It was a busy weekend of racing – at home and abroad – and Dave Mathers was on top of it for this edition of the Motion Motorsport Report for InsideTrackNews.com. The NASCAR Canada Series kicked off its season at CTMP, NASCAR’s big US tours were at Dover. Read on for Dave’s take on these events and more.
I don’t know if anybody else picked up on this, but I sure did. NASCAR’s in-car cameras showed most drivers (all but ‘SVG’) moving the steering wheel back and forth in both the corners and on the straightaways. SVG never moved his wheel and that, I think, is his secret. Every time you move the wheel you scrub off speed – and we all saw the results!!
NASCAR has wisely decided to rotate the championship finale from Homestead-Miami Speedway. Potential venues include Las Vegas, Charlotte, Darlington, Kansas and possibly California. Good move.
I find it interesting that there are lots of discussions going around dealing with Race Control, rules-making and officiating. IndyCar got rapped for leaving Alex Rossi stopped on a live track at their recent Indy road course race. NASCAR got criticized (and commended) for their penalty to Ryan Preece at Texas and the size of the fine. IMSA has been getting some flak for their BOP (Balance of Performance) decisions this year, but that is ‘business as usual’ in the sports car sector and to be expected. Even NHRA is ‘moving the goal posts’, especially with their head-scratching Pro Mod rules changes.
Darrell Lake won the Dayco Super Stock race at Delaware but was penalized – NOT disqualified – for having his front fenders half an inch too wide. He ended up with dead-last points and money. Was his penalty too harsh? Lots of opinions on that. As an old – REALLY old – tech guy I have my opinion(s)!!
Congrats to past NASCAR Canada Series champion Treyten Lapcevich. He won the Big O Classic 100 at Owosso Speedway (Ovid, MI) on Saturday night. It was his first career win on the Turn One CRA Pro Series.
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What? Nooo waaay!
The 660 Sportsman Spectacular is set for June 12 – 14 at St. Thomas Dragway, and we’ve got big news! Shaun Umscheid (The What? Nooo waaay! guy) and his wife Julie will be joining us all weekend for meet & greets, autographs, and competition judging – don’t miss your chance to meet them!
Friday brings “Run What You Brung” from 4:00 – 8:30pm, followed by the Wheelie Contest and Burnout Contest, each with $500 up for grabs.
Saturday features showtime at 2pm & 7pm with the Hellfire Jet Truck, OSM Jet Dragster, and Nostalgia Funny Cars, plus a full day of car show, ONDR, bracket racing, and Jr. dragsters.
Sunday wraps things up with more ONDR, bracket racing, and Jr. dragsters.
Spectator admission is $25 per day, with camping available – plan your weekend now and be part of the action! Click HERE for tickets and info.
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NASCAR Cup
Denny Hamlin (Toyota) grabbed the pole at almost the last minute over Brad Keselowski (Ford) and Erik Jones (Toyota) for Sunday’s All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway. 36 entries – 17 Chevs, 10 Fords and 9 Toyotas.
Really neat to see Mike Joy wave the green flag. A well-deserved honour for the senior statesman of announcing. Well, that didn’t take long. A car moved down when they were three-wide going into corner one and Ryan Preece hit the outside wall hard, then rolled down onto the track catching fire. Several cars caught up in the mess included Cole Custer, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson and Todd Gilliland. Yellow then red for track cleanup, which took about 15 minutes. Quite a mess.
Things ran well until lap 62 when Carson Hocevar scrubbed the wall in turn four. Yellow. With three laps to go in the stage Riley Herbst got tagged by Alex Bowman and spun in front of the field. He collected Elliott (again!!), Gilliland (again!!), AJ Allmendinger, John Hunter Nemechek, Chris Buescher, Christopher Bell, Kyle Busch and Bowman. Yellow. A lot of damage. Needless to say, the stage ended under caution and Bubba Wallace got the stage win.
The field got inverted for Stage 2, which was actually a separate race, and ‘Dinger got the pole on the restart. A LOT of cars were still on pit road (or in the garage?). A ten-car sprint race – actually 26? LOTS of time for interviews!! LOL And when they showed the ‘official lineup’ for the restart the first four were in the garage.
Seven laps into the second stage and Ross Chastain, Keselowski and Wallace got into it. Yellow. On lap 16 SVG had a solo spin when he overcooked corner entry and he was leading the race at the time. Yellow. On lap 51 Ty Gibbs had a solo spin right at the start/finish line. Yellow. Points leader Tyler Reddick won Stage 2.
