In this massive Inside Track Short Track Notebook, contributor Spencer Lewis offers an extensive update on several Ontario short track racers, including: Shawn Murray, Steve Perry, Jamie Cox, George Wilson, Stompin’ Tom Walters, Shawn Chenoweth, Gary Adriaensen, Jeff Lapcevich, J.R. Fitzpatrick, Gord Shepherd, Gary McLean, Brad Pearsall, Bryan Sudsbury, Steve Laking, Jay Doerr, Corey Young, Shane Gowan, Cayden Lapcevich, Dave Osbourne, Jason Hathaway and many more.
Barrie Speedway sophomore Shawn Murray (above by Derek Smith / RacePulse.com) has confirmed that he is the latest entry into Sunset Speedway’s June 16th Limited Late Model invitational. The event, expected to draw top-tier talent from across Ontario, will mark Murray’s first career 75-lap outing.
The Alliston, ON driver has made numerous starts at Sunset in a Mini Stock, but as yet to appear at the facility in a Ltd. Late Model. Murray currently sits fifth in Barrie Speedway’s weekly point standings, having already earned a feature victory through the first 4 weeks of the 2013 season. Murray’s 2013 venture is powered by Clair’s Auto Service in Newmarket, Lake Simcoe Heating & Air Conditioning, Flight Path International, The Hitch House, Gaunt Collision Centres, Air Liquide and HWY 400 Transmission.
Flamboro Speedway Thunder Car veteran Steve Perry (above by Thompson Photography) has uploaded some interesting dash cam footage from qualifying heat race action on Saturday, June 8. After taking a year off from active Flamboro competition, Perry has returned in search of his first career championship. The Hamilton, ON veteran currently sits 3rd in points behind 2-time feature winner Kevin Gallant and former Late Model standout Mark Burbridge. You can check out the video footage here.
We recently caught up with Delaware Speedway Late Model point leader Jamie Cox (above by Thompson Photography). The Dorchester, ON veteran opened up about the tough transition from the Open Wheel Modified ranks to the Pro Late Model division, his phenomenal 2013 start, where he feels he stacks up against the elite of the division and his plans for the rest of 2013.
Click here to view the video, and don’t forget to visit Cox’s Facebook group ‘Jamie Cox Racing / RCR’. ‘The Flamethrower’s 2013 campaign is brought to you by APC / Total and London City Chrysler.
After running substitute driver George Wilson in his #39 in Round 1 of the OSCAAR Super Late Model season at Sunset Speedway on May 19, owner/driver Shane Gowan (above) will return to the driver’s seat for Round 2 of the tour at Barrie Speedway this Saturday (June 15). Gowan broke into the Super Late Model ranks in 2010, and will continue his pursuit of his first career tour victory this weekend. Gowan’s 2013 marketing support includes longtime sponsor Lucas Oil, Reclaim Enterprises, Hallett Fabrication, Grisdale Racing Products and Street Soldier MMA.
Defending Sunset Speedway Ltd. Late Model champion Stompin’ Tom Walters (above, by Dan Craik) has uploaded his on-board footage from Sunset’s most recent 30-lap feature. This time, crew chief Jeff Thomas has fastened the camera alongside Walters’ hoodpins, giving the viewer an interesting vantage point of an action-packed race. The video can be found here.
Flamboro Speedway Late Model front-runner Shawn Chenoweth (above, by Thompson Photography) has announced via his Facebook page that his London Recreational Racing-backed team will look to make their 2013 Delaware Speedway debut tonight (June 14th). The former Autumn Colours Classic champion currently leads the Flamboro weekly points, and will take advantage of a divisional ‘off night’ at Flamboro to mix it up with Jamie Cox, Matt Pritiko, Jay Doerr and the rest of Delaware’s stellar Late Model roster.
Delaware Speedway Truck division dominator Gary Adriaensen has sent along footage of his 2nd place finish this past Friday (June 7th). The veteran currently leads the weekly points at Delaware, and can be seen enjoying a spirited battle with eventual winner Brady Smith, before eventually succumbing to a mechanical problem.
