Ontario Legends Series Teams Turn to eRacing to Keep the Fire Burning

(April 28, 2020)- As hometown raceways push some of their early season events to the sidelines because of social distancing restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic, a group of drivers with the Ontario Legends Series has satisfied the need for speed by participating in a schedule of eRacing shows. Spokesperson Andrew Massey says the KOD Disposal Ontario Legends eSeries is just what the doctor ordered.

“There are 20 active 2020 registered drivers competing, three from our tech team and a handful of former series drivers,” said Massey. “The tracks we are using were selected by a vote, because iRacing – the same software NASCAR is using for their virtual series – doesn’t offer any Legends friendly Canadian tracks.”

Each event includes timed qualifying laps, heat races, a pair of pre-final races and an ‘A’ main; all run under the close scrutiny of Brandt Graham – a former two-time Ontario Sportsman Series champion and current dirt Late Model racer – as race director. The top 11 from each pre-final make the starting line-up, for a 22 car feature. Drivers can talk to each other and converse with race officials. Shows are featured on the You Tube by Turn 3 Racing Network, with support from McNicol Welding & Fabrication and Jennifer Hatch of Coldwell Banker. Special thanks to Thorson’s EVT for covering the server costs and to Liqui Moly for sponsorship of the best appearing car award.

Winners on the Wednesday night ‘tour’ so far include Ontario Pro Challenge racer Blake Near, who has victories at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring and the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course. Ontario Legends Series regular Parker Traves captured the South Boston Speedway checkered flag, while Jo Lawrence from the APC Pro Late Model tour took the Stafford Speedway win.

The Monday night Rookie eSeries – presented by Hastings Marine Service – has seen double feature wins by Ontario Legend and NASCAR Pinty’s Series racer Connor James at South Boston Speedway. 2019 Ontario Legends Series champion Nick Ledson picked-up a Stafford Speedway victory, with Brandon Feeney – whose background includes action in the Bone Stock, Super Stock and Late Model divisions at Peterborough Speedway – won the South Boston Speedway show and is the current rookie point leader.

“We’ll wrap-up season one at USA Speedway in Lakeland, Florida and there is a stand-alone virtual Legends Dirt Nationals race scheduled to take place Wednesday, May 13th that uses the layout of Lanier Speedway in Georgia,” according to Massey. “A second season for the end of May and June has been discussed but will be dependant on the real world situation at that time.”