SAUBLE BEACH, Ont. – August 23, 2016 – Andrew Gresel started on the pole and led all 100 laps to collect a $5,000 payday in the Super Late Model Gold Rush 100 at Flamboro Speedway near Hamilton, Ont. on Monday night.
Gresel was making just his second Super Late Model start of the season and, so far, he’s perfect with wins in both races. On Monday, he time trialed second fastest, just seven hundredths of a second off Brandon Watson’s quick time.
When Watson dropped to the rear of the field at the start for a chance at a bonus $5,000 prize to win from last, Gresel inherited the top spot and made the most of the opportunity.
“We worked real hard on time trials during the off-season thinking about different stuff. You want to be on the pole, but it’s so hard to get there. I thought we had it locked up and, sure enough, they came out and beat us,” Gresel said of his time trial effort.
The Gold Rush was the first 100-lap Super Late Model race in Ontario in several years. The $5,000 winner’s prize and $36,000 overall purse were by far the largest for Super Late Models in several seasons. Gresel was appreciative of those who supported the event.
“To put something together like this and have a good payout like they did just makes for a wicked race and makes for a great day,” Gresel said following the victory. “Super Late Model racing is awesome. I love driving these cars.”
Matt Pritiko chased Gresel early on in the 100-lap race until he dropped out of the race one-lap prior to the competition caution on lap 40 for fuel. From there, JR Fitzpatrick set out to track down Gresel.
Gresel’s biggest challenge came from Fitzpatrick on a lap 55 restart. Fitzpatrick led by half a car off turn two, but Gresel regained the point position in turn four.
“He had a good run,” Gresel said of Fitzpatrick. “I was mainly waiting for the tires to come in. Through (turn) one and two, I had no grip yet. In turn three and four it just started to come and by the time we got back to one and two it was back on its line and it took off.”
It was the final chance Gresel gave any of his 18 competitors at the win, dashing their hopes of gold over the remaining 45 laps. At the finish, Gresel led Glenn Watson by a full straightaway to solidify his dominant performance.
“I was having a blast. It’s not every weekend I get to drive these cars anymore. I have a big passion for Super Late Model racing and I was having a ball,” Gresel said excitedly. “They’re a wicked racecar.”
The win adds to a long list of career accomplishments for Gresel, including Delaware Speedway and OSCAAR Super Late Model championships. The Gold Rush 100 ranks pretty high on the list, Gresel said, but the success is largely due to a dedicated effort from his crew.
“I have to thank my crew a lot for today. The cars weren’t impounded at all because this was an outlaw deal. We were changing gears, changing shocks, changing springs,” Gresel explained. “We struggled a bit through practice, but by the time the race came around, we had that thing dialed in.
“We have wicked support and awesome people helping us every day. I’m so grateful to be able to go to the racetrack with a package like that.”
Gresel will return to APC Series Pro Late Model competition this Saturday, August 27 at Sunset Speedway. Two races remain in the APC Series and Gresel holds a 23-point lead over teammate Shawn Chenoweth.
SEASON STATS
Pro Late Model – 10 Starts: 5 Wins, 8 Top-5s, 10 Top-10s
Super Late Model – 2 Starts: 2 Wins, 2 Top-5s, 2 Top-10s
SAUBLE FALLS RACING MEDIA
Website: www.saublefallsracing.com
Facebook: facebook.com/saublefallsracing
Twitter: @SaubleFalls81
Andrew Gresel’s 2016 season is supported by several corporate sponsors, including: Sauble Falls Tent & Trailer Park, London Recreational, McRobert Fuels, Hy-Grade Roofing, F1 Freight Systems, Canadian Union of Skilled Workers, Gallinger Ford Lincoln, Castrol Canada, Pro Wraps, Brisk Spark Plugs, Barry’s Construction and Raden Givari at Ehomes.
Prepared By Clayton Johns Media
Photo attachment 1: Andrew Gresel celebrates his Gold Rush 100 win with sponsor Mike Schmidt of London Recreational (left) and wife Raden Givari (right). (Eric Uprichard/Image Factor Media photo).
