Coming into the 2013 season, Andrew Gresel was going to use his rookie season to, as he said, “figure everything out”. Gresel would debut his Hemke chassis at the second race of the OSCAAR Super Late Model season – Barrie Speedway – finishing inside of the top three.
“I was nervous,” Gresel admitted. “I didn’t get a lot of time in it (pre-season). Lots of fun, lots of work, but it paid off.”
Gresel then backed it up with a pair of solid runs in the Don Biederman Memorial features, before grabbing his first career OSCAAR victory at his home track of Sauble Speedway.
“It felt good to win at home,” Gresel commented.
From there, Gresel kept racking up solid points finishes and won a couple more races along the way, including leading all 50 laps at Kawartha Speedway.
“I knew Kawartha would be an awesome track,” he commented. “I just enjoy it and the car was working good from start. I love Kawartha and would run there every week if I could.”
Gresel then capped off the season with the biggest win of all – the Autumn Colors Classic – to finish second in points and win OSCAAR SLM Rookie of the Year. Gresel attributes the success to hard work all season long.
“The more you put in, the more you get out,” Gresel commented. “You will know the car better.”
Gresel was honored for his success at the Canadian Motorsports Expo Short Track Night of Champions, receiving the 2014 Inside Track Rookie of the Year Award, as well as being ranked fifth in the Inside Track Year End Short Track Power Rankings presented by London Recreational.
Gresel has announced his return to OSCAAR in 2014 with his focus on the championship.
“We’re running the full season and definitely shooting for the championship,” he commented. “Hope to pull it off but we got a lot of work to do.”
Before the OSCAAR season starts in May, Gresel will head down to New Smyrna Speedway to take part in their World Series Speedweeks event, running his Pro Late Model that he campaigned to a championship previously at Delaware Speedway.
“We’re ready to go,” he said. “The car needs a lot of adjustments but we’re ready. We’re going to have some fun.”
Thank you for your coverage of the show Ashley… great job! And for all of your efforts to promote racing.