Date Posted:  June 27, 2010

Bailey Out Runs the Boys

After a foul spin in qualifying that cost her a top three finish, Erinn Bailey entered the Thunder Car main event at Flamboro Speedway with a determined drive and take-no-prisoners attitude that we haven't seen from this driver in a long while.  The young lady racer from Paris who only a couple seasons ago was nicknamed 'Teen Queen' when she ran to her first feature victory in the St. George OK Tire #02 while still a student of Paris Highschool, started on the outside of the front row of the 25 lap feature race.

A side by side fight in the early laps, Bailey soon made good on a pass around Jeff Bean's Krown Maintenance #37 to take lead of the ultra-competitive Thunder Car field.  Fans cheers filled Hamilton's asphalt arena as she continued to put distance on the competition, pushing her Regional Tractor Sales #02 further out in front.

In Bailey's wake, Jeff Bean slowly fell backward through the traffic giving up second place to the Grisdale #79 driven by John 'SpiderMan' Harper.  Harper's defensive skills would slow challengers from gaining on the leader, and stack up the racing back to about seventh position.

From a sixth starting position, the elder brother of 'Team Z' Billy Zardo navigated his Holmes on Homes #48 around a few obstacles until he could get Harper in his sights.  Behind him the top two point earning cars of the early season - the Ray's Towing #10 of Dennis Cybalski and the three-time division champion Mac Tools #72 of Randy 'the Rocket Rusnell' - were also climbing the racing ranks to crack into the top five.

In a thick pack of competitive cars, positions inside the top ten were furiously fought over.  Last week's race winner Dave Silverthorn Jr. was finding this week a little tougher when surrounded by the top drivers of the division, and in the end was shut out of a top five finish.

In the final five laps, with trouble brewing in mid-pack, fans of the Aussie's Trailer Repair #02 held their breath and silently prayed that the race could finish cleanly.  Erinn Bailey had built a four car-length advantage over the pursuing John Harper, and a single caution flag would steal away her safety space.  Gripping the wheel tightly in the final turns, Bailey would check the mirror one last time before racing to victory under the waving checkered flag.  Behind her finished Harper, Zardo, Cybalski and Rusnell.

In victory lane the bright smile shone out for all in the grandstand, as Erinn waved in thanks and spoke with the TVCOGECO camera crew.  In her interview said Bailey, "I've got to thank my Dad for all his work and to all our great sponsors for their help.  That was a lot of pressure tonight to see those guys racing like they were.  We were fast and lucky to get a good starting spot up front."  When asked if she would be back in the winner's circle again this season, smiled Bailey "I'll try."

Thunder Car racing continues every Saturday night, all summer long, at Hamilton's asphalt arena - Flamboro Speedway!