In the Septemer 20th edition of Spencer Lewis’ Short Track Notebook, we keep you up to date on the upcoming Garry Reynolds Memorial at Barrie Speedway, including the newest entrants in both the Ltd. Late Model and Thunder Car divisions. We also update you on open-wheel virtuoso Mike Westwood’s newest endeavor and check in with Ltd. Late Model drivers Darin Malcolm and Andre Pepin.
Multi-time Peterborough Speedway champion Kelly Balson has confirmed his entry into Barrie Speedway’s 100-lap Garry Reynolds Memorial, scheduled for September 22nd. ‘The Crowd Pleaser’ joins a Ltd. Late Model field that already includes 2-time defending race winner Mike ‘Lights Out’ Bentley, 2013 Barrie Speedway champion Gord ‘The Smoke’ Shepherd, 7-time Barrie feature winner Thayne Hallyburton and upstart sophomore ‘Livewire’ Nick Goetz. The memorial event will serve as one of Balson’s final forays into Ltd. Late Model competition, before his planned jump to the OSCAAR Super Late Model tour in 2014. Marketing support for Balson courtesy of International Freight Systems, Cochrane Automotive and Dan McHattie Racecars.
Former Sunset Speedway Super Stock champion Paul Maltese (above, by Pamela Guppy) has filed entry for the 60-lap Thunder Car portion of Sunday’s (September 22nd) Garry Reynolds Memorial at Barrie Speedway. Maltese’s family-run program, led by his wife Susan, will compete against Barrie standouts Darryl St. Onge and Travis Hallyburton, as well as Peterborough champion Donny Beatty and former Sauble titlist Todd Davenport among others. Marketing support for Maltese’s first appearance at Barrie in several seasons will come courtesy of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Crime Stoppers, Curbex Signs, South Simcoe Police, Ontario Steel Sales Inc. and Maltese’s own Presto Appliance Repair.
Hurricane Midgets veteran – and current OSCAAR Modified rookie – Mike Westwood, has announced he will make his first career Ontario Pro Challenge Series start at Sunset Speedway’s ‘Velocity 250’ event on September 28th. Westwood recently acquired the car from Rob Howden, in exchange for one of Westwood’s ‘Stryker Chassis’ house cars. Here’s a shot of Westwood’s newly acquired piece, though ‘The Virtuoso’ has assured us it will be adorned with his trademark #91 when it takes to the track next weekend. Fans are encouraged to follow Westwood on Twitter @91MikeWestwood in the week leading up to his Velocity 250 appearance.
Here’s our interview with Barrie Speedway Ltd. Late Model veteran Darin Malcolm. The second-generation star recently returned to weekly competiton after an extended layoff, and speaks candidly with us about reintegrating himself back into the uber-talented LLM division. We also ask Malcolm about the upcoming Garry Reynolds Memorial, and his potential plans for the 2014 season. Malcolm’s sponsors for the 2013 season include Clover Auto of North Bay, Arctic Canvas of North Bay, Tremblay’s Power Wash of North Bay, Agreenwood Home Inspections, Northbay Hydroseed, PVM Services of Angus, Iconzcomputer.com, Cig Vape of Angus, Sandar Spa & Wellness Centre of North Bay, Dead City Tattoo Studio of Nortj Bay, Steve & Tristan Vautour, Wayne Malcolm, Northland Automotive and Mario’s Pizza of Angus. Click here for the video interview.
Peterborough Speedway breakout star Cory Horner has informed us of his intentions to compete in Barrie Speedway’s 100-lap Garry Reynolds Memorial on Sunday (September 22nd). Horner (above. by Pamela Guppy) will enter the event after earning his first career Ltd. Late Model feature win earlier this summer at his home track. The second-generation driver will enter Sunday’s event in search of his first career extended-distance race win, as well as his first visit to victory lane outside of Peterborough Speedway.
2-time Barrie Speedway feature winner Andre Pepin (above, by Ashley McCubbin) recently took the time to speak with us about his successful 2013 campaign. The former Mini Stock regular recently capped his second full season in the Limited Late Model division, and told us all about the challenges he experienced in moving from Mini Stocks to the Ltd. Late Model division, lessons he’s learned and what event he’s most looking forward to before the end of 2013. Andre’s interview can be found here.
Follow Spencer Lewis on Twitter @itsspencerlewis
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