Photo Credit: Eric Uprichard
PORT ELGIN, ON – With multiple Sauble Speedway championships to his credit, Ltd. Late Model standout Jason Parker has shed his weekly roots in 2016, electing instead to focus on his upstart Pro Late Model program and his renewed commitment to the APC United Late Model Series.
‘The New Age Punisher’ was a fixture on the tour during its inaugural season in 2015, posting four top-5 finishes en route to a 5th place finish in the final tour points standings.
“At this time last season, we weren’t quite sure what direction we were headed in,” explains Parker. “We were still racing our Limited Late Model weekly, but knew that we wanted to take a look at going on tour with the APC Series to see if that was a better fit for us”
Parker’s decision to invest in a full touring program for the first time in his career was not a decision his team took likely. However after years spent racing on a weekly basis, the small business owner and family man knew it was time for a change.
“Being at the speedway every single weekend just isn’t really possible for us anymore,” continues Parker. “I’ve got a young family and a growing business, and it’s getting harder to find the time through the week to have our program operating on the level that we expect out of our team”
“We needed to make a change and find a way to stay in the sport that didn’t require the amount of hours that racing on a weekly basis does”
One year later, Parker has liquidated virtually all of his Ltd. Late Model equipment, and has taken delivery of a 2016 McColl Racing Enterprises-built Pro Late Model to chase the APC Series championship with.
“We’re all in with this Pro Late Model deal,” smiles Parker. “This is where we can see ourselves staying for the foreseeable future. We had a great year in 2015, and with all of the changes we’ve made, we feel confident that we can contend for wins anywhere the tour goes this summer”
The veteran admits that even though his team achieved enviable success at the weekly level, competing with the APC Series required some considerable changes.
“Being on tour is so much different than just racing the same group of drivers at the same speedway every Saturday,” says the Port Elgin, ON veteran. “The change of scenery with every race keeps things fresh. It’s a different strategy from race to race, and a lot of times it’s not the same teams that you find yourself racing for position. It keeps you on your toes, that’s for sure”
The Port Elgin, ON veteran will begin his season on May 14th when the APC Series rolls into Sunset Speedway for Round 1 of the tour’s sophomore campaign.
“Our goal is to absolutely start the season with a bang,” notes Parker. “Sunset is a facility that we’ve won at before in our Ltd. Late Model, and I think we stand as good of a chance as anyone of winning Round 1 with our Pro Late Model”
“There’s a lot of talent on this tour, and everyone has the same goal of being on top at the end of the season. Because of that, momentum is so important. A big first race could go a long way towards competing for a championship months down the road.”
Jason Parker’s 2016 program is supported by Prestige General Contractors, Mowbray’s Canadian Tire, Colorworks, Saugeen Shores Transmission, Boiler Makers 128, Baxi Marathon Industries, Keeprite, Ron Gibbons Construction, MacDonnell Fuels, Morry’s Trailer Sales, Candue Homes and Lakeside Auto.
Fans can stay up to date with Jason and the rest of the team by visiting the official Jason Parker Racing page on Facebook.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
