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JONES ENDS TWO YEAR DROUGHT WITH BRIGHTON SPEEDWAY WIN

By Greg Calnan (Brighton, Ontario) - The Southern Ontario Sprints made their second visit of the season to Brighton Speedway on Saturday night. Shawn Sliter and April Wilson led the 17 car field to the green flag in the 25 lap main event. The pair battled back and forth for the opening four laps until Chris Jones used the outside line to take the top position.

In his first appearance at Brighton, Josh Shantz moved from his sixth starting place to the runner-up spot by lap 10. He followed leader Jones around the top of the track and closed within a couple of car lengths, but was never able make a serious challenge for the lead. Jones held on to win for the first time in over two seasons. Shantz finished a close second while Rick Wilson drove from his eighth starting position to end the race in third. Brother Mitch and Jake Brown completed the top five.

“There was a fine line around the top and I was able to hold it up there� said Jones in victory lane. “This feels good to win in front of such a great crowd� he added. The win was his first since June 6th, 2015 at South Buxton Raceway and eighth career with the Southern Ontario Sprints.

Point leader Dylan Westbrook had a top five finish fall to the wayside on the final lap due to a flat tire. His 15th place finish broke a 9 race winning streak with the SOS dating back to July of 2016.

The Southern Ontario Sprints continue their 2017 season on Friday, June 30th at Ohsweken Speedway in Ohsweken, Ontario. For more information visit www.ohswekenspeedway.com.

SOUTHERN ONTARIO SPRINTS RACE REPORT
2017 SEASON EVENT #4 – SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2017
BRIGHTON SPEEDWAY – BRIGHTON ON

ENTRY LIST
(Number Name – Hometown)
10 Mitch Brown – Brantford ON
11j Chris Jones – Picton ON
15 Mike Ferrell – London ON
15aw April Wilson – Joyceville ON
18 Josh Shantz – St. Agatha ON
21 John Burbridge – St. Williams ON
22 Shawn Sliter – Port Colborne ON
22x Allen Giletta Jr. – Port Colborne ON
25 Warren Mahoney – Lefroy ON
42w Rick Wilson – Joyceville ON
47x Dylan Westbrook – Oakland ON
51 Lee Ladouceur – Alexandria ON
57 Tyler Rand – Picton ON
66 Frank Baranowski – Mount Hope ON
71s Shawn Sliter – Port Colborne ON
98 Paul Pekkonen – Brockville ON
1-10 Jake Brown – Brantford ON

HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps – Top 3 redrew for A-Feature starting positions)
Finish. Number Name (Starting Position)

1. 47x Dylan Westbrook (2)
2. 10 Mitch Brown (3)
3. 1-10 Jake Brown (6)
4. 25 Warren Mahoney (5)
5. 21 John Burbridge (1)
6. 15 Mike Ferrell (4) DNF

HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps – Top 3 redrew for A-Feature starting positions)
Finish. Number Name (Starting Position)

1. 18 Josh Shantz (1)
2. 15aw April Wilson (3)
3. 51 Lee Ladouceur (4)
4. 71s Josh Sliter (2)
5. 66 Frank Baranowski (5)
6. 22x Allen Giletta Jr. (6)

HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps – Top 3 redrew for A-Feature starting positions)
Finish. Number Name (Starting Position)

1. 42w Rick Wilson (2)
2. 22 Shawn Sliter (1)
3. 11J Chris Jones (5)
4. 57 Tyler Rand (4)
5. 98 Paul Pekkonen (3)

FEATURE (25 laps)
Finish. Number Name (Starting Position)

1. 11J Chris Jones (4)
2. 18 Josh Shantz (6)
3. 42w Rick Wilson (8)
4. 10 Mitch Brown (7)
5. 1-10 Jake Brown (3)
6. 51 Lee Ladouceur (5)
7. 22 Shawn Sliter (1)
8. 25 Warren Mahoney (10)
9. 15aw April Wilson (2)
10. 57 Tyler Rand (12)
11. 98 Paul Pekkonen (15)
12. 21 John Burbridge (13)
13. 71s Josh Sliter (11)
14. 66 Frank Baranowski (14)
15. 47x Dylan Westbrook (9)
16. 22x Allen Giletta Jr. (17)
17. 15 Mike Ferrell (16)

A-Feature Lap Leaders – Shawn Sliter (1-4), Chris Jones (5-25)
Hard Charger – Rick Wilson (+5)

2017 SEASON FEATURE WINNERS:
Dylan Westbrook - 2 (Brighton May 20, South Buxton June 3)

UP NEXT:
Ohsweken Speedway – Friday, June 30th, 2017

About the Southern Ontario Sprints: Founded in 1996, the Southern Ontario Sprints series is a traveling winged 360 Sprint Car tour based in Ontario, Canada. 2016 marks the 21st year of operation for the Southern Ontario Sprints, brought to you this season by The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, www.ImageFactor.ca, and www.OnDirtRacingNews.com

Website: www.SouthernOntarioSprints.com
Twitter: @SOSsprints
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/SouthernOntarioSprints
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/user/SOSsprints

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