Preview: Summer Rush presents the Mini Stock Nationals at Kawartha Speedway

It’s been stated that the Mini Stocks are where the future of racing begins. After all, most drivers get started at this level and success there leads to moving up the ranks as they get older.

Knowing this and wanting to help promote these drivers, OSCAAR officials came up with an idea for the 2014 season – the Mini Stock Nationals. The idea to put the best of the best against each other on one of the fastest tracks in Ontario twice this season and see who will come out on top. Beyond simply putting on a show, they’ll have their names and cars in front of the same fans that watch the OSCAAR Super Lates and OSCAAR Modifieds.

The first event takes place this weekend on June 1st at Karwartha Speedway and with over 50 cars registered, it promises to be a crazy exciting day of racing.

Here are 15 drivers to keep your eye on this weekend, and if they’ve been interviewed by OSCAAR TV and Spencer Lewis, the interview is attached for your viewing pleasure.

1. Ryan Babin

A Peterborough Speedway regular, Babin is quick at any track that he tackles and speed will definately matter at a track like Kawartha with the size and configuration. Babin proved himself last year as he won the biggest invitational of them – the Autumn Colors Classic. Babin has been out testing at Kawartha in preparing for the Grassroots Series that will kick off in June. No doubt, Babin is considered the early favourite by many in the area.

2. Ryan Oosterholt

If Babin isn’t able to get to victory lane, than no look no further than Babin’s Farm Brothers Racing teammate Ryan Oosterholt. Oosterholt has proved that he is as quick as Babin at times as he finished second at the Autumn Colors Classic and won the Mini Stock Championship at Peterborough Speedway last year.

3. Neil Hannah

Peterborough Speedway has proven to produce some of the quickest Mini Stocks in the province and Neil Hannah is no exception to the rule. Hannah is a past-winner of the Autumn Colors Classic and has won at Sunset Speedway in the past as well. With experience at Kawartha Speedway, he will know the set-up to get around, which will be a considerable advantage.

4. Kyle Baker

The Capital City Speedway driver is always one to watch at invitationals as he’s proven that at Peterborough’s end of year event in past years. For that reason, despite the inexperience compared to others on the list, he may be one that could sneak in and steal the glory.

5. Billy Schwartzenburg

Schwartzenburg is the king of touring, and might I add that he does a good job at it. Last year, Schwartzenburg picked up multiple wins across the province, scoring a couple at Sunset Speedway and atleast one win at Sauble Speedway. The 2012 Flamboro Speedway Mini Stock Champion is already off to a strong start this year, picking up the victory at Sunset Speedway last Saturday night after a thrilling duel with Andy Kamrath. Schwartzenburg is easily considered a threat wherever he goes so look for the trend to continue.

6. Doug Butler

Doug Butler has a pair of Mini Stock Championships, has won Sunset Speedway’s Velocity 250, has won the Garry Reynolds Memorial and oh, has ran at the front at Peterborough’s Autumn Colors Classic. Needless to say, all of these credentials equal Butler being one of the quickest cars in the province. That should play well for Butler this coming weekend. The only thing that could stand in his way is the lack of experience at Kawartha.

7. Warren Paxton

2013 Sunset Speedway Mini Stock Champion Warren Paxton proved last year that he was fast with his five feature wins and a top-five at Autumn Colors. On top of that, Paxton has ran upfront all year so far this year at Sunset Speedway, including a victory on the second night. To say that Paxton is a threat for the win may be a stretch, but nether the less, his No. 33 Honda Civic is a solid top-five contender.

8. Andy Kamrath

Andy Kamrath made the jump from Limited Late Model competition to Mini Stock competition for 2014, and let’s just say that the ‘Instant Classic’ has already turned heads. Kamrath kicked off the season in style by taking the victory in the Spring Derby 35 at Sunset Speedway. The Spring Derby featured some of the quickest cars from across Ontario and Kamrath’s dominance quickly showed that he isn’t here to play around. Backing it up with solid consistency and speed across the following three races at Sunset Speedway prove that Kamrath will be one to watch this weekend.

9. Brandon McFerran

When Brandon McFerran hits the track, there’s no doubt that his No. 64 Mustang is always fast. He also may not have a victory to his name this year so far, but you have to remember that he won four features at Sunset Speedway last year. He also posted a top-10 in both the Garry Reynolds Memorial and the Autumn Colors Classic last year, too. His credentials, along with the speed that has led to strong runs at Sunset to start the year, put McFerran as a solid top-10 contender for this weekend.

10. Kevin Bridge

2013 Sauble Speedway Champion Kevin Bridge has proved that he is one to watch on a big stage. He has shown speed across the tracks in previous seasons, and showed speed earlier this year with an impressive run in the Spring Derby 35 on his way to finishing inside the top-five. If it had not been for some mid-race issues, Bridge could’ve had the victory on his hands. For that reason, he enters this list because he may sneak up on everyone and steal the prize.

11. Tyler Junkin

When Kawartha Speedway was running every Friday night, Tyler Junkin was one of the guys to watch as he showed speed on a weekly basis. A past feature winner, Junkin has shown speed as a past victor at Sunset Speedway and front runner at Peterborough Speedway. For that reason and his experience, Junkin will be one to watch on Sunday.

12. Miles Tyson

In his short Mini Stock career to date, Miles Tyson is already turning heads. Tyson picked up his first career victory a couple weeks ago at Sunset Speedway, and is always a top-five running car no matter the event, no matter the track. Depending on what car Tyson brings could depend on expectations. He has built a new car, however many may say to bring his old car. Why? It’s the car that Daryl Fice drove to multiple victories at Kawartha over the years.

13. Mike Getliffe

2013 Barrie Speedway Champion Mike Gettliffe doesn’t get as much credit as perhaps he deserves. He may not have the sportiest car, but consistency is the name of the game. He has placed in the top 10 at both Sunset Speedway and Peterborough Speedway in their big shows, and swept the show last weekend at Barrie Speedway. For that reason, if Gettliffe shows, expect him to sneak up into the top 10 when least expected.

14. Samantha Shaw

Samantha Shaw isn’t one of the drivers that you think of when you think top drivers in the province, but that’s fair. She hasn’t won a feature yet in her career, but consistency leads me to putting her on the list. She consistently runs in the top-five at Sunset Speedway and Flamboro Speedway, so for that reason,  a top-10 this weekend shouldn’t be out of reach.

15. Danny Benedict 

If you’re going to do a list of contenders, Danny Benedict isn’t a driver that should fall off the list. Like those before him, he has shown speed in invitationals in the past – but he has an extra spot to highlight. He has won at Kawartha in the past. That’s something that not all of these drivers can say.

Without a doubt, I could probably list more names and good reasons to watch them. But that’d take all day so let’s end it here and leave you with this note – come to Kawartha Speedway this weekend and feel the rush that Summer Rush has to offer because this will be a show to remember.