After running a few years in Varney Motor Speedway's Late Model Division, #19 Brian Wilson took the opportunity in 2010 to turn the wheel in the highly competitive Street Stock division. Over the last few years, few have been able to break the stranglehold that the likes of Bill Cole, Gary Atkinson and Jamie Hunt have held on this division but, just past the midway point of the 2010 season, a new contender has emerged from the middle of the pack.
Saturday night's Street Stock feature saw #06 Bill Keill and #3 Gary Atkinson start from the front row. When the green flag dropped, Atkinson wasted little time in claiming the lead as the veteran passed Keill in turn one and charged down the backstretch. As Atkinson began to pull away from the field, a three car battle for second place between Wilson, Cole and Keill appeared to be all the leader would need to build up a lead that could not be overcome.
By the midway point of the race however, Atkinson would have company. Running nose-to-tail, Atkinson, Wilson and Cole turned the battle upfront into a three car affair. Heading into the third turn, Wilson made a move to pass Atkinson and Cole (electing to stay behind Wilson) followed the Rockwood, Ontario driver past the leader and into the second spot. Atkinson would start to fade in the closing stages but, the race for the lead was thriloling to say the least as Cole tried every groove and every line to try and get by Wilson.
Able to get along side Wilson on a few different occasions, Wilson was always there to slam the door shut and Cole could not make the pass. Cole would take one more shot on the white flag lap but, Wilson would hang on for another feature race win on the season. Cole finished second with Atkinson, Keill and #58 Dan Cairns rounding out the top five. Heat races were won by Cole and Wilson.
A caution free Stock 4 feature race ended with a finish that left many confused. After taking an early lead, #35 Tim Tolton built up nearly a full straightaway advantage. Working through the pack, #75 Scott Mast of Cambridge was able to secure the second spot and began his pusuit of the leader. Mast would catch Tolton on two separate occasions.
The first saw Mast on Tolton's back bumper in turn four but contact with the lapped car of #99 Craig McLean saw Mast drift high in the turn and lose momentum, falling back a few car lengths. The second opportunity came on the last lap and brought the crowd to their feet. After taking the white flag, Mast was all over Tolton as the two made the final trip around the highbanks. Once again, lapped cars would be a factor, as the two dove into the final turn.
Trying to get around, and avoid, the lapped car of #86 Matt Clarke, Mast would make contact with Tolton sending him high out of turn four. Mast would clear Clarke and get a run down the front stretch beating Tolton to the checkered flag by half a car length. However, the celebration for Mast was short lived as the win was given to Tolton. Mast was assessed second spot with #51 Clark Hartman, #9 Dennis Cremasco and #28 Luke Freeman rounding out the top five. Heat races were won by Cremasco, Hartman, Tolton and #88 Billy Lovell.
The Late Model feature turned into a runaway win for #12 Justin McLellan. While he did not lead every lap, McLellan would survive a few caution flags and eventually find himself restarting from the front row. McLellan then proceeded to leave the rest of the field in his wake as the battled for positions two on back kept him comfortably alone.
In the late stages of the race, second place was on the minds of both #09 Kent Nuhn and #81 Chris Van Dusen. The two kept the fans in the action with white-knuckled door-to-door action for several laps. In the end, McLellan notched another win with Nuhn, Van Dusen, #98 Stve Smith adn #85 Jeff Lotspeich rounding out the top five. Heat races were won by Lotspeich and Nuhn. The Super Street Stocks continue to draw pathetic numbers and, allowed to run at the back of the Late Model feature, It was #61 Chad Eden picking up the win.
The All Pro Modified feature race saw #27 Les Eccles start on the pole with #4 Brian McLean, substitute driving for son Aaron on, the outside. McLean took the lead exiting turn two on the opening lap and #65 Chris Burrows followed through into second. McLean then hit cruise-control enroute to leading every lap and picking up the win. Trying to make a race out if, #1 Ted Patterson closed in late but, settled for second. Burrows, #34 Terry Pardy and #95 Robert Warnes rounded out the top five. Heat races were won by Pardy and Patterson.
The trains were back on the Highbanks complete with a feature race roll-over that thrilled the capacity crowd. Picking up another 2010 feature race win, the Markdale Salvage Crushers emerged victorious.
This coming weekend, the Ontario Pro Challenge Series will try to make their season debut Saturday at Varney Motor Speedway. Their scheduled appearance earlier this summer was cancelled due to rain so the speedy 3/4 scale racers are anxious to crank it up on the newly shaped speedway. As usual, the green flag drops at 7:00 pm. For more information, visit www.varneymotorspeedway.com.
Race Results - Saturday, July 17, 2010
ALL PRO MODIFIED - FEATURE
Pos Driver Car #
1 Aaron McLean 4
2 Ted Patterson 1
3 Chris Burrows 65
4 Terry Pardy 34
5 Robert Warnes 95
STOCK 4 - FEATURE
Pos Driver Car #
1 Tim Tolton 35
2 Scott Mast 75
3 Clark Hartman 51
4 Tessa Cremasco 9
5 Luke Freeman 28
STREET STOCK - FEATURE
Pos Driver Car #
1 Brian Wilson 19
2 Bill Cole 93
3 Gary Atkinson 3
4 Bill Keill 06
5 Dan Cairns 58
Varney Late Model - FEATURE
Pos Driver Car #
1 Justin McLellan 12
2 Kent Nuhn 09
3 Christopher VanDusen 81
4 Steve Smith 98
5 Jeff Lotspeich 85
Release Prepared By Jody Buschlen
Photo Credit: T.W. Robarts Photos
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