SAINT-MARCEL-DE-RICHELIEU, Quebec — Mat Williamson led all 60 laps of the Lumberjack Swing finale at Le RPM Speedway to take home the $10,200 top prize in his home country.
Williamson, an Ontario native, grabbed his fifth Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco win of his career in the second ever STSS event in Canada.
“I really wanted to win here in Quebec,” an elated Williamson said. “The fans here are amazing, look at these grandstands. It’s the pinnacle of dirt modified racing.”
Despite leading all 60 laps, Williamson had many bouts in traffic that required his best.
“I knew I had to go,” Williamson explained. “When (Stewart) Friesen pulls up behind you, you have to go. He’s one of the best.”
Friesen earned a runner-up finish.
“First of all, hats off to these great fans, this was awesome,” Friesen said. “Give yourselves a round of applause.
“We had a great racecar,” Friesen said of his Halmar International No. 44. “I’d just lose the right front sometimes and have to get the back around to get through the corner.”
Erick Rudolph rounded out the top three after starting in ninth.
“We had a really good car. I thought we ran our best laps from lap 30 to 50,” Rudolph explained. “Anytime you end up on the podium with the Short Track Super Series, it’s a good night.”
Mike Mahaney and Marc Johnson rounded out the top five.
The finish:
Feature (60 laps): Mat Williamson, Stewart Friesen, Erick Rudolph, Mike Mahaney, Marc Johnson, Mario Clair, Matt Sheppard, David Hebert, Alex Yankowski, Alex Therrien, Mathieu Desjardins, Steve Bernier, Felix Roy, Francois Bernier, Dillon Steuer, Chris Curtis, Alan Therrien, Samuel Charland, J.R. Hurlburt, Kevin Hamel, Francois Bellemare, Daniel Morgiewicz, Jr., Simon Perreault, Patrick Beaumier, JF Corriveau, Steve Bernard, Steve Turcotte, Martin Pelletier, Michael Parent