NEW HAMBURG, ON- As the weeks continue to tick by on 12-year old Jake Watson’s sophomore Mini Stock campaign, it’s becoming rapidly apparent that Jake Watson is finding his footing in one of Ontario’s most competitive divisions.
“Everything we’re doing at the speedway now is starting to feel so natural”, explains the third-generation driver. “My dad [former Mini Stock regular Wade Watson] and my teammates have been such a huge help. I’m starting to feel at home driving this car. It’s all starting to feel routine which makes it that much easier”
‘The Derringer’ currently sits 7th in Sunset Speedway points, and is riding a streak of 4-straight top-15 finishes at the Innisfil, ON 1/3 mile.
“The fact that we’ve been able to run this well at Sunset is huge for our confidence, because we really struggled here last season”, says Watson. “Over the off-season, we worked hard on this car to try and bring it up to where it needs to be to compete against the Sunset cars. I can’t thank my Dad enough for the opportunity to race against this level of competition”
In addition to Watson’s head turning performances at Sunset, Jake entered Kawartha Speedway’s Mini Stock Nationals event on June 1st.
With the elite of the division drawn from across the province, Jake was the youngest driver on the entry list, and steadily improved all afternoon to earn a top-20 finish in the final rundown.
“I was a little nervous heading into Kawartha”, admits Watson, “but as soon as I got out there and found the quick way around, it got a lot easier”
“It’s the fastest I’ve ever gone in a racecar”, continues Watson, “I couldn’t believe the closing rate when you’re headed down the straightaways. You come up on cars so quickly – you really have to be careful of what you’re doing”
Jake will continue to compete fulltime at Sunset Speedway throughout the 2014 season if additional marketing support can be found, and hopes to diversify himself with a touring program set for later in the season.
Jake Watson is proud to represent Spira Fire Protection, HYPE Energy Drinks, Fast Eddie Racewear, Process Group, Race2Way.ca, Expressway Ford, Cloverleaf Farms, Stewart’s Equipment, Artik Ice, WIX Filters, Gunk, Chetty’s Hot Sauce, Cambridge Source For Sports, Oktane Productions and Lucas Oil.
Fans can follow ‘The Derringer’ on Twitter @JakertWatson and be sure to visit the all new Jake Watson – WWR page on Facebook.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
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