INNISFIL, Ontario (August 3, 2019)- — As a special tribute to one of their own racers, OSCAAR will be presenting the Iron Man 72 as part of the Fall Velocity weekend at Sunset Speedway.
The format will see the Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC OSCAAR Modified drivers run twin 36-lap features over the weekend. They will run their normal qualifying heats to set the field, with the first feature run on Saturday, September 21. The second 36-lap feature will be run on Sunday, September 22, with the field set by an invert of either three, six, seven, or two, with the line-up based on Saturday’s feature finish.
Notably, the weekend will have huge championship implications with full points awarded both nights for each feature finish.
The event will honor 72-year-old Gary Elliott, who drives the No. 36 in the Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC, Scott Reinhart Trailer Sales Ltd OSCAAR Modified division. The Ironman of racing in Canada announced at season’s end he will be leaving Ontario to move out to Nova Scotia and continue racing there.
Elliott has been a fixture in the Canadian scene for many years, with the 2019 campaign marking his 51st season behind the wheel. He has spent the past five seasons racing in the OSCAAR Modifieds, scoring 23 top-five’s and 41 top-10’s in the process. He is also a four-time recipient of the Don Hawn Sportsman of the Year Award.
“To say I’m honored, that emotion just comes out,” Elliott commented. “I was in tears when Dave told me. I couldn’t believe they were going to be doing the Iron Man 72. I’m so thankful to be racing at 72-years-old. I’ve had the same number since 1969, and for him to have twin 36’s, it’s just perfect. I can’t think of any honor that I’ve had that will equal that night; it’ll be such an honor for me. I’m so excited for myself, my family, my crew and my sponsors.
“It’s probably the nicest thing that’s ever happened to me – and I have to be careful how I say that because I’ve been blessed in many ways. But God is so good to me, and Dave has treated me so well. That’s why I love this series and always want to put into it. I leave stuff on the table because I want to put stuff on the table in a series; I don’t want to take always. Now they’re putting back for me, and I’m so thankful.”
In making the event more special, OSCAAR is currently selling lap sponsors for the event, and accepting donations for specialty awards for the event. The cost to sponsor a lap is $36.00 per lap, or you can make a donation of your choice. All of the money collected will be evenly distributed to all the drivers in attendance as part of their payout. Each individual and company that sponsors the race will be recognized on social media and at the track throughout the weekend.
For those interested in sponsoring a lap, please get in touch with series president Dave Gainforth via Facebook or by e-mailing him at oscaargainforth@gmail.com.
Be sure to keep up with OSCAAR by staying tuned to the series website at http://www.oscaar.ca. Also, make sure to “like” the official OSCAAR Racing Facebook page, while following both the Twitter and Instagram accounts (@OSCAARRacing) to keep up to date on everything you need to know.
OSCAAR’s 2019 racing season is supported by several dedicated partners including Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC, Knightworks Design, Living Lighting Canada, Scott Reinhart Trailer Sales Ltd., American Racer, and Grisdale Race Products.
By: Ashley McCubbin
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