For The First Time Since 2003, Tim Fuller Is A 358-Modified Winner At Brockville

Story By: TIM BALTZ / BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY – BROCKVILLE, ONT – It was a night to remember as the 50th anniversary season saw a historical night with drivers past and present assembled in one evening.

Former track champions, competitors and race winners took part in a special ceremony which honored drivers who competed at Brockville from 1969 through the present night. The present night drivers were ready for battle and did not disappoint, with some great racing in all five classes, and 1000 Islands RV on hand as title sponsor.

The 1000 Islands RV 358 Modifieds took to the speedway with a special four wide salute to the fans, with a field led by a Doug Carlyle tribute modified driven by Kingston Ontario native and longtime racer, Randy McGlynn from Kingston, who completed the project over the winter months. Steve Barber wasted no time jumping to the lead in the 30 lap Bullringer qualifier and show everyone he would be the driver to beat in the early laps over Aaron Pugh, Chris Herbison, Tim Fuller and Tim O’Brien. With two good grooves on track, drivers had plenty of options to go fast and Barber was making the inside lane work until lap 6 when the caution flew for Joe Banks who spun his machine in turn 4. On the restart Chris Herbison would take his turn at the front of the field with Barber now finding himself in a battle with some the most experienced drivers in a modified. Tim Fuller and Gary Tomkins hounded Barber for 2nd for several laps before Fuller was able to get by with Tomkins and Ryan Arbuthnot now cracking the top 5. On lap 17 Chris Herbison’s night got interesting as he touched the wall with his right rear which allowed 2nd place Tim Fuller to close the gap. On lap 18 the yellow flew again setting up the restart that Fuller needed. When the green flew it was Herbison to the lead over Fuller Barber Arbuthnot and now Kyle Dingwall taking 5th. On lap 22 Herbison’s car started to fade and Tim Fuller used the top side in turns three and four to sail by and take over the top spot. From that point forward nobody was stopping him as Tim Fuller claimed his first 1000 Islands RV 358 Modified win since June 24th of 2003 at Brockville. Chris Herbison, Steve Barber, Ryan Arbuthnot and Kyle Dingwall would complete the top 5.

The 25 lap Sportsman feature was equally as exciting with Melissa Gifford taking the lead in the early laps with Dan Ferguson, Gabriel Cyr, Jonah Lewis and Xavier Andrews completing the top 5 early on. Gifford’s lead was short lived however as Gabriel Cyr was able to charge by on the bottom lane to take over the spot leaving Gifford to battle with Ferguson for 2nd. Shane Stearns and Chris Ferguson brought out the first yellow of the night as they both spun off turn two. When the green flew Cyr remained the man in control and started to pull away. Behind the leader Xavier Andrews began to mount a charge as he slid by Dan Ferguson to take 2nd but had five car lengths to make up on the race leader. By halfway it was a top three break away as Gabriel Cyr led the way over Andrews and Dan Ferguson, but lapped cars would make things interesting. With 8 to go Cyr would get caught in traffic which allowed Xavier Andrews to close in and make it a two- car battle for the lead. Just as Andrews was making his move for the top spot the yellow flew on lap 22 giving everyone a final shot at the lead. On the final restart Gabriel Cyr was able to get away by three car lengths and that proved to be plenty. After several Rookie and Novice Sportsman wins, Gabriel Cyr finally was able to put it all together and score his first career Sportsman feature win in front of a packed grandstand. Xavier Andrews held on for 2nd with Jarrett Herbison making a charge to third over Dan Ferguson and another solid run for Jonah Lewis as he rounded out the top 5.

In Mini Stock action it was rookie Hayden Brown leading the field at the drop of the green over Marc Dagenais and Justin Jodin. Brown who joined the field after a couple weeks of racing was fast right away and held a comfortable lead but Marc Dagenais who had two wins coming into the night was on a mission as he tried to run down the leader. On lap 6 lapped traffic came into play as heading into turn one Brown made the move around a lapped car but was nearly forced off the track which gave Marc Dagenais the top spot. Brown was able to keep 2nd but now had to deal with Justin Jodin, Andrew Leroux and Yanik Potvin. Over the remaining laps the big man from Maple Grove Quebec was on a rail and held off several challenges from Justin Jodin, who made his way to second in the final laps, to record win number three in the Mini Stock ranks. Jodin held on for 2nd with Andrew Leroux charging to third, Hayden Brown and Yanik Potvin claimed the 5th spot.

