The Labour Day Sprint Car Classic lived up to its ‘Classic’ name this weekend at Brighton Speedway. A record number of race teams filled the pit area for the two-day annual event thrilling the packed grandstands with blazing speed and classic finishes.

Fans watched teenage phenom Nick Sheridan earn his first career win in the powerful 360 cubic-inch-engine big-wing sprint cars while perennial front-runner Dylan Westbrook scored Sunday’s win to close out the Lawns We Do Sprint Car Series.

Local fans erupted when Picton racer Andrew Hennessy won Sunday’s Action Sprint Tour (AST) feature event while Eastern Ontario was well represented with Brockville’s Matt Billing’s winning Saturday night’s AST feature.

In home track competition Vanderlaan Building Products Late Models, Bainer’s OilGARD Anti Rust Canadian Modifieds, Bill’s Johns Mini Stocks, Brighton Automotive Thunder Stocks, Bill’s Johns Comp 4s, and Quinte Septic Stingers complemented the action-packed card.

The weekend opened in traditional fashion with a ceremony celebrating new inductees onto Brighton Speedway’s Wall of Fame. Marshall Thompson was inducted as the first track photographer in speedway history. Clayton Peterson was next to be honoured. Peterson raced in the 1980s and 1990s in the number 20 street stock. The final induction of the ceremony saw Lou and Diane Rinaldi celebrated as the longest running promoters in the lengthy lifespan of Brighton Speedway.

The main event on both nights of competition was the Lawns We Do Sprint Car feature. Saturday’s battle was an instant classic. Nick Sheridan paced the field in the early stages of the event and appeared enroute for his first career victory until New York standout Kyle Phillips blasted to the top spot.

Sheridan didn’t quit, and with laps winding down he closed the gap on Phillips and snuck back past with just two laps to go to secure his victory. The second-generation Mt. Brydges, Ontario, native was elated in victory lane with the result.

The Action Sprint Tour presented by Pinty’s saw 26 cars in attendance to chase victory. Series veteran Brian Nanticoke from Ohsweken, Ontario, jumped to an early lead, but Matt Billings wasted little time advancing from his third starting position to assert his position in the lead.

Billings held off all challengers in a race rarely slowed with accidents holding off local standout Adam Turner and Quebec racer Mathieu Bardier at the finish line.

A second-place finish for Turner is rarely newsworthy as the Cherry Valley native has plenty of wins at Brighton Speedway. Saturday’s result was made more impressive considering he also competed in the late models and the modifieds on the same night – finishing second in all three features.

In the Vanderlaan Building Products Late Models Charlie Sandercock stole the show leading from start to finish in his familiar #57 entry. Turner fell short by just over half a second in his runner-up drive with Steve Baldwin coming home in third.

The OilGARD Anti Rust Modifieds feature event was dominated by Shawn Gregory. Gregory took the early lead and sailed on to the checked flag after 25 laps of action. Adam Turner in the No 33 took second place ahead of current points leader No 40 Ron Wadforth.

The Bill’s Johns Mini Stocks saw 2022 Champion No 18 Carter Rhodes in leading start to finish in the 15-lap feature event. No 22 Tyson Gregory pressed the leader but followed across the line with No 21 Caleb Severing rounding out the top 3.

Sunday nights feature events included the Quinte Septic Stingers, Brighton Automotive Thunder Stocks and the Bill’s Johns Comp 4. Highlight of the Stingers event saw rookie No 88 Sam Whaley finish in third behind No 93 Jorden Pickell and No 14 Kevin Mutch.

The Brighton Automotive Thunder Stock feature was fraught with carnage and upset as race leader No 19 Cory White held off all competition until the final turn out of corner four when No 03 Justin Ramsay turned and pushed him just shy of the start finish line. This move opened up the lane for No 86 Brock Gregory to take the checkers followed by No 0 Tyler French and No 18 Kyle Anderson in third.

The Bill’s Johns Comp 4 final event of the night put No 55 Zach Humphry ahead of No 44 Tommy Bailey and No 19 Adam Davidson for the 15-lap feature event.

The month of September is full of more action with the upcoming weekend presented by QBT Excavating Services Ltd Final Points night and the Danny Reid 50 Lap Canadian Modified Memorial race. Adult admission is only $20, and you can purchase your tickets for this Saturday’s event at the gate or online at brightonspeedway.ca. Front Gates open each Saturday at 5:00 pm.

Brighton Speedway Social Media: Follow Brighton Speedway’s Official Social Media Accounts Facebook: www.facebook.com/BrightonSpdwy Twitter: @BrightonSpdwy Instagram: @BrightonSpdwy

About Brighton Speedway: Brighton Speedway is a 1/3-mile clay stock car racing oval located on the shores of Lake Ontario in Brighton, Ont. The speedway hosts five weekly stock car divisions on Saturday nights from May to September. Brighton Speedway mailing address: 775 County Road 64, Brighton, ON, K0K 1H0

Photos by Rod Henderson, CanadianRacer.com

1. 3734 – 2023 Brighton Speedway Wall of Fame Inductees, Marshall Thompson, Lou & Diane Rinaldi & Clayton Pedersen.

2. 3896 – Teenage phenom No 45 Nick Sheridan earned his first career win in the powerful 360 cubic-inch-engine big-wing sprint cars during night one of the Labour Day Sprint Car Classic at Brighton Speedway.

Full results available at brightonspeedway.ca/driverinfo