Successful start for Spurway at LIR

He’s running in a new division and it’s been quite the start to the 2015 race season for Keenan Spurway.

After being a regular in the Modified Division at Laird International Raceway, Spurway converted to a factory stock for the new race season and his success hasn’t changed.

The veteran LIR driver picked up his second factory stock feature win in as many weeks on Thursday night in week three of action at the 1/3-mile oval.

With three race nights in the division under his belt, which includes a third-place finish on opening night, Spurway said the move had been a learning experience.

“You have to learn their tendencies when you’re so used to racing with the same guys,” Spurway said of adjusting to the new division. “The car is heavier and I’m running on a treaded tire. I’ve always run on a slick so I’m running on American rules and it’s a treaded tire so there’s a learning curve but I just think it’s going to really improve my driving skills.”

The change to the Factory Stock Division was one that Spurway says was to try something new after being a regular in the Modified Division.

“After five years in a mod, I just wanted to try something different,” Spurway said of the change. “This is an opportunity to go into the States after I get some seat time, to do some asphalt tracks and next year try dirt with it.”

Jarrit Varcoe finished second in the Factory Stock feature while J.P. DelPaggio finished third.

In other feature action on Thursday night, Keith King took the Super Late Model feature ahead of Jay Palumbo with Rod Bolduc finishing third.

In the Modified Division, Kevin Oicle held off a late charge by Mav MacDonald Jr to win the feature. MacDonald turned what was a foregone conclusion into a half-car length difference as the two cars came to the finish line. J.P. DelPaggio finished third.

In the Factory Four feature, John Carter capped off a strong day with a feature victory. Carter, who won the feature by over six seconds, also won a heat race and finished second in the other heat. Rebecca Fewchuk finished second in the feature, less than a quarter-second ahead of third-place finisher John Robinson.

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HEAT RACES

Factory Four: John Carter (heat one); Rebecca Fewchuk (heat two)
Modified: Kyle Jarrett
Factory Stock: Gerry Ross (heat one); Ron Raynor (heat two)
Super Late Model: Dan Byrnes

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QUALIFYING

Stock Four: John Carter (17.900)
Modified: Keith King (14.973)
Factory Stock: Keenan Spurway (15.871)
Super Late Model: Rob Hiiemaa (14.276)