Dylan Westbrook (No. 47x) won his eleventh checkered flag with the Southern Ontario Sprints in the tours last twelve events. His fourth win of the season extended his point lead with six races remaining at Brighton Speedway July 8, 2017. Sprints return to Brighton on August 5. (Photo Credit: Rod Henderson)
BRIGHTON, Ont. – After a week off due to weather, the Brighton Speedway’s 50th Anniversary season continued on Saturday night.
The event was headlined by the Southern Ontario Sprints. The tour made its third visit to the speedway in 2017.
The Pro Late Models also competed in their second Triple Crown race of the year along with the Canadian Modifieds, Pro Stocks and Comp 4’s.
Westbrook Marches On With SOS
Shawn (No. 22) and Josh Sliter (No. 71s) led the 16 car field to the green flag in race six of the 2017 Southern Ontario Sprints season. Shawn jumped out to the early lead with Josh close behind. The top five drivers broke away from the pack as both Sliter’s along with Rick Wilson (No. 42w) , Josh Shantz (No. 18) and Dylan Westbrook (No. 47x) ran wheel to wheel for first ten laps. The group had an exciting battle for the lead with different lanes being used by each driver.
On lap 10 Wilson used the outside line to get by Sliter, however his lead was short lived as the car slid up the track in corner one. Westbrook moved by Sliter and then Wilson to take control of the race and lead the final 15 circuits. Hometown driver Charlie Sandercock (No. 57) was the hard charger on the night driving from his 12th starting position to finish third behind Westbrook and Wilson. Shawn Sliter and Chris Jones (No. 11J) completed the top five.
For Westbrook the win marked his eleventh win with the Southern Ontario Sprints in the tours last twelve events. His fourth win of the season extended his point lead with six races remaining.
Defending division champion Phil Potts (No. 29) beat Sandercock (No. 57) to the finish line in a side by side finish for his first win of the season on Saturday July 8, 2017 at Brighton Speedway. (Photo Credit: Rod Henderson)
Return Of The Champ
The Pro Late Model division competed in its second Triple Crown race of the season on Saturday night. Kyle Tasker (No. 17) and Mark Raynor (No. 55) started on the front row of the 35 lap event with Raynor grabbing the early lead. The Codrington driver led the opening 8 laps before Robbie Wilson (No. 09) took over command of the race.
Point leader Charlie Sandercock (No. 57) started from the 12th position and looked to be well on his way to winning his fifth straight feature when he worked by leader Wilson on lap 14. He led the next 20 laps before contact with lapped car Adam Turner (No. 92) forced Sandercock off the track in corner two. He received his position back, but with damage to the left front wheel of the car he was unable to hold on to claim the victory.
Defending division champion Phil Potts (No. 29) beat Sandercock to the finish line in a side by side finish for his first win of the season. The race was a strong one for Potts as he rallied from being outside of the top five in the first half of the feature to claim the victory. Kyle Sopaz (No. 12) passed Brandon Mowatt (No. 46) on the final lap to claim third. Andy Mayhew (No. 1) finished fifth.
Hennessy Pads Point Lead
The Canadian Modifieds were a late addition to the racing card, but provided one of the most action packed races of the night. Brandon Gregory (No. 22) and Shelby Mills (No. 78) started on the front row for the 25 lap event. Gregory used the top line around the track to dominate the opening 23 laps. He held off multiple challenges from Curtis King (No. 07), but went too high in corner two and opened the door for King and point leader Andrew Hennessy (No. 87). Hennessy made a daring pass in the following corner and went from third to the lead in one lap.
A pair of late race cautions set the stage for a one lap shootout between the top two drivers in the division. Hennessy held off the charge of King at the finish line and claimed his third win of the season. King finished second while Gregory, Doug O’Blenis (No. 32) and Mike Lucas (No. 74) rounded out the top five.
The Kiwanis Club of Trenton Kart Klub at Brighton Speedway hosted a demonstration for the fans on Saturday July 8 at Brighton Speedway. Kart Racing is Thursday’s from May to the end of August on the mini oval. (Photo Credit: Rod Henderson)
Murrell Makes Return To Victory Lane
Mike Freeman (No. 51) and Warren Mowatt (No. 2) led the Pro Stocks to the start of the 20-lap feature. Freeman, with one win on the season already, led the first 16 laps of the race. Brandon Murrell (No. 19) found the bottom lane to his liking and put continued pressure on the leader before finally working by him on lap 17.
Wade Purchase (No. 53) also got past Freeman in the closing laps and challenge Murrell for the win. In the end Murrell crossed the line as the winner and captured his first win of the season over Purchase. Freeman held on for a third place finish while Austin Reid (No. 85) and Doug Anderson (No. 72) were fourth and fifth.
Humphry Wins Third Of The Season
For Jeff Humphry his third win of the season came much more unexpected than his previous two. Adam Wells (No. 48) and Bella Costick (No. 24) led the 15 lap Comp 4 to the green flag. Wells looked like the driver to beat for the first 10 laps as he held a sizeable lead over the rest of the field. On lap 11 though Adam Flieler (No. 11) slipped by him and set his sights on victory lane.
Flieler looked to have the race well in control in the closing laps until contact with the lapped car of Matthew French (No. 51) put the leader into the front stretch wall. Humphry took advantage of the collision and sneaked past the leader to claim the win. Flieler managed to hold on for a second-place finish ahead of Wells, point leader Tyler French (No. 0) and Josh French (No. 08).
Up Next – 50th Anniversary Celebration Night
Next Saturday night it is Brighton Speedway’s 50th Anniversary Celebration brought to you by Deerhaven Farm & Garden and Mix 97. The action-packed card will feature the OSCAAR Hot Rods, Eastern Ontario Vintage Stock Car Club, 50 Laps for the Pro Late Models ($750 to Win), 50 Laps for the Canadian Modifieds ($550 to Win), 50 Laps for the Pro Stocks ($350 to Win) including the second Pro Stock Duel on the Dirt Qualifier. There will be a Live Music from Terry Denyes and the Bay City Band, Classic Race Car display and memorabilia in the court yard from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM. The 2017 Wall of Fame Presentations start at 6:00 PM. Racing starts at 7:00 PM. Adult admission is $15. It is also 50th Anniversary Nostalgia Night! Anyone that wears a Brighton Speedway Vintage T Shirt receives $5.00 off admission at the front gate or pits. For more information visit www.brightonspeedway.com.
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