PETERBOROUGH, ON (August 30, 2021)- There are some events that a racer always loves to see on their overall win list. When their career is over and done, they’ll be able to tell friends and family members about it while reciting even the smallest details from memory.
Ontario Legends Series driver Parker Traves put that victory on his resume Sunday, August 29 at Peterborough Speedway with his checkered flag in the Canadian Legend Car Asphalt Nationals.
Taking the green flag alongside his good friend and teammate Matt Haufe for the 40-lap finale, Traves was both excited and nervous. Haufe has always been strong – especially this year at Peterborough. The No. 7 machine took control from the drop of the green flag, but the race was far from over. Parker Traves was looking at the big picture and after the pace was slowed because of a lap three yellow flag he started working on a new plan. A few laps after the restart, he moved into the runner-up spot behind Haufe but with heavy hitters Nicholas Ledson, Kevin Foisy and Hudson Nagy on his tail.
With another caution – just as the leaders were closing-in on slower traffic – at lap 13, Traves would once again start next to Haufe, but this time the roles were reversed as the No. 60 was on the outside. Settling into a rhythm, he tried several times to get around Haufe before making a move that would put him into the lead with 26 circuits on the scoreboard. Now in control of the race, Parker Traves would need to drive the race of his life. When passed Haufe, so did former tour champion Nicholas Ledson.
Hitting his marks lap after lap, Traves held the wolves at bay and wheeled his way into the winner’s circle. Ledson, Haufe, Foisy and Nagy completed the top five. Joe Adams, Adam Cuthbertson, Dawson Drimmie, Paul Pierik, Cole McFadden, Brandon Feeney, Cory Richardson, Glenn Morris, Caleb Drimmie, Joe Sherman, Josh Inglis, Anthony Einarson, Shane Pollock and Nick Portt rounded-out the running order. A day after his win, Parker Traves used his Facebook page to express his thoughts.
“After taking some time to think about how the race went, I’m still speechless,” explained Traves. “Canadian Legends is one of our biggest races of the year. Nothing that happened is possible without everyone associated with the team. Kevin Foisy is one of the best in the business. He’s taken me under his wing to help me get to where I am today.”
Ontario Legends Series notebook: It was a great weekend for Traves and the No. 60 team. He also scored the win in Sunday afternoon’s Legends Series dash and finished second to teammate Matt Haufe in the first round of action Saturday night…The Ontario Legends Series schedule continues Saturday, September 11th at Flamboro and Sunday, September 19th at Sunset.
Prepared by Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
