Spencer Lewis' Ontario Short Track Notebook (March 19, 2012)

Here’s a sneak peek at Mini Stock veteran Jayson Brown’s ride for the 2012 season. The Stroud, ON driver seems to have channeled the spirit of Super Late Model competitors in decades gone by, with an innovative looking plexi-glass ‘board wing’ design. Brown will compete in select Sunset Speedway events throughout the 2012 season, and is certainly an early-season contender for the most original looking entry in the field.

On the heels of Flamboro Speedway’s recent $10,000 to win August 20^th Pro Late Model event, interest in the speedway’s annual Grisdale Triple Crown mini-series has began to spike. Delaware Speedway front runner Matt Pritiko has become one of the latest to formulate plans for the 3 events, scheduled for June 9^th, July 7^th and August 11^th. The London, ON native experienced a career season in 2011, notching second place in Delaware’s weekly Late Model championship in only his second year of short track competition.Inside Track Power Rankings alumni David Elliott is the defending Triple Crown champion. 2012 will mark Pritiko’s first career attempt at the mini-series title.

Kawartha Speedway promoter Derek Lynch has confirmed his plans to return to the ACT Late Model Tour in 2012. Lynch, the 1994 winner of the famed Oxford 250, last competed with the tour in 2010. While a fulltime schedule has yet to be finalized, Lynch will be at Lee USA Speedway for the Governor’s Cup 150, the first event of the 2012 season. Lynch will once again enjoy backing from returning sponsors Hasiuk Trailers and Containers and JJ Stewart Motors of Norwood, ON.

Former Motocross competitor Quinn Misener has added his name to the burgeoning list of rookie competitors on the OSCAAR Super Late Model tour in 2012. The 19-year old has secured a chassis last campaigned by Tony Calitri during the 2007 season. Misener will receive support from the Passer racing stable, and will compete as a teammate to OSCAAR veterans Gary and Roy Passer. Misener joins Rob Poole, Jim Bowman and Doug Wilson in the race for 2012 Rookie of the Year. The teen will make his debut, alongside the rest of the OSCAAR tour, in the season opener on May 20^th at Sunset Speedway.

Multiple-time Thunder Car/Super Stock champion Randy ‘The Rocket’ Rusnell has solidified his plans for the 2012 season. After selling his notorious Pontiac Le Mans at the conclusion of 2011, rumours began to swirl regarding Rusnell’s future in the popular division. But the Cambridge, ON native has now confirmed a return to the talent-laden Sunset Speedway Super Stock class, with a new chassis for his upcoming campaign. Rusnell will compete with the same ride that took Kyle Donaldson to the 2010 Sunset Speedway championship, as he looks to edge out notable front runners Matt Bentley, Paul Maltese and defending champion Lane Zardo.

‘The Rocket` captured 5 A-Main victories at Sunset last season. The team’s 2012 efforts will enjoy backing from Travis Industrial Maintenance, DreamDoodles.net, Cournoyea’s Poodles, Speedy Auto Service of Burlington, Spira Fire Protection, J&K Converters Ltd., Partimer Signs, Brant Transmission, McCordick Glove & Safety, Marvin Freiburger & Sons Inc. And Holmar Plumbing.