Panunte Takes Third Win of Season, A Lucas Oil Series Win, Over Hard Driving Knapp.
By: Amy Pollard Humberstone Speedway
Port Colborne Ontario, July 26, the flags flew half mas in memory of Harvey Hainer Sr. as the Young Automotive Professionals watched the most eventful night of racing this year so far, as Greg Panunte and Rob Knapp battled car number to car number, fighting for the Lucas Oil Series win. Knapp and Panunte put on a good show, driving most of the race side by side, when Knapp slid up in turns three and four, opening the door to Panunte, who ran with the lead, and took the win. Winning his third feature win of the season, and capturing the 50 lap Lucas Oil Series win,
The Ron’s Automotive Mini Stocks and the Niagara Auto Sales Pro Four rejoined the program this week, with Dave Small capturing the 15 lap Ron’s Automotive mini stock feature and Kevin Aube, taking the win in the Niagara Auto Sales Pro Four trucks 15 lap feature. Shayne Pierce brought home the win in the Brian’s Tire Repair Street Stocks 20 lap feature event, this past weekend.
The Cosco Haulage Sportsman took to the track this weekend for the Lucas Oil Series fifty lap feature, with Rob Knapp, and Cody Mcpherson bringing the rumbling pack down to the green. The green flies, Knapp is quick to take the lead, as the pack behind battles for position. The battle comes to a halt as the yellow waves on lap two. The cars regroup with Knapp and McPherson starting the pack off once more. Knapp grabs the lead, with Brad Rouse on the move for position. Taking second from Cody, Rouse focuses on the machine of Knapp and the first place position, A few laps of tracking down Knapp, Rouse catches him and put up a fight for first. However, the fight is cut short when the yellow makes it second appearance on lap ten. Coming down to the green on the restart is, Knapp and Rouse, Knapp regains the lead, with Rouse on his tail. Rouse moves to the outside, stealing the lead from Knapp, as Greg Panunte and Cody McPherson move in to join the game. Yellow waves on lap 16 slowing the field. Rouse and Knapp come down to the restart as Panunte and Chad Chevalier close in on the leaders. Three way racing is seen as Rouse and Knapp battle for first. Rouse drives up the wall in turns three and four, opening the door for Knapp and Panunte, as they walk in to first and second. Rouse recovers and continues on his hunt to the front of the pack. Knapp and Rouse engage in a battle for first with Rouse lurking behind the two. Knapp and Panunte exchange the lead as they pull into lap traffic with Knapp leading by a few car lengths. Using the inside rail as the way around the race surface, Panunte finds himself pulling up into a door to door battle for the lead. Knapp slides up high, opening the door, inviting Panunte in for the leading positoin. Panunte comes around for the win, as Knapp runs out of time. Top five winners were, Greg Panunte, Rod Knapp, Chad Chevalier, Brandon Easey and Brad Rouse.
The nights dash for cash was put on by Knapp Brothers Racing. As six cars took to the track for a four lap battle for the seventy-five dollar cash prize. Billy Hogue and Rob Murray bring the pack down to the green, The two fight for the lead as the pack also battles for position. With one to go the leaders still battling for the lead, Coming down to the checkers its Murray who takes the win and the cash over huge in the short but sweet race..
After enjoying their week off, the Ron’s Automotive Mini Stocks Drove onto the race surface for the fifteen lap feature, Leading the pack down to the green were, Katie Cosco and Kevin Clow. As the green drops Clow walks out front of the pack as cars come together, bringing out the yellow, on lap one. Cars regroup, and we’re going green as Kevin Clow and Kyle Pelrine lead the pack. Pelrine takes the lead, with Dave Small and Rob Goulding not far behind. Small down low, pulls into the lead coming out of three and four, as Goulding using the rail, battling for second as the yellow waves with two to go, slowing the pack. Small leads the single file restart down to the green. Small regains the lead as the cars bump into position behind. Goulding challenges Pelrine down low for second winning the position come out of turns three and four. The white waves as Goulding works to close the gap. The race come to a end too soon for Goulding as Small takes the checkers. Kyle Pelrine, Evan Curtis and Rocco Conte bring home third to fifth finishing positions.
Next on the track, also back from a week off, the Niagara Sales Pro Four trucks, rolling on to the track for their fifteen lap feature. Rick Book and Scott Sherk bring the race hungry pack down to the green. It’s Rick Book taking the lead, just as Sherk pulls up and wins the leading position. As the trucks and their drivers battle for position behind him. Sherk walks away as Kevin Aube is on the move through the pack of trucks, driving his way into third. Sherk holds a steady lead, as Aube still on the move grabbing second. Aube sets his focus on the lead as he pulls to the outside, when the yellow waves ending his hunt. Sherk leads Aube and the single file pack down to the green, Sherk takes off in the lead as Aube moves in on Sherk, grabs the lead and the win out from under the nose of Sherk. Followed by Andy Imbeault, Billy Beales and Hilary Heagens for third fourth and fifth positions.
