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Jeremy Wonderling Charges from Obscurity to Win BRP Can Am Series Isky Racing Cams Championship, Jeff Chesebro 2007 Champion.
Rich Vleck, DUNDEE, NY (October 20, 2007)- The first race of 2006 at Black Rock Saw Jeremy Wonderling dominate for his first career BRP Can Am Series Win. Two Track Championships and 18 months later, “Mr. Excitement” lived up to his nickname with an impressive charge from the back.
The sensation from Scio, NY came from his 21st place starting position to win his first BRP Can Am 360 Late Model Series race of the year in the $2,500-to-win ISKY Racing Cams 30-lap Championship.
Wonderling struggled in his heat, sending him to the first Ed Carley Motorsports B-Main, which he won handily. Even though he started in 21st, he was up to fifth by the fifth lap, leaving him plenty of time to take over the top spot. On lap 20, after taking his time, he moved around Steve Dixon to inherit a lead he would never relinquish.
“I knew I was getting close to the front, I didn’t think I’d get there that fast,” said Wonderling of his impressive hard charger early in the event. “I’ve run here a number of times and I know where that inside wall is, and I rode it all night.”
It was the fourth career series win for perhaps the toughest competitor of the popular “Scio (NY) Speed Society”, but it was the all-time winningest driver in series history that was celebrating the series championship on the night.
What began as a tight points battle between Jeff Chesebro, Jim Johnson and Larry Knowles became even tighter as the race progressed. Chesebro found himself out in front on lap five after Quinn Sutherland, who led from the drop of Scott Hixson’s green flag, was spun out by Corfu, NY’s Dave DuBois. Even though the No. 97 was out front a track he won at twice in 2005, he would only last in that position for one lap before fading back.
On lap 22, Jim Johnson had moved around Chesebro for third, and needed to put only one more position between himself and Chesebro to take over the point lead, before that could happen though, disaster struck.
As Johnson set his No. 93J into turn three, the rear end of his car snapped around, turning the car to the right and sending him flying off the treacherous turn three banking. Before he made the dissent down the hill though, he collected Chesebro and instantly put both Championship Contenders in serious peril.
Johnson’s car was badly damaged, and he was forced to retire for the final eight laps, but Chesebro was able to remain on the Speedway, which proved to be the difference in the title. With Larry Knowles, the other Championship Contender, struggling at the track he has won two BRP Can Am races at, plus won at just one week earlier, Chesebro was safe to park it in Victory Lane, along with Wonderling, as the Series Champion.
“When Jim (Johnson) had his problems in (turn) three, I just had nowhere to go,” said the Smethport, PA driver. “I thought I lost the Championship right there.”
While that Smethport, PA driver was celebrating a title, Steve Dixon, another McKean County, PA Resident was contently ending his season with a solid second place showing.
Dixon lead the middle 1/3 of the event by running the bottom, but could not perfect the tricky inside lane as well as Wonderling would ultimately do.
Bob Buono completed a successful rookie season in the 360 Late Models by scoring a third place showing at his home track, tying his best career run in 19 tour starts. Heat Winner Glenn Whritenhour was fourth and Rookie Mike Williams completed the top-five after being forced to use a provisional to make the field.
An astounding 38-cars were in attendance for the highest paying race in the five-year history of the BRP Can Am 360 Late Model Series. For more information, visit www.BRPcanamseries.com or www.BlackRockSpeedway.com.
ISKY Racing Cams BRP Can Am 360 Late Model Championship (30 Laps)- JEREMY WONDERLING, Steve Dixon, Bob Buono, Glenn Whritenour, Mike Williams, Paul Grigsby, Larry Knowles, Jon Rivers, Jeff Daymon, Tim Dunham, Dave DuBois, Neil Patterson, Jeff Chesebro, Randy Hall, Bryce Davis, Rick Baker, Bruce Miller, Jim Johnson, Jason Knowles, Quinn Sutherland, Dan Cobb, Rich Michael, Todd Hansen, Matt Cobb, Mikey Wonderling, Mike Smith [DNS]
Lap Leaders- Sutherland 1-4, Chesebro 5, Whritenhour 6-9, Dixon 10-19, Wonderling 20-30.
DNQ: Ron Mogavero, Bob Bartlett, Ron Baker, Tom Baker, Chris Peacock, Dick Karlnoski, Jr Green, Carl Shetler, Nate Daggatt, Jessica Pierce, Rick Hale, Greg Young
2007 Series Champion- Jeff Chesebro.
F/A Products Heat Winners- Chesebro, Whritenhour, Dixon, L. Knowles.
Ed Carley Motorsports B-Main Winners- J. Wonderling, Dunham. |
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