July 26, 2013- The OSCAAR Super Late Model tour returns to Sunset International Speedway for its fourth race this season on Saturday night to close out the first half of the 2013 campaign. The sixth event of the 12 race tour comes following last week’s postponement at Flamboro Speedway due to a Hydro problem in the area surrounding the track.
To avoid cancellations on consecutive weekends, series and track officials have already secured Sunday as the event’s rain date in the case of inclement weather on Saturday.
With two-thirds of the first half coming at Sunset, the top drivers in the championship standings have all run well at the Innisfil, Ont. oval.
Derrick Tiemersma (No.7) currently sits second in the championship standings and has yet to finish outside the top-five. The Newmarket, Ont. driver has been a model for consistency with three podium finishes so far this year, including a third place finish at Sunset to open the season. Tiemersma is adamant he is more interested in winning races then running for points, so look for him to be aggressive in getting to the front this weekend.
Brandon Watson (No.9) sits atop the championship standings with three wins so far this season, two of which have come at Sunset. Watson always runs well at his former home track and is determined to finish well in front of friends and family. The Stayner, Ont. driver’s consistent nature led him to a championship last year and, should his good fortunes continue this weekend, he appears to be in good position to challenge for two in a row.
Top rookie driver Kevin Cornelius (No.17) has exceled at his former home track as well in three starts. Cornelius’ comfort level at Sunset has allowed him to make a smooth transition to his McColl-built Super Late Model. The Shelburne, Ont.-based pilot is on a string of three consecutive second-place finishes and would love s with a snap the streak with his first career OSCAAR win.
Despite being forced to start the season in his template Late Model, Andrew Gresel (No.81) has rebounded with impressive showings in each of his four starts since. His last start resulted in a win at his old stomping grounds – Sauble Speedway. Gresel has one top-five finish at Sunset this season – on night one of the Don Biederman Memorial – and is eager to finish on the podium two weeks in a row. Sitting just one point back of Cornelius for the rookie points lead, Gresel will be targeting the No.17 all weekend long.
Dwayne Baker (No.48) has been a force at Sunset so far this season with OSCAAR. Having competed exclusively at Sunset, Baker dominated the field for two nights to win the 2013 edition of the Biederman Memorial. If Baker can replicate his night one performance, it will be difficult to keep him out of Knightworks victory lane for a second time this season.
Glenn Watson (No.22) has had his fair share of bad luck this season which the Barrie, Ont. driver hopes to turn around this weekend. Glenn’s last trip to Sunset resulted in a wrecked rear-end, but his most recent outing at Sauble yielded a top-five finish. The ‘Red Rocket’, however, is hoping to end his 17-race winless streak and close the 50-point gap between him and nephew Brandon.
Rookie contender Sean Cronan (No.8) has made big gains this season. Cronan hopes to recreate the performance which earned him the hard charger award at the Biederman Memorial. Cornan fought his SuperCuts/Top Shelf Chevrolet last week in his first trip to Sauble, but should be able to rebound in a return to his former home track.
It’s hard to count out the ever-improving Shane Gowan (No.39) from the list of contenders. Gowan, who has made a pair of starts this season, continues to better his Lucas Oil machine each week he unloads. Gowan suffered a DNF at Sauble, so a good finish is certainly at the top of the Waterford, Ont. driver’s ‘to do’ list this weekend.
Jesse Kennedy (No.10) and Jeff Hanley (No.70) are also expected to return to the tour this weekend. Both drivers have made two starts this season. Kennedy has not competed since the series invaded Barrie Speedway on June 15, and has been without his primary chassis since experiencing motor problems on opening night. Hanley competed at the Biederman Memorial last month, where he finished 12th and fifth on consecutive nights.
Mike Beyore (No.54) is expected to return to the tour on Saturday as well after hitting the inside wall on June 29 at Sunset. The incident forced him to miss the next two races.
Racing gets underway Saturday night at 6:45pm, with spectator gates opening at approximately 5:00pm. Fans will be able to partake in a 30 minute on-track autograph session with drivers beginning at 5:50pm. Pit gates open at 1:30pm for competitors.
By Clayton Johns (@cjohnsmedia)
The OSCAAR Super Late Model tour is presented by a number of dedicated sponsors throughout Ontario, including: Knightworks Design, Hoosier Racing Tire, Klotz Synthetics Canada, Race2way.ca, Dave Franks Photos, Dickson Printing, Finishline Fabrication, McColl Racing Enterprises, McGunegill Engine Performance, Stefko Racing Engines, VP Racing Fuels, OntarioOval.com, RaceTime Radio, Inside Track Motorsport News, Jenco Equipment, Midas of Orangeville, Reinhart Trailer Sales, North Toronto Auctions, and South Shore Services.
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