Photo Credit: Ashley McCubbin
Following a successful first season, the drivers of the APC Auto Parts United Late Models of Ontario Tour presented by Grisdales Race Products tour will kick off their second season at Sunset Speedway on May 14. With a season full of thrills and close racing, it’d be no surprise if it’s another exciting night of action.
Joshua Stade had a solid campaign last year, finishing in the top-13 in each of the events to finish sixth in points. He’ll be hoping to post his first career APC top-five this weekend at Sunset Speedway after finishing sixth last fall and a pair of top-six finishes in Sunset Speedway’s weekly season opener.
Jamie Cox had success at Sunset Speedway last year, finishing second and fifth in the pair of events. He has never got to victory lane at the Innisfil, Ontario oval, something that he looks to change this weekend.
With an eighth and a second last year at Sunset Speedway, Matt Pritiko is hoping to kick off his season strongly this weekend. The other Mat – Mat Box – is also looking to do the same after posting finishes of third and seventh last year as part of his road to finishing third in the standings. He’s already made laps at Sunset Speedway this year, finishing sixth in the second feature on the track’s opening night.
Jason Parker is always quick at Sunset Speedway, having won the Velocity 250 in 2014 in a limited late model. After finishing fifth in points last year, he will look to build on last year’s fifth and fourth place finishes.
Whenever Dan McHattie steps behind the wheel of a pro late model, you need to keep an eye on him. He’s a multi-time Kawartha Speedway track champion and has won multiple features at Peterborough Speedway, including the Autumn Colors Classic. He will be looking for a solid run after posting a best-finish of ninth at Sunset in his two starts last year.
Andrew Gresel enters this weekend with confidence on his side, as he scored the Triple Crown victory at Delaware Speedway this past weekend. He also has proven that he knows how to get around Sunset Speedway, picking up the win last year after taking the lead with two laps to go.
Dale Shaw will be a driver that many will be keeping their eye on as he scored the championship last season. En route to the crown, he posted a third place finish at Sunset Speedway last summer.
Billy Schwartzenburg impressed many fans last year in his rookie season with a sixth place finish in his late model debut at Sunset en route to finishing eighth in points. Spira Racing teammate Steve Laking will look to improve on his ninth place finish last year at Sunset Speedway. He’s proven that he can be fast, scoring the Grisdale Triple Crown Victory at Flamboro Speedway last year to round out the year.
Shawn Chenoweth is one of the quickest drivers behind the wheel of a late model, and hopes to carry his winning fortune to Sunset Speedway after finishing fourth last May.
He will also have a teammate in the field as Andy Kamrath makes his return to late model competition, driving Chenoweth’s second entry. Kamrath has proven that he can get it done in the late model, having scored wins at Peterborough Speedway, Sunset Speedway and Sauble Speedway. He also knows his way around Sunset Speedway, given the amount of wins he has been able to rack up with his mini stock.
Nick Goetz hopes his limited late model winning ways carry over to the pro late model after scoring the victory on Sunset Speedway’s opening night despite fighting motor issues throughout the day. Goetz has done well with the pro late previously at Sunset Speedway, finishing eighth last August.
Marvin Freiburger hopes he has better luck at Sunset Speedway this year after failing to post a top-10 in either pro late model event last season.
Matt Lockwood will be looking to qualify this year after failing to qualify for this event a year ago, as well as two others. He has proven he can get the job done if he makes the show, scoring a 16th place finish at Flamboro Speedway.
Shawn McGlynn is hoping to post his first APC top-10 finish this season after fighting through mechanical issues and wrecks last year. He knows the team can get it done as J.R. Fitzpatrick piloted the No. 23 entry to a fifth place finish at Peterborough Speedway last season.
Willie Reyns made the jump from Super Stock competition to Late Model competition this year, and no doubt will be looking for stronger results this year after posting a best finish of 14th on the tour last year.
Rick Burbridge will be hoping to crack the top-10 this weekend after posting an 11th place finish at Sunset Speedway last May. You can also add Tom Gibbons to the same category, as his best finish at Sunset was a 17th last August.
After making a single APC start last year, Shae Gremmell will be joining the tour full-time in hopes of having success.
Shaun McWhirter is hoping to have a cleaner year after struggling through last season with an assortment of problems. He can get the job done if everything goes right, as noted by a seventh place finish at Flamboro last summer.
The Jacobs Racing team will be out in full force, with Marc, Jaxson and Paighton all set to run the APC schedule this season. The boys have been racing for a while with some success to their credit, while this will mark Paighton’s first year in a late model.
With this many talented drivers, along with the possibility of others, set to take part in the series this year, it promises to be an exciting season from start to finish. So be sure to be in attendance at Sunset Speedway this weekend.
