HAMBURG, NY – After a debut Sunset Speedway season spent endearing himself to a brand new fanbase, New York-based driver Scott Wylie is set for a repeat performance with a new understanding of Ontario’s toughest weekly division.
Wylie entered 2015 as a relative unknown in Ontario, competing as a teammate to eventual track champion Taylor Holdaway. Over the course of his first season as a Sunset regular, Wylie showcased a style based largely on consistency, tallying 18 top-10s in 22 starts.
“Heading into the season opener a year ago, we didn’t have the same intel that we do now, so we were a lot more focused with making adjustments on the fly and learning as much as we could,” explains Wylie. “This year we feel a lot more at home at Sunset. We have a better understanding of the track and a better understanding of the teams were racing against, and alot of that is thanks to our work with Fred and Taylor Holdaway. I can’t thank them enough for the opportunities they’ve given me to be a part of their team”
The Hamburg, NY hotshoe will invest that newfound understanding in an upstart collaboration with Streamline Race Products founder Shaun McWhirter this season. Together, the pair have designed a brand new Ltd. Late Model chassis that they expect will help propel Wylie into Sunset’s championship conversation in 2016.
“We’ve been living in the shop to get this car finished,” laughs Wylie. “12-Hour days have become the norm for us because opening night is only getting closer. I can’t say enough about Shaun [McWhirter] and how committed he’s been to this project. Taking on a build like this has been a labour of love for both of us, but I truly believe that it’s going to turn some heads when we get it on the racetrack. It’s something a little bit different than what anyone else is working with right now”
Wylie is quick to explain that the decision to invest in a new chassis was necessary, given the current evolution of the Ltd. Late Model division.
“We were able to make some huge gains last season working with a car that was perhaps a half-step behind some of the equipment we were out there with,” says the well-spoken veteran. “Now that we have a brand new racecar, I’m hoping to bring our program to new levels. What makes this sport so interesting is that nothing stays the same for long. This technology is never standing still. Everyone around us is evolving – which is exactly what we’re aiming to do with this new chassis”
When reflecting on his first season spent competing at Sunset, ‘The American Dream’ insists it was never an option not to return to Ontario for a second stint.
“There was never any question that we would be returning to Sunset this season,” says the former Open Wheel Modified standout. “The level of passion and commitment that the teams on this roster have is contagious. This is, without a doubt, one of the toughest divisions I’ve ever raced in. The teams out here are no joke, and we’ve spent an entire off-season engineering our program to get to a point in which we feel as though we’ll be able to contend on any given night.”
Scott Wylie will kick off his pursuit of the Sauble Falls Tent & Trailer Park NASCAR Late Model championship at Sunset Speedway on April 30th. For information, including gate times and ticket prices, visit www.SunsetSpeedway.ca.
Wylie Motorsports’ 2016 efforts are made possible thanks to the support of Holdaway Automotive, KartStart.ca, Bay Auto & Trucks Parts of Orillia, Streamline Race Products, Wylie Racing Performance and Axcel Sports.
Fans can keep up with Scott and the rest of the team all season by visiting the official Scott Wylie Motorsports page on Facebook.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
