Brad Rouse Turns In Clutch Performance To Claim Victory In Pete Cosco Memorial At Humberstone

Story By: RACE OF CHAMPIONS – PORT COLBORNE, ONT – Sunday night’s Race of Champions Dirt 602 Sportsman Modified Series was the fifth and final round of the 2018 Race of Champions Dirt 602 Sportsman Modified Series event at Humberstone Speedway near Port Colborne, Ontario, which came down to three drivers racing for a championship.

Brad Rouse of Saint Catharines, Ontario; Cody McPherson of Saint Catharines, Ontario and Chad Chevalier of Port Colborne, Ontario all came in to the 4th annual running of the Pete Cosco Memorial with an opportunity at the Series championship.

Rouse made the most of the opportunity by winning his heat, redrawing 5th and working his way to the front to claim his first victory of the 2018 season and his second Race of Champions title.

“This one means a great deal along with winning the championship,” stated Rouse from victory lane. “We’ve been close here before and tonight we got it done. Pete (Cosco) was a great man and it is an honor to win his race. I’m very thankful for this opportunity and for all of the guys and gals on my team and all that they do. Tonight was an awesome night.”

Tyler Puchalski of Port Colborne, Ontario, drew the pole and led the early stages of the race before Rouse worked past him in to the top spot.

Adam Leslie of Port Colborne, Ontario worked his way from 8th to finish second.

Chad Chevalier of Port Colborne, Ontario started 14th and drove all the way through the field to finish third. Puchalski held on to finish fourth. Jordan Cosco of Saint Catharines, Ontario rounded out the top-five.

Rouse, Leslie and Jay Mallory of Saint Catharines, Ontario won the qualifying races. Greg Panunte of Port Colborne, Ontario posted the fastest overall time in group timed hot laps to earn an additional $51 for the Speed51.com “Top of the Board” Award.

Rouse will be crowned Series champion, along with all of the other Race of Champions Series champions at the season ending celebration in January.

Humberstone Speedway
4th Annual Pete Cosco Memorial
Feature Finish –
Position, Driver, Car Number, Starting Position, Laps Completed

1.) Brad Rouse 18r 5 40
2.) Adam Leslie 15 8
3.) Chad Chevalier 12 14
4.) Tyler Puchalski 21p 1
5.) Jordan Cosco 17c 3
6.) James Michael Friesen 72 6
7.) Cody McPherson 7 12
8.) Justin Sharp 8s 7
9.) Greg Panunte 99p 20
10.) Dave DiPietro 68 4
11.) Jay Mallory 20 10
12.) Dave Small TEN 11
13.) Austin Wood 38 20
14.) Dylan Davidson 73 9
15.) Derek VanMil 2cool 15
16.) Lee Mallory 44 17
17.) Robbie Johnston 33j 2
18.) Scot Sommenberg 78 18
19.) Dean Scott 19w 19
20.) Luke Carleton 96b 16
21.) Emily Puchalski 21p 13

Qualifying Race Winners; Brad Rouse (Qualifying Race 1); Adam Leslie (Qualifying Race 2); Jay Mallory (Qualifying Race 3)