PLATTSVILLE, ON- Five weeks after a disastrous wreck that launched his No. 89c into the Sauble Speedway catch fence in Round 6 of the OSCAAR Super Late Model Tour, Shawn Chenoweth will be back in competition with the cross-province series when it touches down at Flamboro Speedway on Saturday night.
“It’s tough to explain just how much work has gone into putting this car back together again,” says Chenoweth when asked the state of his lone chassis when his team returned home from their frustrating Sauble Speedway outing.
“We got it back from Sauble and it was just completely destroyed,” continues the veteran. “It was in rough shape and I really can’t thank the guys at MRE for getting our chassis turned around as quickly as they did. This car required a lot of attention and they didn’t waste any time having it back on four wheels for us”
After a lengthy repair effort, Chenoweth admits expectations are high as his London Recreational Racing-backed outfit prepares for battle on their home turf.
“With the time, effort and money that my friends, family and sponsors have helped me put towards getting this car back on track, anything other than a win this Saturday will be disappointing,” affirms ‘The Mastodon’.
“I have never wanted to win a race so badly. I’d like to think that it’s tough to bet against us in any racecar at Flamboro but, after all that’s happened, in a car that works as well as our Super [Late Model] does, it’s going to be real tough to keep us out of victory lane”
And although he owns 36 career starts with the cross-province Super Late Model tour, Chenoweth will unload at Flamboro searching for his first ever OSCAAR-sanctioned win.
“We’ve never won an OSCAAR Super Late Model race, and I would be lying if I said that didn’t have an effect on me,” admits Chenoweth. “That’s the entire reason we put this car back together again. Some of these drivers are the best in the province, and I know that we have the combination to beat them. If we can make that happen – at our hometrack – I think we just might party until it’s time for work on Monday”
When asked his strategy for Flamboro, Chenoweth is quick to explain that a racer will find himself competing against the track every bit as much as the drivers around him.
“The scouting report for Flamboro has been the same for a long time, now. Preserve your tires and brakes,” says the former Flamboro Pro Late Model champion. “But, it’s a racey track that almost draws you into driving it harder than you really want to”
“That’s where a lot of guys use their stuff up. And, by the time you catch yourself doing it, it’s already too late. Hopefully we can capitalize on the guys that make that mistake, while making sure not to fall for it ourselves.”
Fans can stay up to date on Shawn in the days leading up to this weekend’s ‘Don Biederman Memorial’ at Flamboro by visiting the official Shawn Chenoweth Racing page on Facebook.
Shawn Chenoweth’s return to the OSCAAR Super Late Model Tour is made possible thanks to the support of London Recreational, Bennett GM, KR Communications, Midas of Orangeville, Castrol Edge, Hitman Hotrods, Wilson Ponds, Graybar, McColl Racing Enterprises, Innerkip Plumbing and Heating, ProWraps and Automotive Truck & Tire.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
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