The OSCAAR Modified tour brings an upstart roster with it to Sunset Speedway this weekend after putting its best show on display last Friday at Delaware Speedway. The Modifieds, like the Super Late Models, will take part in their first ever set of back-to-back shows as part of the Don Biederman Memorial weekend. The series has seen three different winners in as many races so far this season with Jamie Cox earning his first ever tour win last week. Gary McLean and Brent McLean have also won in 2013.
In what was arguably the tour’s most exciting contest in its 15-race existence last week at Delaware, Jamie Cox (No. 3) held off Justin Demelo (No. 82), Barry Newman (No. 1) and Gary McLean (No. 8) for his first career OSCAAR win.
Cox is not expected to be in attendance this weekend, however each of the other three challengers are ready to duel for two consecutive nights. Gary McLean has yet to lose at Sunset Speedway under OSCAAR sanctioning and the veteran racer will look to extend his Sunset win streak to five on Saturday night.
Demelo has finished on the podium with OSCAAR three times, including last week at Delaware. The London, Ont. driver has fallen shy of defeating McLean on a couple of occasions and will look to find OSCAAR victory lane for the first time at some point this weekend.
Barry Newman has yet to win on the OSCAAR tour, but has proven to be one of the toughest competitors on the tour, despite competing on a part-time basis. Newman’s No. 1 modified won multiple Delaware weekly track championships and will look to add an OSCAAR victory to an already impressive resume.
Sophomore driver Matt Barton (No. 2) has had an impressive start to his season and currently sits third in the championship standings. The ‘New Hamburg Nightmare’ currently has one career top-five finish, which came at Sunset on opening day this season. Barton has been nothing if not consistent so far this season and will look to take that consistency to victory lane for the first time.
Brent McLean (No. 7) has also been solid in his start to the season after earning his third tour win at Barrie two weeks ago. McLean battled from a tough night at Delaware to finish in the top-ten and will also look to prove he is among the best open-wheel drivers in the province.
Bobby Tolton (No. 13) has had the toughest possible start to his rookie year. Tolton has suffered radiator and clutch problems already this year, but the team has persevered through the adversity in order to make every show. The Guelph, Ont. driver has had to thrash to get ready at times, but continues to bring one of the most impressive looking cars to the track each week. He will look to gather his first top-five finish this weekend at Sunset.
Chuck Marsh (No. 38) and Shane Stickel (No. 39) are expected to make their first career OSCAAR Modified starts this season. Marsh has a storied history on the Ontario racing scene and has been involved from the grassroots level to the CASCAR Super Series.
Stickel’s entry is one of the most highly anticipated since the series’ debut as the defending Vintage Modified champion brings a completely rebuilt Troyer Racecars/McColl Racing Enterprises chassis for his first start. Stickel’s car was not ready in time for graphics, so it will be run with an atypical plain white scheme.
With less than 48 hours remaining until the green flag, 19 drivers are listed as ‘Probable Entries’ for the two-day show at Sunset, potentially a new series record.
The OSCAAR Modified tour will take part in 30-lap features on back-to-back nights at Sunset Speedway. The series will use its traditional two-round qualifying heats to set the field for the main event each evening.
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Directions: For directions to Sunset Speedway, enter the following address in to your GPS or preferred travel website: 6918 Yonge St., Innisfil, ON.
The OSCAAR Modified 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)
