LONG SAULT, Ontario — In the past week, Alex Yankowski has proven he has what it takes to contend for a Super DIRTcar Series title.
Four days after winning at Georgetown Speedway, the Covington Township, Pa., driver backed it up with another victory on Sunday in the Spring Shootout at Cornwall Motor Speedway.
“This place is bad to the bone,” Yankowski said. “These fans are awesome. Hats off to everyone in the stands tonight. I love the heck out of coming to Canada and these crowds.
“I was on my heels there, and Tim and Debbie Millman just do so much. I felt like we’ve got on a really good roll here. We won Georgetown, down there all the way in Delaware, and then up here in Cornwall. Ontario. That’s pretty damn cool.”
Justin Stone and Peter Britten led the field to the green in the 100-lap feature, with Britten using the outside lane to lead the race’s opening lap.
Behind Britten, Yankowski charged from his sixth starting position, driving by Justin Stone for second on Lap 8. “Kid Rocket” lurked behind Britten for several laps before a caution on Lap 26.
When the race resumed, Yankowski’s momentum on the outside lane propelled him past Britten as they raced down the backstretch, giving him the lead for the first time in the feature. However, it wasn’t long before Yankowski was challenged, as series champions Matt Sheppard, who started fifth, and Mat Williamson, who started 10th, worked their way into the top three.
On a Lap-52 restart, both Sheppard and Wiliamson tried everything they could to get by the No. 84Y, but Yankowski held on to the spot. Williamson did enough to get by Sheppard, though, diving underneath him through Turns 3 and 4 to take second.
Willamson chased Yankowski for another 25 laps before a caution on Lap 77 gave “Money Mat” a chance at the lead. It’s an opportunity the three-time champion didn’t waste, as he powered around the outside of Yankowski.
After losing the position, a miscue almost cost Yankowski a top finish. On Lap 79, Yankowski almost spun his car in front of the field, getting sideways in Turn 4, which brought out the caution. However, he saved it from going around completely and never stopped, blending into second place.
That gave him another chance at Williamson before the race was over. A chance he took advantage of. On a Lap 86 restart, Yankowski drove ahead of Williamson through Turns 1 and 2, and switched lanes in Turns 3 and 4 to keep the No. 88 behind him.
From there, it was all Yankowski needed to score the $10,000 victory, adding to the $7,500 he won on Wednesday at Georgetown.
It’s Yankowski’s sixth series victory, one he said he nearly gave away when he almost spun in Turn 4.
“I think I just got a little bit nervous,” Yankowski said. “I kind of spooked myself.”
Yankowski moved into second in the standings, trailing Wiliamson by nine points after three races.
Williamson settled for second, earning his 25th consecutive series top 10.
“We started toward the middle of the pack there in 10th and had to keep the car free to get up through there,” Williamson said. “I think when I got to the lead, I was probably a little too free.”
Felix Roy rounded out the podium after starting 13th in his first series event driving the Paille Course Racing No. ONE Big Block.
“It was a good race,” Roy said. “We started deep and made our way to the front. We had a good car. I don’t know what to say. I’m pretty happy. The guys work really hard on this car.”
Ten-time champion Matt Sheppard finished fourth, and Michael Parent rounded out the top five.
The finish:
Feature (100) Laps): 1. 84Y-Alex Yankowski[6]; 2. 88-Mat Williamson[10]; 3. ONE-Felix Roy[13]; 4. 9S-Matt Sheppard[5]; 5. 25P-Michael Parent[9]; 6. 35-Mike Mahaney[7]; 7. 2-Jack Lehner[4]; 8. 6-Matt Stangle[3]; 9. 41-Samuel Charland[17]; 10. 29-Ryan Krachun[19]; 11. 28-Michael Trautschold[15]; 12. 21A-Peter Britten[2]; 13. 15X-Justin Stone[1]; 14. 70A-Alex Payne[21]; 15. 4H-David Hebert[18]; 16. (DNF) 25-Erick Rudolph[8]; 17. (DNF) 3-Martin Pelletier[14]; 18. (DNF) 35R-William Racine[23]; 19. (DNF) 77E-Ryan Stabler[20]; 20. (DNF) 98H-Jimmy Phelps[12]; 21. (DNF) 60-Jackson Gill[22]; 22. (DNF) 1*-Steve Bernier[11]; 23. (DNF) 66X-Carey Terrance[16]; 24. (DNF) 4-Anthony Perrego[26]; 25. (DNF) 1-Tyler Dippel[25]; 26. (DNF) 83X-Tim Sears Jr[24]; 27. (DNF) 11-Matt Caprara[27]
