Speelman Claims International AEmods Victory

jdearing

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South Buxton, ON (Friday, June 14, 2019) - For the first time ever, the American Ethanol Modified Tour Presented by Allstar Performance (AEmods) went international to take on Southern Ontario Motor Speedway in South Buxton, Ontario. Sunny skies and windy conditions welcomed fans and drivers alike for the historic non-points paying event.



The night began as always with American Ethanol Qualifying and the chance for one driver to be the Motul Motor Oil and Lubricants Fast Qualifier. Chatham, Ontario’s Phil Vilaranda led the way in group number one, posting a 17.172 second lap time ahead of Mario Toniolo and Drew Smith. Group two saw Justin Mills top the board, going 17.093 over Clayton Smith’s 17.336 and Joel Dick’s 17.353. Thanks to his run, Justin Mills was declared the Motul Motor Oil and Lubricants Fast Qualifier.



In heat race action, Allstar Performance Heat Race Number One saw Drew Smith fend off charges from Jimmie Dale, Jr, and Brian Speelman enroute to the win. Lane Automotive Heat Race Number Two put Joel Dick in the win column in front of a hard charging Daryll Hoekstra and Brad McLeod. The top three from each heat race would go to the redraw, and everyone made the show.



Thirty laps was the scheduled distance for the main event Friday night. Persistent rains on Thursday gave the track plenty of moisture to work with, but it also gave the racing surface plenty of character. Drivers battled each other and the race track in hopes of becoming the first ever winner of an AEmods event in Canada. McLeod and Hoekstra lead the field to the American Ethanol Green Flag. McLeod led for two laps before Dick powered his way to the front. Hoekstra quickly found issues in turns three and four, falling through the field before spinning and bringing out the first caution flag of the night.

On the ensuing restart, drivers all looked for the advantage as Dick pulled away to the lead, Speelman, Drew Smith, and Mills went three wide for the second spot. Speelman had found something on the bottom of the race track, and was rolling on his way to the top of the board, getting around Dick just two laps after the restart. Two more minor cautions would wave for debris and a slowing Clayton Smith before Speelman punched his ticket to YellowHose.com Victory Lane. Not only did Speelman win the race, but he and nine other competitor guaranteed themselves a starting spot in Saturday’s events.



On Saturday, the AEmods return for a points paying, $1,500(US) to win affair that will see the top 10 from Friday night’s feature, automatically locked in to the main event. The American Ethanol Green Flag flies at 7:30 p.m., Saturday for night two from Southern Ontario Motor Speedway.



Find more from the American Ethanol Modified Tour Presented by Allstar performance, online at aemods.com. Find and follow the Tour on social media, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.





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Zach Hiser
 




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