Ross Wins Gotelaer Memorial Race

Saturday Nights West Side Performance Plus Late Model race at South Buxton Raceway was in memory of Gord Gotelaer.

Gotelaer, who passed away in 2013 at the age of 76, raced the 1971 inaugural season at Raleigh Raceway and continued to race at South Buxton into the 1980’s. Gord’s wife Shirley was on site to present the winner Chris Ross #18r with the trophy.

After beginning the Feature Race in the third position, Ross, quickly and methodically overtook Mike Lewis #05 and Brad Authier #1A for the first place position. It wasn’t long before Ross had gained a half track lead on his second place opponent.

“We’ve been fighting nothing but gremlins and going backwards all season,” Ross said after battling car issues since practice night. It’s clear the issues have been resolved as Ross finished with an incredible 9.558 second lead on his opponents. Lewis, who began the race in second, battled hard to maintain and finish the race in second. Jason Haskell #RH94 drove an impressive race, after beginning seventh finished the race third.

The sparks flew during the first two laps of the Schinkels Gourmet Meat Modified Feature Race. After a patient ten lap wait, Brian Speelman #22s brought home his first Feature win of the season.

“I was kind of being patient and I knew I was pushing it. I knew Joey (Brousseau #47B) was going to be fast, so I knew I couldn’t wait too long,” Speelman said of his incredible pass on Brousseau.

Patient he was, after several laps of trying to get under Brousseau his timing was right and after ten years he made it to the Winners Circle.

“I feel like Dale Earnhart Jr, I want to thank all the guys that help me out at the track, my family and my sponsors.”

Brousseau, who put on a fantastic show for his fans, finished the race in second and JJ Beaulieu #26 finished the race third after being involved in a red light caution.

“That was one heck of a race, I gave it everything I’ve got,” a beaming Marshall Hereygers #31 said after his Great Canadian Oil Change Mini Mod feature race win. After a neck and neck battle with Andrew Pfahler #7x, Hereygers managed to dip under Pfahler in turn four and become the race leader.

“I couldn’t have done it without everyone’s help, I want to thank my sponsors, my family,” said Hereygers. Larry Hart #7 finished second and Pfahler third.

“That was fun,” Steve Shaw #96 said after collecting his second Auto Tech Sales and Service Thunderstock Feature win of the season.

Shaw, was in a race of his own Saturday night driving to avoid lap traffic and even battling his son Steve Shaw jr #96JR for first. After a caution restart, it was an impressive lap traffic battle for Myles Homeniuk #4H to avoid his opponents to maintain his second position lead on the pack. Homeniuk, collected a second place finish and Shaw Jr finished third.