RANSOMVILLE — Auto Racing is a sport that demands 100 percent concentration from its participants at all times. A momentary loss of focus could turn a shiny new race car into a twisted heap of metal in less than a fraction of second. Newfane’s Scott Kerwin, driver of the Flexcare Dirt Modified on Friday nights at Ransomville Speedway, has been putting his concentration and focus to the test the past couple of weeks as he comes to grips with passing of his father, Robert Kerwin. just a short time ago.

“I started racing back in 1992 and my dad was always there to help and support me,” Kerwin said as he relaxed after a tough night of racing Friday. “He used to race here, too, you know. He drove a No. 7 with a pair of dice on it.”

So, it was no surprise that when Scott began his racing career he choose seven as his number.

A lot of fans were surprised when the popular chauffer returned to the track without missing any time.

“I know for sure he would have wanted me at the track racing. He just loved racing,” the Newfane native said. “This is a family sport, you know. Not only was my dad here every Friday, but my wife and kids are here, and my Mom.

“I stop by the cemetery and visit his grave before I come here on Fridays just to talk to him and make sure he’s going to be watching. Which I know he will.”

It’s common for fans to wave to their favorite drivers during warm-up laps and for the drivers to wave back. Scott is no different.

“Every week, my dad and family sit in the same spot in the stands. I used to look for him and made sure I waved. Even though he’s gone I continue to wave to him.”

Robert Kerwin was not only a fan of his son’s racing, but a big supporter of racing at Ransomville Speedway. He’ll always be remembered by the racing community and will be sorely missed.

In racing action Friday night at Ransomville in the Mighty Taco Modifieds, Burt’s Jon Miller looked unbeatable in the 35-lap feature, but a few late race cautions erased Miller’s comfortable lead and brought 2008 defending track champion Pete Bicknell to his bumper.

Bicknell, in a car that was only one race old, didn’t waste the opportunity given by the yellow flag and moved by Miller for the lead as the race entered its closing stages. The St. Catharines native then pulled away from the rest of the field to pick up his first checkered of the 2009 season at the Big R.

Lockport’s Robbie Krull, who put in some extra hours at the garage this week after a heavy contact with Ransomville’s turn one wall the week prior, was able to pass Miller as well to grab second place. Miller was also caught by Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Stewart Friesen, who crossed the line in third.

“This car worked great tonight,” Bicknell exclaimed as his car was going through post race technical inspection. “It’s the same car we raced and won with at Merrittville Speedway last Saturday, and we got a win here tonight with it. I couldn’t be happier with it.”

The complete Modified finish was — Pete Bicknell, Robbie Krull, Stewart Friesen, Jon Miller, Randy Chrysler, James Michael Friesen, Travis Braun, Erick Rudolph, Todd Burley, Mat Williamson, Sam Crogan, Rick Hoctor, Bob Broomfield, Joe Kubiniec, Ricky Richner, Tommy Flannigan, Justin Sharp, Boyd MacTavish, Rich Vinson, Bobby Davidson, Chad Brachmann, Jeff McGinnis, Scott Kerwin, Todd Gordon, Jeff Jepson, and Dave Just.

n In Sportsman action Friday, Ransomville’s Chris Purgarich was having the best race of his young racing career as he looked right at home leading the early going of the 25-lap feature. An early race crash saw hot shoes Ryan Susice of Ransomville and Don Spatarico suffer damage to both their cars. Ransomville’s Spatarico was able to continue, while Susice went pitside for repairs. Spatarico took full advantage of Susice’s misfortune and charged through the field, quickly overtaking Purgarich for the lead. Once in front, Spatarico easily outdistanced himself from the rest of the field and took home the win. Susice rebounded from his early race issue to claim a hard earned fourth-place finish.

The complete finishing order for the Sportsman was — Don Spatarico, Justin Wright, Mark Chiddy, Ryan Susice, Jesse Cotriss, Mike Williams, Stephen Miller, Steven Schumacher, John Smith, Tony Purgarich, Scott Just, Sandy Pembleton, Brett Martin, Chris Purgarich, Rick Newton, Gordon Hermanson, John Panattoni, Nathan Reynolds, Allan Wills, Derek Smith, and Jipp Ortiz.

n The Street Stocks continue to be one of the most competitive classes on the speedway. To date, there have been 11 different races held and there have been 11 different winners. Friday night saw Ransomville’s Kenny Washburn pick up his first checkers of the season as did Wilsons Jaren Israel.

The first 15-lap feature for the Street Stocks ended like this — Jaren Israel, Roger Israel, Chris Dowling, Donald Rappleyea, Ricky Washburn, Stuart Kumm, Charles Harvey, Randy Zimmerman, Patrick Burek, Chris Burek, John Carlson, Chad Livermore, Brandon Poole, Bob Urtel, and Dave Conant Jr.

The second 15-lap feature the Street Stocks saw them finish in this order — Kenny Washburn, Billy Coleman, Mike Greenawalt, Scott Krull, Webb Nashwinter, Derrick Borkenhagen, Tim Hall, Jon Richael, Pat Dell, Dustin Gorhan, Tim Kott, Mike Childrose, and Gerald Poole III.

Contact racing columnist Michael Bonesky at scoreboard@gnnewspaper.com