Author : Jason Crowe – SSA Media
A week after finishing third in the Speedway Sedans Australia, National Junior Sedan Title, Queenslands Casey OConnell has won the Northern Territory Junior Sedan Title, defeating West Australian Blake Iwanow and National Champion Ardie Jonic.
It would be Sam Gartner and Heath Thorne who would start on the front row for the twenty five lap decider, with pair trading the lead across the first three laps.
A stoppage on lap five eliminated Ryan Harris, Luke Malcolm and Darcy Micallef, before Gartner and Thorne resumed their battle. In a desperate few laps, Thorne was shuffled back through the field, as Ardie Jonic and Casey OConnell started to make a move, moving to second and third respectively.
The race changed complexion completely after ten laps, when Sam Gartners car broke down while in the lead, which left OConnell in the lead, with Blake Iwanow second, with the pair having passed Jonic the lap previous.
Nathan and Heath Thorne were both in contention with the leading drivers, along with Braith Hogan, in another close battle.
With five laps remaining, Heath Thorne spun in turn three, with Braith Hogan deemed the cause. The stoppage bunched the field for an exciting and dramatic final few laps.
Blake Iwanow desperately tried to get OConnell off the curb, while mindful of Ardie Jonic behind him, as the three drivers fought out the finish.
OConnell was too good though, holding his nerve to take the Title, from Blake Iwanow from Western Australia, who was running third in the National Title before being crashed out, with the National Champion and defending Title holder, Ardie Jonic third.
OFFICIAL RESULT
A Main, 25 Laps: 1. Q48 Casey OConnell, 2. W24 Blake Iwanow, 3. A1 Ardie Jonic, 4. S78 Nathan Thorne, 5. S0 Heath Thorne, 6. Q11 Kurtis Peall, 7. V16 Jade Moule, 8. V53 Ben Micallef, 9. W25 Tyler Fraser, 10. V62 Kasey Garlick, 11. W108 Blake Webb, 12. Q72 Braith Hogan, 13. V76 Jye Irving, 14. NT17 Jack Yates. DNF: 15. S45 Aaron Tranter (23), 16. V81 Mitch Glynn (20), 17. V56 Sam Gartner (12), 18. N68 Ryan Harris (5), 19. W29 Luke Malcolm (5), 20. V7 Darcy Micallef (5). Time: No Time, Winning Margin: 0.271, Fastest Lap: 18.267 V81 Mitch Glynn