Peterborough, ON – Brandon Watson (No.9 Shear Metal Products) led from flag-to-flag to earn his fourth victory of the 2013 season at Peterborough Speedway on Saturday night. After taking the lead on the first lap, Watson was never challenged for the top spot, leading by as much as a full straightaway at the Chase for the Colours event.
“We were lucky to get (the car) spot on and our car was really good,” said Watson. “We were able to lead all the laps and never looked back.”
With the win, Watson will start on the pole for the 21st edition of the Autumn Colours Classic on Thanksgiving weekend.
“The track was a bit tight in turn one and two. I didn’t want to force (the car) down,” said Watson of his decision to run half a lane off the bottom of the speedway. “We were just trying to keep consistent, keep the tires on it and we were able to come out with the win.”
Watson started inside row three for the 50 lap main event, but was the benefactor of a lap one incident between polesitter Kevin Cornelius (No.17 Halton Crushed Stone) and Derrick Tiemersma (No.7 Wayfreight).
The top two drivers made contact on the initial start to the race heading in to turn one, but couldn’t separate after their fenders became locked. Cornelius got the worst of the contact, suffering a flat right rear tire and forcing him to relinquish his starting spot at the front of the field.
“We got in to each other a little bit and it was just a racing deal,” said Tiemersma. “Then it seemed like our fenders or our quarter-panels got locked and I couldn’t get off of him. It’s unfortunate for him to have to start at the back. Getting the pole position didn’t help me any, Brandon was on rails.”
“It was definitely a nervous moment. They were banging going in to the corner and I just tried to leave a car length,” said Watson of the incident that developed in front of him. “I was able to go by at the bottom. It’s unfortunate it had to happen, but it worked out for us in the end.”
A complete restart was in order for the 15-car field which put Tiemersma on point with Watson to his outside. Watson wasted little time taking the lead, passing Tiemersma at the entrance of turn one.
The Stayner, Ont.-based driver set a blistering pace for the next 36 laps. At the half way mark, Watson put John Owen (No.2 Owen Performance Engines) one lap off the pace, leaving just four cars on the lead lap.
The second and final caution of the night came on lap 36 when Jim Bowman (No.63 Remax/TMG Mortgages) spun in to the infield grass off of turn four. Owen received the lucky dog award and become the fifth and final car on the lead lap.
The ensuing restart gave Tiemersma his best chance at the lead, but Watson gave the second-place driver nothing to work with. Watson paced the field for the final 14 laps, cruising to the checkered flag by nearly half a lap margin of victory.
The battle for the second spot heated up considerably as Tiemersma and Gresel battled nose to tail for several laps. In the dying laps, Gresel was finally able to get underneath the No.7 in turn three to earn the second spot on the podium.
“We were just trying to stay out of the trouble,” said Gresel. “It’s good to get on the podium tonight.”
Tiemersma would finish third while Glenn Watson (No.22 Line-X/Rival Office Solutions) would cross the line fourth. Owen would round out the top-five drivers.
Gresel will start next to Watson on the front row for Autumn Colours on Thanksgiving weekend.
Cornelius, Gresel, Glenn Watson, and J.R. Fitzpatrick were the heat race winners.
“We made some changes from the heats in to the feature,” said Brandon. “We struggled a bit in the heat races and were able to come out with a second and third.”
The series shift to Kawartha Speedway next Sunday August 11 for the tour’s only stop at the Fraserville, Ont. facility. A 4:00pm start time is on tap for the OSCAAR Super Late Models who will be joined by the OSCAAR Modifieds and Brighton Speedway’s Vanderlaan dirt Pro Late Models for an exhibition race.
By Clayton Johns (@cjohnsmedia)
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OFFICIAL Results: Peterborough Speedway – August 3, 2013
1. 9 Brandon Watson; 2. 81 Andrew Gresel; 3. 7 Derrick Tiemersma; 4. 22 Glenn Watson; 5. 2 John Owen; 6. 07 Todd Campbell; 7. 7M Brent McLean; 8. 17 Kevin Cornelius; 9. 39 Shane Gowan; 10. 42 Tyler Hawn; 11. 62 Jim Bowman; 12. 3 Rob Gibson; 13. 13 J.R. Fitzpatrick (DNF); 14. 57 Craig Stevenson (DNF); 15. 14 Kyle Passer (DNS).
Heat Race Winners: 17 Kevin Cornelius, 81 Andrew Gresel, 22 Glenn Watson, 13 J.R. Fitzpatrick.
The OSCAAR Super Late Model tour is presented by a number of dedicated sponsors throughout Ontario, including: Knightworks Design, Hoosier Racing Tire, Klotz Synthetics Canada, Race2way.ca, Dave Franks Photos, Dickson Printing, Finishline Fabrication, McColl Racing Enterprises, McGunegill Engine Performance, Stefko Racing Engines, VP Racing Fuels, OntarioOval.com, RaceTime Radio, Inside Track Motorsport News, Jenco Equipment, Midas of Orangeville, Reinhart Trailer Sales, North Toronto Auctions, and South Shore Services.
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