Photo Credit: Ashley McCubbin
Following a successful string of races, the drivers of the APC Auto Parts United Late Models of Ontario Tour presented by Grisdales Race Products tour are set for the seventh race of the year. The series is set to head to Flamboro Speedway, where Andrew Gresel dominated in the season opener.
2015 Sauble Speedway Track Champion Joshua Stade had a solid campaign last year, finishing in the top-13 in each of the events to finish sixth in points. Following an 11th place finish, Stade hopes to improve on his 17th finish from May for his second career top-five.
Jamie Cox enters this weekend with momentum following a top-eight finish in each race this year except the most recent race at Sauble where he finished 15th. Notably, he finished second in the season opener at Flamboro.
Matt Pritiko is hoping for a strong run this weekend after posting a top-11 finish in each race this season including a fifth at Sauble. He finished fifth at Flamboro in May. The other Mat – Mat Box – is also looking to do the same after posting a top-nine finish in each of the first six races, including a fourth at Sauble.
Jason Parker will look to continue the strong momentum after posting five top-eight finishes, rather than a 21st finish like he posted at Flamboro in May.
Andrew Gresel enters this weekend with confidence on his side as he’s won three of the six APC races of the season, including a victory at Flamboro in May.
Dale Shaw will be a driver that many will be keeping their eye on as he scored the championship last season. He’s done well at Flamboro previously, and will hope to avenge the mechanical issue at Sauble. Notably, he finished third at Flamboro in May.
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. So far, he’s been solid this year with four top-10 finishes, including a runner-up a couple weeks ago at Peterborough. Meanwhile, his Spira Racing teammate Steve Laking started the year with three top-nine finishes and posted a third place finish a couple weeks ago at Sauble. The pair will have a third teammate this weekend as defending CARS Tour Champion Cole Timm will be traveling up from the United States to drive Laking’s back-up car.
Shawn Chenoweth is one of the quickest drivers behind the wheel of a late model, and hopes to carry his winning fortune to Flamboro Speedway after posting a thunder car victory last week. Notably, he has only one finish outside of the top-10 this season with a win at Peterborough.
Marvin Freiburger hopes he has better luck at Flamboro Speedway this year after failing to post a top-10 thus far this season. Notably, he finished 12th at Sauble last month.
Shawn McGlynn is looking to carry the early season momentum through Flamboro Speedway following three top-10s in six races this season.
Willie Reyns made the jump from Super Stock competition to Late Model competition last year, and no doubt will be looking for stronger results this year after posting a best finish of 14th on the tour last year. He started off solid with a 10th at Flamboro, but has failed to repeat the top-10 performance since.
Rick Burbridge hopes to once again be at the front of the field after posting his first APC top-five with a fifth at Sunset Speedway. Meanwhile, Tom Gibbons enters the weekend with momentum after finishing second a couple weeks ago at Sauble Speedway.
After making a single APC start last year, Shae Gremmell will be joining the tour full-time in hopes of having success. Unfortunately, it hasn’t gone as planned with only three top-15 finishes.
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. So far, across the board, they have three top-15s to the family team.
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 Flamboro Speedway this weekend.
