ST: Jordan Latimer Set for NWAAS Late Model Rookie Season at Sunset Speedway

Following a stellar rookie Thunder Car season at Barrie Speedway, Jordan Latimer is set for the next big jump in his career, set to run the full SAUBLE Falls Tent and Trailer Park Limited Late Model Season at Sunset Speedway. The teen is excited about the opportunity, speaking highly about the competition at Sunset.

“It’s going to be tough sledding at the beginning, getting used to the late model; not used to the bump stops and stuff like that,” he commented. “It’s going to be tough year. I’m pretty excited to be racing with Gord Shepherd, (Dwayne) Baker, (Taylor) Holdaway, and all those big names, and everything that that they’ve accomplished in the past year. By the end of the year, I want to be fighting against them for wins.”

Latimer said that following his rookie year at Barrie, discussions were kicked up about getting a new thunder car for the season. There were discussions on buying an older late model chassis and turning it into a thunder car, or buying one of the new McColl chassis. However, looking at the work that needed to be done either way, the decision was made to go late model.

“We thought with the amount of work it’d take to turn the late models into a thunder car, we might as well do the late model and see what happens this year,” Latimer commented.

Initial plans were for Latimer to return to Barrie Speedway, however the track was bought by a new ownership group in January, and they have plans to bulldoze the speedway. Now, Latimer is set for Sunset Speedway.

“For a bit there, we had second guesses, but I think it’ll be okay now,” he commented.

Going into the year, the goal is to win the rookie of the year award, however Latimer recognizes it’s not going to be easy.

“That’s one of our goals for this season,” Latimer said. “We’re going to go for rookie of the year. Like you said, it’s going to be pretty tough with guys that haven’t had the NASCAR license. I think there’s 34 of us. There’s going to be a good chunk of drivers that are going for rookie of the year.”

With this being Sunset Speedway’s first year under NASCAR sanctioning, many of the experienced drivers will have a NASCAR license for the first time. Therefore, those drivers could win the Rookie of the Year Award, despite 10+ years of experience.

Last season, Latimer ran the full Thunder car division at Barrie Speedway, having a stellar season that saw him finish in the top-five in points with a victory mid-season. As a result, he would be awarded the 2014 Barrie Speedway Rookie of the Year Award. Throughout the season, he was able to lean on multi-Barrie Champion Gord Shepherd for advice. However, it won’t be quite the same this year with the pair competing against each other.

“I think he’ll still help me out with what he can do,” Latimer shared. “We’ll practice and help me out, and there’s still tons of other people that can help me out this year. I’m pretty stoked about the team that I’ve got this season. I’ve got Darrell Eascott on the radio, and all my pit crew guys so I think it’ll be alright.”