@CoreyJones82 @Sunset_Speedway BADEN, ON- After a month spent on the sidelines, OSCAAR Super Late Model rising star Corey Jones is set to get back to work this weekend, as the tour heads to Sunset Speedway on August 22nd for the second annual Bruce Gowland Memorial.
Jones last saw action in the tour’s abbreviated 6-lap performance at Sauble Speedway on July 25th. That event was unceremoniously cut short when an early-race incident damaged the catch fence and forced officials to cancel the remainder of the race. Jones would then miss Round 5 of the tour at Peterborough on August 1st due to a scheduling conflict, instead electing for crew member Matt Pleil to ‘start and park’ the team’s No. 82.
“I’m just looking forward to getting back in the car. It feels like we’ve been waiting way too long,” says Jones. “This has been an awesome season so far, and I’m just focused on keeping our momentum up. The start-and-park at Peterborough hurt us as far as the points are concerned, but if we can put together a few strong runs over the next month, then I think we’ll be right back in the hunt”
The Baden, ON product will unload on Saturday afternoon 6th in OSCAAR standings, just 11 points out of 3rd place.
“It’s not like this team isn’t familiar with how to come from behind,” says Jones. “We’ve been in a hole before and worked our way out of it. I don’t mind being the hunter – but it does mean that we don’t have the luxury of making bad decisions on Saturday. We need to have our program in order from the moment the trailer gate comes down, or we don’t have much of a chance of racing back into the top-3 in points”
After struggling with his Sunset setup for much of his first two seasons spent in the Super Late Model ranks, Jones has turned a corner this season, tallying a top-5 finish in his first appearance at Sunset in May and running within the top-5 prior to a mechanical issue in his second Sunset outing in June.
“It’s kinda funny that Sunset has gone from my worst track to one of my favourites in a year,” admits the personable up-and-comer. “It’s such a hard place to get ahold of. And, when you’re struggling there, you have this overwhelming feeling of dread like you’re never going to get any better. But, this winter, we focused on revamping a huge part of our program and putting together a better package for Sunset was right at the top of our list”
“We changed a ton of stuff, and it’s worked out awesome,” continues Jones. “Now, I can unload at Sunset at 11:00 in the morning and know that, no matter how many times the track changes throughout the day, we have a car good enough to contend for a top-5 that night. And that’s an amazing feeling”
For Jones, Sunset provides an opportunity to race side-by-side with some of the top drivers on the OSCAAR roster – so long as his counterparts exercise patience and respect.
“I just hope everyone keeps their head on straight,” says Jones. “This tour has suffered a lot of casualties this season, as far as guys getting their equipment torn up, and a lot of that has been because of a lack of patience. We’re heading to a speedway that promotes side-by-side racing and has two grooves. There’s not going to be any need to use a guy up to try and make a pass”
“I expect a ton of talent to come out for Saturday, and we’re all going to have a lot of room to move and find a way to make our equipment work. Hopefully the driver that’s in victory lane on Saturday is the one with the best car and not just the last man standing.”
Visit www.SunsetSpeedway.ca for information – including advanced ticket sales – for Saturday’s second-annual Bruce Gowland Memorial.
Corey Jones’ 2015 efforts are powered by Griffen + Highbury, Nelson Aggregate, LaFleche Roofing, Royal Bank of Canada, Accountable Automotive, Castle Building Centres, Anmar Cleaning, Oktane Productions, Ken Robinson Refrigeration and EPIC Racewear.
Fans can stay up to date with Corey and the rest of the team by visiting the official Corey Jones Racing page on Facebook and by following @CoreyJones82 on Twitter.
Discussion about this post