By: Tim Baltz
The second round of the DIRTCar Sportsman North Regional Series invaded the Brockville Ontario Speedway this past Saturday night plus a full show in all divisions. Mother Nature decided to bring in a little moisture, which delayed the start of the show. Despite that, the racing got going and the action had fans on their feet all night.
Gavin Eisele was only making his third ever appearance but was on a roll coming into the night. After third place effort one week ago, the Lafargeville New York native drew the pole position for the 40 lap event, which got him an extra $200 from Riverside GM and MFE Health Group.
From the drop of the green flag Eisele established himself as the car to beat, driving away from Dylan Kirkland, Shane Pecore, Brennan Moore and Bobby Herrington in the early going. Eisele was plenty fast and began to lap several cars by lap 15 leaving everyone trying to figure out a way to run him down. Shane Pecore was strong as well, battling Dylan Kirkland for the second spot and would eventually get it on lap 18, as Eisele began to lap cars into the top 10. On lap 30 Eisele had lapped up to 8th place Eric Nier and looked well on his way to his first ever tour win. That all changed as Dan Ferguson slipped off turn 2, which brought out the first yellow of the race, giving Pecore and others a shot at the leader. When the green flew Eisele held the lead on the bottom but Pecore used his experience on the outside taking the lead away on lap 32, but it as far from over with. Eisele tried several slide jobs to get by but Pecore would make the cross over to take the top spot again, in a great seesaw battle, which had the fans on their feet. Despite a final caution with under 5 laps to go. Shane Pecore would survive one final restart and several challenges from Gavin Eisele, to score his third ever tour win at Brockville and second win in a row in 2024. Eisele came home runner up for the 4th time in a DIRTCar Sportsman Series race. Bobby Herrington had a strong showing finishing third, with Brennan Moore and Shane Stearns competing the top 5. The Series heads to Can Am for race three on July 3rd.
In the DIRTcar 358 Modifieds, Kalen Draper led early over Johnathon Ferguson, Lee Ladouceur, Dylan Evoy and Corey Wheeler. Draper had the car to beat, but Ferguson was strong and made several attempts to get by for the top spot. On lap 14 Ferguson was able to take over the lead, but behind him defending champion Ryan Arbuthnot was on the charge and followed Ferguson through to the number two spot, as they began to pull away and put on a great show by themselves. Behind them Kalen Draper was trying to fend off multi-time Cornwall track champion and reigning Fall Nationals champion Corey Wheeler and older brother Tristan Draper as they battle for position inside the top 5. By this time Arbuthnot and Ferguson were in a great battle for the lead and Arbuthnot knew it was time to go, with just under 10 laps remaining. On lap 23 Arbuthnot would take over the number one position moving Ferguson back to second. Over the final laps, despite a great charge by Johnathon Ferguson, Ryan Arbuthnot was not to be denied as he made up for last week, by scoring his first win of 2024. Johnathon Ferguson held on for second, with Corey Wheeler, Jarrett Herbison and Kalen Draper completing the fast five.
This night also saw the 20 lap season opener for the Eastern Ontario Vintage Stock Car Club. Veteran Randy Gaudet and his team built a brand new car for the year as a tribute to long time competitor Chico Dingwall and it was fast on this night. Gaudet was in a battle early in the race with Gavin and Jason Riddell, while Ian Gordon and Steve Billings completed the top 5. Gaudet was working traffic perfectly leaving Gavin Riddell behind in the early laps. Just past halfway, Gaudet got caught in traffic with the cars of the 50s and 60s, which allowed Riddell to close in. On lap 13, the night ended for Riddell as he made contact with an infield tire, breaking the front end and stopping his bid for the lead and a possible win. On the final restart Gaudet would pull away from Jason Riddell, to return to victory lane after many struggles last year. Jason Riddell, Ian Gordon, Wayne Riddell and Christopher Pryer would complete the top 5 for the 70/80 division. In the 50/60 class, Pete Stapper would hold off defending series champion Greg Hale, to score the opening day victory. Jeff Cledgett, Joey Hilts and Randy Simkins were the top 5.
Cory Lambert had a great night going in the 12 lap Novice Sportsman class. He won his heat race early in the night and was strong in the feature, showing the way, with Paul Donnelly, Blake Smith, Melcolm Banks and Matt Mould. Lambert held the bottom lane but Donnelly was on the charge and looking to go two in a row to start the year. Lambert would continue to click off consistent laps, forcing to make his move up high if he wanted the lead. On the final lap, Donnelly would make it close, but Cory Lambert would notch career win number one and show plenty of emotion in victory lane, after a hard-fought win. Donnelly finished second over Smith, Banks and Matt Mould.