The Belmont, ON driver is sponsored by Dowler-Karn Fuels, Concorde Distributing, Jim’s Speed Equipment, Ultimate Sandblasting, IBEW Local 120, Speedpro Imaging, Fastenal, Belmont Automotive, Great Lakes Photography and DJK Racing. You can view the 6:00 minute clip here.
We caught up with NASCAR Canadian Tire Series veteran Jeff Lapcevich and asked his thoughts on the upcoming EMCO 200 at Delaware Speedway. The Grimsby, ON native speaks on his runner-up performance in the season opener at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, what his team needs to do as a unit to put their Tim Hortons Dodge in contention, how unforgiving of a track Delaware is and his son Cayden’s Super Stock program. This one is a can’t miss, watch it here.
After piloting Jay Christie’s Pro Late Model last Friday at Delaware, NCATS star JR Fitzpatrick has announced via his @J_R_Fitzpatrick twitter account that he will be back in action at the London, ON half-mile tonight (June 14th), this time behind the wheel of Darrell Lake’s Super Stock. Fitzpatrick will compete alongside close friend Jeff Showler, former champion ‘Cowboy’ Kris Lawrence and second generation star Matt Robblee. Gate times and ticket prices for tonight’s event can be found at www.DelawareSpeedway.com
The entry list continues to grow for Sunday’s 75-lap Ltd. Late Model invitational at Sunset Speedway. Current Barrie Speedway point leader – and 4-time feature winner – Gord ‘The Smoke’ Shepherd has confirmed he will be in the field on Sunday afternoon to represent the Ridge Road Racing team. In addition to Shepherd, Sauble Speedway mainstays ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Freiburger and Brittney Gresel have also filed entries for the first 75-lap event of the Ltd. Late Model season. Action gets underway on Sunday at 3:00pm, with all details available at www.SunsetSpeedway.ca
The OSCAAR Modified tour will see Round 2 of its 2013 campaign play out this Saturday (June 15) at Barrie Speedway. The entire field will have its sights set on defending champion – and current point leader – Gary McLean, as the tour hits one of the most demanding speedways on the schedule.
We recently spoke with sophomore Davey Terry, and asked him to breakdown Round 2 of the tour. ‘The Erin Express’ offered his predictions for the race, and explained what its going to take for some of the younger drivers on the tour to best McLean. The interview, in its entirety, can be found here.
The Peterborough Speedway Thunder Car division will return to action Saturday night after a week-long hiatus. The field will continue to chase down point leader Matt Spence, while Spence will look to notch his first feature win of the 2013 season.
In addition to their Saturday night commitments, a trio of Peterborough’s racers will hit the road to represent the speedway in Sunset’s 50-lap invitational on Sunday afternoon. ‘Cowboy’ Dan Price, Ross Evans and Donny Beatty will all head for the Innisfil, ON oval with hopes of bringing the first invitational victory of the season back to Peterborough.
OSCAAR Modified driver Brad Pearsall has confirmed via his team’s ‘1B Racing’ Facebook page that he will make his 2013 debut at Barrie Speedway Saturday night. Pearsall has inked a number of new sponsors, and hopes to race the remaining 14 races on the tour. Fans can see his new-look entry, alongside the rest of the OSCAAR Modifieds, when racing starts at 6:30pm on Saturday. Marketing support for Pearsall’s season comes in the form of Plaza Kia, Performance Signs, Hosking Race Engines, Performance Improvements, Rust Check of Newmarket, HWY 400 Transmission of Barrie and Murf’s Manufacturing.
Once the news of The Speedway @ Canadian Tire Motorsports Park’s closure on July 27th began to ripple across the industry, racers from across the province moved to make plans on racing at the Bowmanville, ON one final time before its final night.
Reigning Peterborough Speedway champion Bryan Sudsbury will look to become the first to return to CTMP this Saturday (June 15th), as the Omemee, ON driver will race alongside Kyle Donaldson, Darren Kearnan, Mark Gordon and the rest of the Limited Late Model roster. Sudsbury began his stock car career in a ‘6 or Less’ car at CTMP, before moving to the Peterborough Ltd. Late Model division.
