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 are in the midst of their second season. So far, all the hopes are high following a successful race at Flamboro Speedway last week. Given the excitement, combined with the close racing Sunset Speedway has produced, it’d be no surprise if it’s another exciting afternoon of action on Sunday.
Joshua Stade had a solid campaign last year, finishing in the top-13 in each of the events to finish sixth in points. Notably, this year he managed to score his first career top-five at Peterborough, but has failed to finish in the top-10 the past two weeks. He’ll look to get his year back on track following sixth last fall and an eighth in the spring at Sunset Speedway.
Jamie Cox had success at Sunset Speedway last year, finishing in the top-six the last three events. He has never got to victory lane at the Innisfil, Ontario oval, something that he looks to change this weekend as he come off a seventh place finish at Flamboro.
With a top-10 in each of his three starts at Sunset Speedway, Matt Pritiko is hoping for a strong run this weekend after finishing eighth at Flamboro. 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. Box didn’t start off the APC year as strong as he finished 13th in May at Sunset, but enters the weekend on the heels of five straight top-10 finishes.
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 the three top seven finishes he has at Sunset as he enters the weekend with six straight top-eight finishes.
Andrew Gresel enters this weekend with confidence on his side, as he scored the Triple Crown victory at Delaware Speedway, followed by four series wins and a victory in the Gold Rush. He also has proven that he knows how to get around Sunset Speedway, picking up the win in the last two series events at the 3/8-mile oval.
Dale Shaw will be a driver that many will be keeping their eye on as he scored the championship last season and has finished on the podium in the last two Sunset Speedway races. He also enters this weekend with momentum as he posted a runner-up finish a couple weeks ago at Flamboro.
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 off to a decent start as he sits eighth in points following a fourth place finish at Flamboro. Meanwhile, his Spira Racing teammate Steve Laking will look to improve on his past Sunset Speedway finishes – ninth. He’s proven 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 enters the weekend with momentum following a top-nine finish in each of the last nine races.
He will also have a teammate in the field as Andy Kamrath makes his third start of the season, driving Chenoweth’s second entry. Kamrath has been fast this year thus far, running in the top-five in both his previous starts, includin a fifth place finish at Sauble. 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. Notably, the most recent race for the team was at Sauble Speedway, with Brandon Watson taking the No. 24 to victory lane.
Marvin Freiburger hopes he has better luck at Sunset Speedway this year after failing to post a top-10 in each of his previous series starts. Notably, he finished 12th at Sauble.
Shawn McGlynn hopes to score his fourth top-10 of the season this weekend after posting a third place finish at Sunset Speedway in May.
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. So far, he’s bested that finish twice this season.
Rick Burbridge will be hoping to crack the top-10 this weekend after posting a fifth place finish at Sunset Speedway in May and three top-10s this season. You can also add Tom Gibbons to the same category, as his best finish at Sunset was a 17th last August. Notably, Gibbons posted a runner-up at Sauble about a month ago.
After making a single APC start last year, Shae Gremmell will be joining the tour full-time in hopes of having success. He has posted a best finish of 12th on two occasions.
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. The squad hasn’t had the best luck with only a couple top-fives each week.
The guy that lots will have their eye on is Dwayne Baker as he will be looking to repeat last year’s success after winning the May APC event last year on the Innisfil, Ontario oval and finishing fourth in May.
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.
