@OSCAARracing •(January 25, 2017)- Following an impressive 2016 season with great competition throughout, the OSCAAR Pro Midget drivers and crews gathered together on Saturday, January 21 to honor everybody for their accomplishments.
The inaugural season for the series paid off in big ways, seeing a growth in competition from the beginning of the year to the end. After starting out the season with four cars, by the end of the year there were over 10 cars on the track at a time. The series also produced close races, with side-by-side battles to the lines and a variety of drivers reaching victory lane.
With 11 heat wins and three feature victories, it was Ted Greenwood which led the way for his fellow drivers over the year en route to being crowned the inaugural series champion.
“First of all, I would like to thank Chuck and Jackie for sitting down with OSCAAR and giving me a class I can actually race in,” Greenwood said. “Secondly, I would like to thank the OSCAAR executives and group that runs the series for giving me a venue where I can actually get track time to get my feet back under me, and get time on the track. I appreciate everything that OSCAAR has done for the Pro Midgets and racing in Ontario. Thank you, OSCAAR.
“I would like to thank the little group that hangs around me, helps me get in the racecar, button up my helmet – all the things a senior citizen needs help with – Joel, Steve, James, and of course my wife. I’d like to thank Glen Blaker. He’s the one that gave me the phone call and said, ‘Ted, they’re putting the suspensions on the midgets. You have to come out of the retirement’. Basically, that’s all I have to say. I want to thank everyone for showing up tonight. It’s been a great season, and I’m looking forward to 2017. Most of them that are here that run against me – I will be challenging again next season. Thank you.”
Other stand-outs from the year include Wally Wilson, who finished second in points, but stood out more off-track in helping promote the new division via creating a twitter account for the Midgets. Wilson took home the Race Time Radio – Sirius XM 167 Hard Charger Award by a single point over Greenwood.
Others will remember the family bond shown in watching Rob, Kelly and Katherine Summers on track together, highlighted by Kelly scoring a victory at Peterborough Speedway. Joining Greenwood and Summers in feature victory lane was Shawn Paul, Jordan Hanna, Adrian Kemps and James Marche.
Outside of the feature winners, others got to see victory lane in the inaugural season through the heats. Lots of people will remember the initial signs of excitement on Glen Blaker when he reached victory lane, or Daniel Hawn reaching victory lane in his debut in the series to cap off the year. Other winners included the likes of Willy Northcott, Cassidy Marsh, Greenwood, Kemps, and Rob Summers.
With a solid season, OSCAAR is now putting full focus towards the upcoming 2017 campaign, which should be filled with great racing, lots of competition, and fun across the entire province of Ontario based on early indications. Be sure to stay tuned to the OSCAAR website for details throughout the entire winter.
By: Ashley McCubbin
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