ORO, ON - On what was a picture perfect evening for racing at Barrie Speedway on June 5th, a jam packed crowd would see defending track champ #10 Gord Shepherd of Oro Station taste victory in the 30 lap finale for the Rama Mocassin & Smoke Late Model division. Shepherd, would share top honors on the evening with the current point leader #69 Al "The Red Rocket" Inglis, who notched victory in the earlier 30 lap feature segment. With the wins, the two drivers made a statement they will be contenders all season long in the point standings, with Inglis currently leading a very consistent #8 Dave Lewis of Ramara by a scant 17 points, and Shepherd just 25 behind. Lewis, would also have a stellar evening, coming home the runner up in both feature races in his well prepared Monte Carlo SS.
In the first 30, Lewis would shoot to the lead from pole position with very fast laps in the 14.6 sec. range, while outside pole sitter #6 Keith Maiato would be left to fend off the challenge of #5 Steve Quesnelle for 2nd. Quesnelle, would eventually work to the inside of Maiato and pass him for position, as the ever alert Shepherd lurked in behind that duo. After an early caution, Quesnelle would start alongside of Lewis, and the two veterans battled side by side for a couple laps, until the third place car of Shepherd stuck a nose inside of Quesnelle to take over the runner up position racing out of corner 2. This move would lead the way for #57 Ron Quesnelle to follow through along the inside line to take over 3rd, as the race was approaching the midway point.
On lap 17, Shepherd was really beginning to mount a challenge for the lead, when he and Lewis would make contact in turn 1, with both drivers being summoned to the rear of the field. This turn of events would hand over the lead to 4 time track champ Inglis, who was looking for his 4th feature win of the young season. Over the closing stages, Inglis opened up a two car length advantage over Ron Quesnelle, as Lewis was also battling his way back to the front. After a late race restart, Lewis would charge past Quesnelle to move to 2nd, but it was clear the laps were running out as Inglis was not to be denied the checkered. Lewis, would overcome adversity to finish 2nd, with Ron Quesnelle, Shepherd, and Steve Quesnelle comprising the remainder of the top 5.
The second 30 lap feature segment would see pole sitter #22 Rob Inglis moving into the lead early on, with the Quesnelle brothers also trying to stake claim to the front of the field. On lap 8, Steve Quesnelle would assume control of the lead, after a thrilling door handle to door handle battle with Inglis. Quesnelle, would continue to lead for the next 15 laps, when Lewis would execute an inside pass in the middle of corners 1&2. Also on the move was the 10 of Shepherd, as he would in turn pass Quesnelle, who's tires were showing the attrition of several laps on the high line.
With 3 laps remaining, Shepherd would make the winning pass of Lewis, getting inside of him racing out of corner 4, and finally completing the pass as the duo raced down the backstretch. Shepherd, would drive on unchallenged from there in recording the win by two car length over Lewis at the finish. #5 Steve Quesnelle would have a season best 3rd place result, with Al and Rob Inglis rounding out the fast five.
The OLG Slots at Georgian Down Thunder Cars truly put on a show that didn't disappoint, as #12 Jim "Polish Prince" Belesky and #14 Thayne Hallyburton, had a thrilling late race battle in recording a 1-2 finish. The runner up showing was a career best for Hallyburton, with Belesky being the victor in all three 30 lap features this season. #3 Ken DenHollander would make a valiant late race charge to finish 3rd, after being mired mid pack for much of the race. DenHollander, would be pushed every inch of the way by the duo of #9 Chris Burrage and #24 Leonard Johnston, who finished 4th and 5th respectively.
Earlier heat wins went to DenHollander with a pair, Belesky, and Burrage.
In the Barrie Mitsubishi Pure Stock division, it was #16 Bryan Penny notching the feature win for the 2nd week in a row. Penny, would gradually move from his 8th place starting position to take the lead from #39 Travis Hallyburton, as the latter drifted high out of corner 4, with four laps remaining in the 20 lap affair. Hallyburton, would retire to the infield with a cut tire one lap later, handing over 2nd place to #90 Jim MacDonald at the finish. #15 Will Davies would have a solid point night in finishing 3rd, with #19 Tim Foster, and #115 Kevin Coulson rounding out the top 5.
Heat wins went to Penny and Hallyburton.
Barrie Speedway Points Standings (as of June 5)
Late Model Top 5 -- #69 Allan Inglis 284, #8 Dave Lewis 267, #10 Gord Shepherd 259, #57 Ron Quesnelle 248, #5 Steve Quesnelle 242.
Thunder Car Top 5 -- #12 Jim Belesky 150, #3 Ken DenHollander 129, #24 Leonard Johnston 125, #14 Thayne Hallyburton 125, #9 Chris Burrage 115.
Pure Stock Top 5 -- #16 Bryan Penny 137, #15 Will Davies 127, #19 Tim Foster 125, #90 Jim MacDonald 116, #91 Kyle Lethbridge 103
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