First career DIRTcar 358 Modified win for Johnathon Ferguson at Brockville
By: Tim Baltz
Winning your first career feature is always something you remember and this
season at the Brockville Ontario Speedway we have seen many first-time winners.
This past Saturday saw a new winner, in the speedway’s premier division.
The night started off with a special 360 Sprint car event on Tackaberry
Construction night and local favorite Rick Wilson led the way at the start of the 20
lap feature, over Jordan Poirier and Chris Jones. Wilson and Poirier were the two
fastest on track and had a great battle. Wilson looked to have the race in control
but slipped off the top side of turns one and two, giving Poirier the lead on lap 11.
From there Jordan Poirier would go unmatched to score his first Brockville win
over Wilson and Jones, Paul Pekkonen was fourth with Jerome Tremblay fifth.
Jarrett Herbison took the lead at the start of the DIRTcar 358 Modified 30 lap
feature with Lee Ladouceur and Johnathon Ferguson completing the top three.
Herbison led the opening 8 laps until a yellow flew for Kalen Draper, who broke
his front end in turn 4. Herbison would continue to show the way but Johnathon
Ferguson was on the move, taking second from Ladouceur, then ran down his
good friend Herbison and a spirited battle took shape. Both drivers trade lanes
and positions on the track and even a little paint at times. Ferguson was able to
secure the lead on lap 12 with Herbison close by in 2nd and Tristan Draper coming
up to third. A quick yellow for Kyle Dingwall, who slowed in turn two with a
problem, bunched the field up for a restart. This time it was Herbison taking the
top spot back with Ferguson and Ryan Arbuthnot getting into the mix. Ferguson
however, was not done as he drove the car deep into turn three and slid by
Herbison to take away the lead. From this point it was all Johnathon Ferguson, as
he finally scored his first career DIRTcar 358 Modified win. Jarrett Herbison
finished a close second over Ryan Arbuthnot, Tristan Draper and Chris Raabe, who
borrowed Madison Mulder’s car after blowing a motor in his own ride, to come
from 9th to 5th.
The 25 lap DIRTcar Sportsman feature nearly saw a first time winner. The start
saw a tangle in turn 4 when Michael Dillon spun, resulting a three car tangle.
Shane Stearns suffered the most damage and was towed to the pits. Kingston’s
Andrew Young led the way when the green flag flew over Dan Ferguson and
Brennan Moore. Young was running strong on this night using the bottom lane,
while Ferguson tried several times to get by on the high side. Behind them Bobby
Herrington was on the move as he moved to second and then patiently ran down
Andrew Young for the lead. On lap 14 Herrington would take control of the race
with Young back to second over Ferguson, Moore and Domonick Merkley. Bobby
Herrington had a fast race car on this night and built up a comfortable advantage
over the field with 5 to go. On this night the defending track champion was on his
game as he cruised to his third win of the season and second win in the last three
weeks. Andrew Young claimed a career best second with Dan Ferguson Brennan
Moore and Jessica Power, who came from 14th starting spot to finish 5th.
The Supernant Truck Shop Mini Stocks saw a great battle between Cornwall
Speedway invader Pierre Picard and Marc Dagenais on this night in the 15 lap
event. Picard was able to get by for the top spot on lap 5, as he was in search of
his first ever Brockville win. Behind the leader Dagenais started to experience
handling issues allowing points leader Jamie Larocque to charge to the runner up
spot with Matt Boal moving to third. As the laps wound down Picard continued to
build up a bigger lead and without help from a caution flag, nobody could close
the gap. “Captain” Pierre Picard, was able to take home his first ever Brockville
win on this night with Jamie Larocque crossing in second. Skylar Ladoucer, last
weeks winner, charged from the back after a pit stop to finish third over Matt
Boal and Dakota Boal.
Sandy MacFarlane had started the season strong, winning the first two events in
Novice Sportsman, but had not been to victory lane since. He would lead early
over Gavin MacFarlane and Keira Turner. The event nearly went caution free until
Turner spun in turns one and two, collecting three other drivers. All were able to
continue but Turner would head to the pits. On the restart Sandy MacFarlane
would grab the lead and go unchallenged to score his division leading third win of
the year. Jordan Wood crossed in second with last weeks winner Shawn Hodge
taking the final podium spot.
Next week another full program is set to go with the return of the 1000 Islands RV
Crate Sprint Cars and Street Stocks. Racing gets underway at 7pm. To view all the
updated points, results and everything happening at the track, visit
brockvillespeedway.com. For instant updates be sure to give the track a follow on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
DIRTcar 358 Modified (30 laps)
JOHNATHON FERGUSON, Jarrett Herbison, Ryan Arbuthnot, Tristan Draper, Chris
Raabe, Jeff Sykes, Joe Banks, Luke Carleton, Jeremy LaSalle, Lee Ladouceur, Ryan
Scott, Chris Herbison, Terry McClelland, Kyle Dingwall, Kalen Draper, (DNS)
Madison Mulder and Steve Bilow
Heat Winners: Jarrett Herbison and Johnathon Ferguson
DIRTcar Sportsman (25 laps)
BOBBY HERRINGTON, Andrew Young, Dan Ferguson, Brennan Moore, Jessica
Power, Domonick Merkley, Dylan Kirkland, Xavier Andrews, Greg Brinklow, Scott
McGill, Evan Reynolds, Xavier Perrin, Tristan Ladouceur, Tyler Stewart, Michael
Dillon, Chris Ferguson, Ricky Thompson, Shane Stearns, Justin Saunders, Josh
Powers
Heat Winners: Bobby Herrington, Dylan Kirkland and Dan Ferguson
Novice Sportsman (12 laps)
SANDY MACFALRLANE, Jordan Wood, Shawn Hodge, Gavin MacFarlane, Mario
Dupuis, Holly Denard, Paul Donnelly, Stephane Fournier, Cory Lambert, Keira
Turner
Heat Winners: Sandy MacFarlane and Holly Denard