Story By: JIM CLARKE / PETERBOROUGH SPEEDWAY – PETERBOROUGH, ONT – For the last couple of weeks, inclement weather made the headlines. Saturday, July 6th, Peterborough Speedway kicked-off a new month of local racing will an action-packed show.
The first order of business was a feature event for the Kingsway Auto Centre Junior Late Models that had Savannah Strawn and reigning track champion Avery Kirkpatrick on the front row in the make-up ‘A’ main from June 8th. Kirkpatrick took the early lead and was having a strong run before being passed by Hudson Sellers who hung-on for the checkered flag. Kirkpatrick finished 2nd, with Wyatt Beatty, Gracelynn MacInnes and Strawn completing the top-5.
In another hold-over feature – this time for the Jiffy Lube Super Stocks – Mark Gordon and Marlie Owen brought the field to the line. Gordon’s No. 52 ride was on rails and he led every lap in the caution-free 20-lapper. Owen, Paul Boundy, Clayton Reed and Kyle Gordon rounded-out the fast 5. Front row starters Tyler Bouillon and Andrew Massey led the Ontario Modifieds Racing Series pack to the stripe for the group’s first Peterborough Speedway start of the year. From the drop of the green flag, Bouillon’s No. 46 was strongest piece on the track. He built-up a lead of almost a straightaway and lapped up to 4th place in the running order in the caution-free feature. 2023 series champion John Baker Jr., Bob Franks, Rob Warnes and Massey followed the race winner to the checkered flag. Former Bone Stock track champion and OMRS alumni Willow Barberstock returned to the driver’s seat, wheeling her grandfather Randy Hollingsworth’s No. 62 machine.
Carter Cappuccitti and Savannah Strawn brought the Junior Late Model field from the staging area for their regularly scheduled feature dance. Knox Richardson grabbed the early lead, with Wyatt Beatty close behind. Beatty was the new race leader as the pack worked through some slower traffic and held on for the win. Richardson, Gracelynn MacInnes, Cappuccitti and Praxton Sellers completed the top-5.
With a $500 winner’s cheque waiting at the end of the 50-lap Battlefield Equipment Rental Bone Stock feature that had Victoria McLenon and Tegan Stanley holding-down the front row starting spots. A solid pack had its eyes on the big payday, as the leaders started working through slower traffic. Stanley was the race leader when an incident on the backstretch brought out the red flag with 16 laps on the scoreboard. John Bates to the lead on the restart, with a 3-car breakaway back to Sean Kennedy who was running 4th. Just over 20 laps remained as Bates wheeled the No. 12 ride to the biggest win of his career, over Jake Kelly, Stanley, Kyle Novis and Sean Kennedy.
In a true show of sportsmanship, Kelly – the reigning track champion, who was making his 1st start of the season – disqualified himself from the finishing order. Cory Horne was moved-up to the 5th place finishing spot.
The opening program for the month of July concluded with a feature event for the Pro Junior Late Models. Brayden Cappuccitti and Lucas Cousineau lined-up on the front row for the headliner, with Lucas Finnegan taking the lead with 9 laps complete. The talented youngster would lead a Cousineau family reunion to the checkered flag, with Carson, Lucas and Chase next in line. Landon Sellars was 5th in the final running order.
All finishing positions are unofficial and subject to scoring review and post race inspection.
Bullring bullet points: After rebounding from consecutive rainouts racers, fans, officials and staff were excited to get back to the track. Mother Nature sent a reminder of who is in charge. Early in the show, a rogue storm cell that wasn’t even visible on forecast models dumped about 20 minutes of steady rain on the track, leading to a delay of close to 45 minutes.
Special thanks to the team at Lakeside Mobile Tire for providing the $500 winner’s cheque for the 50-lap Bone Stock main event. Mini Stockers, your turn comes up Saturday, August 10th with another $500 to win Lakeside Mobile Tire ‘A’ main…During the program, fans got a chance to see demonstration events with the new Ontario Bandolero cars, presented by JDC Motorsports. The cars were driven by several family members from within the Peterborough Speedway community.
Next on this year’s agenda is the Pure Country 105 Mid-Season Bash, with the Ontario Outlaw Super Late Models, Bone Stock, Mini Stock, Renegade Truck and Late Model divisions. The program will also include make-up Bone Stock and Late Model features from Saturday, June 8th and the rescheduled CNAF Autism Awareness Night. Grandstand gates open at 5:00, with racing at 5:30.