Racing returns to Laird

After a two-week hiatus, racing is back at Laird International Raceway.

In front of one of the biggest crowds of the season, fans were treated to a busy race night that saw a number of points races heat up even further as the 2015 race season begins to wind down.

The points battle in the Super Late Model division continues to be close with the top four being separated by eight points following Thursday’s action.

Thanks to a second-place finish in the feature, Keith King continues to lead the division while Rob Hiiemaa moved up into second spot, two points behind King after taking top spot in the feature.

Hiiemaa also took top spot in the Super Late Model heat race.

“I had a good starting position (in the feature) and you have to take advantage of your opportunities when they’re there,” Hiiemaa said. “The car didn’t feel as good (in the feature) as it did in the heat race but it was good enough.”

Hiiemaa went on to say that holding a feature lead means holding back at times to avoid mistakes.

“Once you’re leading in the feature, you don’t have to run everything you’ve got,” Hiiemaa said. “You have to save something because you don’t want to make a stupid mistake.”

Rod Bolduc finished third in the Super Late Model feature.

Dan Byrnes dropped to fourth in the points standings after not finishing Thursday’s feature.

Hiiemaa spoke of the opportunity to race in front of a big crowd on Thursday night.

“It’s no fun racing in front of just a few people,” Hiiemaa said. “You get energy from the crowd. You want to perform in front of a group. I enjoy it and it was nice to see a nice crowd.”

Jarritt Varcoe won the Factory Stock feature, holding off points-leader Keenan Spurway to win the mid-season championship.

The Factory Stock points race saw Spurway extend his points lead thanks to a second-place finish in the feature. Spurway entered the feature tied with DelPaggio but DelPaggio was eventually disqualified following the feature. DelPaggio and Ron Raynor were involved in a physical altercation in the pit entrance in turn three.

Spurway now has a 19-point lead in the division.

Mav MacDonald Jr. won the Modified Division feature with Jay Palumbo taking second. Keith King finished third.

Rebecca Fewchuk took the Factory Four feature with Jacob Heimonen finishing second and John Robinson took third.

Racing continues on Aug. 13 while the following week will see a demolition derby follow the race program.

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AUSSIE PURSUIT

Factory Four: Rebecca Fewchuk
Factory Stock: Jarritt Varcoe
Modified: Jay Palumbo

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HEAT RACES

Heat One
Factory Four: John Carter
Factory Stock: J.P. DelPaggio
Modified: Jay Palumbo
Super Late Model: Rob Hiiemaa

Heat Two
Factory Four: John Robinson
Factory Stock: .Keenan Spurway
Modified: Mav MacDonald Jr.

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QUALIFYING

Due to technical issues with the timing system, qualifying was cancelled for the night

(File photo. Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday)