@UnitedLMSeries @Sunset_Speedway STAYNER, ON- Reigning Sunset Speedway weekly champion Dwayne Baker entered victory lane on May 23rd at Sunset Speedway as the first ever APC United Late Model Series event winner. This Sunday, Baker will look to shake his recent run of poor fortune and recreate the head-turning performance crafted in Round 1 of the cross-province tour months ago.
Late-race altercations and mechanical troubles have kept Baker from victory lane recently, despite a number of instances in which ‘The Bully’ appeared en route to feature victory. And, although it’s clear his 2015 season is not playing out the way he would have liked it to, Baker insists the ebbs and flows are just a part of the game.
“Any time you’re in a dry spell, or you’re having some races that just aren’t going your way, you’re only one good performance away from turning everything around,” says the veteran.
“We haven’t been winning as much as we were last season, but that’s not because we haven’t had some really, really good race cars under us. You can’t prepare for a lot of the stuff that we’ve had to deal with. All you can do is get up, brush yourself off and get back to work. We’re racing against the top teams in the province every weekend – and this Sunday won’t be any different”
Baker took the lead with less than 30-laps remaining in the tour’s last appearance at Sunset. For his Baker Performance Parts-sponsored No. 48, a conservative approach employed through the race’s first half worked out perfectly.
“When we won the tour event in May, we were able to use the strategy that we planned for,” offers Baker. “We rode, saved our tires, avoided the wrecks and pushed hard late in the race. I would prefer to do that on Sunday, but we’re prepared to take whatever comes our way. As long as we have a good run, it doesn’t matter much to me how we get there”
On the topic of talent that has expressed interest in being a part of Sunday’s 100-lap event, Baker says the caliber of the tour’s talent has been – deservedly – well documented.
“I don’t think much needs to be said about the level of guys that are coming out for this race,” says the former NASCAR Whelen All-American Series provincial champion. “These teams are the best of the best. And you’d be crazy to take anyone on this entry list lightly. Winning one of these races means something – and that’s because just about everyone on this roster has proven themselves and won some big races”
After winning Round 1 from behind the wheel of his team’s Limited Late Model, Baker says a number of people have already reached out to the veteran this week in an attempt to gauge just what ride the team plans on entering in Sunday’s race.
“My phone’s been going a little crazy this week with people asking if I’m running the Limited Late Model or the Pro Late Model,” laughs Baker. “I guess guys are trying to pick my brain a little bit. I’ve been leaning towards the Pro Late Model but, you never know, we might show up on Sunday and roll out the Limited Late [Model]. I like to keep everyone on their toes. You’ll just have to come out to the speedway and see what we end up doing.”
Advance tickets for Sunday’s 100-lap Pro Late Model event can be purchased at www.SunsetSpeedway.ca.
Dwayne Baker’s 2015 season is made possible thanks to Zancor Custom Homes, G.D. Coates Used Car Superstore, McGunegill Engine Performance, Four Valley’s Excavating, Clearview Heating & Cooling, Baker Performance Parts and Nisco National Leasing.
Fans can stay up to date with Dwayne and the rest of the team by visiting the official Dwayne Baker Racing page on Facebook.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
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