2012-09-04

Mark Watson Wins Great Canadian Race Keystone Light 200

September 2, 2012

 

Delaware, ON – On a sunny Sunday afternoon, the FT Garage Late Models hit the track for the Keystone Light 200, with a cash prize of $10,000 at stake.  “Downtown” Mark Watson (#3) of St. Thomas won the event and by doing so drove his way into Delaware Speedway history.  The event had nine lead changes among three different drivers.

 

The first 100 laps, which counted for Delaware Championship Chase points, were led by Mark Watson (#3) of St. Thomas. Watson took the lead in lap eight from Brandon Watson (#9) of Stayner, but then lost it to Matt Pritiko (#21) of London in lap fourteen. Watson regained the lead in lap eighty-three from Pritiko, who fell into third place by the end of the first half. Jamie Cox (#22) of Dorchester held the second position.  There were five cautions in the first half for minor incidents.

 

When the green flag dropped on the second half following the competition yellow Mark Watson was the driver to beat out front but had the lead snatched away by Matt Pritiko (#21).  Pritiko set to work dominating the field leading lap 107-165.  Watson briefly retook the lead on lap 166 on a restart but lost it again a lap later.  Watson would retake the lead for the final time from Pritiko on lap 174 of 200. Jon Urlin (#44) of London finished second in the race, his teammate Matt Pritiko (#21) of London finished third.  The second half of the event had five cautions.

 

“Matt [Pritiko] had a great race car, but I was waiting until about thirty to go,” explained Watson in victory lane.  “At about lap 150 with the green flag run I started to get worried.  We’ve had three big wins at specials in Ontario this year and it doesn’t get better than that!”

 

Overall the day was a total domination run for Watson who also won the group time trials earlier in the day clocking a 18.963 second lap time.  The win solidifies Watson’s position as points leader of the FT Garage Late Models.  Watson, who is sponsored by Ron O’Brien Remax, also won a feature race in June in regular competition.  The driver made headlines earlier in the week participating in a Delaware Speedway event in downtown London which culminated in the St. Thomas driver performing a series of skillful donuts at the intersection of York and Wellington.

 

Racing resumes on Friday, September 14 with FT Garage Late Models, Coca-Cola Super Stocks, Demar Aggregates Trucks and the King of the Hill Spectator's Race. This date has been added to the racing calendar as a rain out make up date.

 

Delaware Speedway would like to extend a special thank-you to fans and drivers for making the Great Canadian Race Weekend an amazing success.

 

Unofficial Finish Keystone Light 200

September 2, 2012 – Time Trial Winner Mark Watson (18.963 Seconds)

200 Laps (9 Lead among 4 drivers)

 

Pos   #     Name        Hometown    Margin (Seconds)

1     3     Mark Watson       St. Thomas  0

2     21    Matt Pritiko      London            1.659

3     44    Jon Urlin   London            2.369

4     72    Shawn Thompson Parkhill 4.037

5     9     Brandon Watson Stayner  5.925

6     38H   Kirk Hooker       Chatham     6.741

7     27    Matt Box    Mississauga 7.565

8     22    Jamie Cox   Dorchester  7.769

9     37    David Elliot      Waterdown   9.301

10    24    Stephen Richmond London 10.197

11    25    Cole Powell       Mt. Brydges 11.432

12    81    Andrew Gresel     Hepworth    13.329

13    8     Marc Jacobs       London            13.782

14    96    Dan Prudhomme Ingersoll 19.968

15    77    Jeremy Reid       Kerwood     1 Lap

16    69    Lloyd Rawlings Windsor  4 Laps

17    5     Jay Christie      Beachville  5 Laps

18    99    Justin DeMelo     London            7 Laps

19    100   Doug Stewart      London            12 Laps

DNF   10    Jesse Kennedy     Oneida            34 Laps

DNF   38    Tyler Hendricks Pain Court    35 Laps

DNF   33    Jeff Lancaster    Hamilton    65 Laps

DNF   15    Steven Matthews New Liskeard  89 Laps

DNF   43    Jay Doerr   London            95 Laps

DNF   11    Terry Jacques     Mt. Brydges 199 Laps

 

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