by Tommy Goudge (July 11, 2009) – Adam West drove to victory lane on Saturday night at Brighton Speedway, scoring his second feature win of the season over the most decorated driver in Southern Ontario Sprints tour history at the track. West drove around the outside of local favourite Rick Wilson to score the win, while Warren Mahoney, Jamie Collard, and Travis Cunningham rounded out the top five.

The twenty lap feature began with Jamie Collard and Dick Mahoney on the front row, and it was Collard jumping out to the early lead. Behind him, fourth place starter Rick Wilson immediately went to work on his quest for the feature win. Wilson quickly drove around Mahoney, but slowed briefly in turns three and four, causing Mahoney to make contact and spin, collecting Bob Crawford in the process. Mahoney would take his damaged machine to the pits with damaged right front suspension.

Back under green, Collard again built a lead, but another caution flag came out for a mix-up between Kyle Wilson and Bob Crawford. With another chance at the lead, Wilson capitalized and took over at the front, while West, Collard, and Warren Mahoney diced for the runner-up spot. West was able to get clear and begin to challenge Wilson, who uncharacteristically took to the low line, while West found the cushion to his liking. West charged into the lead, leaving Wilson to contend with Warren Mahoney, who was having a strong run after starting seventh. 

With nineteen of the twenty laps in the books, West looked to have the race win in hand, but a spin by April Wilson in turn two brought out the caution, necessitating a one lap dash to the finish. West was not about to let this one slip away, however, and he was able to drive away from Wilson to claim the win, his second of the SOS season.

NOTES:
- Two drivers made their 2009 season debut with the SOS tour on Saturday night, including Kyle Wilson and Erin Joyce. From the Ottawa area, Joyce was also competing in her first ever sprint car event.

- Heat race wins were claimed by Travis Cunningham and Rick Wilson. Cunningham’s rookie season got off to a rocky start, but the young driver from Grimsby has come into his own lately, scoring fifth in the feature for his career best sprint car result to date.

- With a sixth place finish, Justin Martin took over the points lead over the absent Glenn Styres, while West’s victory has him all the way up to second in the standings, just eleven points out of the lead as the tour heads to Ohsweken Speedway for round five this Friday, July 17.

RACE REPORT - Saturday, July 11, 2009
SOUTHERN ONTARIO SPRINTS 2009 SEASON Event #4
Brighton Speedway - Brighton, Ontario

ENTRIES
(Number Name - Hometown)
01w Kyle Wilson - Joyceville
7m Justin Martin - Shedden
10 Bob Crawford - Sutton
15aw April Wilson - Joyceville
25 Warren Mahoney - Lefroy
27 Jamie Collard - Burford
30 Adam West - Ridgetown
33j Erin Joyce - Alcove, QC
42w Rick Wilson - Joyceville
71 Travis Cunningham - Grimsby
79 Dick Mahoney - Newmarket
84 Tyler Rand - Consecon
98 Paul Pekkonen - Brockville

HEAT RACE #1
(8 laps)
Finish. Number Name (Starting Position)
1. 42w Rick Wilson (1)
2. 27 Jamie Collard (2) 
3. 79 Dick Mahoney (4)
4. 25 Warren Mahoney (5)
5. 01w Kyle Wilson (3)
6. 84 Tyler Rand (6)
7. 33j Erin Joyce (7)

HEAT RACE #2
(8 laps)
Finish. Number Name (Starting Position)
1. 71 Travis Cunningham (2)
2. 10 Bob Crawford (1)
3. 30 Adam West (4)
4. 7m Justin Martin (5)
5. 98 Paul Pekkonen (3)
6. 15aw April Wilson (6)

'A' FEATURE
(20 laps)
Finish. Number Name (Starting Position)
1. 30 Adam West (5)
2. 42w Rick Wilson (4)
3. 25 Warren Mahoney (7)
4. 27 Jamie Collard (1)
5. 71 Travis Cunningham (6)
6. 7m Justin Martin (8)
7. 84 Tyler Rand (11)
8. 98 Paul Pekkonen (10)
9. 15aw April Wilson (12)
10. 01w Kyle Wilson (9)
11. 10 Bob Crawford (3)
12. 33j Erin Joyce (13)
13. 79 Dick Mahoney (2)

UNOFFICIAL TOP 5 IN POINTS AFTER ROUND #4
Rank. Number Name Total (positions gained/lost)
1. 7m Justin Martin 597 (+1)
2. 30 Adam West 586 (+4)
3. 25 Warren Mahoney 577 (+2)
4. 10 Bob Crawford 546 (--)
5. 84 Tyler Rand 519 (+3)

NEXT SOS EVENT:
Friday, July 17, 2009 @ Ohsweken Speedway - Ohsweken, Ontario
www.OhswekenSpeedway.com
www.SouthernOntarioSprints.com