By: Nicole Kleinsteuber
Brighton Speedway’s first Fan Appreciation Night of the 57th season hosted a full grandstand with 69 cars dialed in for a thriller on the dirt oval Saturday night.
The night presented by Lambert Construction and Concrete and Brighton Tire featured the Late Models, Canadian Modifieds, Comp 4s, Mini Stocks and Stingers.
During intermission, drivers took over the front stretch allowing fans to meet them, take pictures, plus get autographs and treats.
Sandercock Scores 1st Season Win
No. 9 Joshua Black and No. 151 Brian McDonald led a full field of 15 Vanderlaan Building Products Late Models to green in the 30-lap main event. McDonald jumped on the lead early but on lap 5 he went too high on the backstretch opening the door for No. 57 Charlie Sandercock to seize the lead. Despite multiple restarts, Sandercock rode his 57 on a rail as No. 3 Nathan Rinaldi and No. 5 Steve Baldwin drove like the wind to catch him. Sandercock was unstoppable, waiving checkers for the first time this season at Brighton Speedway. With one lap to go, Baldwin overcame Rinaldi to take second. Rinaldi placed third, No. 77 Caley Weese was fourth and McDonald fifth.
Wadforth Wins Second Straight Victory
After a successful heat win, No. 40 Ron Wadforth was a man on a mission in the 25-lap Bainer’s OilGARD AntiRust Canadian Modified feature. Glued to the inside line Wadforth reeled in every competitor one by one from his seventh starting position to take the lead from polesitter No. 32 Doug O’Blenis in 7 laps. No. 1 Shawn Gregory was Wadforth’s toughest challenger as the two went door to door in a riveting war for checkers. Gregory snapped up the lead for two laps but could not maintain it as the pair roared to a photo finish with Wadforth holding the checkered flag for the second straight night. O’Blenis was third, No. 2 Leslie Mowat fourth and No.5 Wally Alderdice in fifth.
Fletcher Flies to Victory Lane
No. 19 Tara Dunkley and No. 91 Jaiden Miller took a field of 10 Bill’s Johns Comp 4s to green in the 15-lap affair. On the lead lap, Dunkley and No. 55 Zach Humphrey collided on the front straight bringing the action to a halt. On the restart No. 24 Travis Fox-Connor took the lead and it looked like victory was within reach as he dominated the chase. With five laps to go, Fox-Conner took turn 4 too wide and heat race victor No. 42JR Aiden Fletcher shot through to the lead to the winner’s circle. Humphry was runner-up with Fox Connor placing third. No. 15-Josh Bogaard finished fourth and Shawn Knowlton fifth.
Tufford Towers Over Chase for Checkers
No. 4 Chris Tufford was determined to taste sweet victory as he charged his way from fifth to first on the lead lap of the 15-lap Bill’s Johns Mini Stock main event. Tufford held the inside line like his life depended on it and flew to victory lane as No. 22 Tyson Gregory tailed him from the outside. Gregory picked up his fourth consecutive second-place finish of the season. No. 2 Trevyn McCrillis finished third with No. 41 Landon Mutch in fourth and No. 25 Lawrence Evenden fifth.
Pickell Parks His Stinger in VL
No. 93 Jorden Pickell brought 17 Quinte Septic Stingers to the green flag in the 12-lap feature. No. 67 Joshua Whitney and No. 14 Kevin Mutch were tough opponents for the 93 but when the checkers fell it was all Pickell. Whitney finished second with Mutch in third. No. 95C Chris Lammle placed fourth and No. 47 Josh Sparks fifth.
Next Up
Coming Saturday, June 8th the Lawns We Do 360 Sprints are back to Brighton. Electro Cables will host a complete race card including 360 Sprints, Vanderlaan Building Products Late Models, Bainer’s OilGARD Anti Rust Canadian Modifieds, Brighton Automotive Thunder Stocks and the Bill’s Johns Mini Stocks. Front Gates open at 5:00 pm and Racing begins at 7:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online in advance at brightonspeedway.ca. Be sure to arrive early and visit the Campbellford Chrysler Driver of the Week, #40 Ron Wadforth with this Canadian Modified and special guest #84 Tyler Rand with his 360 Sprint Car.
Photos by Rod Henderson, CanadianRacer.com
1. The side-by-side battle in the Bainer’s OilGARD Anti Rust Canadian Modified feature event on Saturday at Brighton Speedway resulted in a double win for # 40 Ron Wadforth. Securing for him the Campbellford Chrysler Driver of the Week accolades.
