Jeff Hanley Makes It Four On The Season With Win At Sunset Speedway

Jeff Hanley led all 50 laps on his way to winning at Sunset Speedway on September 19^th. Sweeping the series at Sunset, Hanley stands out as the 2009 leader in victories with 7 heat race wins and 4 feature race wins. Despite missing one race, he is solidly in the top ten in points, currently sitting in 5^th and only 100 points back from 3^rd.

The Raylene Racing #70 was quick all day but during the feature it was the BTL Bridgelands Terminals/ V&L Transportation Sales #88 of TJ Woolsey that would give him the most competition. “I’m glad I was able to make it because I don’t think I had the best car. TJ run a really good race. He was in the mirror the whole time.” said Jeff. “I was slowing up in the middle because I was tight and trying to get off. I was messing him around little bit.”

Woolsey was gracious in victory lane and offered compliments to his fellow drivers. “Hanley’s a hard man to beat. Any night you get a top three with these two guys – that isn’t too bad.” He went on to explain his recent success and speed at the track “It’s pretty much a new set-up from a couple of weeks ago by the driver of the #70 car. He does most of my set-up stuff.”

The two drivers had patched things up quickly after the last race when Hanley spun Woolsey out as the two charged toward the front. Having to go to the back pretty well put the victory out of reach for the two cars that had the best chance of catching race winner Derrick Tiemersma. But with V&L Transportation Sales proudly displayed on the #70 rear quarter panels and Woolsey being a regular at the Hanley shop, the incident was quickly forgotten.

At Sunset it was time to go racing again and both drivers put on a great show for the fans. Despite some calls from the Grandstand for the bump and run, Woolsey showed a lot of skill, patience and respect as he stuck to the bumper of Hanley, ready to take advantage of any miscue by the 70 car. But in the end Hanley demonstrated his tremendous driving skill, never made a mistake and took the win.

Rob Clarke fans were happy to see their favourite driver in the black & gold JBM Leasing #49 Outlaw. Showing up for his final race of the 2009 season, Clarke had a good outing and picked up 3^rd place. “It wasn’t too bad tonight” said Rob, “But those guys were stout and they run really good. My throttle was stuck. I put it to the floor and it stayed there. I had to pull it back with my foot on every lap” While done for the year, Clarke hopes to return in 2010 for a full-time campaign in OSCAAR.

Rounding out the top five were the Rival Office Solutions/Race2Way.ca #22 of Glenn Watson and the Wayfreight #7 of Derrick Tiermersma in 4^th and 5^th respectively. It was a mirror of their current order in the points with Watson in 1^st and Tiermersma in 2^nd. Only 147 points separate the two, so it will require solid outings by both teams to reach their goal of the 2009 Championship.

The APX Racewear Hard Charger Award goes out to Al Shepstone in the Shepstone Haulage #15 Outlaw. He moved up from 12th to finish 7th. The Hoosier Tire Award goes to Paul Milligan in the Carrot Express #23 Outlaw.

Only two races remain on the 2009 schedule. Next stop is Oktoberfest at Flamboro Speedway on October 3^rd and Autumn Colours at Peterborough Speedway on October 10^th.

Race Report by Don McLeod

Photo Albums

Web album can be viewed through these links:

• Dave Franks Photos
• Don McLeod

Video by Don McLeod on YouTube

• Pre-Race & Intros
• Feature Race (Part A)
• Feature Race (Part B)
• Heat Race 1
• Heat Race 2
• Heat Race 3
• Heat Race 4

Results: Flamboro Speedway, October 17, 2009

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