By: Nicole Kleinsteuber
Sunny skies and the ever-popular School Bus races brought thousands of fans eager to take in a thrilling night of dirt track racing at Brighton Speedway on Saturday.
A capacity crowd witnessed an exhilarating action-packed night of 15 school buses battling it out in the Brighton Recycling School Bus races presented by Jack Links and LeClair Electic.
The night did not disappoint as 89 cars dialled in for a complete race card with the school buses, a Canadian Modified double feature, Thunder Stocks, Mini Stocks and Comp 4s.
Flieler Flies in From Manitoba to Soar to VL
A four-wide-formation start to the school bus feature was a spectacular site and moved fans to their feet during the wave lap. Fifteen buses stocked the field for the 15-lap main event. Once the green flag dropped the mayhem ensued as the full-size buses battled through turns one and two. From his eighth starting spot No. 98 Kyle Rhebergen muscled through the pack to snap up the lead from polesitter No. 29 Jan Steenstra on lap 5. He held on for three laps until hard charger No. 75 Frank Flieler claimed the top spot and would not relinquish it. Flieler flew in from Manitoba a week earlier to fix up his bus and his dedication paid off. He soared to victory lane with Rhebergen as runner-up. No. 77 Bernie Rhebergen placed third, No. 45 James Seymour fourth and No. 94 Shawn Sousa fifth.
O’Blenis Brings Home The W
No. 32 Doug O’Blenis wasted no time clinching first on the lead lap of the Bainer’s OilGard Anti-Rust Canadian Modified 25-lap make-up feature from May 11. Determined to taste sweet redemption after engine troubles spoiled his pursuit of victory the week before, the Napanee driver slid past pole-sitter No. 1 Shawn Gregory. With Greogy glued to his bumper and No. 40 Ron Wadforth chasing his fourth consecutive win, O’Blenis put the hammer down to victory lane. Gregory picked up his fourth straight second-place finish. Wadforth was third, No. 2 Leslie Mowat fourth and No. 5 Wally Alderdice fifth.
Sandercock Scores Checkers
No. 1 Shawn Gregory led the field of 16 Canadian Modifieds to green in Saturday night’s 25-lap main event. His lead lasted only three laps as No. 57 Charlie Sandercock came from the outside to take first. Fresh off the heels of a Northeast Late Model Alliance win at Ransomville Speedway the night before, Sandercock was hooked up. Despite multiple cautions, the Trenton driver was furious and flawless straight to the winner’s circle leaving Gregory to settle for his fifth straight second. Wadforth came from deep in mid-field to snag another third place. No. 07 Curtis King finished fourth and No. 32 Doug O’Blenis fifth.
Ramsay Racks Up Second Win
No. 26 Brock Gregory led a packed field of 26 Brighton Automotive Thunder Stocks to the green flag in the caution-riddled 20-lap feature. Gregory’s lead was shortlived as No. 03 Justin Ramsay drove the cushion hard to secure first on lap 3. Ramsay’s toughest challenger of the night was Driver of the Week No. 0 Tyler French who muscled his way from ninth into second. Ramsay rode to victory lane for the second time this season with French as runnerup and Gregory third. No. 17 Ethan Humphry was fourth and No. 10 Carter Rhodes was fifth.
Severin Secures Third Victory
No. 12 Caleb Severin continued his winning ways in the Bill’s Johns Mini Stock 15-lap event. Halfway through the race, Severin charged to the front on the inside line and never looked back as he sailed to checkers for the third time this season. No. 22 Tyson Gregory scored his sixth straight second-place finish. No. 41 Landon Mutch was third, No. 2 Trevyn McCrillis fourth and No. 25 Lawrence Evenden fifth.
Bogaard Bolts To Winner’s Circle
No. 15 Josh Bogaard was the car to beat in the Bill’s Johns Comp 4 15-lap chase. From his fourth starting position, Bogaard pulled into first on the lead lap and never relinquished the point. No. 42JR Aiden Fletcher earned a hard-fought second-place finish. No. 55 Zachary Humphry was third, No. 24 Travis Fox-Connor fourth and No. 3 Shawn Knowlton fifth.
Up Next
Brighton Automotive & Industrial Supply presents the Dirt Late Model Open, inviting open motor Late Model drivers from all over Ontario and New York State for a $2000.00 to win purse. Following an open motor late model show on Friday night at Ohsweken Speedway on Friday, June 21st, if Friday’s feature winner is also Saturday’s feature winner, each promoter is adding a $1000.00 bonus. Race fans will also catch the Thunder Stock double feature along with Mini Stocks, Comp 4’s and Stingers. Racing begins at 7:00 pm and Front Gates will open at 5:00 pm.