Street Stocks have been the talk of the town lately with their classic side by side racing and close finishes, and two drivers who were a part of a great battle were Nick Gauvreau and Todd Raabe. After starts to the season they would rather forget, Raabe would grab the lead early on but Nick Gauvreau would make his way to the top spot by lap three. Tyler Bushey started deep in the field and would make his way to the top three as he charged by Todd Raabe for 2nd, then ran down the race leader by lap 6. As the top 3 continued their great battle, the caution would come out on lap 8 for Brent Merkley, who spun in turn two. On the restart it was Gauvreau in control over Bushey, Raabe, Brighton invader Tyler French and Michael Dillon. Over the final laps Tyler Bushey did all he could do but it was not enough as Nick Gauvreau would hold on to a two-car length lead and charge to his 2nd win in a row in the Street Stock ranks. Tyler Bushey would cross in 2nd over Todd Raabe, Michael Dillon would charge to 4th while Tyler French would complete the top 5.

Evan Reynolds would use his outside pole starting spot to take the lead at the start of the Draper Doors Rookie Sportsman feature over Kalen Draper and Karl Potvin. Reynolds, who won his first feature of the year two weeks ago, would dominate the 15-lap event as Kalen Draper did all he could to keep Dylan Kirkland and Terry McClelland at bay for 2nd, while reigning Mini Stock champion Domonick Merkley was making his run to the front as well. Over the final laps Evan Reynolds was clearly the class of the field as he held a straight away lead and would cruise to his 2nd win in three weeks at Brockville. Kalen Draper would close the night out in 2nd which Domonick Merkley would charge to third over Dylan Kirkland and Terry McClelland.

Next week Jim’s Performance Plus will be on hand as the sponsor of the night for a full show in the 1000 Islands RV 358 Modifieds Sportsman, Draper Doors Rookie Sportsman, Street Stock and Outlaw Vintage, the Mini Stocks have the night off. Racing begins at 7:30pm.

For more information on division standings, results and anything happening at the track, visit brockvillespeedway.com and be sure to catch breaking news by following us on Twitter, Facebook and our new Instagram page.

1000 Islands RV 358 Modified (30 laps)

TIM FULLER, Chris Herbison, Steve Barber, Ryan Arbuthnot, Kyle Dingwall, Gary Tomkins, Tim O’Brien, Tristan Draper, Lee Ladouceur, Joe Banks, Luke Stewart, Ryan Poole, Andy Lloyd, Steve Bilow, Aaron Pugh, Mike Evans

Heat Winners: Lee Ladouceur, Chris Herbison and Steve Barber

Sportsman (25 laps)

GABRIEL CYR, Xavier Andrews, Jarrett Herbison, Dan Ferguson, Jonah Lewis, Johnathon Ferguson, Ryan Scott, Jon Mills, Tyler Reynolds, Jason Shipclark, Jamie Young, Shane Stearns, Dave Wilgosh, Melissa Gifford, Josh Kirkland, Brian Comeau, Xavier Perrin, Alex Gagnon, Chris Ferguson, Dale Gifford (DNS) Pascal Racette

Heat Winners: Jonah Lewis, Jon Mills, Gabriel Cyr and Tyler Reynolds

Draper Doors Rookie Sportsman (15 laps)

EVANS REYNOLDS, Kalen Draper, Domonick Merkley, Dylan Kirkland, Terry McClelland, Tyler Stewart, Mario Dupuis, Karl Potvin, Andrew Young, Justin Saunders, Stephane Fournier

Heat Winners: Evan Reynolds and Kalen Draper

Street Stock (15 laps)

NICK GAUVREAU, Tyler Bushey, Todd Raabe, Michael Dillon, Tyler French, Peter Raabe, Keith Riddell, Kyle Massey, Adam Switzer, Jessica Passinetti, Bob Williams, Nick Merkley, Ryan Brown, Brent Merkley, (DNS) Dave Barrett

Heat Winners: Todd Raabe and Tyler Bushey

Mini Stock (15 laps)

MARC DAGENAIS, Justin Jodin, Andrew Leroux, Hayden Brown, Yanik Potvin, Tyson Slinger, Jared Galway, Marc Andre Voyer, Justin Leroux, Mark Packer, Richard Bartholomew, Tyler Lamarche, John Lamarche, Shawn Wiligar, (DNS) Jamie Larocque

Heat Winners: Hayden Brown, Tyler Lamarche and Justin Jodin