Komoka, ON – Justin Demelo (No.82 EMCO Waterworks) did everything right at Delaware Speedway on Saturday afternoon, including leading all 50 laps, to finally earn a win with the OSCAAR Modified tour at his home track.
“I thought the third time was going to be the charm,” said an excited Demelo in victory lane. “But the fourth time, why not? It’s awesome.”
The London, Ont. driver set a blistering pace in time trials on Friday night where he erased Barry Newman’s (No. 1 Vipond Fire Protection) track record set in 2007 with a lap of 18.513 seconds, nearly a full four-tenths of a second quicker than the previous mark.
Demelo’s lap was just four-thousandths of a second off the all-time late model track record held by D.J. Kennington.
Klotz Canada qualifying heat races were lined up on Friday night based on time trials, with odd number qualifiers in heat one and even number qualifiers in the second heat. Both Demelo and Gary McLean (No. 8 McLean Industrial Design) won from the pole to earn starting positions on the front row.
Come feature time on Saturday afternoon, Demelo wasted little time jumping out to an early lead and held down the initial spot as he forced McLean to stick to the high lane.
The first caution of the race came at lap two when Mike Westwood (No.91 Stryker Chassis) spun in turn two. The caution would also end Dean Scott’s (No. 19 Little Track’s Petting Zoo) night as he pulled to the main pit area with what appeared to be radiator problems as the car leaked water.
The field was back up to speed for a long 20-lap green flag run where Demelo continued to pace the field. A great battle developed for the second position between McLean and Demelo on the run, but McLean was able to thwart the efforts of his challenger.
Davey Terry (No.14 Wasteco) and Shane Stickel (No. 39 MSD Machine Tool) were hard at work in a battle for the sixth spot. The two Troyer race cars battled until a caution at lap 22 for a Branden Bullen (No.67 Alliston Transmission) spin in turn two.
The field raced three more laps until a competition caution on lap 25 to allow drivers to refuel and change one tire. The five minute break in the action allowed drivers to make any changes they would be allowed to make on a regular pit stop. Drivers returned to the speedway in the same running order.
Matt Barton (No.2 MDB Racecars/The Merit Group) ended his race at the competition yellow, despite running fifth. Barton explained the grilled opening had shrunk after some early race contact, which began to overheat the motor.
The ensuing restart saw Demelo jump out to a lead once again, while Newman got the better of McLean and ducked beneath the veteran for the second spot.
Demelo opened his lead considerably as the final 25-lap went caution free, and McLean and Newman battled one another for second.
“After last night’s race, the ISMA (Super Modifieds) put down some wicked rubber for us, so that’s why we were all so fast today.”
The most interesting battle in the closing laps was for the sixth spot between Stickel, Ryan Dick (No.88 Johnston Bros. Sand and Gravel) and John Harper (No.79 Grisdale Racing Products). Stickel held off a hard charging Harper for over 20 laps, while Dick made an impressive last lap pass around Harper to steal the seventh spot on the final corner.
Demelo, however, was in a league of his own on this day to win his first OSCAAR Modified race at Delaware in four starts.
“We’re going to try and hit as many races as we can this year,” said Demelo. “We’re going to Autumn Colours at Peterborough and maybe a couple more. We’re debating a full-season next year. It’s pretty promising.”
In the closing laps with Gary McLean glued to the back bumped of Newman, the two came upon the lapped car of Westwood. McLean made an impressive move to the outside of Newman, which pinned ‘the Bear’ beneath Westwood. McLean was able to make the pass and hold the second spot until the checkered flag.
Following the race, McLean admitted he has sized up the opportunity for the pass a few laps in advance.
“I had been eyeballing it, and Barry’s car was getting really loose,” said McLean. “I knew I was going to have to make the move there. I timed it out well. I got to the outside of him going down the front chute. Second-place isn’t bad considering were showing up and playing in their playground.”
Series regular Brent McLean (No.7 Bowmanville Home Building Centre) entered the event second in the standings. Brent ran inside the top-five in the early laps, but on lap 8 fell off the pace and pulled to the infield. Brent later explained the rear-end broke and dislodged the driveshaft from the transmission.
The OSCAAR Modified tour takes a two week break before returning to action on September 7 at Flamboro Speedway in a rescheduled event following a power outage on July 20. They will be joined by the OSCAAR Super Late Models and Flamboro’s weekly divisions.
Justin Demelo’s Victory Lane Interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68MxCRcBTO8&feature=youtu.be
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Results: Davis and McCauley Fuels 50 – Delaware Speedway (August 16-17, 2013) (Starting Position)
50-lap A-Main Results
1. 82 Justin Demelo (1)
2. 8 Gary McLean (2)
3. 1 Barry Newman (3)
4. 39M David McCullough (5)
5. 14 Davey Terry (8)
6. 39 Shane Stickel (10)
7. 88 Ryan Dick (12)
8. 79 John Harper (15)
9. 91 Mike Westwood (13)
10. 67 Branden Bullen (16)
11. 62 Darryn Wright (14) (DNF)
12. 2 Matt Barton (9) (DNF)
13. 75 Wayne Pilkey (11) (DNF)
14. 47 Brian McLean (4) (DNF)
15. 7 Brent McLean (6) (DNF)
16. 19 Dean Scott (7) (DNF)
Klotz Canada Heat 1 Results (10 Laps)
1. 82 Justin Demelo
2. 1 Barry Newman
3. 7 Brent McLean
4. 2 Matt Barton
5. 91 Mike Westwood
6. 79 John Harper
7. 75 Wayne Pilkey
8. 19 Dean Scott (DNF)
Klotz Canada Heat 2 Results (10 Laps)
1. 8 Gary McLean
2. 39M David McCullough
3. 47 Brian McLean
4. 14 Davey Terry
5. 39 Shane Stickel
6. 88 Ryan Dick
7. 62 Darryn Wright
Time Trial Results
1. 82 Justin Demelo (18.513 seconds)
2. 8 Gary McLean (18.649)
3. 1 Barry Newman (18.906)
4. 47 Brian McLean (19.086)
5. 19 Dean Scott (19.121)
6. 39m David McCullough (19.190)
7. 7 Brent McLean (19.215)
8. 14 Davey Terry (19.276)
9. 2 Matt Barton (19.397)
10. 39 Shane Stickel (19.190)
11. 75 Wayne Pilkey (19.494)
12. 88 Ryan Dick (19.625)
13. 91 Mike Westwood (19.995)
14. 62 Darryn Wright (26.193)
15. 79 John Harper (N/A)
16. 67 Branden Bullen (N/A)
The OSCAAR Modified 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.
Clayton Johns (@cjohnsmedia)
OSCAAR Media and Public Relations
Contact: oscaar.media@gmail.com
Photo Credit: Dan Little Jr.
