INNISFIL, ON- Former Sunset Speedway Ltd. Late Model champion Kevin Cornelius made the most of his return home, capturing his first career Don Biederman Memorial title in a pair of head-turning performances June 28th & 29th.
Cornelius piloted his Leitch Performance Engines powered McColl Racing Enterprises chassis to a runner-up finish on Night 1, followed by a feature win on Night 2. He would claim the overall title with a final score of ‘3’, ahead of defending ‘Biederman Memorial’ champion Dwayne Baker.
“These races are all about tire strategy. My car owner Dick Launspach nailed it this afternoon”, said Cornelius in victory lane on June 29th. “We weren’t too concerned with the heat race qualifiers, because we knew we would have a good car in the feature”
Cornelius entered the event on a hot streak, having secured his first career tour victory just two weeks prior at Barrie Speedway.
“It was great winning on the road, but this is sweet being able to come back to Sunset and win”, beamed Cornelius post-race. “These are some of the best fans in short track racing, and it’s an honour to come home and put on a show for them”
The sophomore OSCAAR competitor had noted, in the days leading up to the weekend, that his goal was to treat the 2-day event as any other Super Late Model race. However, it was clear in victory lane, that Cornelius appreciates just what ‘the Biederman’ means to Ontario competitors.
“This is the Superbowl of Super Late Model racing in Ontario, and this is an incredible feeling”, said Cornelius. “I’m so honoured to have our team on this trophy. My guys work nonstop on this car, trying to make it better, this is for all of their hard work. They earned this”
With two wins in his last three OSCAAR appearances, Cornelius enters the second half of the schedule reinvigorated and ready to contend for his first career touring championship.
“After all the problems we faced through the first half of the season, this is exactly what we needed”, reflected Cornelius. “I’m confident our mechanical issues are behind us, and this team is firing on all cylinders like never before. We’re all focused on one goal, and we know now what we have to do to accomplish it”
“I’ve felt all along like we have a team that can compete alongside the very best, and I’m so happy that we’re now able to show that to the rest of the province”
Kevin Cornelius will return to action with the OSCAAR Super Late Model tour in Round 6 of competition at Kawartha Speedway on July 13th.
Support for KDR Motorsports’ inaugural Don Biederman Memorial victory is courtesy of Halton Crushed Stone, Lee Sand & Gravel, Sandbox Tech Child Care, TripleCrete Ltd., Hanson Pipe & Precast, Alliston Transmission, Ed’s Automotive and MacMaster Pontiac Buick GMC.
Fans can follow the team on Twitter @KDR_Motorsports as they regroup and ready themselves for Kawartha.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
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