It’s a wrap on another legendary season at Clinton

by Matthew Lomon

Complete with sunny skies, a roaring crowd, and a riveting on-track showcase, Clinton Raceway’s season finale was picture perfect in every sense of the word.

“The end of the season always has a special feel,” longtime marketing manager Jessica Carnochan said. “It was a huge crowd, and finally, the weather cooperated.”

The quaint half-mile oval officially closed the books on another successful season of live harness racing on Sunday (Sept. 6) with a 13-race matinee that brought a fresh twist to one of the raceway’s most time-honored traditions.

“The Charity Drivers Challenge is always a fan favorite,” Carnochan said. “Changing it up to the draft format for the drivers was a fun change that I think they really liked. A new element is always good. It keeps things interesting.”

The star-studded roster of drivers competing in the 46th Annual Charity Driver’s Challenge included Travis Henry, Jody Jamieson, Paul MacKenzie, Nick Boyd, Lorne House, Brady Galliers, Natasha Day, and Jason Ryan.

“The crew of drivers we had was not only talented, but just a great group of entertainers, too,” Carnochan said. “The fact that they come and donate their fees is so special. I know all of us at Clinton, and the Royal Canadian Legions, appreciate it so much. Having it be a challenge right down to the last race was exciting as well.”

Suspense was in abundant supply throughout the eight-race series, which was not decided until the seventh race when Travis Henry piloted Harborlite Jimmie to victory in 1:59.2.

Henry, who finished in a dead heat with Austin Sorrie for first in last year’s Charity Driver’s Challenge, secured a private spot atop the podium with 61 points in his encore effort.

“It’s nice when it could be anyone’s game all through the afternoon,” Carnochan said. “And Travis winning back-to-back means he basically has to come back next year to try for the three-peat.”

A captivating Driver’s Challenge put a bow on a first-of-its kind meet for Clinton.

Earlier this year, the Southern Ontario racetrack hosted the National Driving Championship for the first time in its nearly six-decade existence.

“This wasn’t something that I had on my bingo card in 2025, so to see it happen, and happen so incredibly well, was very special for us,” Carnochan said. “Realistically, it likely won’t happen again like that.”

Future Hall of Famer Jody Jamieson grabbed the headlines at this year’s NDC, winning the event for a third time.

The lifetime winner of more than 9,100 races will represent Canada in the 2027 World Driving Championship, where he will seek to match his domestic output with a third WDC title (2001, 2011).

For Carnochan, experiencing the spectacle of the NDC at her home track as both an organizer and fan was truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

“The entire NDC weekend will live rent-free in my memories,” she said. “From the Junior NDC to the funny and informative Driver Showcase on the Saturday night, and the event on the Sunday, it was such an incredible thing to be a part of.”

The historic occasion was further amplified by the return of Clinton’s signature event, Legends Day.

The biennial showcase of the sport’s most revered figures saw Hall of Fame reinsman Steve Condren steer My Buddy Sam to a track record mile of 1:57.2 (older trotters) in the $20,000 Legends Day Invitational Trot.

With both accomplished and fresh faces in the spotlight, the exhibition served as both a time capsule and a glimpse into the future.

“Keeping the [Legends Day] tradition alive and hosting the Junior NDC on the same weekend was a great way to tie in all the generations,” Carnochan said. “I mean, we had three generations of Jamiesons [Carl, Jody, and Siara] here, each racing. If that isn’t an incredible bridge…”

In true Clinton fashion, the raceway spent its recently concluded campaign leaving an indelible mark on the community that shows up in droves each summer.

With different charitable endeavors scheduled across 14 race dates, there’s always a point of connection between the people of Clinton and their hometown track.

“I love that this program has evolved into what it is, and that we are not only able to assist these groups, but in doing so, we introduce people to the sport, who may not have otherwise attended,” Carnochan said.

“We’ve also grown our socials substantially this season, and it’s been fun to have people comment on all of the work we do.”

While far from thankless, the rigors of orchestrating a season of live racing can make its final curtain call feel both satisfying and bittersweet.

“Planning a significant event each Sunday for 14 weeks can be somewhat exhausting, so when the end arrives, I won’t lie, it’s welcome,” Carnochan said. “But when that last race goes, the final ticket is cashed and the grandstand empties for the last time, I do get a little melancholy. It’s like family that I won’t see again for nine months.”

Within that sentiment lies a reflection of the team that brings each unique race day to life.

“We work really well together,” Carnochan said. “I know that sometimes I take that for granted, but I am so lucky to be a part of such a great team. It’s small, but mighty. I like to say we are a small track, doing big-track things. And it couldn’t happen without all of them.”

Especially, the Clinton faithful.

“Thanks to all of our awesome fans, the ones who show up, are loud, and applaud, and the ones who are quiet in the background week after week,” Carnochan said.