PLATTSVILLE, ON- Just days away from what stands to be the biggest race of his 2015 season, Pro Late Model standout Shawn Chenoweth insists he is as composed as he’s ever been, as he prepares for Saturday’s ‘Great Canadian Race’ at Delaware Speedway.
The September 19th race will serve as the season finale for the upstart APC United Late Model Series, and will have Chenoweth entering a mere 2-points removed from current series point leader Dale Shaw in the race for the inaugural tour championship.
“I keep hearing people tell me about the pressure that I’m under, but I’m really not feeling it,” shrugs Chenoweth.
“I feel like I’ve been down this road a couple times already. I’ve been ahead in the points and lost a championship on the last night, and I’ve come from behind to win one on the last night,” explains the veteran. “Anything can happen. So we’re not too concerned with sitting around worrying, we’re just making sure we’re as prepared as possible”
With over 30 teams expected for Saturday’s 100-lap event, Chenoweth is quick to note that Shaw, along with fellow championship contender Mat Box, are far from the only two adversaries capable of working their way to victory lane.
“I’ve said it before, but I have my eye on a lot more teams out here than the ones racing for the championship,” says Chenoweth flatly. “Dale [Shaw] and Mat [Box] are, without question, two of the best drivers in this province. But, so are about a dozen other guys that are going to be at Delaware”
“You’d have an easier time counting the guys that aren’t threats for the win than you would counting the ones that are. That’s what makes this tour so much fun”
‘The Mastodon’ held the tour point lead for much of the 2015 season, until an unexpected mechanical issue in the penultimate tour event at Sunset Speedway on August 23rd saddled Chenoweth with a DNF and removed his London Recreational Racing-backed No. 89C from the top of the tour standings.
“Anything can happen in one of these deals. You just have to be ready,” says Chenoweth. “Hope for the best and prepare for the worst. I don’t think anyone foresaw us having brake line issues and DNFing at Sunset – but it happened. And now we’re dealing with it. That’s what this game is all about”
“I just want this championship to be decided on the race track,” adds Chenoweth in reference to the three-way battle set to culminate at Delaware.
“I want each one of us to finish, and I want the champion to be the man that was simply better on Saturday afternoon. No mechanical issues. No wrecks. Just three of the best guys on the roster going toe-to-toe to see who’s best”
“This tour has been the best thing to happen to Pro Late Model racing in this province in a long time, and for that reason alone, it would be an honour to represent it as its champion. This team has worked hard all season for this. Now, it’s time to put it all out there and just hope we’ve brought enough.”
Details for this weekend’s events can be found at www.DelawareSpeedway.com.
Shawn Chenoweth’s 2015 season is supported by London Recreational, Bennett GM, KR Communications, Midas of Orangeville, Castrol Edge, Hitman Hotrods, Wilson Ponds, Graybar, McColl Racing Enterprises, Ideal Brake Parts, Team Vincent Motorsports, Finish Line Concrete Therapy, Innerkip Plumbing and Heating, ProWraps and Automotive Truck & Tire.
Fans can keep up with Shawn by visiting his official Shawn Chenoweth Racing page on Facebook.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
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