The OSCAAR Modifieds return to Delaware Speedway Friday night for their third career trip, marking a homecoming of sorts for a number of drivers. The 30-lap event will pit some former Delaware Speedway Modified regulars, and current FT Garage Late Model drivers, against a number of OSCAAR regulars. The competition will be fierce as a number of story lines are apparent heading in to the event.
Family Foes
The McLean family has proven once again to be at the top of the modified class so far this season as Gary McLean (No.8) won the season opener on May 19 while Brent McLean (No. 7) won the second round at Barrie Speedway last Saturday. Both drivers finished as the runner-up to one another in the respective events. Gary swept the pair of OSCAAR visits to Delaware in 2012 and will look to continue his winning ways this week.
Brian McLean (No. 47), Uncle to Brent and Cousin to Gary, made his first start of the year at Barrie, but battled an overheating problem and suffered a DNF. Brian also earned a win in 2012 at Peterborough Speedway and will look to get on the podium at Delaware for the first time on Friday.
Hometown Advantage
A mix of four current and former Delaware regulars will make their OSCAAR season debuts as well. Barry Newman (No. 1) won multiple championships as part of Delaware’s weekly modified division, including the final championship in 2011. Newman made three starts with OSCAAR last season, including both races at Delaware, and finished second to Gary McLean twice. He will look to get in to victory lane for the first time in over a calendar year.
Justin Demelo (No. 82) makes his season modified debut at his home track. The current FT Garage Late Model regular is a modified veteran who earned a trio of top-five finishes with OSCAAR last season. Demelo will be hungry to get the victory at home after falling just short on two occasions last season.
Nine-time Delaware modified champion Jamie Cox (No. 3) will make his second career OSCAAR start. Cox already has two weekly late model wins at Delaware this season and clearly knows his way around the storied ½-mile oval. He should be in contention for a win at the end of 30-laps if all goes well.
Shawn Thompson (No. 72) will make his first career OSCAAR start on Friday night. Thompson is also a regular as part of Delaware’s weekly Late Model division, so he will hold the same advantage as the rest of the hometown drivers in terms of track experience.
In addition to experience, these four drivers will hold an additional advantage over the rest of the field: tires. Each OSCAAR driver is only permitted one new tire per event, but since the four drivers have yet to run a race in 2013 they will be allowed a total of six fresh Hoosier tires.
Among the cast of former Delaware regulars is David McCullough (No. 39M). McCullough was a weekly modified regular and has made both starts with OSCAAR so far this season. In his two starts, the Glencoe, Ont.-based pilot has finished fifth and fourth, respectively. He will look to get on the podium for the first time in his young OSCAAR career.
Young Guns Take Over
A number of young drivers are a part of a significant youth movement sweeping over OSCAAR. These drivers include 2012 rookie-of-the-year Davey Terry, top contender Matt Barton, three-time winner Brent McLean, and current rookie Bobby Tolton. This young cast of drivers are never afraid to squeeze the car in to any hole and each has proven to be among the series’ most dynamic personalities. One thing is clear: the future is now on the OSCAAR Modified tour and it appears to be bright.
Veteran driver Steve Smith (No. 98) is set to return to the OSCAAR modified tour this Friday as well. Smith, based in Durham, Ont., is the only driver not named McLean to earn a win with the OSCAAR tour. Smith’s win came last July at Sauble Speedway. Smith hopes to run a partial schedule this year as he did last year. Smith’s efforts on Friday will be supported by At A Glance Screen Printing and Becker Bros. Towing.
Racing gets underway at 7:30pm on Friday night at Delaware Speedway. Spectator gates open at 6:00pm, while practice gets underway at the same time. Pit gates will open at 4:30pm for competitors. The OSCAAR Modifieds will be joined by Delaware’s weekly Demar Aggregate Truck division and the Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup.
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Directions – For directions to Delaware Speedway, please visit the following link: https://delawarespeedway.com/fan-guide/directions.
Please note, a bridge closure south of Komoka, Ont. will force a detour for some visitors to the track. For more information on the closure and to see if you are affected, visit the following link: .
For a full list of events, long-on to www.delawarespeedway.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.
By Clayton Johns (@cjohnsmedia)
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OSCAAR Media and Public Relations
