SAUBLE BEACH, Ont. – September 19, 2016 – Andrew Gresel came through in the clutch when his championship hopes were on the line Sunday. Gresel had a 13-point lead in the APC United Late Model Series standings entering the final race of the season, the Great Canadian Race at Delaware Speedway.
The race was originally scheduled for Saturday, but pushed back to Sunday due to rain. Gresel didn’t just hold on to the championship, he asserted his dominance with his fifth series win of the season to claim the championship by 21 points over Jamie Cox.
“It was surreal. I was so worried over the last three weeks about how everything was going to go. It was a long time waiting for that race so it was just a big weight lifted off my shoulders,” Gresel said of his moment in victory lane. “To cap it off with a win was just unreal. I still don’t think it’s really sunk in.”
Gresel time trialed third fastest of the 28 cars in attendance and lined up fifth for the 100-lap main event after the top-five redrew for starting positions. He was cautious in the opening laps, but realized he had a car to contend for the win.
“I didn’t really want to get up beside anybody because I was just worried about somebody cutting down a tire or anything like that. Going in to the race I wasn’t concerned with getting the win, but I could tell the car was working well. It wasn’t falling off and I knew we were going to have a shot at it,” Gresel said.
Gresel lined up beside Jamie Cox on a lap 31 restart and claimed the lead in the outside lane off turn two.
“We were running on the outside of Cox for a couple of restarts. I ended up clearing him on the second restart. The only reason we got by him was that he slipped the tires coming out of turn two,” Gresel said. “We cleared him, took the lead and never really looked back.”
He led the remaining 69 laps to secure his fifth APC Series win this season, sixth in a Pro Late Model and fourth in four Delaware starts this season. After last season’s misery that included multiple wrecks, Gresel certainly made the most of his rebound effort in 2016. It was a group effort to achieve the success, he said.
“I think it was just everything we did and the way we approached the season. We really worked on qualifying,” said Gresel, who earned three pole awards with the APC Series.
“Thanks to all our sponsors. We picked up three new sponsors for the season and that gave us a bit more funding to do what we wanted to do. It was just a dream season the way everything came together. I wish every year could be like this.”
Gresel was also quick to thank APC Series organizer Luke Ramsay and his technical team for their effort and diligence throughout the season.
“Those guys did a great job. They put us through the grind and tore everything apart. They did everything they had to do as a tech official,” Gresel said. “When the end of the season comes around, its nice to be able to sit around and laugh and talk about it all.”
Gresel has two invitational events remaining on his schedule. He will battle in triple 50-lap races for Pro Late Models at Flamboro Speedway’s Frostoberfest on Sunday, October 2. His Ontario season will end with the Autumn Colours Classic at Peterborough Speedway which runs from October 7-9.
“We’re going to go to Frostoberfest. That’s a big event at Flamboro,” Gresel said. “From there we’re going to go out to Autumn Colours at Peterborough. We never miss that event.”
Gresel may pursue some events in the United States following the completion of his Canadian season, but has not made any definite plans.
SEASON STATS
Pro Late Model – 12 Starts: 6 Wins, 9 Top-5s, 11 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.
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Prepared By Clayton Johns Media
Photo attachment: Andrew Gresel celebrates in victory lane following the Great Canadian Race at Delaware Speedway. (Paul Buck photo).
