Bernard Bags First NLSA Feature Win

Greg Cybulski, WINNIPEG, MB (June 14, 2009) - Roland Bernard made history by winning the first feature race of the new Northern Lightning Sprint Association class in a flawless performance at Red River Co-op Speedway on Saturday, June 13th. Bernard held off charges by Darren Pallen and Dave Sobczak to win the 15 lap feature. On this day, the story was about the battle for 2nd place. Both heat races were highlighted by intense racing for the runner's up positions.

In the first heat, eventual feature winner Roland Bernard ran away from the pack early with a smooth performance, while a battle for second place ensued between Tyson Hiebert and Dave Sobczak. Although Hiebert would win that particular battle, an overheating problem would prove costly to the #64 sprinter in the feature.

In the second heat, running in third place, Amber Balcaen made a spirited run for second position, chasing down the #4 of Robert Saindon and successfully executing a tight slide job on Saindon to take the spot, while heat leader Darren Pallen checked out on the field.

The NLSA feature did not disappoint as Roland Bernard and Amber Balcaen started the feature on the front row, followed by Dave Sobzcak and Eric Guyot in row 2. When the green flag waved, Bernard's #2 Lightning Sprint took the lead while Darren Pallen, starting on the third row, made a swift move to jump up and begin his chase of the race leader. The #17 of Dave Sobczak joined in the fray and a three-way battle for the lead ensued. Two yellow flags late in the race prevented Bernard from pulling away from his fellow competitors, however, after each restart, he was able to maintain his lead and capture the NLSA's first feature race. Rounding up the top five was Darren Pallen, Dave Sobczak, Eric Guyot and Amber Balcaen.

Northern Lightning Sprint Association
Red River Co-op Speedway, Winipeg, MB
Saturday, June 13, 2009

Heat 1
1. 2 Roland Bernard
2. 64 Tyson Hiebert
3. 17 Dave Sobczak
4. 28 Jeff Laurin
5. 6 Jennifer Carlson
6. 27 Jeff Unrau

Heat 2
1. 11 Darren Pallen
2. 10 Amber Balcaen
3. 4 Robert Saindon
4. 5 Eric Guyot
5. 3x Bob Charney

Feature
1. 2 Roland Bernard
2. 11 Darren Pallen
3. 17 Dave Sobczak
4. 5 Eric Guyot
5. 10 Amber Balcaen
6. 6 Jennifer Carlson
7. 3x Bob Charney
8. 4 Robert Saindon
9. 27 Jeff Unrau
10. 64 Tyson Hiebert
11. 28 Jeff Laurin

The next scheduled NLSA race is Thursday, June 25 at Red River Co-op Speedway.
Read more about the Northern Lightning Sprint Association at http://www.nlsprints.com/