The Surprenant Truck Shop Crate Sprints would hit the track for a 20 lap contest and Bruno Richard was debuting a brand new car and led early on over Josh Verne Jr. and Lee Ladouceur. Richard had a fast car but Ladouceur was on his way to the front and looking to make up for the heartbreak in the 358 Modified race earlier in the night. Ladouceur had second to himself as Richard pulled away to a big lead, but the race was not over. With just under 5 to go Richard was held up in traffic, which allowed Ladouceur to close in. On the final lap Ladouceur would show the wheels to Richard, but it was not meant to be, as Bruno Richard held on for his first Brockville Sprint Car win and second of his career, having won at Can Am in 2023. 2022 track champion Ryan Poole finished third with 2021 champion Matt Billings 4th and last weeks winner Mathieu Bardier completed the top 5.
The final event of the night saw a special 25 lap race for the Mini Stocks and the action never stopped from the green flag to the checkered flag. Matt Boal led the race early with Hayden Brown, Dakota Boal, Mike Saunders and Clayton Celovsky making up the top 5 drivers early. Boal and Brown battled for the lead but the two drivers made contact forcing Boal into an infield tire in turn three. This would not be the end of his night however. When the green flew Dakota Boal would battle Brown for the lead as former track champion Jarrod Galway would make his way into contention as he took over third. On lap 12 the top two drivers would get hooked together, allowing Galway to grab the lead, as the yellow flew. After the early race issues, Matt Boal had made his way from last all the way to second, as he was determined to get his first career win. When the green flew a great side by side battle between Galway and Boal took place as they battled wheel to wheel for 10 laps. Despite a great effort by Galway, it was determination that won the race for Matt Boal as he pulled ahead of Galway to score his first career win in the Mini Stock class. Teammates Jarrod Galway and Jamie Larocque finished second and third, with Clayton Celovsky and Mike Saunders completing the top five.
Next week a full show is set for all divisions, with the Mini Stocks coming back for a second straight week. DIRTCar 358 Modified, DIRTCar Sportsman, Surprenant Truck Shop Crate Sprints and Novice Sportsman will also be on hand. The green flag flies at 6pm.
To stay up to date on news, results, points and everything that is happening at the track, visit our website at brockvillespeedway.com. For instant updates, give us a follow-on Facebook, “X” and Instagram. If you can’t join us in person, be sure to follow along with live timing and scoring on My Race Pass.
DIRTCAR 358 MODIFIEDS
A Feature 1 (30 Laps): 1. R70-Ryan Arbuthnot[7]; 2. 44-Johnathon Ferguson[3]; 3. 47S-Corey Wheeler[6]; 4. 38J-Jarrett Herbison[5]; 5. 18-Kalen Draper[2]; 6. 83-Dylan Evoy[4]; 7. 17-Tristan Draper[8]; 8. 66-Kyle Dingwall[10]; 9. 64-Terry McClelland[9]; 10. 08-Chris Ferguson[11]; 11. SS3-Sandy MacFarlane[13]; 12. 17M-Gavin MacFarlane[12]; 13. 88-Lee Ladouceur[1]
Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 88-Lee Ladouceur[1]; 2. 44-Johnathon Ferguson[3]; 3. 38J-Jarrett Herbison[4]; 4. R70-Ryan Arbuthnot[6]; 5. 64-Terry McClelland[2]; 6. 08-Chris Ferguson[5]; 7. SS3-Sandy MacFarlane[7]
Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 18-Kalen Draper[2]; 2. 83-Dylan Evoy[1]; 3. 47S-Corey Wheeler[4]; 4. 17-Tristan Draper[3]; 5. 66-Kyle Dingwall[6]; 6. 17M-Gavin MacFarlane[5]
19 entries
DIRTCAR SPORTSMANS
