Laird honours fallen driver with special tribute

Drivers saw the green flag drop on the 2015 race season at Laird International Raceway Thursday, with an expected twist to end the night.

Paul Seabrook drove the #63 car before the Factory Stock feature began in honour of driver Christopher Jones, who recently passed away in a single vehicle collision north of White River.

For the Factory Stock class, it was a tight battle between Gerald Archer, Jarritt Varcoe and Keenan Spurway.

In an unexpected yet touching twist, the cars exited the track on the last lap, and 63 came from the pit area to take the checkered flag for Chris Jones.

The crowd cheered, with some tearing up, at the moving finale to the race night.

A celebration of Jones' life will be held today at the Garden River Community Centre from noon until 10 p.m.

Earlier Thursday night, in the first feature race of the 2015 season, Dan Byrnes had the lead with Roddy Bolduc and Keith King in a close battle for second in the Super Late Model.

At one point King went wide in turn three, made contact with Bolduc, and took both cars off the track, leaving it wide open for Byrnes to take the win.

In the Factory Four feature, Buddy Palahnuk spun off the track and took Chelsea Pace with him.

Palahnuk was able to continue the race, but Pace did not make it back onto the track.

In the end, John Robinson saw the checkered flag, with Rebecca Fewchuk taking second and her brother Brent coming in third.

The LIR Modified feature saw a close race between Jake Irwin and Kyle Jarrett.

Jarrett had the lead for most of the race then, in a spectacular pass, Irwin snuck ahead of Jarrett in the last lap to steal the win.

This year Laird Raceway has added a kids' play area to offer the little ones some extra fun at the race track.

Action will continue in week two on June 18 with a full show.

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HEAT RACES

Factory Four – Jacob Heimonen
Laird Modified – Jake Irwin
Factory Stock – Gerald Archer
Super Late Model – Dan Byrnes

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QUALIFYING

Factory Four – John Robinson
Laird Modified – Mav McDonald
Factory Stock – Jarritt Varcoe
Super Late Model – Keith King

(PHOTO: The #63 car to honour driver Christopher Jones who recently passed away.)