Anytime he climbs aboard a car for the Hills Racing team at Ohsweken Speedway, Parker Price-Miller is always one of the drivers to beat. The native of Kokomo, IN, showed his prowess yet again this past weekend at the three-eighths-mile, winning the 14^thAnnual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals for the second time in his career, pocketing $10,000 in the process.

Price-Miller started on the outside of the front row for the 35-lap race and was battling pole sitter Jonathan Preston on the opening lap, allowing Chuck Hebing to slip past both to take the lead. With just five laps on the board, the leaders began to negotiate lapped traffic, which gave Price-Miller the opening he needed to get around Hebing for the top spot.

Price-Miller continued to lead through heavy lapped traffic, with Hebing keeping pace. Hebing had a couple of chances to close in on the leader, but never was quite able to make a pass. Late in the race, Hebing suffered front end damage to his car, which led to a spin. He was able to do a 360 and continue on, keeping the green flag out.

As the laps wound down, Price-Miller continued to lead, with three-time Canadian Sprint Car Nationals winner, Steve Poirier, working his way up to second. Mark Smith finished third, with Sam Hafertepe Jr. fourth and Davie Franek in fifth.

The night began with three groups of time trials hitting the track. Dylan Westbrook was quickest in the first group, with Price-Miller fastest in the second set and Max Stambaugh fastest in the final sessions.

Six heat races were run, with the top-three finishers in each, transferring directly to the main event. Hebing, Devon Dobie, Price-Miller, Mack DeMan, Dain Naida and Jonathan Preston picked up wins in those 10-lap events. Alex Hill, Jordan Thomas and Kyle Drum won the three B-mains.

A total of 30 cars took the green flag, with 65 total cars in attendance for the event, which was up seven cars from last year.

Night before the Nationals

Mark Smith and Sam Hafertepe Jr. were both victorious during the Friday “Night Before the Nationals” race program. A pair of Twin 15 were held, with Smith taking the win in the first race over Jordan Thomas and Parker Price-Miller. 

Hafertepe took the checkered flag in the second 15-lapper over reigning Ohsweken Speedway track champion Dylan Westbrook and Chuck Hebing. Both veteran drivers started on the pole and led all 15 laps of their respective races.

By virtue of their wins, Smith and Hafertepe were locked into Saturday night’s finale and guaranteed a top-10 starting spot.

Also on Friday night, the Patriot Sprint Tour ran a makeup feature for an event which was rained out earlier this season. Chuck Hebing picked up the win in that 25-lap contest over Alex Hill and Smith.