Post by Jeff Kempton on Sept 9, 2012 13:11:13 GMT -4
ACSSA 2012 STOCK/SUPER STOCK CHALLENGE RACE # 4;
Presented By Kevin Lively Jr. Transportation Services, Lower Sackville, NS
As Race 4 of the 2012 ACSSA series grew near, two things were on everyone’s mind: would the attendance record be reset, and could Greg Nickerson be stopped in his quest for a second straight championship? The first question was answered on Saturday morning when 20 Stock and Super Stock cars answered the call, coming close but not surpassing the 21 car record set at this same track in July. The answer to the second question; however, would not reveal itself until later in the day.
The perfect weather forecast that the forecasters were trumpeting at mid-week kept slipping away as race day grew near, and by Friday it sounded pretty iffy for Friday night and Saturday. Despite that the pits were packed by late Friday afternoon, and I am told that at the peak over 200 race entries overflowed the grounds. With that many racers looking to get their racing fix in, everyone was hoping for an early start to the day Saturday, but Mother Nature had other ideas and delayed the opening rounds to nearly Noon, and blessed the track with a strong headwind for the entire day. Even so, the efficient staff at Raceway Park did their usual great job, and completed a very full racing schedule before darkness fell with a few minutes to spare.
Our two Qualifying sessions went smoothly, and Greg didn’t take long to show everyone that his lead in the points hadn’t convinced him to take it easy. In fact, he upped his game right off the bat by claiming his first #1 Qualifier Award since we started our series. Another noteworthy item for Race 4 was the first time appearance of Cory Sprague from New Brunswick with his 1972 Dart E/CM entry. Welcome to the ACSSA series Cory!
FINAL QUALIFYING ORDER:
01. - Greg Nickerson, Lr. Sackville, NS - C/FIA 1996 Firebird 6.814 / 7.70 Index (-0.886)
02. - Jody Noble, Mid. Sackville, NS - K/S 1965 Chevelle SS 7.326 / 8.20 Index (-0.874)
03. - Kelly MacKay, Mineville, NS - H/SA 1972 Demon 7.122 / 7.95 Index (-0.828)
04. – Chris Howes, Rothesay, NB – B/SA 1970 Challenger 6.578 / 7.40 Index (-0.822)
05. - Jeremy Keans, Brooklyn, NS – G/SA 1985 Camaro 7.094 / 7.90 Index (-0.806)
06. - Jack Keirstead, Onslow Mtn, NS - J/SA 1978 Nova 7.359 / 8.15 Index (-0.791)
07. - Mark Howes, Rothesay, NB – SS/JA 1971 Duster 6.517 / 7.30 Index (-0.783)
08. - Blair MacDonald, Sackville, NB - SSGT/GA 1986 Camaro 6.482 / 7.25 index (-0.768)
09. - Malcolm London, Saint John, NB - L/SA 1980 Malibu 7.519 / 8.25 Index (-0.731)
10. - Tommy Coughlan, Renous, NB - C/CM 1988 Mustang 6.657 / 7.30 index (-0.643)
11. - Terry Knapper, Moncton, NB - I/S 1978 Camaro 7.410 / 8.00 Index (-0.590)
12. - Scott Underhill, Bedford, NS – 1971 Pontiac T37 7.159 / 7.70 Index (-0.541)
13. – Wayne Deveau, Middleton, NS - GT/CA 1980 Starfire 6.382 / 6.90 Index (-0.518)
14. - Dave Garland, Moncton, NB - SS/HA 1967 Camaro 6.539 / 7.05 Index (-0.511)
15. - Bill Ervin, Grand Bay, NB – GT/AA 1986 Camaro 6.312 / 6.75 Index (-0.438)
16. - Bill Sheppard, Lakeview, NS – H/SA 1973 Duster 7.523 / 7.95 Index (-0.427)
17. - Ivan Noonan, Charlottetown, PEI - A/PS 1969 Camaro 7.558 / 7.90 Index (-0.342)
18. - Joe Dupuis, Amherst, NS – B/FI 2012 Mustang CJ 7.245 / 7.45 Index (-0.205)
19. - Bill Campbell, Moncton, NB – E/SA 1969 Fairlane conv. 7.648 / 7.70 Index (-0.052)
20. – Cory Sprague, Norton, NB – E/CM 1972 Dart 7.639 / 7.45 Index (+0.189)
Race 3 champion Greg Nickerson found himself in a familiar spot once again; the "Bounty Hunter" crosshairs. The first one to get a chance to put him on the trailer would be Terry Knapper.