The final stage was 200 laps and it went green right to the 75-lap mark where the All-Star caution flew. On lap 140 Joey Logano spun on corner one entry due to a flat tire and hit the walls!! They ran clean and green after that all the way to the flag. Denny Hamlin got the win over Chase Briscoe and Erik Jones – all in Toyotas.
As the race was non-points there is no points update. I have seen over 60 All-Star races over the years (yeah I’m THAT old!!) and I must say that this one was the most confusing of any of them. I personally would prefer the All-Star Open followed by the All-Star Race.
Next Race – Charlotte, Sunday at 6 p.m. on TSN 3
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NASCAR O’Reilly Series
Cup interloper Ross Chastain (Chev) won the pole for Saturday’s race at Dover Motor Speedway in front of Brandon Jones (Toyota) and Corey Day (Chev). 38 entries – 30 Chevs, 7 Toyotas and 1 – count ’em, 1 – Ford.
Things went well until lap 11 when Brent Crews scrubbed the wall on corner two exit. Several cars checked up to avoid him and both Parker Retzlaff and Jeb Burton spun. Yellow. Jones won Stage 1. The caution came back out on lap 61 when Blaine Perkins stuffed it into the wall up in three and four. Chastain won Stage 2.
A couple of laps after the restart Rajah Caruth slid up into Jesse Love as both were running for the lead and both cars hit the wall in the same spot as Perkins. Magnetic wall?
On lap 111 Chandler Smith made a banzai attempt to get under Caruth on corner three entry causing Caruth to slide up and hit Burton, causing both of them to spin. Yellow. Eight laps later Taylor Gray hit the back of Chastain on corner four exit causing Chastain to make contact with the wall while Gray got into the lower wall. Caution. Eight laps later (see a trend here?) Garrett Smithley had a solo spin in two for another yellow. And the hits keep coming on the concrete ‘monster’. On lap 159 Smithley had his right rear tire come apart on corner four exit, shredding the fender and then he spun.
At the flag it was the up-and-coming phenom Corey Day for the win with points leader Justin Allgaier second and Sam Mayer third.
In the points Allgaier extends his lead to 175 over Sheldon Creed and by 177 on Love.
Next Race – Charlotte, Saturday at 5 p.m. on USA and CW
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NASCAR Craftsman Trucks
Kyle Busch, driving a HendrickCars.com Chev, won the pole for Friday’s truck race at Dover. Ty Majeski (Ford) started second with Gio Ruggiero (Toyota). Canadians Stewart Friesen (Toyota) and Cole Butcher (Ford) started 13th and 15th. 36 trucks – 14 Chevs, 10 Fords, 7 Toyotas and 5 Rams.
Things ran smoothly until lap 39 when Dystany Spurlock lost it, bounced off another truck, saved it, then spanked the outside wall on the back straight. Caution. Busch won Stage 1. Stage 2 was clean and green and Busch also won it. Luke Baldwin spun on lap 117 trying to avoid another truck and tagged the inside wall in four for another yellow. Ten laps later Mini Tyrrell (sounds like a small version of an old F1 car!!) spun like Baldwin trying to keep off a car outside him for another yellow. Fortunately things ran smoothly after that to the flag and Busch, who led 147 of the 200 laps, got the win ahead of Majeski and Layne Riggs. Friesen ended up 11th while Butcher finished 33rd. And the best part you ask? AI Live Timing Timeline Guy showed up for work right from the start!! LOL
In the points Kayden Honeycutt leads Riggs by 38 and Chandler Smith by 39. Friesen sits ninth while Butcher sits 20th – second in rookie points.
Next Race – Charlotte, Friday at 7:30 p.m. on CTV Speed (tape delayed until Saturday at 7:30 p.m.)
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FLAMBORO SPEEDWAY: This Saturday (May 23) at Flamboro Speedway, the track, racers and fans pay tribute to three legendary racers as part of OSCAAR Memorial Night at the Millgrove, Ontario short track.
The pits open at 3 p.m., front gates at 5 p.m. and racing begins at 6:30 p.m. The line-up includes a 46-lap feature for the The Fyre Place & Patio Shop OSCAAR Hot Rods presented by Bromley Automotive honouring the late Bill Zardo Sr., a 47-lap OSCAAR Overkill Enterprises Modifieds main paying tribute to the late Brian McLean, and a 50-lap feature race for the JRS Auctions OSCAAR Super Late Models presented by Just Foam It. The Ontario Pro Challenge Series will also be in action Saturday at Flamboro.
