OHSWEKEN: Dykstra does it again. Winger, Erskine and Sault also victorious

(June 12, 2010) - A wild night of racing at Ohsweken Speedway finished up with Dave Dykstra once again visiting victory lane on Friday. The win was Dykstra's second out of three Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car features held in 2010.  Other winners on Trailers by Jim Bray night at the Speedway included Lee Winger in ESSO Thunder Stocks, Craig Erskine in ESSO Mini Stocks, Karl Sault in the Bomber division, Doug Fralick in Vintage Modifieds, Bill Harju in Vintage Sportsman, Kacey Huffman in Mini Van Figure 8, and Lee Hils in Mini Van Demo Derby.

CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING SPRINT CARS
Glenn Styres and Kyle Patrick started on the front row for the twenty lap Sprint Car feature.  When the green flag dropped, Patrick jumped out to the lead and held it for the first six laps before Dave Dykstra caught up in traffic and made his move for the lead in turn two.  Keith Dempster took over the runner-up spot from Patrick three laps later.  Dempster was within sight of the leader at the halfway mark when the red flag came out for Mike Ling, who flipped and cleared the safety fence in turn one.  Fortunately, Ling climbed uninjured from his mangled machine.

With the green flag back out, Dykstra drove away while the rest of the field jostled for position.  Dykstra carved through traffic and claimed the victory, followed by Dempster, Mikey Kruchka, Styres, and Jared Zimbardi.

"The crew makes this happen," said a modest Dykstra in victory lane, "I'm just the guy who holds the steering wheel."

Heat races for the twenty-six car field were claimed by Glenn Styres, Tom Huppunen, and Keith Dempster, while Jason Martin claimed his first ever Sprint Car division checkered flag in the “B” Main.

ESSO THUNDER STOCKS
Kyle Magrin and Wyatt Van Wart started the Thunder Stock feature on the front row, but it didn't take long for Lee Winger, Ryan Dinning, and Billy Bleich to march to the front.  Ninth starting Winger looked to be a man on a mission after a flat tire took him out of contention for the feature win last week, and was into the lead by the time four laps were on the board. 

Lap five found Ed McNamara and Phil Nyssen facing the wrong way in turn four to bring out a caution, while Harry Crumb's machine caught fire in turn two, bringing out a red flag.  Speedway officials penalized Winger and Dinning on the red flag, as it was deemed they did not stop quickly enough.  Both restarted from the rear of the field.

Green flag racing resumed with Billy Bleich out front, but Winger sliced his way quickly through the field and was back in contention in short order.  The race came down to Bleich and Winger again, and this time it was Winger coming out on top.  Bleich settled for second, followed by Jamie Cox, Jeremy Bean, and Dinning.  Heat races for the twenty car field were claimed by Winger and Cox.

ESSO MINI STOCKS
Mike Taylor and Rob Slater began the fifteen lap Mini Stock feature at the front, but Mike Evers quickly took over in the lead.  Trevor Goulding and Craig Erskine made their ways through the field to make it a three car battle for the lead with half the race in the books.  Evers and Goulding bumped and banged for the lead while Erskine waited for his chance to pounce, which came just after halfway. 

Erskine got the lead and held on for the win while Goulding settled for second, followed by Kevin Hilborn, Evers, and Paul Goodale.  Heat races for the twenty car field went to Goulding and Goodale.

BOMBERS
Jesse McDonald led much of the Bomber feature after starting on the pole, but suspension trouble took him out of contention. Karl Sault and Craig Dowd made their way from deep in the field to first and second and survived heavy traffic to remain in those spots until the end.  McDonald held on for third, followed by John Cote and Dave Patton.  Heat races for the twenty-one car field were claimed by Kyle Andress and McDonald.

NEXT WEEK AT OHSWEKEN
Awesome Racewear and BEST WESTERN CAIRN CROFT HOTEL present "Kids Night" and Autograph Night next Friday, June 18. Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprints, ESSO Thunder Stocks, ESSO Mini Stocks, and Bombers, plus SOLTRA Lawnmowers are all part of round four of Friday Night Thunder. Gates open at 6:00 with racing starting at 7:45!

By Tommy Goudge