MOUNT FOREST, ON- After narrowly missing qualifying for the inaugural APC United Late Model Series event at Sunset Speedway on May 23rd, Pro Late Model veteran Shaun McWhirter is headed to Flamboro’s ‘Meineke 100’ in search of redemption and a bounce back performance.
“I don’t think it’s any secret that Sunset didn’t go the way we wanted it to,” says McWhirter matter-of-factly. “The competition on this tour is so tight – going home early is the risk that you run if you end up in the B Main. We’ve learned a lot about this car since Sunset and we’re ready to get back out there and see where we stack up”
The Mount Forest, ON veteran has spent the days since Sunset re-tooling his program, with hopes of regaining the form that once made him one of Ontario’s top Late Model competitors.
“We’ve used what happened in Round 1 as a motivator – but that’s it,” explains the veteran. “Other than that, we aren’t talking about it or dwelling on it. You can’t always be the hero. You’re going to have off nights – everyone in racing does. This sport is built to break you if you let it – and we’ve been around long enough to know you have to move past your bad nights”
For McWhirter’s Streamline Race Products team, the goal is to qualify well and conserve their equipment throughout the 100-lap event – with hopes of tallying a top-10 finish to erase any memories of their opening round frustrations.
“I can’t wait to get to Flamboro,” smiles ‘The Delaware Dancer’. “It’s been a while since I’ve turned some laps there – but we’ve had some good runs in the past”
“You have to get up on the wheel there – especially in a race like this,” continues the 2-time Autumn Colours Classic winner. “We’re placing a lot of our focus on qualifying. I think there’s a really good chance that this race is won from the first three rows – so it’s important that we come out and knock down a strong lap in time trials”
“No matter where we start, the key to a good finish at Flamboro is patience. This race is going to be full of guys pushing the pace when they don’t need to. We just have to keep ourselves in check – and try to dodge the early wrecks”
“This is the perfect opportunity to get our focus back. We’re ready to put Sunset behind us and get back into contention.”
Details for June 6th’s ‘Meineke 100’ can be found at www.FlamboroSpeedway.ca.
Shaun McWhirter’s 2015 campaign is made possible thanks to the support of BLM Transportation, Grand American Race Cars and Streamline Race Products.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
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