FRASERVILLE, ON – Stock car driver Patrick Laperle turned in a repeat performance in the American-Canadian Tour “Summer Sizzler 200” at Kawartha Speedway in Fraserville, Ontario on Sunday, winning the event for the second consecutive year. The Montreal racer drove from 15th starting position to the lead pack in the 36-car field, then was part of a sensational see-saw battle with fellow Quebec native Karl Allard for the victory.
Laperle took the lead from Allard on lap 190, three laps after the race’s eighth restart, then barely held off Allard and ACT Late Model Tour point leader Scott Payea, who slipped by for second place, after the final restart on lap 197. He pocketed $5,000 for the win.
“There was no way I would have beaten Allard without that restart (on lap 187),” said Laperle in the winners’ circle. “He was very good today, but I was able to get better track position and held him off. My car was awesome all day and I’m glad we won again at Kawartha, I love this track.”
Payea, of Milton, VT, earned his fifth top-five finish in eight races in 2008 with his runner-up result. Allard’s third-place finish came in his first ACT Late Model Tour start of the year. The St-Felicien, QC veteran has been running successfully on the ACT Castrol Series in Quebec this season.
Nineteen year-old Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. of Hudson, NH made a 10-hour overnight trek from a race in Connecticut on Saturday night to finish in fourth place, just ahead of Milton, VT drivers Brent Dragon and Jean-Paul Cyr. The unofficial top ten was rounded out in order by John Donahue of Graniteville, VT, defending Kawartha Speedway track champion Larry Jackson of Oakville, ON, rookie
Nick Sweet of Barre, VT, and Milton, VT’s Eric Chase.
Forty-five drivers attempted to qualify for the 36-car Summer Sizzler 200 starting grid. Qualifying heats were won by Ontario drivers Jonathan Urlin and Dan McHattie, Quebec’s Stephane Descoste, and Randy Potter of New Hampshire. Cyr and Allard won consolation rounds, while Ontario drive Ken Baird won the last-chance “B” feature qualifier.
The ACT Late Model Tour is back in action on Saturday, August 2 at New Hampshire’s White Mountain otorsports Park for the previously rained-out White Mountain 150. For more information, call (802) 244-6963 or visit www.acttour.com.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – Summer Sizzler 200
American-Canadian Tour – Kawartha Speedway – Fraserville, ON
Sunday, July 13, 2008
(# – denotes rookie)
Pos.-Driver-Hometown
1. Patrick Laperle, St-Denis-sure-Richelieu, QC
2. Scott Payea, Milton, VT
3. Karl Allard, St-Felicien, QC
4. Joey Polearczyk, Jr., Hudson, NH
5. Brent Dragon, Milton, VT
6. Jean-Paul Cyr, Milton, VT
7. John Donahue, Graniteville, VT
8. Larry Jackson, Oakville, ON
9. #Nick Sweet, Barre, VT
10. Eric Chase, Milton, VT
11. Randy Potter, Groveton, NH
12. Pete Vanderwyst, St. Thomas, ON
13. Glen Luce, Turner, ME
14. Derek Lynch, Warkworth, ON
15. Leon Heckbert, Wilton, ME
16. Brandon Watson, Stayner, ON
17. Ryan Nolin, Georgia, VT
18. Daniel Descoste, St-Joseph du Lac, QC
19. Linc Brown, Colbourne, ON
20. Pete Potvin, III, Graniteville, VT
21. Dave Morgan, Lakefield, ON
22. Claude Leclerc, Lanoraie, QC
23. Ken Baird, North Gower, ON
24. Nick Sinopoli, Courtice, ON
25. Darrin Thring, Burlington, ON
26. #Spencer MacPherson, Carleton Place, ON
27. #Tyler Cahoon, St. Johnsbury, VT
28. Bryan Mercer, Port Hope, ON
29. Dan McHattie, Cavan, ON
30. Stephane Descoste, Oka, QC
31. #Jonathan Urlin, London, ON
32. Sylvain Lacombe, Terrebonne, QC
33. Donald Theetge, Boischatel, QC
34. Norm Mayhew, Cobourg, ON
35. Trampas Demers, South Burlington, VT
36. Yvon Bedard, St-Nicolas, QC
Failed to qualify:
Scott Dragon, Milton, VT
Tim Fernandes, Peterborough, ON
#Justin Holtom, Ottawa, ON
Ryan Kimball, Norwood, ON
Tim Kirby, Carleton Place, ON
Chris Mitchell, Omemee, ON
Steve Munro, Carp, ON
Cole Powell, Mt. Brydges, ON
Kevin Roberge, Levis, QC