STROUD, ON – Tonight (Wednesday, July 11) Sunset Speedway plays host to Round #2 of the 2012 McColl Racing Enterprises (MRE) Pro Series. The gates open at 5:30 p.m. with racing starting at 7:00. The Pro Late Models will feature several prominent stars, including Stompin’ Tom Walters, Mike Bentley, Brad Corcoran, Matt Pritiko, Jason Shaw, Brandon Watson and many others! Inside Track Motorsport News will also be on hand at Sunset, which will also host the Richard Petty Driving Experience on Thrusday and Friday (July 12 & 13). Fans who show proof of purchase of a ‘Ride-Along’ or ‘Driving Experience’ from RPDE will receive a FREE gift pack from Inside Track, including a NASCAR die-cast and the new issue of Inside Track. For more info, visit www.SunsetSpeedway.ca.
Sunset Speedway MRE Pro Series Round 2 Preview
By Spencer Lewis
Pro Late Models: Contenders to keep an eye on
Stompin’ Tom Walters
The 28-time champion broke through in Round 1 with a dominating performance to earn his first victory of the 2012 season. The Bradford, ON veteran led all 75-laps, fending off a half dozen challengers over the course of the event. Walters’ extended-distance credentials are well noted, as he has now visited victory lane after 75-lap Pro Late Model events in back-to-back seasons, and most recently added the 2012 Peterborough Speedway Chase for the Colours title to his resume. Stompin’ Tom has as many laps around the new Sunset International Speedway as anyone, and will no doubt look to utilize his home track advantage when Wednesday’s event hits its later stages.
Mike ‘Lights Out’ Bentley
After destroying his primary chassis in the first event of the Sunset season, Bentley has bounced back with a authority, purchasing a brand new mount for week 2 and capturing victory in it in only its second time out of the hauler. The Guelph, ON up-and-comer put on a show in Round 1, charging from deep in the field – twice – to mount a serious challenge for the lead through the final 20 laps. The 24-year old is one of the most mentally tough competitors in the province, and if he can keep his nose clean and avoid being sent to the rear of the field mid-race, watch for Mike Bentley to give any front-runner fits come Wednesday night.
Brad Corcoran
‘The Shadow’ threatened to steal the show in Round 1, scrapping with fellow Flamboro regular Steve Laking for third position throughout the final 25-laps of the event. If Corcoran brings the same intensity to July 11th’s Round 2, we’d be hard pressed not to consider the Milton, ON veteran as a favourite to win. Corcoran has had a solid start to his 2012 campaign, in addition to his 4th place finish in the opening round of the MRE Pro Series, he triumphed over Flamboro’s talented Late Model roster in their first week of competition, adding a top-3 performance in June 9th’s Grisdale Triple Crown event.
Matt Pritiko
One of the most impressive up-and-comers to hit the Pro Late Model scene in several years, Delaware Speedway regular Matt Pritiko is a road-racing graduate, having completed a trio of seasons in the lauded Koni Challenge Series. His introduction to Late Model competition produced results almost immediately, with Pritiko finishing 2nd overall in Delaware’s weekly standings in just his second full season in a stock car. 2012 has seen the formation of the London, ON resident’s Matt Pritiko Motorsports operation, complete with a brand new McColl Racing Enterprises chassis and crew chief support from Ron Pearn and Jim Ireland. Pritiko mounted an impressive come-from-behind 7th place finish in the opening round of the MRE Pro Series, displaying the type of natural ability and raw talent required to persevere in extended distance competition.
Jason Shaw
No stranger to prestigious events, former ALSTAR Tour champion Jason Shaw enters the MRE Pro Series as one of the most celebrated Ontario Late Model pilots of the past decade. Already in 2012, the defending Flamboro champion has won 3 features at his hometrack, including the 2nd round of the Grisdale Triple Crown – a race similar in length to Sunset’s MRE Pro Series races. Shaw is quite familiar with Sunset, having collected podium finishes in PLM competition during previous visits. If Shaw can maintain his trademark composure through the demanding 75-laps of competition, there’s little doubt he’ll be in contention for the win in the race’s later stages.
Brandon Watson
No competitor has impressed in OSCAAR Super Late Model competition like Brandon Watson in 2012. Owner of 2 tour victories – both at Sunset – in addition to a pair of top-3 finishes, the Stayner, ON prodigy currently sits atop the tour’s point standings. His Pro Late Model efforts have not been met with the same unwavering consistency, with a frustrating 14th place finish in the opening round of the MRE Pro Series the highlight of the team’s 2012 campaign thus far. But don’t discount the abilities of the blue-chipper and his top-notch supporting cast. Watson already has numerous victories at Sunset in a Limited Late Model, Pro Late Model and Super Late Model, and will enter Wednesday’s 75-lapper in search of redemption for his Round 1 shortcomings.
MRE Pro Series Point Standings After Round #1
1 51 Mike Bentley 93
2 47 Tom Walters 92
3 44 Steve Laking 85
4 O5 Brad Corcoran 80
5 18 Jesse Kennedy 78
6 37 David Elliott 72
7 21 Matt Pritiko 72
8 22 Jamie Cox 67
9 71 Dan McHattie 66
10 8 Jason Parker 65
11 9 Brandon Watson 64
12 46 Billy Zardo 63
13 81 Bryan Mercer 63
14 16 Ryan Kimball 53
15 1 Jaxon Jacobs 52
16 O Marc Jacobs 50
17 74 Trevor Monaghan 48
18 48 Dwayne Baker 47
19 61H Jason Hathaway 46
20 10 Gord Shepherd 45
21 29 Sean Grosman 45
22 41 Taylor Holdaway 44
23 61 Brent Wheler 42
24 36 Gary Elliott 41
25 55 Bruce Rankin 39
26 49 Frank Davey 37
28 27 Mat Box 35
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