OSWEGO, N.Y. – The MSS/ISMA/Oswego Winged Challenge No. 2 saw another exciting battle to the finish with second generation driver Mike Ordway Jr. taking the win away from Trent Stephens, winner of Winged Challenge No. 1, at the Oswego Speedway.
The win was a career first at Oswego for Ordway Jr.
Stephens, who drew the top starting spot, and Tyler Thompson brought the field down to the green. The yellow flew quickly on lap 5, slowing the field, when the No. 22 of Mike McVetta came into the pits as a fire had erupted on the car. The track safety crew was on the scene hosing down the 22.
Ordway Jr. faced some formidable foes on his way to the win, as Canadian Mike Lichty was doing his best to challenge Stephens as well. Lichty was able to get alongside Stephens as Ordway Jr. was on the move. On lap 15 the No. 61 of Ordway had gotten by Lichty for second with Rich Reid, Otto Sitterly, Kyle Edwards and Johnny Benson Jr., among the contenders for the $6,000-to-win prize for the 50 lapper.
At the lap 20 mark, it was still Stephens in front trailed closely by Ordway Jr., Lichty, Reid, Sitterly, Michael Barnes, Johnny Benson Jr. and Tyler Thompson, as the rapid pace continued in high gear.
By lap 30, Ordway Jr., looking for his first career Oswego Speedway win and a big $6,000 prize, was getting ready to pounce on the leader. Two laps later the lead belonged to Ordway Jr. as he came down the front straight ahead of the Stephens.
The yellow flag fell on lap 37 for Rich Reid, and some drama ensued when leader Ordway Jr. slowed in turn two and stopped because the Maine driver detected the presence of some possible oil leakage. He was pushed into the front area where the safety crew checked the No. 61’s problem. It was determined that the problem was not serious for the car to continue and Ordway Jr. resumed his lead spot.
With only 14 laps remaining, things began to heat up again as Ordway Jr. felt Stephens hot on his tail, with Reid, Lichty, Barnes, Sitterly, Benson, Thompson, and Edwards ready to move as Ordway Jr. contended with Stephens, who was back on the chase.Â
As the checkered flags were ready to fly it was Ordway Jr., Stephens and Barnes in the top three followed closely by Sitterly, and Edwards to round out the top five. Ordway Jr., follows his father into the Oswego record book with Mike Sr. holding 30 wins over his career.
The Finish:
Feature (50 Laps): 1. 61 Mike Ordway Jr., 2. 19 Trent Stephens, 3. 11 Michael Barnes, 4. 7 Otto Sitterly, 5. 11E Kyle Edwards, 6. 74 Johnny Benson, 7. 84 Mike Lichty, 8. 98 Tyler Thompson, 9. 01 Dan Connors Jr, 10. 78 Mark Sammut, 11. 41 Russ Wood, 12. 55 Rich Reid, 13. 9 Anthony Nocella, 14. 99 Jerry Curran, 15. 15 Michael Muldoon, 16. 83 Lou LeVea Jr, 17. 39 Alison Sload, 18. 32 Moe Lilje, 19. 97 Ben Seitz, 20. 22 Mike McVetta, 21. 0 Tim Snyder, 22. 27 Aric Iosue, 23. 00 Joe Gosek.