STROUD, ON (May 25, 2018)- Competing in two separate events across Sunset Speedway’s Spring Velocity weekend, Rick Spencer-Walt made it known that Spencer-Walt Motorsports is ready to collect multiple checkered flags this season.
APC United Late Models of Ontario Series
The first day of the Spring Velocity on Sunday (originally scheduled for Saturday) marked the season opener for the APC United Late Models of Ontario Series. As announced previously, Spencer-Walt Motorsports acquired a Pro Late Model during the winter, and were set on following the full series tour across Ontario.
Despite the ride being new to Spencer-Walt, it didn’t take him long to get up to speed, as he’d qualify ninth quickest with a lap of 14.288 seconds. Though with the invert in place, he’d start the feature from the seventh position. He was set to begin gaining ground early in the event, though contact from behind would send him around for a spin in turn two on Lap 6.
Restarting at the back of the field, he would make his way up to 23rd by the second caution of the 100-lap feature at Lap 19. He’d continue to gain ground after the restart, side-by-side with Ryan Kimball for 13th at the halfway mark. He’d continue to make solid passes, breaking back into the top-10 with 19 laps to go.
The progress would continue as he’d get alongside Jamie Cox for ninth Lap 89, completing the pass two laps later before the third caution came out on Lap 94. The restart would see a pair of competitors have contact ahead of him, with Spencer-Walt clearing them both to move up to seventh.
Restarting just outside of the top-five, he’d quickly move forward, running side-by-side with Shae Gemmell for fourth. Coming to the checkered, he was able to complete the pass, finishing the APC Series feature in fourth.
Following the event, Spencer-Walt was issued a penalty from the series worth 15 points and $250 fine for being in violation “rule 8.6 – fuel cell containment area: 2″ x 2″ x .083″ minimum.” Notably, he was one of four drivers in the top-five to be issued this infraction. The penalty will drop Spencer-Walt to 18th in the APC Series standings.
“We bought a car that ran the series and figured we were good – wrong,” Spencer-Walt said. “The rear clip didn’t drive that car from the back to fourth; the team’s hard work by everyone and driving did it! APC treated everyone the same and there is a ton of cars having to change so before all you haters continue to hate, 90% of the field has to change it.
“The plus side of this is that APC techs fair and checked all cars the same. We will have it fixed and join the APC series in two weeks at Flamboro. We have chosen to follow the tour and think it is a better fit for us. See you all for some off nights and Great Lakes Races at Sunset Speedway and Sauble Speedway!”
Great Lakes Concrete Series / Sauble Falls Tent and Trailer Park Late Models
The second day of Spring Velocity saw him back behind the wheel of his No. 31 Limited Late Model, the same ride in which he had scored a pair of top-10’s in the opening two weeks of competition.
Just like the day before, he was fast in qualifying, setting himself up to start seventh for the 75-lap feature following the invert. The initial start did not go in his favor, as he’d lose some positions, battling side-by-side with Taylor Holdaway for ninth on Lap 6. Stuck in the high line behind a couple slower cars, he’d continue to lose ground, fading back to ninth over the next couple of laps.
He’d begin to battle back on Lap 11, getting alongside Paul Maltese for eighth, clearing him for the position four laps later. He was able to make up another position, running seventh with 19 laps in the book. Spencer-Walt looked to continue his charge forward, getting alongside Lane Zardo for sixth at Lap 32, getting the spot three laps later.
The progress was halted a little on Lap 46 when he was bumped back to seventh, though he’d fight back, getting alongside Jason Parker for sixth at Lap 58. As the pair battled for position, contact would happen further up ahead of the field, resulting in a fellow competitor going around and the caution.
With both drivers moved to the rear of the field, Spencer-Walt would restart fourth, quickly moving up to third on the drop of the green flag. He’d then challenge Gord Shepherd for second, clearing him for the position on Lap 67.
Spencer-Walt was able to track down Hallyburton for the lead, giving him a love tap with five laps to go. This would allow Spencer-Walt to get alongside a lap later, taking the top spot with two laps to go. He then led the rest of the way en route to winning the event for the second straight year in a row.
“These longer races have kind of been my thing,” he said. “With this and the APC Series race last night, fans can see that we can win races, we just don’t run into cars. We can drive it to the front without any controversy. It sucked there last night six laps in with (Lane) Zardo but I love racing all of those guys; they’re class acts.
“We had a great car today. We threw every piece of suspension into the garbage and put our old stuff back in this car. We went into qualifying, and honestly, I could tell that it had the drive back, it had the feel back that we had last year and that’s what we needed. It was tough racing there with Jason Parker. I don’t know if he broke a shock or not, but he was pushing so bad that I almost got into the wall. Then we got down in here and I got into him; it’s racing I guess, so I hope he’s alright with it.
“I got to thank Nick Goetz for putting this whole thing on. It’s a lot of money out of that company for sponsoring the series and an event like this. I can’t wait to take this hot rod over to Sauble. I think we’re going to be good there too; we’re always fast there.
“I got thank Eldon for the money and funding that he puts behind this program. Jim Wilson Chevrolet, Auto Trim Design for their wraps, CRP, and Ashley McCubbin for everything they do. There are a lot of photographers and fans out here and that was a long ass day. People sat in these stands for hours, and I’m glad we could put on a show.”
“We’re still alive!”
Spencer-Walt will be back at Sunset Speedway this coming weekend on May 26 for the next night of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Sauble Falls Tent and Trailer Park Late Model racing. He will then take part in the second race of the APC Series season at Flamboro Speedway on June 2.
Spencer-Walt Motorsports is proud to be supported by Gohydrovac.ca, Jim Wilson Chevrolet, Auto Trim Design, Byer’s Equipment Motorsports, Orser Technical Services, Heidi’s RV Superstore, GreenSteelRoof.ca, HOTC, Speedy Auto Glass Orillia, Frame Shop Huntsville, Speedy Auto Machine, Red Castle Performance, and EPIC Racewear.
Keep up with Rick Spencer-Walt and Spencer-Walt Motorsports by liking their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Walt-Motorsports/524817640964689?fref=ts and following Rick Spencer-Walt on twitter at https://twitter.com/Rwalt31.
Press Release by Ashley McCubbin/AM Marketing – ashleymccubbin17@gmail.com
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