WATERLOO, ON- Third-generation racer Jake Watson will close out an up-and-down 2015 campaign this Saturday, when Sunset Speedway plays host to its final NASCAR Whelen All-American Series event of the season. ‘The Derringer’ will line up alongside some of Ontario’s top Mini Stock contenders, with the hopes of returning to his spot inside the top-10 at the end of the 35-lap feature event.
“Being able to say that we’re back to being a top-10 car is huge for us,” remarks Watson when asked of his recent return to contention after weeks of mechanical troubles and on-track incidents.
“It’s something that we put a lot of effort into becoming – and it was a tough pill to swallow when we had that status taken from us for a month or so”
Watson’s family-run outfit – led by father Wade and mother Wendy – have worked long hours to turn their season around, after four straight weeks of sub top-10 finishes through late-July and early-August.
“It felt like we were in a tailspin that we just couldn’t pull out of,” offers the teenager. “It didn’t seem to matter how hard we worked on the car or how many hours we put in, things just weren’t going right. We had no luck at all. So, now that we’re through that, I don’t even want to consider taking a step backwards”
In his most recent Sunset appearances, Jake tallied 9th and 8th place finishes in a weekend doubleshot that included a 50-lap invitational that pitted Jake against some of the best talent in the region.
“Last weekend was big for us – the car felt awesome both nights. It feels like we’re back moving in the right direction again,” says Watson.
“We’re not chasing gremlins anymore, we’re actually able to make adjustments throughout the day that bring the car closer to where we need it. If our car is as good this Saturday as it was last weekend, there’s no doubt we’ll be back running in the top-10”
On the eve of his final 35-lap feature event of the regular Sunset Speedway season, Watson explains that an impressive finish on Saturday night could very well set the tone for the team’s off-season.
“I just want to finish the season strong. If we can go out on a high note, it’s definitely going to make things a lot easier this Winter,” notes the soft-spoken rising star.
“If you limp out of a race season, you carry that negative energy with you until you get back on track in the Spring,” continues Watson. “We absolutely want to stay as far away from that as we can. We just need to keep doing our thing – and good things will happen.”
Jake Watson’s 2015 season is made possible thanks to Spira Fire Protection, Race2way.ca, Hype Energy Drink, London Recreational Racing, GUNK, Wix Filters, The Landing Strip of Toronto, Academy Construction, TSS Top Shops, SMG Motorsports, OKTANE Productions, Fast Eddie Racewear, Glencoe Automotive, For Your Eyes Only, Protein2O, AquaHydrate, Stewarts Root Beer, The Wurth Group, AR Bodies, Falken Tire, Artik Ice, Dominion Sure Seal, Chetty’s Hot Sauce, Cloverleaf Farms, Lucas Oil and Expressway Ford.
Fans can stay up to date with Jake via his official ‘Jake Watson – WWR’ Facebook page and on Twitter @JakertWatson.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
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