ST: 2015 Sunset Speedway Graham Landscape Mini Stock Preview

When the majority people heard about the Graham Landscape Mini Stock division in the past, they’d skim over the division without paying attention. Though in recent seasons, the division has grown to capture the attention of fans across the province. Between the top notch competition to five-wide racing at times, from a mix of veterans to young teenagers, the division becomes more recognized with each passing season.

Sunset Speedway has continued to put the division in the spotlight, from teenagers snatching victories to marquee events that got attention province-wide. With over 50 drivers registered for the 2015 season, this could be the biggest season for the division at Sunset Speedway yet. The challenge of trying to decide who will be a contender, and who will win races, is up in the air as there are many drivers who have had success in the past.

Here’s a select group of the drivers and the outlook for the upcoming year, with more features to come throughout the season featuring the rest.

Terry Woodley struggled at the beginning of last season, but got stronger as the year went on and ended off the season on a high with a fifth place finish in the Velocity 250. If Woodley can start out as strong as he finished the year, look for him to be a front running driver all year, and perhaps snatch up a feature victory to add to his resume.

Billy and Ben Melenhorst (pictured left) have been involved in the Mini Stock ranks for a couple of years now, and both brothers are always fast. The pair can be seen at the front of the field on any given night, perhaps even leading laps. Surprisingly, neither brother reached victory lane last year. That’ll be something that they’ll both be looking to change this year.

Justin Holmes is one of many drivers that make the shift from Barrie Speedway to Sunset Speedway with Barrie’s unfortunate closure. Holmes was a front running contender at Barrie each week, finishing in the top-five on any given night. He should transition well over to Sunset, having posted a podium finish in the Velocity 250 in the past. Expect Holmes to find victory lane this year.

Teammates Warren Paxton and Andy Kamrath will both be running on a part-time basis once again this season. Paxton has always been quick at Sunset, being a past series champion, and should be fast once again given the speed shown during pre-season testing. Kamrath, meanwhile, burst on to the Mini Stock scene really strong last year, leading laps and winning races all over the province. The ‘Instant Classic’ swept both Mini Stock National events at Kawartha, before winning the Autumn Colors Classic. Considering that he’s got the car cornering really well once again, he should be back in victory lane very easily.

Defending series champion Brandon McFerran returns this season looking to repeat. McFerran won eight features last year, to go with a series of victories in 2014. The driver of the No. 64 Mustang has worked hard over the off-season to make his program even stronger, which can only mean one thing for the competition – look out. Expect McFerran to be part of the championship discussion all season long, as well making a couple stops in victory lane.

Randi Seguin made her first laps at Sunset Speedway this past week, making the transition from Barrie. As the year went on at Barrie last year, she got stronger, making a couple trips to victory lane and leading a good portion of the feature one night. If she can continue to advance her program forward, expect her to be a front running contender and perhaps score her first feature victory in the second half of the year.

2014 Rookie of the Year Jordan Howse got stronger as the year went on, ending off the season on the biggest high possible with his first career victory in the Velocity 250. Following a third place finish in points, Howse will certainly be part of the championship discussion as he continues to add checkered flags to his resume.

Spira Racing looks to put themselves in the front running discussion with their three mustangs this year. Samantha Shaw and Jake Watson (pictured right) are both set to run the full schedule, while Billy Schwartzenburg will be there on a part-time basis. Shaw was solid at the start of the year, and grew into a contender in the second half of the season as she got more comfortable in traffic. She ended off the year on a strong note, scoring her first career victory while finishing second in points to McFerran. If she can carry that speed into the season, she could add her name to the list of female champions at Sunset Speedway and no doubt – a couple victory lane trips, too. Watson grew as the year went on, as well, becoming a top-10 contender in the second half of the year. If he can continue his growth as a driver, he could certainly break into the top-five this year and perhaps even score his first career Mini Stock heat victory. Schwartzenburg is a multi-time winner and should be considered as a contender for the feature victory whenever he stops by. Though the mini stock program may loose some promise as he focuses on his debut season behind the wheel of a Pro Late Model as part of the APC Auto Parts United Late Model Tour of Ontario presented by Grisdales.

Danny Benedict has won big events across the province, including a feature last year in a trip to Sunset Speedway. He will make the shift from Peterborough Speedway to Sunset Speedway full-time for 2015. Given his victory last year in one of his lone starts, he should be one to watch all year long as he could surprise the regulars by beating them for the championship.

Kendra Adams enters her third year behind the wheel of a Mini Stock. She had a solid season last year, finishing seventh in points despite some tough nights. Her biggest deal is looking to find a little more consistency, and perhaps a little more speed to put herself in the front running conversation with the likes of those above. Considering her limited experience, though, she’s done solid so far.

Charlie Smith is set to return home to Sunset Speedway after showing speed at Barrie Speedway last year that brought him some solid finishes. Given the speed that he has shown in the past, Smith could easily be a top-10 contender, but will have to find a little bit more if he wants to break the top-five. He can do it, though, given the fact that he’s a past Barrie Speedway Champion.

Gerrit Tiemersma (pictured left) debuted a new brand new mini stock during testing this past weekend. He had a solid season last year, finishing fifth in points in his rookie year. It was obvious, though, that he was missing that bit of extra speed to truly run with the top runners. Perhaps this new car and the added experience as a driver will be the answer to having some success.

Previous series champion Eric Yorke is hoping to break back into victory lane last year after missing the top-five for the majority of the season. Yorke still had solid speed, but found himself just inside of the top 10. Certainly the DY Racing crew knows what it takes to win, given previous success. The question will be whether they find that secret to success once again.

Doug Butler makes his return to Sunset Speedway this year after winning the championship at Barrie Speedway last season. Butler has had success at Sunset Speedway before as he is a previous series champion, and won the Velocity 250 a couple years ago. When Butler was running the speedway regularly, he was real fast and dominant. While the domination will probably not be there due to how the division has gotten quicker over the past couple of seasons, look for Butler to be a front runner with a couple trips to victory lane. He will be joined on track by his father Richard, whom should be a top-10 contender based on his success at Barrie.

In her rookie season, Lauren Halliday caught the attention of many fans and fellows competitors alike with the success that she was able to find early in the season. Given that strength, look for her to be solid once again with the potential for some top-10 finishes, and perhaps a top-five finish.

Ken Townsend has shown speed in the past, but found himself battling mechanical issues all year, which took him out of contention. If he can avoid those, look for him to return to being a solid front runner. He will be joined on track by fellow 3 Wide Motorsports teammate Chris Allard, who enters his rookie season. Notably, Allard is driving James Townsend’s old ride, which recall was fast in its time at Peterborough. If the rookie can figure out the trick to driving quick early in the year, there could be success there.

Miles Tyson has ran up front at Sunset Speedway since the first trip he made to the oval, and that should continue in 2015. After finding himself a tick off McFerran, Shaw and Tyson, he went and build a brand new car for the season. If the team is able to hit on the speed that they were missing, he should be a contender this year.

Ryan Toon was always a front runner at Barrie Speedway, but will now transition to Sunset Speedway. It’ll be interesting to see whether the success carries over and whether he can find the same magic.