Photo Credit: Ashley McCubbin
Following an exciting Bruce Gowland Memorial at Sunset Speedway, the Dickies OSCAAR Outlaws Presented by London Recreational Racing are set for the next step on the tour. For the first time since 2013, the outlaw super late models will take to Flamboro Speedway to put on a 50-lap show full of excitement at each turn. The tight oval will be a challenge for the drivers, but the best of the best in the province should figure it out in due time.
The last time the Super Lates were in attendance, Andrew Gresel dominated, picking up the win ahead of Brandon Watson in a dominating performance. The defending series champion will be making his first start of the season this weekend behind the wheel of his familiar entry. The last time Gresel had the Super Late out was last year at the Autumn Colors Classic, where he picked up the win in a dominating performance.
Before the 2013 race, though, the super late had not been to Flamboro since 2009 when Jeff Hanley drove to victory lane in the Ocktoberfest Classic. Hanley also posted a runner-up finish in October of 2005. Hanley has not been in attendance at any races thus far this season.
While Hanley won the last event that Flamboro hosted, it was Charlie Gallant that crossed the line in the second position. Gallant is one of a few that could enter this weekend with experience at Flamboro, however there is something in the way – a motor. He blew the motor in last outing at Delaware Speedway. If he has a new power plant, he could be one to watch as he had a strong showing at Sunset Speedway in the season opener, finishing fifth.
2008 Ocktoberfest winner Derrick Tiemersma will look to break through for his first win of the season after a strong fourth place finish in his third start of the season at Sunset Speedway. He enters this weekend on the heels of a pair of back-to-back top-five finishes. Flamboro could equal success for him as beyond the win in 2008, he finished seventh in May 2007, sixth in September 2007, third in October 2009 and fourth in 2013.
Glenn Watson also enters this weekend with momentum on his side as he finished third at Sunset after a hard-fought battle with J.R. Fitzpatrick for second. Watson has been on a string of recent success, posting four straight top-five finishes since his motor blow-up on opening weekend. Flamboro would mark the perfect spot for Watson to get his first win of the year as in the previous six OSCAAR events, Watson has two twins and five top-fives.
Shane Gowan is also looking for a strong run as he looks for his sixth straight top-10 finish this weekend following a seventh at Sunset. Notably, he finished ninth in the 2013 event.
This season, Shawn Chenoweth (main image) hasn’t had things go the way he wanted. He blew the motor in practice on opening night, missing the event that weekend, before suffering a mechanical failure at Delaware Speedway while leading. He then went to Sauble Speedway and went for the ride of his life, destroying the car. He has since made repairs and this week will mark his return since then. He has a ton of experience at Flamboro, winning in previous trips behind the wheel of a pro late model, limited late model and super super. Beyond that, he posted a second place finish in the OSCAAR event in 2008.
Roy Passer is also looking to keep the positive momentum going, as he posted an 11th place finish in his first start since wrecking earlier this year at Delaware. He knows his way around Flamboro as he finished eighth in his last Flamboro start in 2009.
J.R. Fitzpatrick has had success at Flamboro in a super stock, and hopes that carries over to the super late. He enters this weekend with momentum on his side, following a pair of runner-up finishes.
Sean Grosman has shown a lot of speed and posted three top-10 finishes thus far this season. However, he hasn’t ran previously at Flamboro so depending how quickly he adapts will depend whether he sees success.
Paul Howse is new to super late model racing, but has been solid with a pair of eight place finishes. Though while he’s new to super late models, Flamboro isn’t a new track for him. He has spent the majority of his career racing there in a pro late model. Given that experience, it should help in getting the super late model set-up for this weekend.
In his sophomore season of competition, Corey Jones has been solid this year, posting a top-10 finish in each of his starts this year, highlighted by a fourth place finish in the season opener at Sunset Speedway. Though like a few of his other competitors, Flamboro will be a new test for him this weekend.
Todd Campbell has been around these cars for a ton of years. He also enters this weekend with momentum after three straight top-10 finishes. Will that translate to victory at Flamboro?
Kelly Balson had a solid rookie season, but wasn’t consistently top-five. He then chose a new approach for 2015, hiring a couple new crew members. The results were tremendous as he has led laps and currently sits second in points with a top-10 finish in each of the five races thus far. Like many drivers, though, inexperience at Flamboro could bite him this weekend.
The track inexperience is something that is true also for points leader Kevin Cornelius, who enters this weekend 44 points ahead of Balson. So far this year, he has won each of the five races this season. However, while he has shown speed at every other track on the tour, it’s a question of whether he can adapt to Flamboro and find the groove to victory lane.