Be sure to keep up with the latest by visiting Flamboro Speedway’s website at http://www.flamborospeedway.ca. You can also follow along on social media via Twitter at https://twitter.com/FlamboroSpdwy and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/flamborospeedway. Fans are encouraged to like the speedway’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Flamboro-Speedway-Authorized-Page-102328664646735/.
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Formula One
Next Race – Montreal, Sunday at 3:55 p.m. on TSN 5
IndyCar
The extended process of qualifying for the world’s biggest race ended Sunday afternoon with the ‘usual suspects’ topping the charts. It had been delayed due to rain on Saturday. It still blows my mind that these guys drive around that 2 ½ mile track flat out the whole way.
Defending series champion Alex Palou won the pole over Alex Rossi and David Malukas.
Next Race – Indy 500, Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on TSN 3 and Fox
IMSA
Next Race – Detroit street course, Sunday, May 30
24 Hours of LeMans
Sat., Jun. 14 & Sun., Jun. 15
NHRA
The big guns dropped into Route 66 Dragway on the weekend and like some other tracks (can you say Indy?) they dodged some bad weather.
Top Fuel – Shawn Langdon won the Top Fuel Challenge taking out Justin Ashley with a 3.770 at 336.57. Doug Kalitta qualified number one with a 3.720 at 338.17 to top the 15 entries. When was the last time you saw two females meet in Top Fuel? Maddi Gordon took out Krista Baldwin in the first round. WAY cool pairing!! Langdon took the final over Antron Brown putting down a 3.775 at 335.90. 7 upsets and 5 smokers.
Funny Car – Alexis DeJoria won the Funny Car Challenge running an 8.301 at 82.43 to beat Jordan Vandergriff, who couldn’t stage his car. Jack Beckman topped the 17 entries with a 3.913 at 329.99. Canadians Spencer Hyde and Jeff Arend qualified fifth and 14th. Chad Green took out Alexis DeJoria in the final with a 3.945 at 324.75. 7 upsets and 10 smokers.
Pro Mod – Derek Menholt put down a 5.667 at 250.92 to get the number one spot over the 17 entries. Canadian Justin Bond timed in fifth. Top qualifier Menholt won the final over Jason Collins with a 5.692 at 250.23. 2 upsets and 4 smokers.
Pro Stock – Erica Enders won the Pro Stock Challenge running 6.563 at 208.75 to beat Greg Stanfield. She also qualified number one over the 16 cars with a 6.542 at 209.92. Canadians Matt Latino qualified fifth and eighth. Aaron Stanfield beat a red-lighting Greg Anderson in the final with a 6.595 at 208.46. 5 upsets and 1 smoker.
Pro Stock Bike – Gaige Herrera laid down a 6.757 at 200.86 to Angie Smith in the Pro Stock Bike Challenge. Angie topped the 15 bikes with a 6.726 at 201.70. The ‘All in the Family’ ended on the line as Angie broke, giving husband Matt the win with a 6.835 at 185.41. 4 upsets and 3 smokers.
Factory Stock Challenge – Jason Dietsch ran a 7.644 at 179.30 to be quickest of the 16 entries. Jonathan Allegrucci won the final over Jason Dietsch with a 7.711 at 178.68 to a losing 7.710!!! 4 upsets and 3 smokers.
PEAK Street Car Shootout – Canadian David Schroeder topped the seven entries with a 6.535 at 188.13. Nick Taylor won the final over Bryant Goldstone with a 6.679 at 215.89.
Next Race – Maryland, Sunday, May 31
IHRA
Next race – Maple Grove, Sunday
NASCAR Canada Series
Wow, 32 cars entered for Sunday’s race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. Great car count! And more good news – live timing for the NCS races are now available Race Monitor. Wise move. Why? Because, as it has done in the past, the series’ ‘Race Center’ froze, but Race Monitor worked well throughout.
Gary Klutt turned pole position into victory in Sunday’s NCS season‑opening CarGurus 200 at CTMP, north of Bowmanville, ON.
The caution‑filled race marked a new era with updated rules and McCreary Tire’s series debut. Connor Bell paced Saturday practice, while Klutt secured the pole.
Perennial contender Kevin Lacroix encountered issues on the pace laps and fell multiple laps down early. Up front, Marc‑Antoine Camirand surged past Klutt, with Alex Tagliani joining the lead battle as Kyle Steckly and Alex Guenette advanced.
