CHESLEY, ON- Second-generation racer Josh Stade has led the Sauble Speedway Ltd. Late Model points standings for more than half of the 2015 schedule. This Saturday, Stade will look to walk out of the speedway’s season finale with his first career weekly division championship.
“I don’t think anyone would believe me if I said I didn’t have some butterflies heading into this Saturday,” laughs Stade when asked about his mindset entering the final race of 2015.
“I just don’t want to waste this opportunity,” adds the up-and-comer, honestly. “It’s a whole season worth of work – but it’s so much more than that. I mean, we’ve been refining this program bit-by-bit for the last three years. It’s been a long road to get here and I don’t want to blow this chance”
Fresh off of a feature win in his most recent Sauble appearance on August 29th, Stade will carry a slim point lead into the season finale over veterans Jason Parker and Junior Farrelly.
“The only thing we have control over is how well we perform,” says Stade. “As hard as we’ve worked all season, and as many hours as we’ve put in this week, I can promise that Jason and Junior will be racing against the absolute best version of us on Saturday night”
For Stade, it’s clear a track championship means far more than an addition to his team’s trophy case.
“Sauble has a lot of history. I’ve been going there for as long as I can remember and I’ve always wondered what it would feel like to be in the position we are right now,” says Stade.
“Some of the best drivers of all time have won championships here. They’ll be remembered forever. To have my name beside theirs for as long as Sauble Speedway exists would mean more than anything”
On the topic of pre-race strategy, Stade makes it known that his MEI Paving-backed effort is ready for whatever comes their way.
“I think everyone has a strategy until they roll out onto the speedway,” shrugs the first time title contender. “We want to do whatever we need to in order to win this championship. If we could win the feature and the championship and once that would be a dream come true”
“Realistically, I think Saturday is going to be all about taking whatever comes our way and adapting to it as best we can,” adds Stade. “At the end of the night, the champion will be the driver that was able to adapt the best and make their car work no matter what.”
Visit www.SaubleSpeedway.ca for information on Saturday’s ‘Championship Night’ event.
Josh Stade’s 2015 season is powered by Upper Canada Title, FLO Enterprises, Nicol Insurance, Barclay Wholesale, Jim Cavil Fuels, MEI Paving, Bruce Service Sales and Rentals, APC and Kunkel Bus Lines.
To learn more about ‘Prime Time’ Josh Stade, visit the Stade Motorsports page on Facebook and follow Josh on Twitter @PrimeTimeStade.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
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