Photo Credit: Ashley McCubbin
“So far halfway through year four, I’m excited with where we’re at and what’s to come for Stadium Super Trucks.”
For the fourth straight years, the Speed Energy Stadium Super Trucks presented by Traxxas invaded the streets of Toronto. Once again, the series put on a pair of thrilling races with drama right down to the checkered flag.
Each year, the number of trucks has grown, though also the quality of drivers. This year’s Canadian date included a star-studded line-up, ranging from open-wheel/NASCAR star Max Papis to open-wheel ex-racer Paul Tracy and Dakar Rally Motorcycle Champion Toby Price. Combined with defending series champion Sheldon Creed and V8 Supercar driver Paul Morris, the series is able to catch attention and then deliver with jam-packed action.
Both races saw Matt Brabham and Creed battle for the top spot, with the rest of the 10 delivering a show through the field with side-by-side contact to tight passes.
Like the other series, they were dealt with dealing with the new configuration as a result of the hotel construction.
“I don’t think the track is as good as it was before,” Robby Gordon said. “I think they’ve taken out some passing opportunities. Obviously, I think [Juan Pablo] Montoya would probably agree following session 1. It’s just very narrow getting through there and I don’t think there’s enough room for racing.”
However, despite the last three turns being tight, the drivers were able to make it work with some side-by-side racing throughout, including an exciting end to race 2 with Brabham just coming up short on his pass on Creed.
Brabham was crowned the overall weekend following both races, which has the boss satisfied in watching him go from struggling last year to quickest this year.
“Glad to see the guys learn off-road – I don’t know if I’d call it off-road but rather formula off-road,” he said. “It’s pretty cool to watch them learn and advance forward.”
The growth of the drivers has been seen throughout, from Sheldon Creed’s debut to other youngsters like Scotty Steele and Russell Boyle gaining speed. Gordon says it’s cool to watch the young drivers grow and further their careers.
“I look at Sheldon Creed and see myself 20 years ago, probably older – 29 years ago I see myself in Sheldon Creed,” he said. “He really has a bright future and glad he’s capitalized on it.”
