Photo Credit: Ashley McCubbin
Following a great season of competition that saw the track’s champion finish third in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series standings, Sunset Speedway’s Sauble Falls Tent and Trailer Park Late Model Division is set to go for another year.
The driver that enters the season with the target on his back is Taylor Holdaway. ‘Hollywood’ won last year’s championship in dominating style, scoring 12 feature victories and 21 top-five finishes. It seemed once he got o a roll, there was no stopping him as he proved on multiple occasions that a driver can sweep a night even with the 14-car invert for the second feature. Holdaway and his team have been hard at work during the off-season in hopes of repeat success.
However with a stellar line-up of drivers that includes at least 15 different drivers that could win on any given night, it won’t be easy for a repeat to happen for Holdaway.
One of those drivers has to be Gord Shepherd, who was able to reach victory lane on two different occasions last year with 12 top-fives on the season. It seemed through the summer Shepherd lost his magic touch, so if he can keep it going all year long, he’ll be tough to beat.
Nick Goetz also reached victory lane multiple times, winning the second most victories of all drivers with three. Goetz proved last year that he had speed, though found himself in the midst of trouble at times. Consistency will be the key to improving his spot among championship contenders.
Regardless how things shake out, it’ll be a year to remember for Tom Walters as the 30-time champion has dubbed this season his last. It seems fitting given how he drives the No. 47 and this is his 47th season. The Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame member will be hoping to get back to victory lane after failing to win a race last season, despite posting six top-five finishes. He proved that he’s still got it, though, as he finished on the podium at the Autumn Colours Classic in October.
It was also shocker last season when both Chris Morrow and Dwayne Baker failed to reach victory lane on a regular points night, as well.
A multi-time track champion, Morrow endured every which way of bad luck that a driver could find last year as it seemed just when he was about to lock up that first win of the year, something would happen. Without a doubt he should be quick this season and run near the front after posting three top-fives and nine top-10s last year.
Baker had a stellar year, no doubt on that, as he won the inaugural APC Auto Parts United Late Model of Ontario Tour race at Sunset Speedway, as well as the Canadian Limited Late Model 125 at Sunset. It wasn’t that he didn’t run well either on regular nights, as he posted seven top-five finishes. It’ll be a shock if he doesn’t reach victory lane for the second year in a row.
While the veterans try and make their mark, there are two sets of young brothers that hope to leave their impression the division –the Hallyburtons and Zardos.
Despite not reaching victory lane, Thayne Hallyburton proved that he is fast with three top-fives and seven top-10s. It seems that with just an extra kick, he’ll be able to put himself right up there. His brother Travis Hallyburton was able to reach victory lane last season, while posting seven top-fives. He also enters this year with a slew of momentum after winning the Autumn Colours Classic.
Billy Zardo has proven to be a front runner in the past in the Late Model division, as showcased last year six top-fives and 15 top-10s. Given that he hasn’t won since August of 2014, he’ll be itching to get back to victory lane. On the flip side, this will mark Lane Zardo’s first full year of late model competition. He does have previous experience, including a podium finish at last year’s Autumn Colours Classic. With a stellar Super Stock resume underneath him, he’ll be one to watch this year.
Looking for a stronger season, Scott Wylie will be debuting a brand new car this season that he has worked on during the winter with Shaun McWhirter of Streamline Race Products. Given that Wylie posted six top-fives with an older car last year and help set-up Holdaway’s car, he should be fast this season.
Jordan Latimer impressed last year in his rookie campaign, scoring three top-fives late in the season. Look for Latimer to be solid out of the gate this year, and quite possibly make a trip to victory lane.
Entering the year, there’s a lot of anticipation, given the new faces that are throwing their name into the ring this year.
After wining the track championship in 2013, Mike Bentley will be making his return to Sunset Speedway as a full-time competitor. Each time Bentley has taken to the Innisfil, Ontario oval in the past, he has ran up front and contended for victories. Don’t expect this year to be any different.
Sean Cronan is also making his return this season, set to run a limited schedule that includes the first two nights of racing. The 2011 McColl Racing Enterprises Shootout Champion was quick in his last appearance at the oval, scoring a victory in one of his final track starts.
NASCAR Pinty’s Series runner-up Jason Hathaway announced that he will run the first three nights of the season. Hathaway ran a late model on a couple occasions last year, scoring a pair of top-fives, including a runner-up to Shepherd in the season opener.
After winning the Super Stock Championship last year, Cayden Lapcevich will be making the jump up to the late model division. The teenager was stellar last year, posting a top-three finish in each race. It seems whatever car the kid jumps in, he is fast as he won in his OSCAAR Modified debut and was running third in his inaugural APC event till a crash. With that said, he should be quick right out of the gate on opening night.
Last year’s Sauble Speedway Champion Joshua Stade will be running some events at Sunset Speedway to kick off the year. Stade proved last year that he can come in and run right up front with the fast guys, as he won on opening night last season.
Beyond those mentioned, there are a slew of other drivers that will be in the field, looking for success this season. So without a shadow of doubt, make sure you are at Sunset Speedway this Saturday night on April 30 for the season opener. Late models will time trial at 2:30pm EST, followed by Mini Stock and Mighty Mini heats. The Super Stocks will then take to the track for their heats at 4pm EST. Details and tickets can be found at http://www.sunsetspeedway.ca.
