Butler Returns to Victory Lane; ‘Wheely’ Stays Perfect in Night 2 of Grand Opening Weekend
Spencer Lewis
Sunday May 23rd marked the second night of Sunset’s Grand Opening weekend, and highlighting the night’s card of racing was the 2010 debut of the OSCAAR Super Late Model Tour. However, while the popular, high-horsepower monsters dominated the stopwatches, a pair of Donaldson Racing Stable teammates looked to show the capacity crowd that it’s not the size of the motor that counts.
Only one night removed from their respective victories, teammates Kevin Van Der Beek and Kyle ‘Wheely’ Donaldson looked to hold on to their points leads and rack up another pair of victories for their stable.
The Owens Corning Mini Stocks were the first feature on track. Grand Opening Night 1 winner Kevin Van Der Beek (No. 51 Highland Collision Centre/Custom Steering Nissan) appeared to be the man to watch early on in the night, capturing the win in his first of two qualifying heat races. However, in Van Der Beek’s second qualifying heat, an on-track incident with a lapped car left his Nissan 240sx with heavy front end suspension damage.
Van Der Beek was able to answer the bell for the 25-lap A-Main, though it was clear his car’s overall handling had been effected. With Van Der Beek’s car suffering, the door was opened for the rest of the field.
Early on, both Ralph Sikes (No 37. Dwinnell’s DEL. & Movers LTD./irisvisualinc.com Ford) and Ken Donaldson Jr. (No. 03 Custom Steering Nissan) enjoyed their time at the front of the field, though it was not until defending track champion Doug Butler (No. 10 Jeff’s Towing/South Barrie Collision Nissan) made his way to the head of the field on lap 6, that things got interesting.
As 2009’s most dominant Mini Stock pilot took over, it no longer became a question of wether or not Butler had the car to beat, but rather how many cars he could lap while leading the race.
Whilst the New Lowell, ON teenager carved his way through the field, a strong assortment of drivers were making a bee-line through slower traffic, in an attempt to reel in Butler’s Nissan. Those charging towards the front included defending Peterborough Speedway Chase for the Colours champion Mike Smith (No. 06 speedysmith.com Dodge), former Barrie Speedway Charger champion Billy Melenhorst (No. 14 Benzor’s Toyota 4x4 Parts/Tire Guys Nissan) and defending race winner Kevin Van Der Beek.
The three would eventually be joined by 2009 Rookie of the Year Warren Paxton (No. 33 Blue Mountain Honda of Collingwood/CB Services Honda), and would put on their own battle for position, dazzling the fans, as paint, dents and positions were all exchanged between the 4.
Meanwhile, Butler had placed a full straightaway – chok full of lapped cars – between himself and the rest of the field.
At the checkered, Butler would claim his 2nd feature win of the year, followed by Paxton, Van Der Beek, Smith and Melenhorst.
In victory lane, Butler explained that while his car was dialed in, it wasn’t all positives for the defending champion, “The car handled pretty good tonight. It’s just that we’re pushing these cars so hard now, it’s getting to be too much for the tires we’re on. It’s starting to become an issue”
After thanking his sponsors and crew for their support, Butler had a message for his competition, “Keep me on my toes! Keep pushing me. Let’s keep this fun. Work hard to beat me, and we’ll keep putting on a show for these people!’
The Tim-Br Mart Super Stock’s 30-lap A-Main would round out the Sunset support divisions before the OSCAAR tour was set to take to the track. However, as entertaining as the racing action turned out to be, the on-track battles seemed overshadowed by a scary incident involving a trio of cars shortly after the green flag flew.
Upon the drop of the green, Orillia, ON’s Charlie Smith (Orillia Kitchens/Mr. Transmission of Orillia Chevrolet) snatched the lead from outside the front row, though 2 laps later was quickly unseated by “The Upgrade” Rick Walt (No. 99 Rama Moccasin and Smoke Shop Chevrolet).
Walt would begin to put some space between himself and the rest of the field, but would find himself hounded by Edward Cole (No. 27 Brian Rogers Trucking/TTK Tool Chevrolet) until the first caution of the event flew for a fluid spill in turn-2.
The race would take a scary turn only 3 laps after the restart when, after a lap of pressuring Walt from behind, Ken Denhollander (No. 31 Pontiac) would make contact with the left-rear of Walt’s Chevrolet exiting turn-4. The contact would send Walt violently into the front stretch wall, incapacitating the #99 in front of oncoming traffic. Just as the caution light came on to alert the rest of the field of Walt’s stationary vehicle, returning driver Chris Cunnington (No. 68 Cunnington Racing Ford) would make heavy contact with the rear-end of Walt’s prone vehicle, lifting the #99 up on 2 wheels upon impact.
Both drivers would walk away from the incident, though Walt could be seen cradling his right arm shortly after.
After a lengthy red flag to clean up a gasoline spill left from Walt’s split fuel cell, 2x winner Kyle ‘Wheely’ Donaldson (No. 53 Custom Steering/Planet Recovery Chevrolet) would take over the lead from outside the front row, carrying on unchallenged for the remainder of the event.
In victory lane, Donaldson was once again quick to praise his competition, “It’s never easy to come from the rear. Dave [Doucette] was following me those last few laps, he’s a great driver and it’s never easy to beat someone of that calibre’
Later on, after loading his nearly totalled vehicle onto his trailer, Walt had this to say about the incident, “I realize we were kind of holding things up after the restart, but where did he think he was going to go? He was into my [left side] the entire lap before”
When asked about his confrontation with Denhollander in turn-2 during the red flag, Walt responded with a laugh, “It’s funny, because when I got in his window on the track, he was apologizing and explaining that he didn’t mean to turf me and it was all his fault. But as soon as we get back to the pits with his crew around, all of a sudden it’s my fault. It’s real sad, because a guy with a tonne of money just took out 2 unsponsored teams. Neither Chris [Cunnington] or myself have a whack of cash to play with, and this wreck is definitely going to hurt us”
Disappointed yet determined, Walt would add a promise for his competitors and fans alike, “I guarantee you this car will be back for Saturday. Grampa [Merv Walt of the Frame Shop] and I are going to take it home, and I don’t care how much work needs to go into it, we’re going to get this thing fixed and we will be back”
At press time, Denhollander was unable to be reached for comment.
QUICK RESULTS
MINI STOCKS
HEAT 1: Terry Clodd Holland Landing, ON
HEAT 2: Kevin Van Der Beek Aurora, ON
HEAT 3: Mike ‘Speedy’ Smith Port Elgin, ON
HEAT 4: Terry Clodd Holland Landing, ON
HEAT 5: Doug Butler New Lowell, ON
HEAT 6: Rob Krystal Holland Landing, ON
B-MAIN: Pookie Brown Stroud, ON
A-MAIN:
1) Doug Butler New Lowell, ON
2) Warren Paxton Holland Landing, ON
3) Kevin Van Der Beek Aurora, ON
SUPER STOCKS
HEAT 1: Ken Denhollander Barrie, ON
HEAT 2: Jason Elliott Angus, ON
HEAT 3: Kyle `Wheely`Donaldson Queensville, ON
HEAT 4: `The Deuce`Dave Doucette Angus, ON
B-MAIN: Flyin`Frank Davey River Drive Park, ON
A-MAIN:
1) Kyle `Wheely`Donaldson Queensville, ON
2) `The Deuce`Dave Doucette Angus, ON
3) Mark Adams Burlington, ON
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