2012 ARCA OK Tire Sportsman Series Race Recap for Williams Lake - Race 2
Saturday afternoon in Williams Lake brought beautiful blue skies and mid 20’s temperatures to Thunder Mountain Raceway, the venue for race 2 of the ARCA OK Tire Sportsman Series. The superfast 3/8 mile oval was hot and slick through practice and looking like only one racing groove would come in. As practice sessions passed, the ARCA series was able to connect their timing and scoring system to the internet and for the first time in sportsman racing history in BC, the entire world had access to the Heartland Toyota 100 lap event. In fact, previous series official Tyler Polaski watched the scoring live from Australia.
Qualifying order was set from the last practice session and it was clear local driver Ryley Seibert was superfast. Not to be left out was Mark Berriau, Sarah Cornett-Ching, Logan jewel, Dave Olson, and Ian Graham all within 2 tenths. When Qualifying was all over, Ryley Seibert had set a new track record of 15.852. Berriau so close with a 15.913, and Olson a 15.933. The top eight cars were separated by just over two tenths.The heat races were fast and furious with Trevor Adelman winning the B heat and Ian Graham winning the A heat.
The three wide solute to the fans was awesome as the fans came to their feet to watch the field pass. The 47 of Trevor Adelman took the field to green with the Ford of Chris Babcock number 22 on outside pole. Adelman took a commanding lead as the 22 slid into second place. A long green run had rookie Barry Clayton racing hard to stay on the lead lap. The 92 of Logan Jewel was solid in third and Dave Olson in the 71 biding his time in fourth. Lap 28 had the 92 under the 47of Adelman, taking the lead. Adelman became a victim of a one groove race track and began to shuffle towards the back. Yellow flew for the spinning 47 car in turn two. Ryley Seibert was tangled up in the wreck and peeled the right front fender back on the 09 Chev. Under caution Seibert tried to rub the fender off against the front stretch wall, but a black flag sent him to the pits for repair. Back to green Jewel continued to lead with pressure from 71 and 27. Graham fourth, Babcock held fifth, with Loudoun in the 12 saving tires. After a long green run, the 09 of Seibert slid off the backstretch, nearly missing the wall and spinning into turn three, bringing out the caution. Green on 76, Berriau into second, as he begins to size up the 92 of Jewel. A spinning 99 car of Cornett-Ching has the yellow back out, leaving a ten lap sprint to decide the winner. Running in second, Berriau draws the high side restart, with Olson in third tight behind jewel. Jeff Cameron gets the free pass and earns a lap back. Ian Graham, last years’ race winner in fourth, but will have to battle the high side restart. Babcock solid in fifth, loudoun sixth, Seibert back on the lead lap in seventh, hoping for a great restart. Mear and Adelman hold eighth and ninth respectfully. Rookie points leader Jeff Cameron sits in tenth spot, Cornett-Ching eleventh, and Clayton in twelfth. The green flew again as nine laps remain. Berriau tries the high side for a pass on Jewel, but dives low to hold second, Olson third. With cooled tires, the 92 pulls out a car length, Berriau pushes but time runs out and Jewel collects the big prize. Berriau looks after his points lead with a second and Olson shakes the monkey off his back with a strong third and the fastest lap of the race. Congratulations to all ARCA OK Tire Sportsman drivers for a great race. Truly a very skilled and committed group of drivers and crews. The championship battle is in full swing so come to Prince George and enjoy the 50th anniversary celebrations on June 16 – race 3. 