ST: Memorable Moments of the 2014 Sunset Speedway Season

Over the course of a season, there are many fun and memorable moments that take place that stick in the minds of fans for months, and sometimes years to come. With last season in rear-view and preparation already in full gear for 2015, here are some of the highlights from the year as shared by drivers, crew members and fans alike.

“The talent in the late model division with the many different winners.” – Brendan D.

Taylor Holdaway. Jason Witty. Chris Morrow. Billy Zardo. Mike Bentley. Jason Parker. Sean Cronan. Dwayne Baker.

All of these drivers have one thing in common – they visited Sunset Speedway Limited Late Model feature victory lane in 2015. Boosting full fields each week, Sunset proved to have one of the toughest Late Model divisions in the province with eight to 10 drivers legitimately having a shot to take home the feature victory on any given night.

“My favourite part of the season was on championship night when Cayden started in the back, and Randy started pole, and Cayden came through the field to win the championship – Karlie W. // Cayden Lapcevich’s run from the back to win his championship – Kevin W. // Cayden vs Randy in Super Stock starting opening night and finishing up in an insane battle for the title. – Brendan D.

On the final night of racing, Sunset Speedway fans got to witness one of the closest championship battles as Cayden Lapcevich and Randy Rusnell headed into the feature race tied, with basically the champion being whomever finished best. Due to winning the feature the week prior, Lapcevich was set to start 12th per speedway rules. Rusnell would get to draw for his starting spot, drawing pole. With that being said, it seemed like it’d be mission impossible for the 14-year-old.

However, Lapcevich proved that it was very possible as he drove his way through the field over the course of the 50 lap feature, passing Rusnell for the lead and the championship with just under 10 laps to go. The race went down as one of the best races in not only speedway competition in watching the determination of a young driver, but also the way that he went about doing it.

“The Frequent Flyer” – Donovan P. //  SL Promotions ability to turn a mini stock into a must see event with the Frequent Flyer 50 – Brendan D.

Late August, it was announced that there’d be a Canadian Limited Late Model Championship 125 lap feature scheduled on a Thursday night, with the event joined by a 35 lap Mini Stock affair. Though looking at the purse, a couple people jumped on board to donate some funds and well, it just grew from there. The race turned into a 50 lap featured, titled The Frequent Flyer 50 presented by SL Promotions, as a result of Sean Grosman’s donation and Spencer Lewis’ promoting. The winner’s purse increased to $1200, with a stack of bonuses up for grabs for drivers throughout the fields, such as tough luck award and highest finishing Barrie Speedway driver. In the end, eventual winner Andy Kamrath took home just over $2000 in one of the cleanest features of the whole season.

Of course, the night will also be remembered by Mike Gettliffe’s spin that could’ve turned into a pile-up of minis during the b-main, but resulted in only a couple cars receiving damage.

“Taylor Holdaway turning it on late season and claiming the LLM invitational and final points night.” – Brendan D.

Throughout the first half of the season, Taylor Holdaway looked to be missing that certain edge that he needed to get the victory. Though as the year went on with a new hire for the team, it seemed that they hit their stride and found the piece of the set-up that they were missing. As a result, a string of podium finishes came Holdaway’s way before cracking open the whip with a couple late visits to victory lane. If ‘Hollywood’ can start the year with the speed that he showed at the end, the new season could see a lot of success.

“Mike Weeda getting 2nd in time trials on the last points night, and getting 3rd in the feature all in the same night. ‘Proud Dad’. That’s what racing is about.” – Rudy W.

Throughout the season, Mike Weeda continued to get stronger on a weekly basis, going from top-10 competitor to a top-five contender. The pieces finally fell together for Weeda and team on the final night, as mentioned. Certainly the positive run gives the family outfit confidence heading into 2015 as Weeda looks to take home a checkered flag.

“The talent of the Mini Stocks with features going flag to flag or really long green flag runs.” – Brendan D.

Full 28 car fields, going three-wide lap after lap with the lead lap cars darting through the lap cars. Sometimes you may even witness four-wide racing, or even five-wide racing. But yet through the chaos, there were nights that saw zero, or maybe one caution flag during the course of the 30 lap feature. The 50 lap features – a pair of them – also saw very limited cautions, as well. Needless to say, the talent pool is steep as there’s a lot of smart drivers who are good at car control.

“Dwayne Baker finally claiming the Sunset title.”  – Brendan D.

He had come close before, but had yet to close the deal and score the championship. That all changed in 2015, though, as Baker was consistent on a weekly basis, visiting victory lane a couple times, en route to scoring his first career Sunset Speedway championship. To say that his worst finish of the season was a ninth shows just how well Dwayne and Kyle Baker had that car tuned.

The title also marks a historic landmark in Canadian racing, as Baker comes one of the only drivers to have a championship at both Barrie Speedway and Sunset Speedway.

“Johnny Morrison becoming a late season contend out of nowhere.” – Brendan D.

Throughout the course of last season, Johnny Morrison should potential, though found it tough to break into that top-five barrier. Entering the 2014 and throughout the first half, that is where the young driver remained. However, he and his dad Rob Morrison kept working at the handling of the car and finding spots to improve each week, and it showed on track. You could see the No. 83 getting quicker with each passing week and it finally came to a head late in the year. As the year closed out, Morrison found himself up front, leading laps and finishing within the top-five.

Based on his couple of heat wins to close out the year and feature contention, it’d be no surprise if this young man snatches his first career feature victory very early in 2015.

“McFerran claiming the title and Andy Kamrath winning everything in sight.” – Brendan D.

After coming close over the past couple of years, the pieces finally came together for Brendan McFerran as he claimed the 2014 Mini Stock Championship. The young man had a dominating season, visiting victory lane on eight different occasions, while putting together top notch consistency.

Meanwhile, Andy Kamrath proved that he could get it done in a mini stock with ease as the Sunset Speedway regular won the Spring Derby to open the season, swept both Mini Stock National events at Kawartha, won the Frequent Flyer 50, the Autumn Colors Classic and oh yeah, swept both his heats both rain fell on Barrie Speedway for the Gary Reynolds Memorial.

Jason Parker vs. Brandon Watson – Ashley M.

In one of the most thrilling battles of the season, the 75 lap feature came down to a battle of two greats – 2014 Sauble Speedway Champion Jason Parker, and 2013 OSCAAR Super Late Model Champion Brandon Watson. The battle had the fans on the edge of their seats as the pair went back and forth, with Parker settling the cards with the pass off of turn two late in the feature to score the victory.

Chad Eden shuts up the critics – Ashley M.

Over the years, some people hae criticized Chad Eden as being a driver that can only get it done at one single track – his hometrack of Sauble Speedway. However, when it came time for the home-to-home series, he proved that wasn’t the case. “One track wonder, my ass,” were the words out of Chad Eden’s mouth in victory lane in July after passing Matt Bentley with five laps to go to score the victory.

“Sam Shaw finally getting the W at Sunset after being so close so many times.” – Brendan D.

Throughout the season, Samantha Shaw kept getting closer and closer to victory lane, but kept coming up short. The most memorable short fall visit would be leading the majority of the feature, to only be passed on the last lap by McFerran. Needless to say, the female driver from Guelph was due for a win.

On the final night of competition, Shaw started right near the front and immediately moved herself in the lead. Darting through traffic left and right, three-wide in the middle at times, she would hold off both her teammate Billy Schwartzenburg and McFerran to score the victory. Certainly a great way to end off the 2014 season.