OHSWEKEN, ON – The ‘Greatest Show on Dirt’ certainly lived up to its billing on May 14 & 15 at Ohsweken Speedway. Those who waited for the better part of a decade for the World of Outlaws to return to the track were not disappointed. And from my own Canadian Connection perspective, the Glenn Styres family facility is truly amazing. And just like the racing itself, the venue continues to get better and better with every visit!
The place was packed with cars and fans, and it was fun to catch up with several of my best racing friends, including Jim Bray, Bob Sumak, Pete Turford, Ken Stewart, Todd Lewis and Rick Bye. Touring the pits, my interactions with the many drivers, crew chiefs and car owners were friendly, interesting and technically intriguing.
Turning to the on-track action, the famous four-wide, pre-green flag salute laps by the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars are a truly impressive sight. And they were followed by 30 and 35 laps, respectively, of full throttle ‘slide jobs’ that put your heart in your throat the whole time.
On the Wednesday night, the top eight at the end of 30 laps were: David Gravel, Sheldon Haudenschild, Carson Macedo, Bill Balog, Jordan Thomas, Donny Schatz, Michael Kofoid and Giovanni Scelzi. They truly are today’s modern Outlaws.
A highlight of the Wednesday show was track owner, good guy and Canadian racing supporter Glenn Styres winning the Late Model feature. It was the proverbial icing on the cake to see him in Victory Lane at his own track.
And on Thursday night (May 15), Gravel backed up his win the night before with another WoO Sprint Car victory after coming from deeper in the field in the 35-lap Feature. The reigning series champ started fifth and ended the first lap in sixth before jumping several spots during a restart.
Gravel got by Canadian star Dylan Westbrook to take second before hunting down race leader Conner Morrell, who he passed on Lap 27.
At the checkered flag, the top 15 were: David Gravel, Conner Morrell, Dylan Westbrook, Sheldon Haudenschild, Chris Windom, Jordan Poirier, Garet Williamson, Zach Hampton, Michael Kofoid, Donny Schatz, Stewart Friesen, Cory Turner, Logan Schuchart, Carson Macedo, Cole Macedo, Bill Balog and Hunter Schuerenberg.
Below is a gallery of images from Thursday, May 15 at Ohsweken by journalist Ashley McCubbin.
