Shaw Motorsports: Weekend Update

From Ken Spira for Shaw Motorsports

Dark clouds and rain gave way to sunshine and warm temperatures as the Shaw crew made their way south to Flamboro Speedway. Only 13 late models made the trip as some teams headed north to Sauble Speedway for the Margarita Ice Strawberry 150 or were still repairing their cars from damage inflicted the previous weekend.
The first practice produced a good handling car, thanks to the work the crew put into testing during the week, and after the crew put on two new tires to scuff during the second practice, the lap times picked up even more as a result. The only adjustment made by chassis expert, Dave Meades was a small adjustment to the anti-roll bar for a small push that was felt by the driver.
Jason lined up the #82 Georgetown Printing Ford on the outside pole for the heat race beside the #52 who had the pole position. On the first lap, the #52 got sideways in turn 2 bringing out the caution, allowing Jason to try maintaining the lead for the shortened 8 lap heat race. Jason restarted beside the #3 and after running side by side for two laps, the #82 pulled into the lead where Jason was able to take the win by a commanding 4 car length lead.
The smaller than normal field lined up in front of the somewhat sparse crowd as they readied for the feature. The #82 Del Metals Ford was lined up 8th for the 20 lap feature beside the #42 and on the first lap, the #3 would exit turn two and hit the backstretch wall, breaking the rear end housing in the process. Shortly after the #3 made contact, the field checked up after registering the first lap, sending Jason back two positions before the caution came out when the #3 came to a stop in turn one. Jason was now at the back of the pack in 10th were he would restart beside the #42. On lap 6, Jason made the move forward by getting past the #42 into 9th and then past the #99 into 8th, two laps later. At the half way mark, the leaders pulled away as the rest of the pack remained in a tight group where they slugged it out for position. Despite the large amount of stay-dry on the high side of the track from the thunder car feature, Jason ventured up and passed the #52 and #3x just prior to the caution that came out for the #8 who lost a wheel on the backstretch. Thankfully the wheel got caught up in the safety fence in turn 3/4 as it cleared the wall threatening the safety of the fans including most of the Shaw crew who were standing in the area. Under the following caution, Jason found himself now in the 5th position behind the #37, #34, #86 and #27. Two laps later it was the #27 that would bring out the caution by spinning into the infield with a little help by the 3x. Jason picked up a spot as a result and was running in 4th when the caution came out again with just two laps to go for the #42 who spun out in turn 2. The #37 lead the field to the green for the final restart and despite Jason getting a good run on the outside of the #86 to challenge for the third position, the #37 of David Elliot would hang on for the win and Jason would not be able to get past the #86 to take the checkered flag in 4th.
In other racing news, the #88 Spira Racing mini-stock continued their struggle to get back into the top 10 as driver, Dave Hagedorn after an eventful night of contact throughout the qualifying and main event, would finish 11th after a 12th place start in the 25 lap feature.
Next up for the Shaw team is a return trip to Flamboro Speedway for the first of three Grisdale Triple Crown events. The 50 lap special is to run on Saturday June 7th were the pit gates are to open at 3:00pm, the main gates at 5:00 and racing is scheduled to begin at 6:00.