The 2009 Season – A Quick Synopsis

During the ‘09 Ontario Pro Challenge season, a total of four drivers visited victory lane in the nine points-paying shows that were actually put in the books.  Just as it did to tracks all over the province, rain wreaked havoc on several occasions throughout the summer, forcing the cancellation of three Pro Challenge races.  This didn’t stop the series competitors from taking their traveling road show to six different facilities this past summer, garnering new fans for the program at every stop.

The wet weather scuttled the season opener at Flamboro on May 9, but things finally got going at Sunset on May 23 as Tim Forbes (right, #04) steered his Carstar #04 Mustang to the victory over Dennis Thomson and Josh Nicholson.  Tim Norris (above, #88) improved from his fourth place finish at Sunset just two weeks later to win at Kawartha, powering his Lucas Oil Ford Taurus #88 to the checkered flag ahead of Ken Nicholson (International Chevy Monte Carlo #99), who held off the advances of his son Josh.  A return to Sunset was next up at the end of June and this time out, Josh Nicholson found his groove to score his first win of the year in his Firkin Pubs Dodge Charger #66.  After the first three races, it was Thomson who held the lead in standings by just two points over Josh Nicholson.

The month of July was all Thomson (left) as he rung off a streak of three wins to stretch his point lead.  At Mosport on July 4 and Sauble on July 18, the Dundas, Ontario driver put his Thomson Signs Ford Taurus #02 in front of Josh Nicholson and Norris on both occasions.  A return to Flamboro on July 18 produced the same results, as Thomson this time topped Norris and Ken Nicholson for the checkered flag.  The three-race winning streak provided an 18-point cushion for Thomson heading into the final five races of the year.  This would eventually become just three events, as two of the August dates (Sauble and Flamboro) were cancelled due to rain.

Thomson was not done with the streak, winning at Sunset on August 1 over Norris and Forbes, but Josh Nicholson came back to put an end to the dominance at Sunset once again, this time on August 29 during an exciting Saturday night show. Thomson remained consistent to finish second ahead of Danielle Wilson, who turned in her best performance of the year aboard the A.S.A.P Courier Chevy Monte Carlo #21.  Thomson needed only to start the season finale at Flamboro to take the crown, racing to a strong third place finish behind Norris, who capped his campaign with an impressive victory.  Bob Hopton (Tradewind Chevy Monte Carlo #10) laid down his finest run of the year to finish second, leading the race for several laps in the process.

When it was all said and done, Thomson enjoyed a 26-point advantage over Norris to take the championship on the strength of four wins and nine straight top-four finishes.  Next up on Pro Challenge Online (PCO)…a Championship Profile of Dennis Thomson.

Photos Courtesy of Dave Franks Photos and www.sunsetspeedway.ca