WATERLOO, ON- Just 6 days removed from a season-high finish in Sunset Speedway Mini Stock competition, third-generation racer Jake Watson is ready to get back to work at the Innisfil-area 3/8-mile oval.
“That is, without a doubt, the best this car has ever worked,” says Watson in reference to last Sunday’s 6th place performance. “This thing is so much fun to drive these days. Every time I bring it back to the trailer, I want to go back out again. I can’t thank my Dad and Ken Spira enough for everything they’ve put into this car this season”
‘The Derringer’ is in the midst of a career year, and continues to improve with each passing week in Sunset’s notoriously competitive division.
“Last year we tried a ton of different packages just to try and see what worked the best for us,” explains the 14-year old. “Over the off-season, we sat down as a team and went over our notes and pieced together what we liked and it’s worked out awesome so far. Right now, I just hope we can keep our momentum rolling”
“This division is so stacked that it’s hard to come out here trying stuff. You have to have your setup ready and know what works and what doesn’t,” adds Watson. “Everyone else is so good that it’s pretty tough to try and hit the ground running with something new. We learned that last year”
As the results continue to improve, it’s evident that Watson’s family-owned team is beginning to find their rhythm.
“We have this confidence now, as a team, that we never had before,” says the middle-school student. “Nowadays, we can roll through the gate in the afternoon and say to ourselves ‘We’re good enough to run with these teams tonight’. It makes such a huge difference. It’s an enormous part of why our program has been able to take a step forward this season”
“Right now, what’s most important is not taking a step back,” continues Watson. “We’ve been good all season, and all I want to do is keep this thing going. We’re getting better every weekend and we’re finally starting to see the results we’ve been working towards. Strong finishes at Sunset don’t happen easy, but we’re ready to put in the work to keep them coming in.”
‘The Derringer’s 2015 efforts are supported by 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, 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 all weekend via his official ‘Jake Watson – WWR’ Facebook page and on Twitter @JakertWatson.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
Discussion about this post