini Stock action, Nicole Podewils (No. 79 Fox’s Bakery & Deli/Central Appliance & Repair Ford) earned her second straight Saturday night victory, after a mid-race pass on 2-time defending track champion Doug Butler (No. 10 Iconz Computers/Homeworks Certified Home Inspections Nissan).

After climbing from her winning ride, Podewils made sure to thank her crew chief father, wishing him a happy father’s day, adding “He made the car even faster this week”

When asked about any strategy when faced with racing in the ultra-competitive Mini Stock class, Podewils explained “Smooth is fast. It’s important not to keep looking in your mirror when you’re out front because all it does is psyche you out”

QUICK RESULTS

LIMITED LATE MODEL

Heat 1: ‘The Professional’ Rob Poole                                       Innisfil, ON

Heat 2: ‘Hollywood’ Taylor Holdaway                                      Orillia, ON

Heat 3: Kevin Cornelius                                                                        Orangeville, ON

Heat 4: Stompin’ Tom Walters                                                  Bradford, ON

A Main:

1)      ‘The Professional’ Rob Poole                                                   Innisfil, ON

2)      ‘The Bully’ Dwayne Baker                                                        Stayner, ON

3)      ‘Hollywood’ Taylor Holdaway                                      Orillia, ON

4)      Kevin Cornelius                                                                        Orangeville, ON

5)      Billy ‘Z3’ Zardo                                                                        Brampton, ON

SUPER STOCK

Heat 1: ‘Too Quick’ Kenny Britt                                                           Midhurst, ON

Heat 2: Jason Elliott                                                                              Angus, ON

Heat 3: Flyin’ Frank Davey                                                                   River Drive Park, ON

Heat 4: ‘The Deuce’ Dave Doucette                                                     Angus, ON

A Main:

1)      Matt Bentley                                                                             Acton, ON

2)      ‘The Deuce’ Dave Doucette                                                     Angus, ON

3)      ‘Too Quick’ Kenny Britt                                                           Midhurst, ON

4)      Randy ‘The Rocket’ Rusnell                                                     Cambridge, ON

5)      Stan Coe

MINI STOCK

Heat 1: Nicole Podewils                                                                       Barrie, ON

Heat 2: Warren Paxton                                                             Holland Landing, ON

Heat 3: Terry Clodd                                                                             Holland Landing, ON

Heat 4: Doug Butler                                                                              New Lowell, ON

A Main:

1)      Nicole Podewils                                                                       Barrie, ON

2)      Doug Butler                                                                              New Lowell, ON

3)      Warren Paxton                                                             Holland Landing, ON

4)      Rory Collett                                                                              Holland Landing, ON

5)      Rob Krystal                                                                              Holland Landing, ON

Walters’ Misfortune Leads To Cornelius’ Win Number 3

Spencer Lewis - June 12, 2011

The first round of the McColl Racing Enterprise/Sunset Speedway Summer Shootout Series saw champions from across the province converge on the Innisfil, ON 1/3 mile oval in search of both a healthy payout and a generous amount of early season bragging rights.

The 75-lap A Main saw a pair of home-track racers that have been in contention every Saturday from the dawn of the 2011 season push one another to the limit in one of the most exciting finishes Sunset has seen all year.

Defending track champion Stompin’ Tom Walters (No. 47 McColl Racing Enterprises/Pro Floor Hardwood Sanding & Refinishing Chevrolet) entered the event as one of the favourites, given his noted experience and expertise in extended distance races. Kevin Cornelius (No. 17 Sandbox Tech Childcare/Halton Crushed Stone Chevrolet), on the other hand, entered the evening with perhaps the most momentum of any other driver in the division, having already visited victory lane twice in 2011.

Walters would strike first, dominating the race after climbing from his 8^th place starting position to snatch the lead on a lap 14 restart. Upon taking the top spot, Walters would guide the field through a lap 16 restart, before embarking on a 46-lap green flag run that saw the Bradford, ON veteran lead by as much as 3/4s of a track, with Cornelius working overtime to navigate lapped traffic and remain on the same straightaway as the leader.

With his runner up occupied with a barrage of traffic, Walters was free to lap up to the 6^th place car before a lap 62 tangle changed the landscape of the event entirely. With Walters looking to expand his lead, he arrived at the back bumper of Sean Cronan (No. 84 Spira Fire Protection/Sturdy Power Lines Chevrolet) who was running in the 6^th position, mere car lengths outside of the top-5. With Stompin’ Tom eager to put another car down a circuit, and Cronan fighting to remain on the same lap, the two vehicles made contact in turn-1. The result of the contact was Cronan looping his car on exit of turn-2, while Walters was removed from the lead, deemed an involved car and sent to the tail end of the lead lap cars – which, at this point, consisted of only 5 other drivers.

Walters’ misfortune would hand control of the lead over to Cornelius, who was tasked with holding off a very game Dwayne Baker (No. 48 Clearview Heating/Baker Performance Chevrolet) running in the second position as well as Saturday night winner Jason Witty (No. 19 Jason Witty Remax Realty/Toronto Bearing Chevrolet) in the third spot.

Cornelius would prove up to the task of keeping his two foes in his rearview mirror, while Walters methodically made his way back through the lead lap pack, clearing both Witty and Baker by lap 68.

Unfortunately for Walters, his time spent battling to slip inside the top-3 allowed Cornelius to build up a near half-straightaway lead, that would ultimately prove insurmountable for the 28-time champion.

At the line, Kevin Cornelius clinched his third victory of the young 2011 campaign, with Walters, Baker, 2010 Barrie Speedway champion Al Inglis (No. 69 Georgian Waste Services Dodge) and 2010 Sauble Speedway champion Jason Parker (No. 8 Great Lakes Concrete/Prestige Contracting Chevrolet) completing the top-5.

A humble Cornelius was more than keen to give credit to Walters in victory lane, “This was Tom’s race to lose. I mean, who am I kidding?”

“Tom’s an absolute legend, you could say that about half the field that was here today, this race was full of the absolute best of the best”

When asked if his early success comes with any added pressure, Cornelius admitted, “Absolutely it does. It’s tough to top 3 wins this early in a season. We, I should say I, put alot of pressure on myself to perform. And we definitely want to keep winning”

A dejected Walters was uncharacteristically quiet after his podium finish, drawing inspiration from NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Johnny Sauter in quipping “God bless Canada” when asked to expand on his incident with Cronan.

“I just want to thank all the fans that come out to watch us race and support this speedway, all the staff that make it possible, and all the racers that come out and compete – it’s a real good atmosphere at Sunset [Speedway] nowadays” offered the future Hall of Famer

When asked to compare his 7^th place finish on Saturday to his dominant performance Sunday afternoon, Walters shrugged “We changed absolutely nothing overnight. It’s tough to compare last night to today, we got all bunched up last night and alot of us knew we were going to be racing this afternoon and weren’t real interested in tearing our stuff up”

Third place finisher ‘The Bully’ Dwayne Baker was even quieter than Walters in post-race celebrations when asked about his performance.

“Not bad for a car that was junk. We should have done more to it”