Photo Credit: Ashley McCubbin
Coming off a thrilling battle for the championship, all eyes are on the St. Once Recreation Super Stocks to see if they can repeat the same level of competition. With most of the same faces returning, joined by some new quick cars, the season promises to feature perhaps even stronger competition throughout the field.
Last season, Cayden Lapcevich pulled off the championship in dramatic style. The teenager started mid-pack, and drove his way to the lead with eight to go to score the victory and the championship. Now going into the year, he has stated he may miss some races due to running some NASCAR Canadian Tire Series events. However, the nights he is in attendance, expect Lapcevich to contend for the feature victory.
Randy Rusnell (pictured left) is the man who came up short when Lapcevich played his move. He’s always quick, given his past championships and victories. Easily considered the favorite going into the year, keep your eyes on the white 72.
Lane Zardo has been fast since making the move to Sunset Speedway. The 2011 Super Stock Champion has finished top five in points the past two seasons, and scored a couple victories along the way. With that said, he will be one to watch if he can avoid the troubles that have bit him a bit the past two years.
Dan Archibald is set to debut a brand new car for this year, featuring a very slick sexy looking Camaro body. Archibald has always been fast, producing a feature win. His only problem, though, is sometimes his temper gets the best of him, getting him in the midst of situations that take him out of contention. If he can stay clean, look for him to be strong all year.
Matt Bentley was fast during the second half of the year, and has visited Sunset Speedway victory lane. Though whether he can put together a season worthy package will be the deciding factor as to whether he is there at the end of the year.
Jason Elliott had success at Sunset Speedway in the past, before moving to Barrie Speedway. With the track closing unfornately, he will now return. It will be interesting to see how quickly he gets reacquainted with the oval.
Johnny Morrison got stronger as last year went on, getting close to scoring his first career victory in the later weeks. Given his growth as a driver, he could easily score his first victory in the opening month if he starts off just as quick.
The other fun factor to watch with the Morrison family will be Johnny’s father Rob Morrison. He will be back behind the wheel this season in a second car after stepping out from behind the wheel to focus on Johnny. Rob was always a solid runner, and could easily contend if the father-son combo gets both cars hooked up.
Luke Gignac is coming off the championship last season at Barrie Speedway. He hasn’t ran at Sunset for the last couple of years, though. His car has the speed, shown by his dominance at Barrie. The question will be how quickly he adapts and whether he can find what makes the car happy.
Chris Howse got better as the year went on, finding the speed to match that of the mid-pack. The rookie hopes to continue growing, and perhaps become a top-five runner.
Stan Coe has been around Sunset Speedway for years and has tons of experience. However, he has lacked speed as of recent. Perhaps he will find the magic touch.
Robbie Sikes was quick at Barrie last year, but enters a new track with a new car. Sikes will be running a previous Donny Beatty championship car that has been redone by Jeff Walt and Walt Fab. Walt knows Sunset really well, having experience in setting up late models previously. That should bode well for the learning curve for Sikes. Now the question is how quickly the driver will adapt.
Tyler Liscum returns this season after a solid 2014 that saw him post a couple top-fives. He and car owner Craig Ellis will be looking for that next piece to carry him to the front.
However, the Craig Ellis team will be busy as rookie Bradley Holt will make his debut this year. Holt will have a solid piece under him, having purchased Craig Alber’s Flamboro championship thunder car. All eyes will be on the rookie tl see how he adapts.
Nick Tooley (pictured right) has gotten stronger with each season, getting himself into top 10 contention. If the growth could continue, perhaps the next step can be found in 2015. Also, his brother Mike is registered so look out for his debut.
Adam Misener got better as the year went on at Barrie in his rookie thunder car year, winning a couple heats. Now it will be up to Misener and the team to adjust their unique looking car to Sunset, along with the driver adapting.
Kevin Reynolds will be returning to competition this year. He was solid at Barrie in a late model a few years back. He enters Sunset with a solid piece under him, having bought Archibald’s old car. It will be interesting to see how long it takes for him to adapt to the car and the track. Hopefully he’s adapted by June as it’d be nice for fans to watch him do well at the Garry Reynolds Memorial.
Mike Weeda showed promise as the year ended, including the quickest time in season ending time trials. Weeda has continued to perfect his McColl Racing Enterprises chassis, finding the adjustments the car enjoys. With the sweet spot found in late season, perhaps he will find his first victory early in the year.
Ryan Semple returns to Sunset, hoping to crack the top five. Kid Ruckus has shown speed, but has yet to find the pieces to be there at the end.
Kent Constable has a new car prepared for the season. He has had success in the past, so there is opportunity to repeat with new wheels. However, it could be tricky to find the magic set-up combination.
Bryan Penny can ne added to those doing the Barrie-Sunset swap. He had a solid year at Barrie, scoring a couple heat victories and some podium finishes in the features. Hr has some laps at Sunset, though didn’t hit the big success button. Certainly he will be looking to find the required sweet spot.
Coltin Everingham is set to push himself to the next level this year. The second generation pilot bought Steve Cashmore’s car at years end following a solid trial run with it. The car has been driven to top fives in the past. The question remains whether Everingham will do the same.
Adam Martin enters his sophomore season. The teenager ran into mechanical issues last year, but was solid in other parts. With Kerry Micks having rebuilt the car during the off-season, the team is hopeful for success.
Donny Munce ran a couple nights last year, struggling to find the speed to match the regulars. Perhaps with more laps on the new car, he will get faster and find himself in contention. He has been fast in the past, winning races in a Camaro he used to run.
Brendan Adams (pictured left) makes his return behind the wheel for the first time in about 10 years. He will be running the car throughout this season in preparation for daughter Kendra to take it over in 2016. He has had success in the past, but that was under the old track layout. It will be a question of how quickly he will adapt.
Jim Morrison kicked up his career last season, buying a cat previously piloted by Dave Doucette. He didn’t have much success, though, struggling with the rookie learning curve at Barrie. It will be interesting to see whether he adapts quicker to Sunset.
Candiss Everingham is set to make the jump up to Super Stocks following her second season in Mini Stock. She will be driving the car piloted by her brother Coltin last year. It will be interesting to see how she adapts, given her limited success in mini. However, it could come quicker given the notebook already developed by her brother.
Dustyn Mombourquette is set to make his debut. He comes from a racing based family, as many fans will remember Kyle Mombourquette. It will be interesting to see how well the teenager adapts, given the early success seen by fellow young teens like Lapcevich and Martin.
From young to old, rookie to veteran, to those searching for a first win or another championship, the Super Stocks have everything to make up the perfect division.
So now I ask you – who will be the champion?
About the Author
RT @OnPitRoad_: ST: 2015 @Sunset_Speedway St. Onge Recreation Super Stock Preview by @ladybug388 http://t.co/GA5lRTvw2q #PackTheTrack #NWAAS