Closing the show this week, was the Brian Tire Repair Street Stocks running their twenty lap feature, with Pat Thompson and Billy Bleich Jr. leading the drivers down to the start. Thompson takes the lead as Bleich battles Murray for the second Position, when Murray spins against the turns three and four wall, bringing out the yellow. Murray collects himself, rejoins the pack for the restart. Coming down to the green it’s Thompson taking the lead, Rob Murray as Bleich and Billy Hogue fight for position. Shayne Pierce appears on the outside, asking for second. As Thompson comes out of turns three and four high, opening the door for Bleich and Pierce. Hogue joins the game making three wide racing, as the yellow waves on lap eight. Bleich and Pierce bring the field down to the green. The battle is on, as Bleich, Pierce and Hogue start where they left off, in a three way battle for first, when the nose cone of the Kevin Kocariks machine appears on the front stretch, bringing out the yellow on lap nine. Track officials clear the track and were back racing as, Bleich goes down low and Pierce takes the high side, fighting for first. The two drive door to door, car number to car number, fighting for the lead. One to go, Bleich down low and Pierce up high, come down to the white side by side. Pierce and Bleich put the pedal to the medal as they come to the checkers, and it’s Pierce grabbing a well worked for win by a hair over Billy Bleich Jr. Third to fifth Positions were claimed by, Jaren Israel, Rob Murray and Kirk Wilson.
At Humberstone Speedway, we sell you the whole seat, but you’ll only use the edge, come get yours next week as ,we prepare for the Civic Holiday with Brian’s Tire Repair presenting, The Molson All Canadian Championship, this weekend. Join us for, free camping all weekend and performance manufacturing and RCM Racing Presenting GO-Kart Racing starting at 12:00 p.m. Followed by a 2 p.m. driver intro and draw at the Molson Tent. A 50 lap 358 Modified Syracuse Qualifier, The Micro Sprints, Pro 4 Trucks, Pure Stocks and a School Bus Race are scheduled for the nights entertainment. A must not miss show, starting with Time Trials at 5 p.m. and racing starting at 7 p.m. Live Entertainment Throughout the day and after the races is also planned for the day on Saturday August 1st. And on Sunday August 2nd as Economy Paving Presents, The Molson All Canadian Championship. Racing includes Mini Stock, Brian's Tire Street Stock, 50 Lap DIRTcar Sportsman, ODLM Late Models, Plus All Day Excitement with The Molson Tent, Live Bands and Fireworks Display. Driver intro and Draw on Stage for Time Trials starting at 2 p.m. Time Trials at 5 p.m. and racing starting at 7 p.m. sharp.
Don’t miss the best show of the year! Any questions or more information please call Humberstone Speedway at 905-834-4002, Cosco Haulage at 905-935-2886, or visit us at our web site at, www.humberstonespeedway.com.
Humberstone Speedway July 19th Race Results
Ron’s Automotive Mini Stocks
Dave Small, Rob Goulding, Kyle Pelrine, Evan Curtis, Rocco Conte, Rob Overholt, Garnet Wilson, Kevin Clow, Jason Coutu, Chris Laskey, Roger Gilbert, Austin Wood, Brandon Iudiciani and Katie Cosco.
Heat Winners: Dave Small, Rob Goulding, Rob Overholt
Niagara Auto Sales Pro Four Trucks
Kevin Aube, Scott Sherk, Andy Imbeault, Billy Beales, Hilary Haegens, Mike Toovey, Greg Haegens, Harry Vanderzanden, Bob Gill, Bob McNamara, Jacob Davies, Kameron Kocarik, Rob Sauder, Kevin Conley and Al Jolivet.
Heat Winners: Hilary Haegens, Rick Book
Brian’s Tire Repair Street Stock
Shayne Pierce, Billy Bleich, Jaren Israel, Rob Murray, Jason Fontaine, Billy Hogue. Pat Thompson, Kevin Kocarik, Rob Disher, Blake Reichel, Kevin Knapp, Aaron Wiley, Ron MacCavley, Devin Habiuk, Jordan Fidler and Tyler Anderson.
Heat Winners: Bill Hogue, Bill Bleich, Rob Murray
Cosco Haulage Sportsman
Greg Panunte, Rod Knapp, Chad Chevalier, Brandon Easey, Brad Rouse, B.J. Willard, Ryan Susice, Kevin Sharpe, Tyler McPherson, Jeff Leggett, Nick Cupolo, Steve Schumacher, Cody McPherson, Rick Bellante, Paul Gaboury, Len Dignard, Jesse Cottriss, Doug Spiece, Steve Miller, Jeff Armstrong, Rich Farraway, Mark Dixon, Doug Walsh, Jamie Gilbert And Michael Bosse.
Heat Winners: Greg Panunte, Chad Chevlier, Rick Bellante
