Stock car driver Patrick Laperle turned in a repeat performance in the American-Canadian Tour “Summer Sizzler 200” at Kawartha Speedway in Fraserville, Ontario on Sunday, winning the event for the second consecutive year.  The Montreal racer drove from 15th starting position to the lead pack in the 36-car field, then was part of a sensational see-saw battle with fellow Quebec native Karl Allard for the victory.

Laperle took the lead from Allard on lap 190, three laps after the race’s eighth restart, then barely held off Allard and ACT Late Model Tour point leader Scott Payea, who slipped by for second place, after the final restart on lap 197.  He pocketed $5,000 for the win.

“There was no way I would have beaten Allard without that restart (on lap 187),” said Laperle in the winners’ circle.  “He was very good today, but I was able to get better track position and held him off.  My car was awesome all day and I’m glad we won again at Kawartha, I love this track.”

The American-Canadian Tour Championship Late Model stock car series returns to Ontario on Sunday for the 5th Annual Summer Sizzler 200 at Fraserville’s Kawartha Speedway.  The ACT Late Model Tour made its debut at the fast 4/10-mile oval last September.  Série ACT Castrol champion Patrick Laperle of Montréal won the race over St. Thomas, ON’s Pete Vanderwyst, American drivers Joey “Pole” Polewarczyk, current ACT point leader Scott Payea, and Randy Potter, and defending Kawartha Speedway track champion Larry Jackson of Oakville, ON.

“I love Kawartha,” says Laperle.  “It’s very fast and high-banked, just the way I think a race track should be at the level we compete at.  It’s a very good race track with great racing, I’m ready to go back this weekend… and it doesn’t hurt that I won there last year.”

Polewarczyk echoed Laperle’s thoughts.  “Kawartha is a great track, it’s very different from any other track we run on in the States,” he said.  “It would be pretty special to win there.”