COLDWATER, ON- Following a tremendous 2014 campaign that netted him a runner-up finish in the Barrie Speedway Thunder Car points standings in addition to the coveted Rookie of the Year title, third-generation star Jordan Latimer is preparing for his most important even of the season.
Latimer is readying himself for the 2014 edition of Barrie Speedway’s much talked about Garry Reynolds Memorial this Saturday, September 20th. The event, in honor of Latimer’s grandfather, plays host to a 100-lap Ltd. Late Model race in addition to a 60-lap Thunder Car contest.
“This is the race I’ve been looking forward to all season”, says Latimer. “I think I’m just as excited as I am nervous. My grandfather was my hero, so racing in his event is just about the closest thing I’ll ever get to a dream come true”
2014’s edition will mark Latimer’s first career appearance in Barrie Speedway’s ‘Playoff Season’ offering. The Coldwater, ON driver attempted to qualify for the 60-lap race in 2013, but a qualifying incident left Latimer on the outside looking in.
“Getting wrecked in our heat race last year felt like a punch in the stomach”, explains the well-spoken 15-year old. “I’ve thought about that day for the last year. All I want is to make it through the heat races this season. Taking the green flag in my grandpa’s race will be one of the biggest moments of my career”
“If I could put our Ridge Road Racing team on the podium this weekend, I think I would be the happiest guy on the property”
Though the event is expected to draw elite-level competition from across Ontario, Latimer knows that a hometrack advantage is likely to go a long way on Saturday night.
“Barrie Speedway has a bit of a reputation for being a tough track to figure out”, offers Latimer. “We’ve been fortunate enough to race here all season, and we’ve done a tonne of testing for this event. I think that’s going to be a difference maker when it comes time to make the little adjustments that can make or break a weekend”
“We already have a pretty good idea of the baseline setup we want to go with”, continues Latimer. “It won’t be too far off what we’ve been running the last month of the season here. Hopefully we can make a couple of tweaks that’ll bring this car to life and keep us at the front for 60-laps”
Though Latimer has a busy Playoff Season schedule ahead of him, there’s no question the significance the Garry Reynolds Memorial holds.
“I’m not sure there’s any other race in Ontario that I’d like to win as much as this one”, says Latimer with a smile. “Our whole team is counting down the hours until we can unload at Barrie. Winning this race would be right up there with a track championship in terms of importance for me”
Details for this Saturday’s Garry Reynolds Memorial can be found at www.BarrieSpeedway.com.
To learn more about Jordan, visit the JL Motorsports page on Facebook and follow Latimer on Twitter @LatimerJordan.
Jordan’s 2014 season is fueled by KICX 106 FM, The DOCK 104.1, A/C Electric, Creetures Designs of Orillia, T&C Construction & Welding, Progressive Waste Solutions, Cookstown Auto Parts, Tax$mart of Orillia, Get Jack @ Re/MAX, Krueger Electric, K&K Racing Karts,Kitchen Tire and Shepherd Trucking.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
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