ROUND 1:
Greg Nickerson .275 RT, 6.846 (6.82) defeated Terry Knapper -.044 RT, 7.374 (7.41)
Wayne Deveau .009 RT, 6.397 (6.38) defeated Kelly MacKay .110 RT, 7.228 (7.12)
Bill Sheppard .032 RT, 7.505 (7.51) defeated Jack Keirstead .024 RT, 7.294 (7.34)
Joe Dupuis .125 RT, 7.278 (7.20) defeated Blair MacDonald -.121 RT, 6.471 (6.48)
Chris Howes .019 RT, 6.649 (6.57) defeated Dave Garland .160 RT, 6.520 (6.54)
Bill Campbell .041 RT, 7.649 (7.64) defeated Malcolm London .036 RT, 7.518 (7.50)
Mark Howes .110 RT, 6.505 (6.50) defeated Ivan Noonan -.221 RT, 7.811 (7.55)
Jeremy Keans .031 RT, 7.086 (7.08) defeated Billy Ervin .004 RT, 6.276 (6.32)
Jody Noble .238 RT, 7.295 (7.32) defeated Scott Underhill .100 RT, 7.130 (7.16)
Cory Sprague .042 RT, 7.642 (7.45) defeated Tommy Coughlan .304 RT, 6.626 (6.64)
Greg Nickerson cleared an important first hurdle in his quest for another event win as well as a repeat championship when Terry Knapper; the first Bounty Hunter candidate, turned on the red light against him. His championship hopes were further bolstered when his two closest chasers in the points; Kelly MacKay and Jack Keirstead, lost out in the first round to Wayne Deveau and Bill Sheppard respectively. Wayne Deveau’s winning package would stand up as the best package of the day. Mark Howes advanced on Ivan Noonan’s red light while Jeremy Keans survived a stellar reaction time from Billy Ervin when Billy took too much stripe and broke out. Meanwhile, Jody Noble advanced via a double breakout against Scott Underhill, and Joe Dupuis notched his first round ACSSA round win on the red light of Blair MacDonald. Cory Sprague; in his first race with us, also recorded his first round win against Tommy Coughlan when his better light pushed Tommy into a breakout.
ROUND 2:
Bill Campbell .042 RT, 7.573 (7.64) defeated Chris Howes -.082 RT 6.522 (6.56)
Jeremy Keans .066 RT, 7.082 (7.07) defeated Cory Sprague -.006 RT, 7.616 (7.45)
Jody Noble .014 RT, 7.501 (7.31) defeated Mark Howes .106 RT, 6.498 (6.50)
Joe Dupuis .176 RT, 8.079 (7.20) defeated Wayne Deveau -.027 RT, 6.427 (6.38)
Greg Nickerson .0009 RT, 6.880 (6.83) defeated Bill Sheppard .066 RT, 7.552 (7.50)
In Round 2, Greg denied another Bounty Hunter and further padded his points lead when he strapped a near perfect light on Billy Sheppard, which allowed him to play it safe on the top end. The other four pairs were also decided at the starting line.
ROUND 3:
Jody Noble .010 RT, 7.365 (7.31) defeated Bill Campbell .195 RT 7.554 (7.58)
Jeremy Keans .088 RT, 7.229 (7.06) defeated Joe Dupuis .132 RT, 8.365 (7.20)
Greg Nickerson .136 RT, 6.790 (6.82) defeated - BYE
In Round 3, Jody Noble unloaded his second stellar light in a row to defeat Bill Campbell, while Jeremy Keans took the win light against Joe Dupuis. Meanwhile, Greg got the single and another 20 points, and used the pass to gather data for the next round.
ROUND 4:
Jeremy Keans .033 RT, 7.064 (7.06) defeated Greg Nickerson .009 RT, 6.818 (6.78)
Jodie Noble .633 RT, 11.520 (7.38) defeated - BYE
In a tight semifinal match, Greg Nickerson got out first against Jeremy Keans, but Jeremy ran nearly on his dial to eke out a close win. With that Jeremy claimed the Bounty Hunter bonus and reserved a spot in the final round. Jody meanwhile chose to idle down the track on his bye run.
FINAL ROUND:
Jeremy Keans .063 RT, 7.054 (7.05) defeated Jody Noble 0.025 RT, 7.308 (7.31)
The ACSSA has developed a reputation for producing great final rounds, and this race was no exception. Jody took a nearly four hundredths’ edge at the tree, but Jeremy ran only four thousandths off his dial to push Jody into a two thousandths breakout.
Thanks again to all the racers, track personnel, sponsors, spectators, and others who support the ACSSA; we couldn’t do this without you! Race 5; our final race for the 2012 season, will be in Greenfield on September 22nd, hope to see you there!
ACSSA 2012 STOCK/SUPER STOCK CHALLENGE RACE # 4
Presented By Kevin Lively Jr. Transportation Services, Lower Sackville, NS
--------------------------WINNER---------------------------
--------------------- JEREMY KEANS !! -----------------------
ACSSA Stock/Super Stock Challenge Race 4 Payouts
Event Winner: ($600)
Jeremy Keans
Event Runner-Up: ($300)
Jody Noble
Event Semi-Finalist: ($150)
Greg Nickerson
Event Quarter-Finalists: ($100/person)
Joe Dupuis
Bill Campbell
Event 2nd Round Finishers: ($50/person)
Bill Sheppard
Wayne Deveau
Cory Sprague
Chris Howes
Mark Howes
The following special awards were also presented:
Top Qualifier Award (Sponsored by A&J Automotive):
Greg Nickerson: $100
(6.814 on a 7.70 index (-0.886)
Best Package In Eliminations Award (Sponsored by BMR Structural Engineering):
Wayne Deveau $50
(.0099 RT + .0170 over the dial = .0269 package in the 4th round)
“Best Of The Rest” Best Losing 1st Round Package (Sponsored by Trans World Bolts):
Malcolm London $50
(.0359 RT + .0181 over the dial = .0540 package in the 1st round)
"Bounty Hunter" Award (Sponsored by LaFarge Concrete):
Jeremy Keans $50
(defeated our most recent race winner; Greg Nickerson, in the 4th round)
"Just For Fun" Stock/SS Series Award (Sponsored by Dents & Stones Automotive):
Cory Sprague