Photo Credit: Ashley McCubbin
To say that last season had it’s tough moments would be an underrated statement for Andrew Gresel as the past OSCAAR Outlaws Champion endured a tough season in APC Auto Parts United Late Models of Ontario Tour presented by Grisdales competition, finding himself involved in a couple of heavy wrecks back-to-back.
Despite the lackluster beginning, he closed the year on a high in winning the second APC event at Sunset Speedway in August. He would win the b-main, start deep in the field of talented field of drivers making his way through the field lap-by-lap. He made his way up into the top-four in the final 20 laps, and would lead the final two laps en route to scoring the victory in what has been called one of the best races of the 2015 season.
“Once we got near the front of the pack, those guys didn’t have much for us and the car was working that day,” he reflected back to last year. “Coming out of the last chance there was just unreal. We had a good car all day, just missed a few things. That’s what happens, right? We definitely need to work on qualifying.”
He was also successful in the Grisdales Triple Crown event at Flamboro Speedway to close the season, winning one of the three features.
“Last year was a tough year for us,” he commented. “There was a lot of wrecking going on, and we were pretty much involved in everything that was happening. In the end, we came together and fought through it, and put in a lot of work. Near the end, we started picking it up and got a few wins under our belt at the end, which made it worth it.”
Gresel stated at the Motorama Custom Car and Motorsports Show that he was attracted to the APC series based on how it was put together, with the qualifying structure and the amount of cars there on any given week.
“The competition is definitely high and it’s a great series,” he commented. “We had a really lot of fun last year. We had a lot of bad luck, but at the same time, we really enjoyed ourselves.”
He noted that qualifying is something that he needs to get stronger at this season as the time trial format didn’t treat him strongly last year.
“Some teams are a lot better than the others and that’s one of the things that we’re going to work extra hard at,” he stated. “Overall, last year, we only had one good qualifying run in any of our races so that’ll be big for us this year. We’ll have to work hard towards that.”
The Hempworth, Ontario native is known for taking part in traveling series, and will be once again in 2016 as he will run the full APC schedule, as well as some OSCAAR events.
“One thing about the traveling series is it’s good for your supporters,” he commented. “That’s one thing that attracted us to the series. Part of my job is to do what is best for my sponsors so right away we started building a car and limited late model deal is different deal. It’s good racing over there, but I think you’re going to see a few more of those guys step up and race with us, too.”
The package that he has put together allowed Gresel to add an additional sponsor for his supporter, as he signed Gallinger Ford during the Motorama weekend.
“We got talking and he really liked what we’re doing and that’s what’s true with all our sponsors,” he stated. “This is the series, this is what everybody is talking about and it is what everybody is liking so…”
