Nicholson Scores Second 2010 Victory

Veteran Ontario Pro Challenge driver Ken Nicholson (above) scored his second win of the 2010 season on Friday, September 10, sprinting out in front of a 17-car field at the quick Kawartha Speedway.  Reigning series champion Dennis Thomson chased Nicholson to the checker and was followed across the line by Josh Nicholson to complete the top-three.

The race went green to checker without a caution, which made it a little tough on the drivers who qualified through the second heat race and, as a result, started deeper in the field.  Nicholson needed to take advantage of every opportunity as he sliced his way to the front of the pack in his #99 International Truck & Engine Monte Carlo before building enough of a gap to hold off the charging Thomson (#02 Thomson Signs Ford Mustang).  Nicholson’s son Josh, a frontrunner in the series, took third in his #66 Firkin Pubs Dodge Charger. Rookie Owen Smith (#40 Ford Taurus) completed the top-five, posting his career best finish of fourth. Previously, Smith’s best result was a sixth at Mosport back in early July. Kyle Batty (#38 Compassion Canada Chev Monte Carlo) took fifth in the final tally.

The night included a great ‘feel good’ story.  The series saw the return of #14 Tim Shanahan (above), who has been forced to sit out the season for medical reasons.  The OPC community was thrilled to have Shanahan back in action, and he responded with a top-10 finish.

The Ontario Pro Challenge Series is back on-track this coming weekend at Sunset Speedway (September 18) and will cap their season at Flamboro Speedway on September 25.  Thomson continues to lead the point chase by 35 markers ahead of Tim Norris, but with two races remaining, the title is very much up for grabs.  Ken Nicholson sits third ahead of Tim Forbes, while Josh Nicholson caps the top five.  The Rookie of the Year race is equally as tight, with Smith leading the way over Rick Seeley by just seven points.  Smith’s fourth place run at Kawartha was huge in putting him in contention for the freshman crown.

Race #9 – August 21, 2010

Kawartha Speedway – Peterborough, Ontario

1. Ken Nicholson  2. Dennis Thomson  3. Josh Nicholson  4. Owen Smith  5. Kyle Batty  6. Tim Forbes  7. Jason Podewis  8. Rick Seeley  9. Dario Valente  10. Tim Shanahan  11. Malcolm McMaster  12. Jonathan Sloot  13. Dale Wilson  14. Jason Davidson  15. Tim Norris  16. Scott Fletcher  17. Patrick Freel  


Images provided by Chip Young (C.Y. Images)