A Feature 1 (40 Laps): 1. 0P-Shane Pecore[4]; 2. 18E-Gavin Eisele[1]; 3. 88Z-Bobby Herrington[5]; 4. 35B-Brennan Moore[3]; 5. 22S-Shane Stearns[6]; 6. 52-Jessica Power[7]; 7. 34-Eric Nier[12]; 8. 11-Dan Ferguson[9]; 9. 88K-Dylan Kirkland[2]; 10. 707-Greg Brinklow[8]; 11. 16X-Savannah Laflair[11]; 12. 35D-Dylan Moore[10]; 13. 17M-Madie Wallace[13]; 14. 16-Matt Barbour[16]; 15. 18-Jordan Wood[15]; 16. 20-Nathan Lambert[17]; 17. X41-Xavier Perrin[14]; 18. (DNS) 98-Domonick Merkley
Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 35B-Brennan Moore; 2. 22S-Shane Stearns; 3. 52-Jessica Power; 4. 35D-Dylan Moore; 5. 17M-Madie Wallace
Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 88Z-Bobby Herrington; 2. 88K-Dylan Kirkland; 3. 707-Greg Brinklow; 4. 16X-Savannah Laflair; 5. X41-Xavier Perrin; 6. 20-Nathan Lambert
Heat 3 (8 Laps): 1. 0P-Shane Pecore; 2. 18E-Gavin Eisele; 3. 11-Dan Ferguson; 4. 34-Eric Nier; 5. 18-Jordan Wood; 6. 16-Matt Barbour
Qualifying 1: 1. 98-Domonick Merkley[5]; 2. 52-Jessica Power[6]; 3. 17M-Madie Wallace[2]; 4. 22S-Shane Stearns[1]; 5. 35D-Dylan Moore[3]; 6. 35B-Brennan Moore[7]; 7. (DNS) 2X-Martin Lessard
Qualifying 2: 1. 88Z-Bobby Herrington[2]; 2. 707-Greg Brinklow[5]; 3. 88K-Dylan Kirkland[1]; 4. 20-Nathan Lambert[3]; 5. X41-Xavier Perrin[6]; 6. 16X-Savannah Laflair[4]
Qualifying 3: 1. 18E-Gavin Eisele[2]; 2. 0P-Shane Pecore[5]; 3. 18-Jordan Wood[6]; 4. 11-Dan Ferguson[3]; 5. 34-Eric Nier[4]; 6. 16-Matt Barbour[1]
10 entries
WINGED CRATE SPRINTS
A Feature 1 (25 Laps): 1. 72-Bruno Richard[1]; 2. 51L-Lee Ladouceur[3]; 3. 00-Ryan Poole[4]; 4. 52-Matt Billings[7]; 5. 19-Mathieu Bardier[5]; 6. 1V-Josh Verne Jr[2]; 7. 85C-Cam MacKinnon[9]; 8. 9-Adam Turner[6]; 9. M52-Marc Surprenant[8]; 10. (DNS) 4K-Jamie Kay
Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 72-Bruno Richard[2]; 2. 51L-Lee Ladouceur[1]; 3. 19-Mathieu Bardier[5]; 4. 52-Matt Billings[3]; 5. 85C-Cam MacKinnon[4]
Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 1V-Josh Verne Jr[1]; 2. 00-Ryan Poole[2]; 3. 9-Adam Turner[3]; 4. M52-Marc Surprenant[4]; 5. (DNS) 4K-Jamie Kay
21 entries
DIRT MINI STOCKS
A Feature 1 (15 Laps): 1. 37-Matt Boal[3]; 2. 06J-Jarrod Galway[8]; 3. 12A-Jamie Larocque[14]; 4. 24-Clayton Celovsky[7]; 5. 88-Mike Saunders[1]; 6. 71S-Jon Saunders[4]; 7. 67-Maxx Steele[10]; 8. 83-Steven Boies[13]; 9. 46-Hayden Brown[5]; 10. 007-Matt Bond[12]; 11. 95-Zac Lynch[15]; 12. L29-Landen Slinger[18]; 13. 73-Dakota Boal[2]; 14. 03C-Colin Chisamore[9]; 15. 76-Rylan Banks[17]; 16. 93M-Travis Lamarche[6]; 17. 66P-Mark Packer[16]; 18. 68L-John Lamarche[11]; 19. (DNS) 25X-Justine Stevens
Heat 1 (6 Laps): 1. 88-Mike Saunders[5]; 2. 71S-Jon Saunders[1]; 3. 24-Clayton Celovsky[3]; 4. 67-Maxx Steele[6]; 5. 83-Steven Boies[4]; 6. 95-Zac Lynch[7]; 7. (DNS) 16J-Jesse Wolfe
Heat 2 (6 Laps): 1. 73-Dakota Boal[3]; 2. 46-Hayden Brown[7]; 3. 06J-Jarrod Galway[2]; 4. 68L-John Lamarche[4]; 5. 12A-Jamie Larocque[6]; 6. 66P-Mark Packer[5]; 7. L29-Landen Slinger[1]
Heat 3 (6 Laps): 1. 37-Matt Boal[1]; 2. 93M-Travis Lamarche[3]; 3. 03C-Colin Chisamore[6]; 4. 007-Matt Bond[5]; 5. 25X-Justine Stevens[7]; 6. 76-Rylan Banks[2]; 7. (DNS) 6-Ian Reid
7 entries
NOVICE SPORTSMAN
A Feature 1 (12 Laps): 1. 39-Cory Lambert[1]; 2. 98-Paul Donnelly[3]; 3. 18B-Blake Smith[2]; 4. M75-Melcolm Banks[4]; 5. 28-Matt Mould[6]; 6. 35P-Patrick Kudrinko[7]; 7. 80D-Damien King[5]
Heat 1 (6 Laps): 1. 39-Cory Lambert[3]; 2. 98-Paul Donnelly[1]; 3. 80D-Damien King[4]; 4. 35P-Patrick Kudrinko[2]
Heat 2 (6 Laps): 1. 18B-Blake Smith[1]; 2. M75-Melcolm Banks[2]; 3. 28-Matt Mould[3]
