Fast runs and photo finishes kick off Laird race season

Thursday's opening night was one to remember for year 25 at Laird International Raceway.

It included a track record, a photo finish, and a packed crowd at the 1/3 mile oval east of the Sault.

The night opened as Shanna Harten of the Sault set a new track record in the Four Cylinders Division, circling the 1/3 mile asphalt oval in a time of 17.398.

Chase Wilson set the mark to beat in the Super Late Model Division with a qualifying time of 14.288 while JP Delpaggio led the Modified Division at 15.352 and Owen Brown topped the Factory Stock Division with a time of 16.063.

Results from the features and heats in Thursday's opener included:

Factory Stock Division

Feature: 1. Owen Brown; 2. Brad Bibeau; 3 Rick Ellis; 4. Daniel Bibeau; 5. Dale Tucker; 6. Jamie Fox; 7. Rob Wagner; 8. Ed Lapish; 9. Xavier Carter; 10. Andrew Givens

Daniel Bibeau won both heat races

Four Cylinder Division

Feature: 1. Shanna Harten; 2. Tyler Praysner; 3. Christopher Viotto; 4. Shaun Desjardins; 5. Brent Fewchuk; 6. Dyllen Sherrard; 7. Kayla Tucker; 8. Ryder Byrnes; 9. Wayne Devon; 10. Jack Lannigan; 11. Gianni Viotto

Heat 1 Winner: Gianni Viotto
Heat 2 Winner: Tyler Praysner

Super Late Model Division

Feature: 1. Chase Wilson; 2. Dustin Jackson; 3. Jay Palumbo; 4. John Ross; 5. Jordan Parniak; 6. Cody MacLean; 7. Kaden Cudlak; 8. Mike Hearty; 9. Jacob Heimonen; 10. Jeremy Van Hoek; 11. Jordan Sims

Heat 1 Winner: Jacob Heimonen

Modified Division

Feature: 1. Jerry Ross; 2. Jason Herrington; 3. JP Delpaggio; 4. Matt Lewis; 5. Terrence Devon; DNS: Mark Laakso and Chris Miller

Jason Herrington won both heat races

Dylan Connolly capped off the night by winning the Enduro Feature event while Taryn McCoy was tops in the ladies ‘Powder Puff’ school bus race during the intermission and Chuck Siddall won the Lawn Mower main event.

Action returns to Laird Raceway on July 4 with time trials are set for 6 p.m. and the green flag dropping at 7:15 p.m.