By Clayton Johns (@cjohnsmedia) – The OSCAAR Super Late Models return to action Saturday night after nearly a month-long layoff after round two of the 2013 campaign was rained out at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on June 1. Saturday’s event at Barrie Speedway marks the first time OSCAAR is the only racing on the schedule without local support divisions. If the race plays out anything like the 2012 edition, there will be no shortage of excitement.
One year ago, Jesse Kennedy (No. 10) entered OSCAAR as a rookie Super Late Model driver with a ton of Pro Late Model experience. The Oneida Nation, Ont. driver surprised many, including himself, last season at Barrie when he passed Brandon Watson (No. 9) late in the 50-lap feature to earn his first OSCAAR victory. Kennedy ran third for most of the 2013 season opener at Sunset Speedway before a mechanical failure with five laps to go handed him an undeserved DNF. Look for Kennedy to get rolling this weekend.
Multi-time OSCAAR champion Glenn Watson (No.22) is a former Barrie Speedway Late Model regular and always enjoys returning to his old stomping grounds. Glenn finished second to open the season at Sunset, but is still looking to end a 14 race winless streak. Barrie provides an excellent opportunity for the hometown driver to grab the points lead and his first win of the season.
Brandon Watson opened his season with a victory at Sunset Speedway. He was strong last year at Barrie, finishing second to the aforementioned Kennedy. Brandon will need another top-five finish to maintain his spot at the top of the championship standings as he continues his title defense. A win would extend a streak of four consecutive victories, dating back to the Sunset Velocity 50 on September 23, 2012.
Tyler Hawn (No. 42) also has deep roots at Barrie Speedway. Hawn struggled to adjust to his new chassis on opening night, but battled through the carnage to an 11th-place finish. Hawn will look to find the top-ten again tonight as he did for much of his rookie season in 2011. Hawn will spend the morning promoting the race at Fox’s Bakery in Barrie from 10am to 12:30pm.
Current Barrie Late Model regular Ian Bourque (No. 83) will make his first OSCAAR start of the season. Bourque ran a partial schedule with OSCAAR for several seasons before returning to Barrie fulltime in 2013. Bourque already has one feature victory this year.
Brandon Vanderwel (No. 97) makes his return to OSCAAR tonight after a year absence due to a hand injury. Vanderwel has partnered with Protect the Children to help raise awareness against childhood abuse. He will have honourary pit crew members tonight as part of the program.
Mike Beyore (No. 54) is hoping to make his season debut on Saturday night as well, but is currently battling illness. Beyore hopes to fend of the bug in time to race at the tight 1/3-mile oval. Beyore’s Jeff Hanley-prepared car is in race-ready condition.
Andrew Gresel (No. 81) will finally be able to debut his brand-new chassis on Saturday as he searches for his first OSCAAR top-five finish. The team was prepared to unload the new Hamke-built car at CTMP on June 1, but the car was kept in the shop another two weeks due to rain. The Hepworth, Ont. driver competed in his template body Pro Late Model to open the season after delays preparing the final Outlaw-bodied car.
Gresel will battle fellow rookies Kevin Cornelius (No. 17) and Sean Cronan (No. 8) for the top spot amongst newcomers at Barrie. Cronan also has considerable experience at Barrie, and may hold the advantage among rookies entering round two. Cronan will hope to get his first feature finish in a Super Late Model following a disappointing DNF to open the season. Cornelius will be hungry for a top-five finish after falling just short at Sunset.
Spectator gates open at 5:00pm on Saturday, June 15 ahead of a 6:30pm green flag. The OSCAAR Super Late Models and OSCAAR Modifieds are the only two divisions on hand and will take part in an on-track autograph session with fans from 5:45pm to 6:15pm prior to the first race of the night.
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Directions: Barrie Speedway is located on the 8th Line of Oro-Medonte between Barrie and Orillia just off of Highway 11, 10 minutes north of Barrie and 10 minutes south of Orillia.
Directions from Barrie: Hwy 400 North, follow Hwy 11 North to the 8th Line of Oro-Medonte, Turn Right – Track 1km on the right side.
Directions from Orillia: Hwy 11 South to the 7th Line of Oro-Medonte, take the overpass back to Hwy 11 North to the 8th Line of Oro-Medonte, Turn Right – Track 1km on the right side.
For more information, visit www.barriespeedway.com.
The OSCAAR Super Late Model tour is presented by a number of dedicated sponsors throughout Ontario, including: Knightworks Design, Hoosier Racing Tire, Klotz Synthetics Canada, Race2way.ca, Dave Franks Photos, Dickson Printing, Finishline Fabrication, McColl Racing Enterprises, McGunegill Engine Performance, Stefko Racing Engines, VP Racing Fuels, OntarioOval.com, RaceTime Radio, Inside Track Motorsport News, Jenco Equipment, Midas of Orangeville, Reinhart Trailer Sales, North Toronto Auctions, and South Shore Services.
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