Photo Credit: Ashley McCubbin
For the second consecutive year, Sunset Speedway is making the most of the Victoria Day Long weekend with their Spring Velocity event, which features long distance features for their Late Models, Super Stocks and Mini Stocks, along with the Ontario Modified Racing Series, TQ Can-Am Midgets and Avenue Auto Parts Super Late Models.
Based on past seasons and the happenings of opening night this year, here are six drivers to watch in this year’s Spring Velocity.
Taylor Holdaway – Defending Spring Velocity winner enters this weekend with lots of momentum as ‘Hollywood’ won last year’s championship in dominating style, scoring 12 feature victories and 21 top-five finishes, while capturing the victory in the opening feature on opening night. The only thing that has hindered his run so far – fire. Holdaway caught fire during the second feature on April 30, resulting in a DNF.
Gord Shepherd – Shepherd ended last season on a high, winning the Velocity 250 to cap off the season. He was also able to reach victory lane on two different others occasions last year with 12 top-fives on the season. He’s shown speed already this year as he was quickest in time trials, and posted a second and fourth on opening night. The only thing that could make the difference here is whether he will do double-duty, and how it will effect him. Shepherd is set to run the Avenue Auto Parts Super Late Model season opener, but he did do double-duty last year and had no issues with that affecting his late model style.
Nick Goetz – After battling motor issues throughout the first half of the night, Nick Goetz came back in flying style on opening night as he won the second feature of the evening in a thrilling battle with Jason Hathaway. The success doesn’t surprise as Goetz also reached victory lane multiple times last year, winning the second most victories of all drivers with three. Goetz proved last year that he had speed, and should be one to contend with in the final stages on Sunday night.
Jason Parker – He may be a Sauble Speedway regular, but he knows his way around Sunset Speedway as he was the victor in the Velocity 250 in September 2014. Since then, he has continued to post solid performances that have impressed fans from across the province. If you’re looking for an outsider to challenge the regulars, here is your pick.
Mike Bentley – Bentley is fast on any given week – see his previous track championship and third place feature finish in the opening feature of the year. The problem is patience and aggressiveness as he tends to find himself in more problems than others – note the second feature of opening night. If he can stay out of trouble for 75 laps, he’ll be at the front at the end of this show.
Travis Hallyburton – Your breakout star from last season is certainly hoping to live up to expectations. He was able to reach victory lane last season, while posting seven top-fives. Though what makes him stand out as how he finished the year during playoff season. He finished third in the Velocity 250 in September, and then backed it up with a victory in the Autumn Colours Classic. He certainly will be looking to put his name in contention this week as he didn’t do as well as hoped on opening night, with a best finish of 10th in the two features.
Joshua Stade – Stade knows his way to Sunset Speedway victory lane as he won a race last season. He also has laps this year with finishes of sixth and fifth. As Sauble Speedway’s defending track champion, there will be eyes on him this weekend.
