Dempster Captures 15^th Career SOS Feature

By Bill Oldroyd

Ohsewken Speedway – May 28, 2004

Alton, Ontario’s Keith Dempster made his first appearance of the 2004 season at Ohsweken Speedway on May 28^th.  He immediately served notice to the rest of the field that he was back and would be a force to be reckoned with by taking home victory in the third round of the Southern Ontario Sprints season.  Dempster now has a record, 15 career feature wins with the SOS.

The feature got underway with Dick Mahoney of Newmarket grabbing the early lead from his pole starting position.  His lead however came to an abrupt end a few laps into the event when he clipped the wall coming out of turn four sending him flipping high in the air.  Mahoney would climb out un-injured however his sprinter suffered major damage.

Warren Mahoney from Lefroy started the feature in scratch position due to earlier problems but was quickly moving through the field.  He would take the re-start in eighth place.  Another driver making his way to the front in a big way was North Benton, Ohio’s Doug Stanley.  Stanley started his first ever SOS feature in twelfth position and would line up in fifth on the re-start.

Young Kyle Patrick of Tilbury would inherit the lead due to Mahoney’s crash and quickly proved to be the driver to beat.  At the mid point of the race, Dempster had charged from his ninth place starting position and found himself in second spot followed by Stanley.  Another young superstar, Cody Geldart of Mossley was now in the fourth spot with Warren Mahoney rounding out the top five.

The big story of the night was the battle for the lead.  Patrick and Dempster were relentless in their quest for the top spot.  They challenged each other for several laps, swapping positions on almost every lap and running side-by-side much of the time.  Every time Dempster would make a pass, Patrick would find his way back to the front.  Patrick appeared to have the advantage until a late race caution slowed the field.  On the re-start, Dempster dove to the low side in turn one taking over the lead.  This time however, he would open up slight advantage and hold it until the checkered flag dropped. 

Stanley was able to take the last podium position making his six-hour tow from Ohio worthwhile.  Rounding out the top five were Geldart and Ohsweken track owner, Glenn Styres.  The SOS points leader Styres, started the feature in tenth spot and was moving up nicely.   When the red flag came out for Mahoney’s flip, Styres’ crew made some adjustments forcing Styres to the rear of the field on the re-start.  Styres drove a steady race back to fifth to maintain his slim points lead.  Heat race winners were Styres, Patrick and Dick Mahoney and the ‘Dash for Cash’ was won by Geldart.

Every event of the young season has seen an increase in car-counts however three drivers suffered major setbacks Friday with blown motors.  Rookie Jason Haskell of Chatham and veterans Charlie McCann of London and Les MacMillan of Belmont will all be working hard to replace engines before they can take to the track again.  MacMillan suffered an additional blow when his ATV was stolen the day before the race.

Next up, the Series has a double header June 4 & 5 when it goes back to Ohsweken Friday and then travels to Brighton Speedway for a Saturday race.

Leaf Racewear Heat

1. #0 – Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, ON; 2. #32 – Mark Schulz, Newfane, NY; 3. #1a – John Riegling, Chatham, ON; 4. #18j – Jack Pillon, Belle River, ON; 5. #93 – Daryl Turford, Stratford, ON; 6. #99 – Al Gaukel, Cambridge, ON; 7. #17m Charlie McCann; 8. #75 – Jim Sweers, Westover, ON

Pennzoil Heat

1. #33k – Kyle Patrick, Tilbury, ON; 2. #6 – Cody Geldart, Mossley, ON; 3. #18s – Doug Stanley, North Benton, Ohio; 4. #5 – Keith Dempster, Alton, ON; 5. #18 – Stephanie Christiano, Tonawanda, NY; 6. #2 – Vinnie Christiano Jr., Tonawanda, NY; dns. #25 – Warren Mahoney, Lefroy, ON; #77 – Les MacMillan, Belmont, ON

Signet Tool Heat

1. #79 – Dick Mahoney, Newmarket, ON; 2. #10 – Bob Crawford, Sutton, ON; 3. #21 – Tim Phillips, Grand Island, NY; 4. #17 – Gary Evans, Thorndale, ON; 5. #33 – Jamie Collard, Princeton, ON; 6. #31 – Curt Sherwood, Sanborn, NY; dns. #21h – Jason Haskell, Chatham, ON

Kenetic Dash

1. #6 – Cody Geldart; 2. #0 – Glenn Styres; 3. #79 – Dick Mahoney; 4. #33k – Kyle Patrick, Tilbury

Wiseco Feature

1. #5 – Keith Dempster; 2. #33k – Kyle Patrick; 3. Doug Stanley; 4. #6 – Cody Geldart; 5. #0 – Glenn Styres; 6. #21 – Tim Phillips; 7. #25 – Warren Mahoney; 8. #1a – John Riegling; 9. #33 – Jamie Collard; 10. #17 – Gary Evans; 11. #10 – Bob Crawford; 12. #18j – Jack Pillon; 13. #31 – Curt Sherwood; 14. #93 – Daryl Turford; 15. #18 – Stephanie Christiano; 16. #79 – Dick Mahoney; 17. #32 – Mark Schulz; 18. #75 – Jim Sweers

Did not start: #2 – Vinnie Christiano Jr.; #17m Charlie McCann; #21h – Jason Haskell; #77 – Les MacMillan; #99 – Al Gaukel

LEAF RACEWEAR AWARD - Glenn Styres