@LondonRecRacing @Sunset_Speedway HAMPTON, ON- In the midst of a season that has yet to see his London Recreational Racing No. B10 finish an OSCAAR event outside of the top-5, Super Late Model sophomore Kelly Balson will look to continue his upward trajectory in Round 6 of the tour at Sunset Speedway on August 22nd.
“I feel confident that we can come to Sunset and race for for another top-5 finish,” says Balson. “I think we’re at the point now in which we have a car that can contend any time it backs off the trailer. We’ve been strong everywhere we’ve been this season, but our Sunset program has been especially good. There’s always room for improvement – but I’ve been happy with what we’ve had so far”
‘The Crowd Pleaser’ has worked closely with GTA Racing Design founder Graham Annis to formulate a setup capable of running with fellow tour standouts Kevin Cornelius, JR Fitzpatrick and Glenn Watson.
“Graham is going with something a little bit different from what we’ve run in our last two races at Sunset, which we hope will make a significant impact on how we get through the ends,” explains Balson – referencing his previous two podium finishes at Sunset earlier this season.
“It’s a relief to have this program where it is right now. Last season, we were swinging in the dark at times, trying to find something that would wake this car up. Now, our package is competitive, and all we need to concentrate on is making small adjustments to make it a little bit better”
When asked if his team feels as though their engine package is a hindrance in comparison to some of the more popular options being utilized across the tour at the moment, Balson is quick to insist he has no interest in making excuses.
“We run the built option with aluminum heads – which isn’t the most prominent option these days,” shrugs the Hampton, ON driver. “If we didn’t have to run a restrictor plate, this package would be an absolute problem for anyone to deal with. But, the rules are what they are, and all we can do is try to operate within them”
“I’m not really worried about where we stack up against the rest of these guys, in terms of power,” continues Balson. “All I can worry about is our car, maximizing our potential and turning in our best run possible”
“I don’t agonize over what JR is doing with his crate motor, or what Cornelius can do with his steelhead or the package that [Shawn] Chenoweth has put together with his McGunegill. All we can do is work with the combination that we have. We’re the only one running this style of motor, and I think that speaks volumes”
With three tour events scheduled in as many weeks through the end of August and early September, Balson admits that equipment preservation will be on his mind this weekend.
“Our plan is to get in and get out,” says Balson. “What I mean is, we’ve got a lot of races scheduled in a very short amount of time, so our main focus is to get this thing in the trailer at the end of the night in one piece”
“Sunset has two solid grooves, so I doubt you’ll see guys going out of their way to rough someone up to make a pass. If we all have a little bit of respect for one another, we can get the job done, roll out at the end of the night and move on to Flamboro next weekend.”
For information regarding this weekend’s event at Sunset, visit www.SunsetSpeedway.ca.
Marketing support for Kelly Balson’s sophomore tour campaign is provided by London Recreational Racing, Cochrane Automotive, Brandon’s Landscapes, Castrol Edge, Bennett Chevrolet of Cambridge, GTA Racing Design and Wake Work Race Clothing.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
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