Waterfield Wins Sportsman Series Finale and Championship

story and photos by Ken MacIsaac

Veteran Maritime motorsports photographer Ken MacIsaac was at Cape Breton Miners Memorial Speedway (CBMMS) in Sydney (NS) this past Sunday for the season finale. Several divisions had feature wins and championships on the line. Ken’s recap and photo gallery for the Napa Sportsman Series follows…

After a day of heavy showers on Saturday, mild temps, sunny skies, and a steady breeze greeted fans and competitors at CBMMS on Sunday. The twice postponed season finale for both the local street stocks and four cylinders as well as the Napa Sportsman Series kicked off the race card at 1 PM with heat races for all divisions. Ten sportsman cars took the green in their lone heat, with Dan Delorey and Joey Rudderham bringing the field to green. Delorey edged out in front for several laps before John Biron got out of shape in the backstretch and spun entering turn three to bring out the first caution. On the restart, Delorey, Shawn Waterfield, and Darren Price staged a great battle before Brian MacLeod spun his #19 car exiting turn four. On the restart, Waterfield used the outside lane to get by leader Delorey and cruised to victory in the heat. Ross Lewis fought his way to the front to finish second. Darren Price, Lynden MacDougall, and Jeffrey Breen rounded out the top five.

The Cape Breton Trailer Sales 75 lap feature was up next with heat winner Waterfield pacing the field to green. A great battle for second took place between outside pole sitter Ross Lewis and Darren Price. While Waterfield checked out, Lewis continued to run the outside as Price continued to fight for second on the inside. Antigonish’s Jefferey Breen in his #22 machine closed up into fourth. Lynden MacDougall caught the pack and the foursome ran tight for several laps. Robbie Reid coasted to the infield in turn four at the same time MacDougall got loose on the front stretch nearly collecting Breen. No caution was waved and the race continued with Waterfield in a comfortable lead. The first caution occurred a few laps later when Brian MacLeod stalled on the front stretch. On the restart, Waterfield led Lewis, Price and John Biron to the green. Waterfield jumped in front, while Price continued to work the inside of Lewis for second. A few laps later, Price would spin entering turn one. Joey Rudderham would also spin bringing out the second caution. The restart had Waterfield, Lewis, Biron and Lynden MacDougall coming to the green. The top three put some distance on MacDougall as he fought Daniel Delorey, Brian MacLeod, and Breen for position. Darren Price who restarted at the rear after the last caution continued to fight through the field. Meanwhile, Waterfield had pulled away from second place Biron, who was distancing himself from Lewis in third. A few laps later, MacDougall and Brian MacLeod made contact in turn four, with MacLeod spinning to the infield, collecting Breen.

MacLeod would retire from the race with a broken ball joint while Breen would continue. On the restart, Waterfield would have his toughest challenge all day with John Biron. The 57 car would try Waterfield several times coming off turn 2, but the 23 would eventually pull away. The final caution of the day would occur a few laps later when Jefferey Breen got into Joey Rudderham in turn 4. Rudderham spun to the soggy infield and need a push to get out. The restart had Biron try once again to pass Waterfield, but the 23 was too strong. Shawn would cruise to victory in the 75 lapper and also win the Napa Sportsman Series championship.

“The pieces finally fell into place for us with this championship. We worked so hard all year and it paid off” said Waterfield. “You try not to think about the points going into the last day, but it’s hard not to. Ronnie kept saying on the radio ‘treat it like a regular race day and let’s go for the win.”

This is Shawn Waterfield’s first points championship.

John Biron had a very strong race finishing second.

“The car was pretty good right off the trailer we thought,” said Biron. “We knew we had a car to contend with when we got up to Shawn. I think I just used up my tires at the end and couldn’t catch him.”

Lynden MacDougal fought late in the race with Ross Lewis and took home third.

Street Stock, Mini Stock and Demolition Derby recap and photos coming up later in the week.