BROCKVILLE, ONT � For much of the 2008 racing season Steve Poirier has been working with young driver Michael Parent. Poirier has taught him many things about driving and setup. On Saturday night those tips got Parent close to his first career win, but it was the teacher that acme out on top.
�I�ve been helping Michael (Parent) a little bit with his setup,� stated Poirier after the win. �He was good tonight but I think my car was a little bit better. I want to see him get a win but I needed the win tonight too.�
Poirier, of St. Mathieu de Beloeil, QC., earned $2,000 in 25-lap A-Main from Northwood 2 Construction and Lasalle Motorsports. It was his fifth Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprint victory of the year and it added to his overall point lead in both the overall tour standings and the SMAC Magazine Canadian Invasion series.
Parent, of Granby, QC., took the lead after starting on the front row of the event. He beat Anthony Cain into turn one to take the lead.
Parent was the leader when the caution came out on lap five for April Wilson. She stopped on the front straightaway.
When racing resumed, Parent maintained the top position. By the midway he had caught the slower cars at the back of the field and he had Rick Wilson and Poirier knocking on the door.
The mad scramble for the lead started on lap 15 when Wilson was able so slide by Parent on the low side of turns three and four. He then went back to the top in turns one and two opening the bottom for Parent.
Parent, in a Fisher powered Eagle, was able to take the lead back on lap 19 as he got back to the bottom and drove by Wilson coming off of turn two. While this battle was occurring, Poirier was looking for his chance to get by.
Poirier�s opportunity arose on lap 24; Poirier was able to drive by Parent is his AMB Moteurs powered J&J on the top of turns one and two to take the lead. Parent tried to get back by him on the inside but he was unable to regain the top position.
�I tried for a couple of laps to get by Michael (Parent) on the bottom,� said Poirer. �I couldn�t get a run off the bottom so I went back to the outside. I tried to be a little smoother on the throttle and I was able to not spin the tires on the top and take the lead.�
Parent�s second place was his best of the 2008 racing season and it came after he battled with two drivers who are at the top of their game.
�I�m very happy with my second place finish,� said Parent. �Steve (Poirier) has taught me a lot this year on how to setup the car and I have to thank him for that. A second is good for me. The teacher has to get you sometimes.�
Local favorite, Wilson, of Joyceville, Ont., piloted his No. 42w to a third place finish. Wilson started the feature from the outside of third row and battled for the lead for much of the event.
�I love the fans here at Brockville and I�m glad we put on a good show for them,� stated Wilson. �Steve (Poirier) is a good racer and always races you clean. He�s tough to beat.�
Justin Barger was the winner the last time the Empire Super Sprints visited Brockville, this time he came home in fourth. Jeff Cook, of Antwerp, N.Y., brought his Rt. 37 Building Supply Maxim across the finish line in fifth.
BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY RACE RESULTS (8/16/08)
Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints Northwood 2 Construction/Lasalle Motorsports A-Main (25 laps): Steve Poirier ($2,000), Michael Parent, Rick Wilson, Justin Barger, Jeff Cook, Jared Zimbardi, Lance Yonge, Kevin Job, Anthony Cain, Alain Bergeron, Brian McDonald, Tommy Wickham, Tim Kelly, Chuck Hebing, Doug Emery, Bubby Kerrick, Normand Beaudreault, Chris Jones, Lee Ladouceur, Justin Harris, April Wilson, DNS � Daniel Lampron.
Lap Leaders: Parent 1-14, Wilson 15-18, Parent 19-23, Poirier 24-25.
Car Mate Custom Built Trailers Heat 1 (10 laps): Steve Poirier, Justin Barger, Lee Ladouceur, Anthony Cain, Tim Kelly, Tommy Wickham
Car Mate Custom Built Trailers Heat 2 (10 laps): Lance Yonge, Rick Wilson, Doug Emery, Bubby Kerrick, Alain Bergeron
Car Mate Custom Built Trailers Heat 3 (10 laps): Chuck Hebing, Jeff Cook, Michael Parent, Jared Zimbardi, Brian McDonald, April Wilson
730 Truck Stop/Walt�s Hobby Dash (4 laps): Steve Poirier, Rick Wilson, Justin Barger, Chuck Hebing, Lance Yonge, Jeff Cook
Winner�s Contingencies:
Lucas Oil $115, Griffin Thermal Products $100, Design 500 $100, GME Steering $50, Hank�s Performance Products $50, Kreitz Oval Track Products $50, Saldana Racing Products $50, Racing Optics $30, Rod End Supply $30, Brake Man $25, Auto Racing News $25, Ultra Shield $10, MRE Productions $10. Pepsi Cola $15
Other Contingencies:
Weld Racing Hard Luck � McDonald $100
ATL � R. Wilson $100
M&W Aluminum Products � Harris $75
Leaf Racewear � Cook $75
Design 500 � Cook $50, Beaudreault $50
Keizer Wheels � Parent $50
KSE Racing Products � Harris $50
Zemco Headers � Cook $50
Joe Hunt Magnetos � Harris $50
Rod End Supply � Parent $30
VMAC Racing � Yonge $25
DMI � A. Wilson $25
Luther�s Way Out Grafix � Yonge $25
ISC Racers Tape � Bergeron $10
Ultra Shield � Parent $10
Pepsi Cola � Yonge, Hebing $5.