KIRKWOOD, N.Y. — Stewart Friesen may still be a college student, but he taught the veterans a lesson in short-track success at Five Mile Point Speedway Saturday night.
The third-generation Canadian racer came from 19th and won a battle of worn and flat tires to capture the 37th annual Southern Tier 100, which brought down the curtain on the Dart Race of Champions dirt modified series, with Pat Ward clinching the overall title.
The final laps featured a battle among Friesen, Brian Weaver and Ward, all of whom pitted for a new right rear when Friesen brought out the caution with a flat on lap 80 while running second. Friesen was quickest to come back through the depleted field and inherited the lead when Ronnie Johnson drew the caution with five to go.
Weaver was strong on the restart but Friesen had enough to hold him off. Ward, who started 14th, and pitted twice, settled for third and the Dart RoC championship, while J.R. Hurlburt and Mike Colsten completed the top five.
The finish:
Stewart Friesen, Brian Weaver, Pat Ward, J.R. Hurlburt, Mike Colsten, Joey Grammes, J.R. Crouse, Jerry Higbie, Jr., Carl Nagel, Ronnie Johnson, Jim Gabriel, Jr., Eric Palmer, Ken Titus, Wade Decker, Roy Bresnehan, Bob Hamm, Jr., Jackie Brown, Jr., Jack Johnson, Alan Johnson, Mike Trautschold, Joel Batzel, Danny Creeden, Mitch Gibbs, Ryan Moyer, Glenn Knapp, Jr., Billy Van Pelt, Ted Lamb, Jr.