July 12, 2013- The OSCAAR Super Late Models will make their only stop of 2013 at Sauble Speedway this weekend and as a result every driver is looking to take home the exclusive hardware. It’s a full calendar year between races at Sauble for OSCAAR drivers, meaning it’s a long wait for a shot at redemption.
The annual trip to the ‘Beach’ usually means an ultra-competitive field battling for the top spot and the storylines to start this season point to side-by-side racing around the tight ¼-mile track. There will not be a repeat winner this Saturday as 2012 winner George Wilson is not expected to be in attendance.
Brandon Watson (No.9 Shear Metal Products) enters the event as the series points leader having won three of four races to start the year. The defending series champion had a rough outing at Sauble last year, but the 20-year-old does have considerable experience at the Hepworth, Ont. track in a late model and is riding the hot hand right now. In all three of Watson’s wins this season, he has started inside the top-three. Look for more of the same this weekend.
Rookie driver Andrew Gresel (No.81 Sauble Falls) plays his first ‘home game’ in an OSCAAR Super Late Model this weekend. The Hepworth, Ont. native is a former Sauble mainstay turned OSCAAR regular and has two top-five finishes in four starts this season. Gresel has tested his new Hamke-built chassis at Sauble multiple times in preparation for the event at his home speedway and holds a considerable advantage in that respect. Gresel has been very strong and will certainly be eager to have a strong finish in front of his hometown crowd.
Todd Campbell (No.07 Campbell’s Sanitation) had his career best finish at Sauble last season, a fourth-place tally. Campbell has bolted in a brand new built motor for Saturday’s race at his favourite track which he hopes will give him his first OSCAAR win. The 2011 season’s top rookie is sure to bring his A-game, but he’ll likely save his best for the feature.
Derrick Tiemersma (No.7 Wayfreight) sits second in the championship standings and has been just an eyelash shy of his first trip to victory lane since 2010 at Mosport. Tiemersma took a muddy trip through the infield last year at Sauble and will look to avenge the resulting tough finish with his third trip to the podium this season.
Doug Wilson (No.71 Wilson Motorsports) is expected to make his second career OSCAAR start this weekend at Sauble. The Owen Sound, Ont. based driver gets a second chance at his home track where he is a former late model regular. Wilson battled some mechanical problems in his first start last season, finishing 15th. A top-ten finish would be a strong result for Wilson this weekend.
It’s hard to argue against Kevin Cornelius (No. 17 Halton Crushed Stone) as a weekly favourite in his rookie season with the tour. Cornelius is coming off a pair of second-place finishes at the Don Biederman Memorial and has not finished outside the top-ten. Cornelius began his stock car racing career at Sauble, but has not raced at the tight ¼-mile since becoming a mainstay at Sunset Speedway. The only driver in the field with a McColl Racing Enterprises chassis, Cornelius is looking to give builder Mike McColl his first OSCAAR win.
Brandon Vanderwel (No. 97 Shoreline Stone/Protect the Children) is regaining his rookie season form after three races back on tour. Vanderwel, a Port Elgin, Ont. native, will also be playing in his own backyard this weekend as he looks for a top-five finish. The second-year pilot has been improving with the help of OSCAAR veteran Dave Taylor as the team’s car chief.
Four-time champion Glenn Watson (No. 22 Line-X/Rival Office Solutions) has yet to get back in to victory lane this year, but has been consistent thus far. Glenn was a victim of circumstance on night two of the Biederman Memorial when he hit the outside front stretch wall after contact between cars behind him. The Barrie, Ont. driver devastated the field in 2011 for one of seven wins on the season. Look for him to get back to Knightworks victory lane this weekend.
The field of Super Late Models at ‘the Beach’ is expected to feature all of the series regulars, making it one of the toughest races on tour. And with only one chance to become the 2013 Sauble winner, everybody will be vying for the top spot. The OSCAAR Super Late Models are joined by the OSCAAR Modifieds and Sauble Speedway’s Junior Late Models. Spectator gates open at 5:00pm ahead of a 7:00pm start. An on-track fan autograph session will take place from 6:15pm-6:45pm.
Tickets: Admission to Saturday night’s event at Sauble Speedway is just $18. Spectator gates open at 5:00pm and seating is on a first come, first served basis. Children 12 and under are admitted FREE with adult accompaniment.
Directions: Sauble Speedway is located on Bruce County Road 14, 2.5km south of Sauble Beach. For full directions, visit: http://saublespeedway.ca/race-fan-information/directions-to-the-speedway/
Accommodations: Sauble Falls Tent & Trailer Park is offering a special deal to OSCAAR teams and fans this weekend. Sauble Falls will waive the registration fee to any campers who say they are camping as part of the OSCAAR race weekend. Sauble Falls also offers shuttle service to and from the racetrack. To reserve a camp site, call (519) 422-1322.
The OSCAAR Super Late Model tour is presented by a number of dedicated sponsors throughout Ontario, including: Knightworks Design, Hoosier Racing Tire, Klotz Synthetics Canada, Race2way.ca, Dave Franks Photos, Dickson Printing, Finishline Fabrication, McColl Racing Enterprises, McGunegill Engine Performance, Stefko Racing Engines, VP Racing Fuels, OntarioOval.com, RaceTime Radio, Inside Track Motorsport News, Jenco Equipment, Midas of Orangeville, Reinhart Trailer Sales, North Toronto Auctions, and South Shore Services.
By Clayton Johns (@cjohnsmedia)/ OSCAAR Media and Public Relations
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