BROCKVILLE, Ontario – Kyle Dingwall survived a late restart to take the win during the 358 Modified feature at Brockville Ontario Speedway on Saturday night.
The night kicked off with the held-over Draper Doors Rookie Sportsman feature from May 18, and Karl Potvin was the story of the night, as he took the lead early over Tyler Stewart and Evan Reynolds.
The top three had the fastest cars through the entire 15 lap distance and were able to make a great race out if as well. Over the final laps Stewart tried at will to get by but Potvin would hold on to score the win over a fast closing Stewart and Reynolds.
Mark Packer and John Lamarche led the field to green at the start of the Mini Stock 50 lap event, with Packer taking the early lead. A pair of quick yellow flags flew in the opening 5 laps for Hayden Brown and Justin Leroux. Both were able to rejoin at the tail of the field.
On the restart, Lamarche continued to lead the way but it was Cornwall invader Marc Dagenais taking the top spot away a few laps later with Jamie Larocque taking second and Jared Galway rounding out the top three positions in the early laps.
As the race approached halfway, the leaders began to work traffic as Dagenais, Larocque, Galway and Tyson Slinger and Brandon Henderson battled in the top five. On lap 29, Brandon Halliday slowed to a stop in turn three, bringing out the yellow.
Under the same caution, second place Larocque slowed to a stop on the front stretch with smoke pouring from underneath his car. Dagenais would continue to lead the way with Galway in second, but Dagenais had a fast car and was able to pull away.
On lap 44, the great run for Jared Galway ended as he went off turn two and hit the wall separating the track and pit road. Galway would drive the car back to the pits.
On the final restart, Marc Dagenais continued to lead, but Dave Watchorn was all over him and waiting to make his move. Over the final six laps Watchorn hounded the leader and things got interesting on the final lap. As the top two headed into turn three, Watchorn got a big run off the outside and pulled even with Dagenais heading to the checkered flag.
In a near photo finish Marc Dagenais would claim the win in the biggest event for the 2019 Mini Stock season. Dave Watchorn would cross a very close second with Tyson Slinger, Andrew Leroux and John Lamarche completing the top five.
In 1000 Islands RV 358 Modified action, Kyle Dingwall was the story of the night as he dominated the early portion of the 30-lap feature over Ryan Poole and Andy Lloyd.
By lap two, Dingwall had a huge lead on the field as Lloyd was pressuring Poole for second, with Steve Barber and Luke Stewart completing the top five. On lap 11, Lee Ladouceur sailed off the track in turn three bringing out the yellow. Under the same yellow, fourth place Steve Barber headed to pit road.
On the restart, Dingwall remained in command but a new challenger in the form of rookie Tristan Draper was putting all the pressure on the leader, with opening day winner Ryan Arbuthnot right there to challenge from third.
After a lap 16 caution which saw Steve Bilow spin in turn four, Dingwall would once again jump into the lead, but Draper started to make his move. Draper took to the top and showed the nose to Dingwall on lap 20, which was all the leader needed to see.
With Draper running the top lane in turns three and four, Dingwall would change his line and take the top side away from Draper, which allowed Ryan Arbuthnot to close in from third. Dingwall once again pulled away to a seven-car length lead and appeared to be on his way to the win.
On lap 28, the yellow flew for Andy Lloyd who slowed on the back stretch. On the final restart Draper tried everything he could to keep pace with the leader, but on this night, Kyle Dingwall was too strong as he led every lap to score the win.
Ryan Arbuthnot was able get by for second at the line with Draper third and Tim Fuller nipping Tim O’Brien at the line to complete the top five finishers.
Other winners included Ryan Scott (Sportsman), Tyler Bushey (Street Stocks), Jason Powers (Outlaw Vintage) and Terry McClelland (Rookie Sportsman nightcap).