On a night where the lights went out on the late models, the factory stock points battle took centre stage at Laird International Raceway.
Heading into last night's action, Jason Praysner and David Slingsby sat deadlocked for top position in the factory stock points race with 317 points each. On Thursday, Praysner and Slingsby each won a heat race while both were sent off the track in the feature as they made a made dash for first place on the final lap of the feature race.
With Chuck Fawcett leading the pack down the back stretch on the feature's final lap, Slingsby was making a pass on the outside while Praysner made an attempt to go between them. Praysner and Slingsby collided with both cars flying off the track.
With the competition behind him, Fawcett easily crossed the finish line for his first feature win at LIR. Kevin Pace won the fast car dash for the second consecutive week with a win over Slingsby, Steve Kent and Mike Corbett.
The late model feature was cancelled after six laps due to a power outage to the light tower in corners one and two. With conditions unsafe, LIR decided to hold the feature at the start of next Thursday's program with drivers from tonight's 10-car field only eligible to compete.
Dave Archibald had a strong night with late model wins in the second heat and the fast car dash over Rob Hiiemaa, Lorne "Spanky" Robinson and Rod Bolduc Jr. Rick Ellis returned to victory lane with a win in the first heat.
Michael Gold had set a new track record in qualifying with a lap time of 14.827. But the mark was erased a short time later after Gold failed the tech inspection for a tire infraction.
The Michigan Sault's Mike Porcaro won the pure stock feature and second heat as points leader Barry Glenn was absent for the second time in the past three weeks. Cottage Park, Michigan's Ray Golladay won the first heat. Matt Huber won the stock four feature and second heat while Paul Beauchamps won the first heat.
Action continues next Thursday at LIR with qualifying at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m. The stock four powder puff races that were also scratched because of the lighting problems will also be made up.