Following his win in Round 1 of Flamboro Speedway’s Grisdale Triple Crown race on Saturday (June 8th), Pro Late Model mainstay Steve Laking (above, by Thompson Photography) confirmed he will debut a Limited Late Model this Sunday (June 16th) at Sunset Speedway.
The Guelph, ON veteran has re-clipped a chassis that he competed with in the now defunct ALSTAR Late Model Series, and has expressed interest in competing in a number of high-profile LLM events throughout 2013. Laking joins current Sauble point leader Jason Parker, up-and-comer Josh Stade and former Barrie champion Gord Shepherd as the latest entries to the first 75-lap Ltd. Late Model event of the season.
Marketing support for Laking’s 2013 campaign is provided by Spira Fire Protection and Boucher & Jones Fuels. Sunday’s event kicks off at 3:00pm, and in addition to the 75-lap LLM A-Main, will also feature a 50-lap Super Stock invitational and 35-lap Mini Stock invitational that are expected to draw top-tier talent from across the province.
Delaware Speedway championship contender Jay Doerr scored his first feature victory of the 2013 season on Friday night (June 7th), snapping Jamie Cox’s 2-race win streak in the process. The feature victory was especially rewarding for Doerr after he suffered significant damage in a heat-race altercation with another driver.
The London, ON driver posted the on-board footage via his @Jay_Doerr twitter account, you can view the footage here, and be sure to check out our post-race interview with Jay here. The 2-time Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup champion will enjoy sponsorship from Once Upon A Child, Lucas Oil, Fast Signs, The Lawn Man, Doerr Digital, Anywhere Print & Design and Sure Arc.
Delaware Speedway hosted the first Open-Ontario Four Cylinders Championship on Friday (June 7th), with defending race winner Corey Young holding off divisional heavyweight Dave Bailey (above, by Thompson Photography), 2012 Flamboro champion Billy Schwartzenburg and a host of other competitors in one of the most hotly contested Mini Stock events in recent memory.
For Young, it would be his second career Delaware victory. Bailey would settle for a well-earned runner-up finish, and has posted incredible on-board footage of the torrid battle for the top position as the trio of leaders dice their way through heavy lapped traffic. Well worth the view here!
We caught up with 13-year old Sunset Speedway Super Stock competitor Cayden Lapcevich (above, by Thompson Photography) at a recent event and asked him about his 2013 season. The third-generation star spoke of his new McColl Racing Enterprises chassis, his new look for his sophomore campaign and his plans for the season. Catch the footage here and be sure to keep up with Cayden all season long on twitter @CaydenLapcevich and on his website www.LapcevichRacing.ca.
Here’s our first glimpse at Dave Osbourne’s new-look OSCAAR Modified. The Thunder Car graduate will debut the new scheme in Round 2 of the OSCAAR Modified season at Barrie Speedway this Saturday (June 15th). Osbourne will look to follow up on his strong 6th place outing in Round 1 at Sunset, and will join the growing number of drivers eager to best Modified kingpin Gary McLean.
The sophomore driver will enjoy sponsorship throughout the season from Oneils Farm Supply, Ohsweken Speedway, Lonewolf Fireworks, Breman and Renway Fuels. More information on Saturday’s OSCAAR Modified tour event can be found at www.modifieds.oscaar.ca
We had a chance to speak with NASCAR Canadian Tire Series veteran Jason Hathaway about the upcoming tour event at Delaware Speedway this Saturday (June 15th).
The Appin, ON veteran touched on his phenomenal top-3 outing to open the season at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, his strategy for Saturday’s EMCO Corporation 200, his short track connections for the 2013 season, the strength of his Ed Hakonson Racing team and the importance of momentum when competing at the national level. The insightful one-on-one can be found here.
Follow Spencer Lewis on Twitter at @itsspencerlewis
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