Multiple cautions and pit cycles shuffled the order, bringing Camirand, Andrew Ranger, Steckly, Louis‑Philippe Dumoulin, and Klutt into contention. A late red flag set up a chaotic finish.
After an overtime restart and further contact, Klutt powered clear on the final green‑white‑checkered attempt to secure the win. It was his second career NCS win, his first also came on a May 17, back in 2015. He also won that race from the pole.
It took 2 hours and 14 minutes (of fun, fun, fun!!) to complete the 51-lap race.
CLICK HERE to view the race report and results from the Victoria Day Speedfest at CTMP. The post also includes interviews with the podium finishers. CLICK HERE to view photo galleries from the weekend.
Next Race – Chaudière, Sunday, June 6
APC Series
Next race – Flamboro, Saturday, May 30
Ontario Sportsman Series
The series kicked off the new season by dropping into Delaware Speedway Friday night and brought some new drivers and some really good-looking race cars, as well as a 13-year-old driver, Austin Seaburn, who looked right at home on the fast half-mile.
Group qualifying saw Kevin Gallant top Q1, Kevin Trevellin in Q2, defending champion Connor James in Q3 and Jade Franklin in Q4. Two laps in Chad McGlynn brought out the first yellow spinning in three. On lap 7 Gallant looped it in four. One lap later another yellow for debris on the front stretch.
Bad luck hit leader Brendan Patrick on lap 45 when he came off Turn 4 at full song only to encounter the almost stopped car of Kyle Istead and both cars spun. At the halfway mark it was James over Franklin and Shawn McGlynn. There were three more ‘spinners’ in the second half and at the flag it was the same as halfway – James, Franklin and McGlynn. Patrick came back through the pack to finish fourth.
Next Race – Full Throttle, May 30th
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Delaware Speedway
The track welcomed the Ontario Sportsman Series Friday night and their race is covered above. In the V/8 Stocks Jeff Ferguson won Heat 1 and Barry Watson won Heat 2.
Barry Martin started on the pole for the main ahead of Aidan McMillan and Tom Hughes. The 21.10-second break-out rule made for lots of excitement with cars breaking out and being forced to stop then go at the back pit entrance. The race ran caution-free for all 25 laps and Jordan Morris ran side by side with Nik Ramsey for the final laps, both running dangerously close to the index. Morris prevailed over Ramsay and Kara Martin. An interesting entry by Will Quarrie was a Super Late Model lookalike in which he finished fourth.
Marshall Schrenk won Late Model Heat 1 while Jesse Kennedy picked up the win in Heat 2. Brady Smith started on the pole followed by Paul Major and Logan White. Similar to the V/8 main, the feature ran clean and green. At the flag it was Brady Smith over Carson Nagy and Schrenk.
Next Race – Late Model, V/8 Stock and Bone Stock, Friday
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The Toyo Tires Spring Rebate is underway. Purchase a set of four Toyo Tires by May 31 and save up to $100! Click HERE for details.
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Ohsweken Speedway
CLICK HERE for a full report and results from Ohsweken Speedway’s 29th season opener. Checkered flags went to Ken Schrader, Dylan Westbrook, Jesse Costa and Ryan Beagle. Next race – Truckers Night, Friday
Flamboro Speedway
The bad-fast ISMA Super Modifieds returned to the track after an absence of more than 40 years. Tyler Shullick set fast time over Trent Stephens and Mark Sammut. The heat races were won by Camcen Proud and Dan Connors, Jr. The 75-lap feature was won by Stephens over Shullick and Anthony Nocella. You can view a full report and gallery from the night HERE.
Next Race – Super Lates, Saturday
Buxton Speedway
Next race – L/M, Mods, T/S, M/S & M/M, Saturday
Full Throttle Motor Speedway
Next race – Outlaw Mods, Jr. L/Ms, Mini Trucks, Saturday
Grand Bend Speedway
Next race – Saturday, June 6
Grand Bend Dragway
Next race – Saturday and Sunday, May 30 & 31
St. Thomas Dragway
Next race – Points Series, Saturday and Sunday
660 Sportsman Spectacular
Next race – June 12 – 14, St. Thomas Dragway
Toronto Motorsport Park
Next race – Test and Tune – Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Can Am Stock/Super Stock
Next race – Grand Bend – May 30 and 31
John Scotti NHRA Canadian Championship Series
Next race – Luskville, June 19 – 21
Quick 32 Sportsman Series
Shannonville Drags
Next race – June 8
Any comments can be sent to Dave Mathers via email at motionman@rogers.com or by Facebook Messenger.