Saturday marks the OSCAAR Super Late Models second of three trips to Peterborough Speedway in 2013 with a stout field of Canada’s fastest full-bodied racecars expected to be in attendance.
Just four races, including Saturday, remain on the 2013 Super Late Model schedule with each increasing in importance for the drivers at the top of the series standings. Two races at Peterborough, one at Flamboro Speedway and one at Sunset Speedway are still set to fly this season.
Earlier in the month at Peterborough, Brandon Watson (No.9) won his fourth feature of the season with the tour in a commanding performance to earn himself the pole position for the Autumn Colours Classic on Thanksgiving weekend. Watson, however, had his worst finish of the year one week later at Kawartha Speedway, a 12th-place result, after suffering ignition problems. Watson still holds a comfortable 30-point lead in the championship standings, but will need to avoid further problems this season to earn his second-consecutive championship.
Rookie driver Andrew Gresel (No.81) has vaulted himself to the top of the standings with two wins and a runner-up finish in his last four starts. Gresel is coming off a win at Kawartha and finished second at Peterborough earlier this month. Gresel has put himself in the hunt for the championship and has all but solidified the rookie-of-the-year title after Kevin Cornelius (No.17) injured his hand two weeks ago. Look for another top-five from Gresel this evening.
Former four-time series champion Glenn Watson (No.22) has fought bad luck throughout this year, but appears to have turned the corner. Consistent runs at both Peterborough and Kawartha have put the elder Watson in to the fourth spot in the championship standings. The veteran, however, faces an uphill climb and will need to find victory lane to keep his title hopes alive.
Peterborough, Ont. native John Owen (No.2) is always among the top contenders when the tour reaches his home track. Owen is coming off an eighth-place finish at Kawartha and was a top-five finisher at Peterborough earlier this year. Look for Owen to be strong again.
After a strong run at Kawartha, Jesse Kennedy (No.10) is expected to make the trip to Peterborough this week. Kennedy had a top-five run at the high-banked oval, but has battled some gremlins at Peterborough in his past trips with OSCAAR. The Oneida Nation, Ont. driver is eager to get his second career win with the tour and there is no reason to suspect Kenendy won’t gun for it this weekend.
Tyler Hawn (No.42) enters the night sixth in the championship standings, his best career season to date. The family-run team out of Oro Station, Ont. had their best career finish at Kawartha last time out of the box and looks to improve again. Hawn was involved in a lap one incident that dampened his night last time at Peterborough, but the veteran believes he has his car pointed in the right direction.
J.R. Fitzpatrick (No.27) announced his intention to return to his Roy Passer-owned chassis after problems last month at Sunset Speedway. Fitzpatrick has missed the past two races competing with the NASCAR Canada tour and has spent the last two weeks installing a new crate engine in the car. The experienced driver is still considered an OSCAAR rookie, but is hoping to make big gains this week.
Derrick Tiemersma (No.7) suffered a broken rear-end at Kawartha, which hurt his chance to move up in the championship standings. Tiemersma had a strong third-place run at Peterborough to his credit already so look for the 2007 champion to get back on track.
After battling ventilation problems over his last two races, Mike Beyore (No.54) is set to return to the tour on Saturday night. The Whitby, Ont. native suffered carbon monoxide poisoning at both Sunset Speedway on July 27, and Kawartha Speedway August 11 which resulted in DNFs. Beyore said the team found gas leaks in the car’s fuel and emission systems which accelerated the problem. The team has added a charcoal filter to the air system, while Beyore has altered his diet to help avoid further issues. Beyore says he has nothing but a win in mind for his return.
The OSCAAR Super Late Models will be joined by all of Peterborough Speedway’s weekly divisions for championship night. Gates open at 4:00pm for spectator gates and racing is scheduled to get under way at 6:00pm.
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Directions: For directions to Peterborough Speedway, please visit the following link: http://www.peterboroughspeedway.com/fan-info/directions/.
Schedule of Events: For ticket pricing and a full list of divisions in action, visit: http://www.peterboroughspeedway.com/events/49/oscaar-slm-50-lap-championship-clash-and-a-free-pre-race-corn-roast/.
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.
Clayton Johns (@cjohnsmedia)
OSCAAR Media and Public Relations
Contact: oscaar.media@gmail.com
Photo Credit: Dan Little Jr.
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