Representatives from the Canadian National Autism Foundation were on hand for an Autism Awareness Night on Saturday, June 20th as 2026 local motorsports action continued at Peterborough Speedway.
Main event racing got underway with a 20-lap Battlefield Equipment Rental Bone Stock feature that saw Paige Stevenson and Chris Ephgrave on the front row. Ephgrave took the early lead, with Stevenson dropping into the runner-up position. Frontrunners started to put slower traffic a lap down with a half dozen circuits complete and reigning track champion Alex Dallaire taking second and Jacob Stavropoulos moving into third before an incident in turn four brought out the show’s first caution with 12 laps on the scoreboard. Dallaire took the lead on the restart and held on for the win. Eldon Hughes, Stavropoulos, Zachary Cheng and Steve Oakes made-up the revised finishing order after tech inspection issues.
Next on the docket was a spotlight dance for the Nadeau’s Collision Centre Junior Late Models that saw Lucas Finnegan (subbing for Avery Kirkpatrick) and Brody Coates line-up on the front row. The No. 13 and No. 99 encountered backmarkers with less than a handful of laps on the scoreboard, as Finnegan and Coates broke away from the field. A yellow flag for an issue on the backstretch slowed the pace with eight laps complete, before the Finnegan/Coates battle continued on the restart. Coates scored the win, with Finnegan second. Brayden Cappuccitti, Lyla Sikma and Troy Purvis chased the lead duo to the checkered flag.
Jody Bound and Adam Racine brought the Can Am Midgets presented by Miller Office Trailers starting field from the staging area for a 25-lap headline event. Racine grabbed the early race lead, with Jaden Riddel, Daniel Hawn, Tyler Cullen and James Stanley giving chase. Reigning series champion Hawn claimed the race lead with seven laps on the scoreboard, bringing Racine, Riddel and Stanley along for the ride. Once in front of the pack, it was a Central Ontario walk in the park for Hawn, who scored his second win in the season’s first three races. The series returns to action with back-to-back events on Saturday, June 27th and Sunday, June 28th at Sauble Speedway.
Jacob Mercer and Ryan Kimball brought the Late Model starting field to the venue known for Making Memories for Life for a 30-lap headliner. Kimball made the most of his outside front row starting spot to take the early lead. As quickly as things got rolling, they slowed again for an issue on the frontstretch. Kimball took the lead on the restart and held it through a pair of mid-race yellow flags before Dan McHattie – who started 10th – took the spot at the halfway mark. With the driver of the No. 71 in control, the rest of the field fought to gain the next best finishing position. At the checkered flag, it was McHattie, Kelly Balson, Steve Powell, Kimball and John Owen making up the top-five.
Adam Chatten and Stephen Bierworth held the front row spots as the Trent Lakes Complete Plumbing Renegade Trucks wrapped up the night’s action. After the lead duo ran side-by-side through the opening stages, Bierworth took control of the 25-lap ‘A’ main. Following a caution, for an issue in turn three, James Townsend became the new race leader. He moved out to a six-truck-length advantage over the No. 62 of Howie Crowe. Slower traffic came into play near the halfway mark, but Townsend couldn’t be denied as he added a truck division win to his pair of Mini Stock checkered flags. Crowe, Bierworth, Chatten and Isaiah Swiizer completed the top-five.
Steve Oakes and Shawn Dearmer took the checkered flags in Bone Stock preliminary rounds, with Brody Coates and Lucas Finnegan sharing the Junior Late Model qualifiers. Daniel Hawn and James Stanley each had a Can Am TQ Midget opening round win, while Jacob Mercer and reigning track champion Ryan Kimball split the Late Model heat wins. Renegade Truck qualifying wins went to Howie Crowe and James Townsend, who was filling-in in the Gordon Racing No. 52. All finishing positions are unofficial and subject to post-race inspection and scoring review.
Track tech staff were kept busy throughout the night. After taking the checkered flag in the opening Bone Stock qualifying heat, the No. 53 of Steve Oakes was disqualified for being 100 pounds underweight. Following the Bone Stock, track officials announced that the No. 35 of Jeffrey Oakes had a second-place finish disallowed due to the use of an exhaust that was too large for the car. Third-place finisher Chris Ephrave (No. 88) was disqualified because of the unapproved use of a V-Tech Head. The No. 3x of Jim Morrison was also issued a black penalty for retaliatory contact after a caution flag.
Bullring Bullet Points:
- Former Bone Stock track champion and opening night feature winner Shawn Solomon got caught up in someone else’s mess during his qualifying heat and was forced into a back-up car for the feature race.
- On the same night as his father’s birthday, Doug Wills experienced mechanical issues on the pace lap of his qualifying event and couldn’t finish the race. Back in the pit area, his own crew – with the help of some other teams – managed to get the No. 32 car back on the track to take the green flag in the main event.
- A fan named Trevor made the trip to watch the races and went home with an extra $712 in their pocket from winning the Kinsmen 50/50 draw.
Central Ontario racing action continues with the season’s second Double Toonie/Fan Appreciation Night – presented by Pepsi – on Saturday, June 27th. The night’s line-up includes Mini Stock, Super Stock, Late Model and Junior Late Model divisions, plus the Trailers Plus Ontario Legend Car Series. Spectator grandstand admission will be $4.00, with a trackside autograph session at intermission. Gates open at 4:00 p.m., with racing at 5:00.
Full schedule details, news and information are just a click away at www.peterboroughspeedway.com or by checking the track’s social media platforms and pages.