Herbison wins Brockville 358 Modified thrilling while Powers gets career first in
Sportsman
By: Tim Baltz
Temperatures were hot this past weekend at the Brockville Ontario Speedway.
With warm temperatures it meant the racing action was very intense and much
like a week ago, fans were treated to exciting finishes and yet another first-time
winner.
The DIRTcar Sportsman 25 lap feature saw Josh Powers, former Vintage Modified
driver, take the lead at the drop of the green flag over Tyler Stewart and Greg
Brinklow. Powers has had great runs all season but was looking for something
good to happen finally on this night. Powers held a comfortable lead but battled
some handling issues, which allowed Tyler Stewart to close the gap. A late caution
would stack the field up for a restart, which was what Stewart and Brinklow were
looking for. When the green flew Powers was in control but Stewart tried several
times to get by as Brinklow was under attack from Ricky Thompson and Bobby
Herrington. Stewart would close to within a car length but on this night, but it was
Josh Powers, finally scoring his first career DIRTcar Sportsman win. Stewart held
on for a career best second over Bobby Herrington and Xavier Andrews, while
Ricky Thompson got by Greg Brinklow at the line to finish fifth.
In DIRTcar 358 Modified action, veteran Jeff Sykes has called Brockville his
Saturday night home for 2022 and was looking to return to the winner’s circle
after many years away, as he jumped to the lead over Terry McClelland and
Tristan Draper. Sykes was using his experience at the speedway and opened up a
very comfortable lead by nearly a straightaway as McClelland and Draper tried to
keep pace. Meanwhile another veteran, Chris Herbison was on the charge as he
moved to the top three getting by McClelland for 3rd and then cleared Draper for
2nd. Sykes held a half straightaway lead but Herbison was driving hard and caught
Sykes with 4 to go. On lap 27 Herbison would use the bottom in turn 2 and take
over the lead after a great battle with Jeff Sykes. In the end it was Chris Herbison
taking his first win since August 17th of 2019 at Brockville. Sykes would claim
second over Joe Banks, Chris Raabe and Tristan Draper.
The Street Stocks saw a thrilling finish in their 15 lap feature event. Brett Horner
was looking to claim his 2nd of the season after winning the season opener on
May 14th. Horner led the way with veterans Todd Raabe and Steve Billing giving
chase. Horner and Raabe were able to put some distance on the field and have
their own spirited battle for the top spot. On lap 12 a yellow flew as Sylvain
Gauthier and Keith Riddell tangled in turns 1 and 2. On the final restart Todd
Raabe, who usually loves the inside lane at “The BOS”, would take the outside
groove in turn 4, as he drove by Horner for the lead. Todd Raabe would go
uncontested from there to win his 2nd feature in a row over Brett Horner and
Steve Billings.
Jordan Wood led early at the start of the 15-lap novice Sportsman feature but the
action was behind him. Points leader Sandy MacFarlane had problems in turn two
and tangled with Nathan Lambert on lap 3. Then on lap 6 Paul Donnelly had issues
in turn, which ended with his car going to the pits on the hook. When the race got
going Jordan Wood paced the field comfortably, but Holly Denard was closing fast
and looking to get her first ever win. On lap 8 Shawn Hodge would see a good
finish go away as he broke in turn 4. On the final restart Holly Denard would make
it close but Jordan Wood would drive on to victory lane, his 2nd win in 3 weeks.
Denard settled for 2nd with Gavin MacFarlane charging to third at the checkers.
In 1000 Islands RV Crate Sprint car action it was a caution free 15 lap feature
event. Quebec driver Mathieu Bardier would jump to the lead at the start of the
race and pull away from the field. With the race going caution free 2nd place Lee
Ladouceur and third place Ryan Poole could do nothing about it, as Mathieu
Bardier would claim his first Brockville win. Lee Ladouceur, Ryan Poole, Luke
Stewart and Tim Bailey completed the field.
Next week Rycon Electrical will be on hand for a full program with the Supernant
Truckshop Mini Stocks back on the card. Racing gets underway at 7pm. For
further information check out our website at brockvillespeedway.com or give the
track a follow-on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
DIRTcar 358 Modified (30 laps)
CHRIS HERBISON, Jeff Sykes, Joe Banks, Chris Raabe, Tristan Draper, Kyle
Dingwall, Lee Ladouceur, Johnathon Ferguson, Ryan Arbuthnot, Terry McClelland,
Ryan Scott, Kalen Draper, Jeremy LaSalle, Steve Bilow, Jarrett Herbison
Heat Winners: Johnathon Ferguson and Jeff Sykes
DIRTcar Sportsman (25 laps)
JOSH POWERS, Tyler Stewart, Bobby Herrington, Xavier Andrews, Ricky
Thompson, Greg Brinklow, Dylan Kirkland, Brennan Moore, Shane Stearns, Evan
Reynolds, Michael Dillon, Andrew Young, Scott McGill, Domonick Merkley, Dan
Ferguson, Dale Gifford, Chris Ferguson, Doug Buzzell Jr., Dan McKay, Justin
Saunders, Jessica Power
Heat Winners: Dan Ferguson, Josh Powers and Jessica Power
Novice Sportsman (15 laps)
JORDAN WOOD, Holly Denard, Gavin MacFarlane, Sandy MacFarlane, Nathan
Lambert, Keira Turner, Matt Pruner, Jacob Hutt, Shawn Hodge, Paul Donnelly
Heat Winners: Shawn Hodge and Sandy MacFarlane
Street Stock (15 laps)
TODD RAABE, Brett Horner, Steve Billings, Sylvain Gauthier, Nick Gauvreau, Steve
Brady, Guy Amese, Keith Riddell, Francis Gauthier, (DNS) Nick Merkley and Curtis
Merkley
Heat Winner: Steve Billings
1000 Islands RV Crate Sprints (15 laps)
MATHIEU BARDIER, Lee Ladouceur, Ryan Poole, Luke Stewart, Tim Bailey
Heat Winner: Mathieu Bardier