FRASERVILLE, ON – Push may very well turn to shove when it comes to determining the 2012 point standing finishing order in Kawartha Speedway’s highly competitive NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model division. With just one event remaining on the schedule, drivers throughout the field will be looking to gain any advantage possible in an effort to move up a spot when the final positions are tabulated.
Although winless this year, 4th place Dwight Brown enjoys a 5 point advantage over opening night winner Dave Morgan. Mike Wallace is 6th, 41 markers behind Morgan – but only 16 points ahead of Larry Jackson. A late season charge has helped Linc Brown move into 8th and his total of 506 is just 5 points behind the 2007 track champion. J.P. Josiasse and Jamie Horner are tied for 9th at 487, with Tim Cole 34 points back at 453.
The top 3 drivers are just 49 points apart, with Bryan Mercer sitting in 3rd spot and 7 time track champion Dan McHattie at the top of the ladder. In between Mercer and McHattie is Norwood, Ontario’s Ryan Kimball. After his first career main event win, he is just 26 markers out of the lead. It is something that has been in the back of his mind since the checkered flag waved – Friday, August 24th – but Kimball is thrilled to go into the last night of the season with a chance to have his name engraved on the championship trophy.
“I’m not going to take any chances. The plan is to run the same race I always do and hope for the best,” said the driver of the #16 Trail’s End – Larry Crowe/Crowe Brothers Roofing/Archer Bulk Carriers/Earl Carter Concrete/Mayhew Graphics/Total Sportswear/Norwood Self Storage/Norwood Auto Wreckers/John on the Spot/Heather and Joel Wiebe Photography Chevrolet Impala by McColl Racing Enterprises. “No matter what happens, it’s been a fantastic season. The crew has given me a great car for every race and just being in position to win the title is a major accomplishment. It would be great finish ahead of both Dan and Bryan, but I think it’ll all come down to whoever has the best car.”
Win, lose or draw 2012 will go into the history books as a memorable campaign for the Kimball camp. In his first year wheeling a new chassis, the driver known as “Flyin’ Ryan” finally scored his first Late Model feature event win and was invited to represent Kawartha Speedway – along with his championship rivals Dan McHattie and Bryan Mercer – at the annual running of the American-Canadian Tour Invitational – Saturday, September 22nd – at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
“I’ve been very lucky to have such a great season and hope I’ll be able to carry this momentum into 2013.”
Kawartha klips: The final regular event of the 2012 season – Friday, September 7th – will be a full night of action at the Fraserville 3/8th miler. In addition to the Hasiuk and Container Rental Mini Stocks, Thunder Cars and the NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Models, the show will also include the annual 75 lap Don Biederman Memorial for the OSCAAR Super Late Models, the first Kawartha appearance by the OSCAAR Modifieds and the 4th run for the Ontario Legends Series. Gates will open at 3:00, with racing starting at 6:00…The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will crown this year’s champion at the 250 lap season finale Saturday, September 22nd. For full schedule details and the latest track news, see www.kawarthaspeedway.com.
Prepared by Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications
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