Story By: ASHLEY MCCUBBIN / FLAMBORO SPEEDWAY – INNISFIL, ONT – J.R. Fitzpatrick showed why he’s the defending APC Auto Parts United Late Model Series Champion, dominating the Grisdale Race Products 100 at Flamboro Speedway on Saturday night.
It was shocking to many whom follow the series to see him struggle at Sunset Speedway, posting a ninth-place finish. However, already having found his way to victory lane in weekly competition at Flamboro this year, everybody knew the No. 84 would be one to watch this time around.
After posting the third quickest time in qualifying, he wasted no time finding his way to the top spot, pulling away from the field in dominating fashion. He led all the way to the checkered flag, lapping all the way up to fourth place in the process.
Kyle Steckly, who picked up the win the previous weekend in weekly competition, scored a runner-up finish with APC series opener race winner Danny Benedict completing the podium. Jo Lawrence and Rick Spencer-Walt rounded out the top-five, followed by Shae Gemmell, Tom Gibbons, Jake Sheridan, Erik Dalla Riva, and Josh Stade.
Cory Luciano rebounded from his mechanical woes at Sunset Speedway to place 11th in front of Rick Burbridge, Blair Wickett, Mark Burbridge, Shawn Chenoweth, Jr Farrelly, Tyler Di Venanzo, Cole Quinton, Mat Box, Dwayne Baker, and Mike Bentley. Bentley was running inside the top-10 until his belts came loose at Lap 38, forcing him to pull off the track.
The Qwick Wick T.Q. Can-Am Midgets were also on hand, and it was a familiar face taking the checkered flag there. Cory Whittam wasted no time taking the lead virtue of a three-wide move on the opening lap, pacing the field the rest of the way en route to winning ahead of James Stanley and Daniel Hawn. Paul Jorgensen who led the field to green was fourth with Jr Farrelly completing the top-five, followed by Andrew Whelan, Jeff Blackburn, David Miller, Mike Westwood, and Tyler Sagan. Bob Bailey was 11th in front of Jody Bound, Sherry Hogan, Ryan Fraser, and Cassidy March.
The next event at Flamboro Speedway is taking place on Saturday, June 17 with the Ontario Outlaw Super Late Models headlining the show. It was Brandon Passer picking up the win in their series opener at Sunset Speedway on June 3 in front of Dario Capirchio and Ethan Cournyea. They will be joined by the Canadian Vintage Modifieds, Mini Stocks, and Pure Stocks.