PREVIEW: OSCAAR Super Late Model Autumn Colors Classic 50 at Peterborough Speedway

After thrilling fans from coast to coast all year long, the OSCAAR Super Late Models are set to cap off their year this weekend at Peterborough Speedway as part of the 22^nd Autumn Colors Classic. The year-end event always produces thrilling racing for the fans throughout the field, leaving everybody with something to discuss till the new season begins in May.

With a wide margin over second place in points, Andrew Gresel looks to lock up his first career OSCAAR championship this weekend in his sophomore season. The Hempwoth native has a chance to do it in style with a victory as he won the Autumn Colors Classic last year and won the Chase for the Colors event back in August to sit on the pole this coming weekend. The last trip to Peterborough for Gresel didn’t go as strongly, though, as he’d end up fifth following a mid-race incident. He will enter this weekend with momentum on his side, though, following a second place finish in the Velocity 250.

The driver entering this weekend with the most momentum is Kevin Cornelius as he scored the feature victory at the Velocity 250. Cornelius has been on a roll with crown jewel events this year, also having won the Don Biederman Memorial in June. Looking for the crown jewel sweep, Cornelius has been strong at Peterborough in the past. The KDR Motorsports driver was leading 14 laps to go when a power steering line let go at the beginning of August, before finishing fourth in the late August event after a mid-race spin.

Coming off a fourth place finish at Sunset, Jeff Hanley looks to have the chance to carry the momentum forward. Hanley has had success at Peterborough in the past, too, winning the Autumn Colors Classic in 2009, followed by there more wins. In eight starts at Peterborough, Hanley has finished in the top two in six of them.

Another driver that should be strong is Jesse Kennedy as he finished eighth at Sunset, and led the first 20 laps at Peterborough in early August before finishing second to Gresel. In five starts at Peterborough, Kennedy hasn’t finished outside of the top 10.

Mike Beyore is hoping to avoid the bad luck that plagued him earlier this season at Peterborough as a breakage in practice sent him back to the shop for parts, before returning to finish ninth in the feature. He would back that up with a 10^th in the fall August feature. Beyore is looking for a good run after finishing outside of the top 10 at Sunset. He has had success at Peterborough in the past, scoring a heat victory last year before finishing sixth in the feature.

Rookie Dave Doucette hopes to have his season finish on a positive note following a finish outside of the top 10 at Sunset as a result of a couple of spins. He would post an 11^th place finish at Peterborough in is first there behind the wheel of a super late. Another driver that hopes luck is on his side is Todd Campbell, who also missed the top 10 at Sunset. Campbell has finished sixth in his last two starts at Peterborough.

Despite going for an early race spin at Sunset Speedway, Glenn Watson bounced back to finish sixth. Watson hopes to end his year on a good note, having posted a third and second at Peterborough so far this year. Watson is also a previous Peterborough Speedway winner, winning the Autumn Colors Classic in 2011 and finishing in the top five in 11 of his 15 starts.

John Owen has always been strong at Peterborough, returning to Super Late victory lane in August for the first time since 1999. He also posted a fourth place finish at the Chase for the Colors, before finishing fifth in the 2012 Autumn Colors Classic for three top-fives in his five Peterborough starts.

Both Tyler Hawn and Kelly Balson are in need of good runs this weekend to end their seasons on good notes. Peterborough is Hawn’s strongest track behind the wheel of his super late model, with a sixth in the 2013 Classic and a seventh in the Chase for the Colors event. His last trip to Peterborough didn’t turn out that good as he finished 13^th after catching fire. Heading back, hopes are high for a top-10 after finishing seventh at Sunset. Meanwhile, Balson knows his way around Peterborough having made a ton of laps in a limited late model; he has finished seventh in previous two super late starts. Another pair of drivers to watch for possible solid runs are Shane Gowan and Corey Jones.

Rob Poole is hoping to have luck on his side after finishing outside of the top 10 at Sunset Speedway at the Velocity 250. Poole had a strong run going, though would fall back late in the event. He has shown speed in the past at Peterbroough so it’ll be interesting to see how he does.

Shawn Chenoweth made his return to OSCAAR Super Late Model competition at Sunset Speedway, posting a solid fifth place finish. Chenoweth will hope for another top-five finish this weekend at the Autumn Colors Classic as he does double duty, also running a super stock.

2014 Bruce Gowland Memorial Champion Dwayne Baker is hoping to have a good run after finishing third at Sunset Speedway, and posting a podium finish in last year’s Autumn Color Classic. A two-time Limited Late Model ACC winner, he hopes to take the success to the next level.

After running into transmission problems at Sunset Speedway, J.R. Fitzpatrick is hoping to have a top-five run this weekend at Peterborough. The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series star has made numerous starts at the OSCAAR level, getting strong with each trip behind the wheel.

Dave Taylor hopes to carry momentum into this weekend after posting a 10^th place finish at the Velocity 250. Taylor has ran a limited schedule this year, finishing just inside the top 10 with each start.

With all these drivers expected, as well as other big names, this year’s edition of the Classic promises to be a good run. So without a doubt, make sure that you’re in attendance to catch the action. The fun begins on Saturday with two sets of heats, followed by the 50 lap feature on Sunday. Details can be found at http://www.oscaar.ca and http://www.peterboroughspeedway.com.