Championship Night at South Buxton Raceway
Saturday night was the first of two Championship nights and the Tire Craft Sports Stock’s did not disappoint. Erik Vanderiviere #67 and Rob Young # 48 seemed to be in a race all of their own as they battled each other for first and second place. Brad Bloomfield #11 was the third place winner; Bloomfield had an incredible break out season taking home three feature wins and three heat race wins. Vanderiviere after a close battle took home 2nd place, “He was too fast, it was pretty tough, I tried and I tried but he had the faster car tonight” Vanderiviere said of first place winner Young. Young, who anticipated a wet, tacky track, put a wet setup on the car knowing he was going to be the first feature of the night. Young was able to maintain his lead the entire 20 lap feature and finish the 2016 season champion race with first place.
Matt Sorrell who drove for Marshall Hereygers #3m began the Tire Craft Mini Mod Championship feature in first place. Sorrell battled Shawn Jones #27 for most of the feature race until a flat tire sent Jones to the pits. This gave the opportunity for Randy McKinley #14 to battle his way to second place. McKinley who thanked his brother for making his car race ready, battled hard to maintain and win second place. A beaming Elliot Wilton #1 who after a steady fight claimed third place was really happy with the way the car handled and was excited to add more hardware to their race shop.
Eric Spangler #27 drove five hours from Lake City Michigan to race in Saturday night’s West Side Performance Plus feature race. Spangler who has previously won a World of Outlaw race at Merritt Speedway was your Saturday night feature winner. Spangler, who began the feature in 12th place managed to be patient and waited out the race leader Gregg Haskell RH21 until lap 13 when he was able to overtake him in turns one and two. Met by his wife and crew in the Winners circle, Spangler was hopeful he would be back at South Buxton raceway for the annual Shoot out.
Last night’s Schinkels Gourmet Meats UMP Modified race was nostalgic for those who have grown up watching races at the track. The battle between veteran racers Eugene Hoekstra #36 and Jim Dale Jr #00 left their fans on their toes. Hoekstra who was Friday nights Ohsweken Modified feature winner, took home Saturday nights feature Win at South Buxton. “Jimmy’s a good clean racer, I saw him on the inside of me at one point, I figured I had better hammer down” Hoekstra said of the close feature race. Fans can look forward to next week’s race as their favourite racers battle it out on championship night.
By: Kerri Wright.