Sauble Beach, ON – Andrew Gresel (No.81 CUSW/Sauble Falls/McRobert Fuels) made the most of his first start at his home track Sauble Speedway in an OSCAAR Super Late Model, leading all 50 laps of the A-Main feature event to earn his first career win with the tour.
Gresel was the second-fastest qualifier on the night, and spotter Joe Chisholm Jr. pulled the pole for the Hepworth, Ont. driver during the redraw process. Starting inside the front row, Gresel was never challenged as the OSCAAR rookie used his experience at Sauble to cruise to his first career tour victory.
“I don’t think there is any place we want to win more than here,” said Gresel. “I live two minutes down the road (from Sauble Speedway) and I grew up racing here. This is awesome.”
Gresel pulled away from second-place runner Derrick Tiemersma (No.7 Wayfreight/Spira Fire Protection) in the opening laps until a caution on lap 20.
The first and only caution of the night came when Tyler Hawn (No.42 Belford Haulage/Fox’s Bakery) had motor problems resulting in a spin in the apex of turns one and two. The resulting oil on the speedway forced tracks officials to lay down significant oil-dry in the corner, but did not affect the outcome.
The caution period benefitted several drivers who’s brakes had begun to glow orange on a hot night and had several minutes to allow them to cool.
The restart gave Tiemersma and third-place runner Kevin Cornelius (No.17 Halton Crushed Stone/Triplecrete) the best chance they would get to challenge Gresel, but nothing would materialize of the opportunity.
Gresel proved to be too strong, eventually pulling to a lead of 10 car lengths over Tiemersma in the closing laps en route to his first trip to Knightworks Design victory lane.
“Ever since the first day we tested, this car has been good at Sauble,” said Gresel. “I have to thank my entire crew and Brian MacDonald, who built this car. I wish the car was like this every week.”
Tiemersma, who finished second, earned his third podium finish of the year and fifth consecutive top-five to start the season.
“We don’t run for points, we come here to win and let the points fall where they may,” said Tiemersma. “But congrats to Gresel, he had the better car tonight.”
Cornelius would finish third and series points leader Brandon Watson (No.9 Shear Metal Products) finished fourth. Glenn Watson (No.22 Line-X/Rival Office Solutions) was fifth.
A scary incident occurred on the final lap of the third Klotz qualifying heat race when Brandon Vanderwel (No.97 Shoreline Stone) ended up riding the outside front-stretch retaining wall on two wheels after contact in turn four before coming to a stop in the infield grass in turn one. Vanderwel took a part of the catch fence with him, causing a minor delay as track crews assessed the damage before determining the program could go on.
Vanderwel walked from the car under his own power, but the race car itself was inoperable. The second year driver said the early analysis suggested the car’s frame had been bent in both the front and back.
The OSCAAR Super Late Model is back in action next Saturday night at Flamboro Speedway. The trip to the Hamilton-area facility will be the first trip to Flamboro for OSCAAR since October 2009.
Gresel felt he may be able to take some of his notes from Sauble to Flamboro since the two tracks are similar in shape and size.
“It’s a tricky racetrack and I haven’t raced there in a while,” said Gresel. “I know it’s going to be tough setting up one of these cars there.”
For details on the event, stay tuned to www.oscaar.ca throughout the week.
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Results: Sauble Speedway 50-Lap A-Main – July 13, 2013 (Starting Position in Parentheses)
1. 81 Andrew Gresel (1); 2. 7 Derrick Tiemersma (2); 3. 17 Kevin Cornelius (3); 4. 9 Brandon Watson (7); 5. 22 Glenn Watson (6); 6. 62 Lloyd Ritchie (4); 7. 07 Todd Campbell (8); 8. 8 Sean Cronan (10); 9. 71 Doug Wilson (13) (DNF); 10. 7m Brent McLean (9) (DNF); 11. 42 Tyler Hawn (5) (DNF); 12. 39 Shane Gowan (12) (DNF); 13. 97 Brandon Vanderwel (DNS).
Heat Winners: 17 Kevin Cornelius, 81 Andrew Gresel, 62 Lloyd Ritchie (2).
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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