Thomson Extends Ontario Pro Challenge Streak To Three

The Ontario Pro Challenge got back underway this past weekend after a three week break, rolling the dice on the province’s crazy weather patterns as they trekked northwest to Sauble Speedway for the first of two trips to ‘The Beach’ on Saturday night (June 26). After rain hammered the region through Friday and early Saturday morning, the racing gods smiled down on the 1/4 –mile bullring with bright sunshine that dried off the racing surface and opened the gates for a great night of competition. A total of 17 Pro Challenge cars made the call for Sauble, and when the dust had settled, reigning champion Dennis Thomson had extended his winning streak to three with a solid victory over series veterans Ken Nicholson and Tim Norris. Kyle Batty (#38 Compassion Canada Ford Taurus) scored the win in the opening heat race, his first in OPC competition, outrunning Tim Forbes (#04 Midhurst Roofing Ford Mustang) and Ken Nicholson (#99 International Truck and Engine Chev Monte Carlo) for the victory and the main event pole. Tim Norris (#88 ApprencticeSearch.com Dodge Intrepid) and Dario Valente (#71 Apartments International Monte Carlo) rounded out the top-five. In the second heat, which features to drivers with the highest average point totals, it should come as no shock that Thomson took the checker in his new Thomson Signs Dodge Charger. What is surprising it that this was his first heat race win of the year. Thomson has been unbeatable in the mains, but in the shorter heat races, he has not been overly aggressive in fighting his way to the front. Josh Nicholson (#66 Firkin Pubs Dodge Charger) was second at the checker, coming in ahead of Jonathan Sloot (#22 Monte Carlo). Owen Smith (#40) and Rick Seeley (#19 Pontiac Grand Prix) were fourth and fifth, respectively. In the main, Forbes led early, but it was all about Thomson, as he was able to work his way methodically through the field to assume the point before the end of the 30-lapper. Thomson is currently unbeaten in main event action and now enjoys a 22-point lead over Josh Nicholson, who was fourth in the feature race. Ken Nicholson scored the runner-up result in Sauble, crossing the stripe behind Thomson. Norris was third overall, ahead of Nicholson and Forbes. Scott Fletcher (#60 Hype Energy Drink Monte Carlo) came back from fuel pump issues in his heat race to take sixth in the main, coming in ahead of Valente, Danielle Wilson (#21 Huber Window Cleaning Monte Carlo), and Batty. Jason Podewis (#7 Chev Monte Carlo) was the top finishing freshman in tenth after a series of great on-track battles with fellow rookies Seeley and Smith. The Ontario Pro Challenge teams will return to Sauble Speedway on August 21, but not before heading to Mosport Speedway on Saturday, July 3 as part of Fan Appreciation Night. Round #3 – June 26, 2010 Sauble Speedway – Hepworth, Ontario Heat #1: 1. Kyle Batty 2. Tim Forbes 3. Ken Nicholson 4. Tim Norris 5. Dario Valente 6. Danielle Wilson 7. Scott Fletcher 8. Malcolm McMaster 9. Bob Hopton Heat #2: 1. Dennis Thomson 2. Josh Nicholson 3. Jonathan Sloot 4. Owen Smith 5. Rick Seeley 5. Jason Podewis 7. Dale Wilson 8. Ken Lillycrop Feature: 1. Dennis Thomson 2. Ken Nicholson 3. Tim Norris 4. Josh Nicholson 5. Tim Forbes 6. Scott Fletcher 7. Dario Valente 8. Danielle Wilson 9. Kyle Batty 10. Jason Podewis 11. Jonathan Sloot 12. Malcolm McMaster 13. Owen Smith 14. Rick Seeley 15. Dale Wilson 16. Ken Lillycrop 17. Bob Hopton