WESCAR 100 - Goldpan Speedway - Quesnel - June 16

click [here] to open this article in a new window

1st Place: #23 - Peter Ernst

2nd Place - #38 Lee Thomas

3rd Place - #2 Chase Larson


WESCAR OKTIRE Challenge Series - WESCAR 100 Results:
June 16, 2007,
Goldpan Speedway - Quesnel, BC
The fans gathered on blankets and lawnchairs on the sloping terraced hills of Quesnel’s Goldpan Speedway for the 3rd 100 lap race of the OKTIRE Challenge Series.

The Fort St. John driver behind the wheel of the #38 Pontiac Grand Prix lived up to his nickname again as Lightning Lee Thomas set the fast qualifying time of 15.210 surpassing the existing record of 15.211 set a year ago by Brett Young of Prince George.

After being involved a horrific wreck involving 4 cars at PGARA speedway May 26, 2007 the Bobby Williams #5 Turtlewax Monte Carlo came back strong to win his 15 lap heat race and B-dash. The #23 Peter Ernst Fountain Tire Chevy won the A-dash, once again showing his prowess at his home track.

The green flag rippled throught the cool evening air to begin the OKTIRE 100 feature race of the evening. The #92 McCarthy GM Chevy driven by Darcy Mckewon of Terrace, B.C. showed early that he can run strong near the front by chasing the leader Bobby Williams in his #5 Turtlewax Chevy. On lap 34 the first caution waved for the #52 Garnet Grimard Northshore Auto Chev involved with the leader #5 Williams spinning in turn 3. Another yellow flag flew on lap 41 shortly after a restart when all the cars were in a tight pack and the #5 got caught up with the #71 Dave Olson. Another caution came out on lap 78 when the #92 Mckewon Chevy tangled with #22 Ford Taurus of Chris Babcock from Fort St. John. This sent both cars to the back of the pack with a very disgruntled Mckewon behind the wheel. While these late race cautions took place along with a couple of red flags due to debris on the track the #23 Fountain Tire Chevy of Peter Ernst worked his way to the front with #38 Lee Thomas and rookie #2 Chase Larson of Quesnel in his Regency Chrysler Dodge following close behind or even beside during restarts. The #23 used his experience and crew assistance to conduct perfect restarts holding off the advance attempts of the two other drivers #38 Thomas & #2 Larson. The late race restarts made for an exciting end to an occasional freight train race. The #23 Ernst was able to successfully stay ahead of the #38 & #2 and that is the way they passed under the checkered flag held by WESCAR flagman Lyall McComber. This was the first podium top 3 finish for the young, curly red- haired rookie Larson and conducted himself like a veteran in the post race trackside interview.

The next race in the series will be at Williams Lake’s Thunder Mountain Speedway June 30, 2007 during the Williams Lake stampede weekend.

OKTire 100 Race results:

place, car, driver:
(unofficial)

1. #23 Peter Ernst;
2. #38 Lee Thomas;
3. #2 Chase Larson;
4. #5 Bob Williams;
5. #6 Sheldon Mayert;
6. #92 Darcy McKeown;
7. #52 Garnet Grimard;
8. #71 Dave Olson;
9. #14 Ian Black 10;
#22 Chris Babcock;

// Fast Qualifier: #38 Lee Thomas, 15.210 (new track record) seconds
//Margin of victory, 0.626 seconds
Submitted by Douglas Waller
WESCAR OK Tire Challenge Series Announcer/Media Rep.