Mackintosh Return Tops Canadian Results at Hickory

Photo by McCarthy Photographic

While most eyes in Atlantic Canada were firmly affixed to Cole Butcher and Nicholas Naugle in the Easter Bunny 150 for the Pro All Stars Series, the Canadian with the best finish across the board Saturday at Hickory Motor Speedway was not in the Super Late Model show.

Ryan Mackintosh, who hails from Amherst, Nova Scotia but now calls North Carolina his home, made his return to Legend car racing and the Chris Woods Racing and Repair team a successful one. Mackintosh, the 2013 INEX Semi Pro Legends champion, finished third in the feature and won his heat race at Hickory on Saturday. He finished behind winner Michael Womack and runner-up Zack Miller.

Braden Langille led laps in the Legends feature at Hickory but did not finish the race due to what appeared to be a mechanical issue with his car in the second half. Langille was second at Anderson Motor Speedway (SC) on Friday night after Austin Teras of Maine passed him on the last corner to pocket the win.

In the Easter Bunny 150 it was Cole Butcher qualifying fourth and starting eighth after the re-draw. Butcher ran in the top ten all night long and made some impressive passes on the high side of the track before settling for fifth after a restart with just three laps to go.

Nicholas Naugle had driveshaft issues during the day and was forced to start the Last Chance Race after not posting a time in qualifying. Naugle drove through the field in the event, finishing a strong second to Trevor Sanborn. Naugle worked his way towards the front in the feature after starting 22nd, crossing the stripe ninth after 150-laps.

Raphael Lessard appeared to have finished third in the event, but upon his spotter entering the tower following the race, his run would be disqualified. It moved Butcher to fourth and Naugle to eight in the running order. British Columbia’s Sarah Cornett-Ching was 31st.

The Easter Bunny 150 was won by Preston Peltier in a close finish with Turner, Maine’s Ben Rowe. Matt Craig was third.

Nathan Blackburn raced on Saturday at the 1/5-mile at Charlotte during their Spring Series but full results were unavailable as of press time. Cameron Bolin, who has a TCM sticker on his Bandolero, collected the feature win.

Many drivers will be heading south of the border in one week for the Pro All Stars Series North opener at Oxford Plains Speedway on Saturday, April 22nd. Included in those expected to run the 150-lap event for the Super Late Models that ran the event in 2016 include Cole Butcher, Dylan Gosbee and Greg Fahey. A PASS entry list was unavailable at the time of publication.