HAGERSVILLE, ON- Multi-time Thunder Stock winner Lee Winger will make his first career Ohsweken Speedway Sprint Car start when MY FM 98.9 presents Opening Night on May 16th.
With an off-season of preparation now complete, Winger is ready for his first start in the CORR/PAK Merchandising Sprint Car division.
“This is something I’ve dreamt about for a long time. We waited patiently all off-season for this, but the last few days have been killing me,” laughs Winger.
“I was just want to get on track with these guys and soak up as much knowledge as I can. Ohsweken is full of so many accomplished drivers and teams, my goal for the entire season is just to keep me eyes and ears open and see how they do things,” continues the personable freshman. “We’ve been great in the Thunder Stock the last few seasons, but moving up to Sprint Car racing is like learning to walk again. We have a long way to go – but I look forward to the challenge”
“Just being on the same track as guys like Glenn Styres, Keith Dempster and Jim Huppunen is a phenomenal learning opportunity. This is a chance that not a lot of drivers get – and I intend on making the most of it”
Winger explains that the team’s hopes for the season are to start off easy, and move gradually into contention.
“We’re going to come out and just try to start our night off on a high note and qualify well,” offers the Rookie of the Year contender with a smile. “From there, we’ll just try to pick off as many cars as we can”
“My goal is pretty simple: load the car on the trailer at the end of the night in one piece. If I’m a little more comfortable than I was when we rolled off for hot laps, then that’s a huge bonus”
With just two testing sessions under his belt since a shakedown session at Merrittville Speedway’s Spring Sizzler in late-April, Winger hopes the added seat time will boost his confidence behind the wheel.
“Any driver I talk to tells me that all you need is laps in these cars. There’s no secret to figuring them out – other than going out and turning laps. Friday night is going to be our first step in doing that”
“Merrittville was the first chance I had to really bring this car up to speed – and I’ve already learned so much in practice after that. Every time I unstrap from this car, I feel like I’ve picked up something new. I can’t wait to see what we can learn at Ohsweken on Friday.”
Details, including gate times and ticket prices, for Ohsweken Speedway’s 2015 season opener can be found at www.OhswekenSpeedway.ca.
To learn more about Lee Winger, visit the all new Lee Winger Racing page on Facebook.
Winger’s 2015 efforts are made possible thanks to the support of Club 54 Tobacco, Window Werx, Oneil’s Farm & Lawn, New Generation Racing Engines, Extreme Graphics & Design and Metal Works Powder Coating.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
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