In the February 7th edition of Spencer Lewis’ Short Track Notebook, we update you on a group of drivers with cars on display at Toronto’s Canadian Motorsports Expo, chat with a Super Late Model standout, offer a sneak peek at an Autumn Colours Classic champion’s entry for New Smyrna’s World Series and announce the 6th and final member of the Inside Track Young Guns panel.
2014 Sunset Speedway Ltd. Late Model Rookie of the Year contender Paul Maltese will have his new ride on display at this weekend’s Canadian Motorsports Expo. The Alcona Beach, ON driver – a former Sunset Super Stock division champion – will compete fulltime at Sunset, alongside 30-time champion Stompin’ Tom Walters, 2-time Autumn Colours Classic winner Dwayne Baker, 5-time 2013 feature winner Jason Witty and rising star Thayne Hallyburton. Maltese’s Jamie Sutton-led effort will carry sponsorship from Presto Appliance Repair, Ontario Steel Sales, Curbex Signs, South Simcoe Police, M.A.D.D, Crime Stoppers, Wix, Gunk, NGK Spark Plugs, Permatex and TSS Top Shops. Fans can follow Maltese on Twitter @PaulMaltese28, and be sure to stop by the Canadian Motorsports Expo to see Maltese’s new ride up close.
Here’s our first look at sophomore Modified competitor Branden Bullen’s ride for the 2014 season. The immaculately prepared, Knightswork Designs wrapped car will be on display all weekend long at the Canadian Motorsports Expo in Toronto. The third-generation pilot will compete with the OSCAAR Modified Tour this season, with support from Insured Renos. The former Mini Stock regular will look to follow up on an impressive freshman campaign, that saw the Bond Head, ON driver earn 3 top-5s and 10 top-10s in 11 starts, en route to the 2013 Rookie of the Year title. Father Phil Bullen, a former OSCAAR Super Late Model front-runner in his own right, will return to Crew Chief his son’s efforts in 2014.
Recently, Super Late Model standout Andrew Gresel (above, by Thompson Photography) took the time to chat with us about his phenomenal 2013 Rookie campaign, his brand new Hamke by Macdonald chassis, his multiple wins on tour and the support of his family-run team. Gresel will be on stage this weekend at the Canadian Motorsports Expo, as part of Spencer Lewis’ Power Rankings presentation as well as the Inside Track Night of Champions awards. Click here for the video interview, and be sure to follow Andrew on Twitter @SaubleFalls81.
2013 Hurricane Midgets champion Robin McLean passed along this photo of his new-look ride for the 2014 season, as he prepared his display for this weekend’s Canadian Motorsports Expo. The Cookstown, ON driver will return to the Hurricane Midgets tour fulltime in 2014 to defend his title, in addition to competing in a select number of Ontario Pro Challenge Series races across the province. Fans can check out McLean’s Stryker chassis this weekend at the expo, and can follow the reigning champion on Twitter @Robin0097.
‘The Bully’ Dwayne Baker has released photos of his brand new Port City-built Super Late Model, that he will compete with at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway as part of the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing. The two-time Autumn Colours Classic champion will compete in all 7 nights of competition for the first time in a Super Late Model, with support from Zancor Homes, G.D. Coates Suzuki, Knightworks Designs, Clearview Heating, and Baker Performance Parts. The Knightworks Designs-wrapped machine – formerly campaigned by 3-time CRA Super Series champion Johnny Van Doorn– will compete in a talent-laden Super Late Model division that already boasts entries from former All American 400 winner Ross Kenseth, 2013 Dakota Dunes champion Denver Foran, 2-time OSCAAR tour titlist Brandon Watson, K&N East Series regular Cameron Hayley and former NASCAR Nationwide Series regular Steven Wallace.
Heading into the Canadian Motorsports Expo, few on-stage acts have generated as much buzz as the third-annual Inside Track Young Guns panel. The roundtable discussion highlights some of the top young talent in the province, in the past featuring Ontario standouts like 2013 Sunset Speedway Ltd. Late Model champion Mike Bentley, 2013 Great Canadian 200 winner Matt Pritiko and multi-time Barrie Speedway Thunder Car winner Travis Hallyburton.
This year, we’ve already announced a panel featuring Open Wheel Modified standout Shane Stickel, 2013 TQ Can-Am Midget champion Mack Deman, Delaware Speedway hotshoe Trevor Collver, 2012 Flamboro Speedway Late Model Rookie of the Year Dale Shaw and 11-time 2013 Mini Stock feature winner Billy Schwartzenburg.
These 5 rising stars will be joined on stage by Sunset Speedway Ltd. Late Model star Billy ‘Z3’ Zardo (above, by Thompson Photography). The third-generation competitor is coming off of a breakout season at the Innisfil, ON oval, earning his first 2 career wins racing against some of the province’s elite talent. Billy is the second member of the Zardo Racing team to join the Young Guns panel, after younger brother Lane took part in the inaugural group in 2012.
Follow Spencer Lewis on Twitter @itsspencerlewis
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