This weekend marks event nine on the 2012 OSCAAR Super Late Model schedule. Drivers have been anxiously awaiting a return to racing after rain forced the Don Biederman Memorial at Kawartha Speedway to be postponed – twice. The opportunity to renew battle at Sunset offers a must win situation to a handful of drivers still in championship contention.
The current championship points leader Brandon Watson saw his lead reduced to 22 points over George Wilson after a mechanical failure at Peterborough Speedway. Nonetheless, Watson controls his own destiny. With seven top-five’s in 2012 and two wins at Sunset this season, the Stayner, ON teen looks to complete the hat-trick Sunday afternoon.
The ‘Steel City Outlaw’ George Wilson sits second in the standings with two wins to his credit on the campaign. Wilson looks for redemption Sunday after he was disqualified in the season opener at Sunset. With a 22-point gap to close in just three races, Wilson needs to ensure he qualifies and finishes near the front, as well as lead laps, in order to catch Watson.
Four-time reigning and defending OSCAAR Super Late Model champion Glenn Watson is slowly watching a fifth consecutive title slip from beyond his grasp. Watson found victory lane seven times in 2011, but has yet to see checkers in 2012. Eager to return to his winning ways, Watson needs help to erase the 34-point difference atop the standings.
Derrick Tiemersma’s 2012 return has seen success with a handful of top-three finishes to his resume. However, he has seen those finishes balanced by others mid-pack and a DNF. Seemingly out of the title race, Tiemersma has fixated on scoring a win before season’s end.
Charlie Gallant surprised all in attendance at Peterborough Speedway earlier this month after earning his first career Super Late Model win from the pole starting position. After tasting victory once, Gallant will be in search for more of the same at his former home track.
NASCAR Canadian Tire Series star J.R. Fitzpatrick makes his OSCAAR Super Late Model debut in a completely redone Jenco Equipment #27 Chevrolet, normally piloted by veteran Roy Passer. Fitzpatrick hopes to prove himself to OSCAAR’s top runners come feature time.
The 2011 winner of the OSCAAR velocity event, Rob Clarke, is expected to be in attendance Sunday to defend his title. Clarke put on an impressive display with Glenn Watson in 2011, in a door-to-door finish that went down as one of the most exciting OSCAAR races in the history of the series. The London, ON native also earned a victory at Delaware Speedway at the end of August in his first race piloting a brand new FLF Racecars chassis. Clarke will look to repeat that dominating performance to take checkers at Sunset once again.
Racing action gets underway on Sunday at 1:00pm. Qualifying for most divisions will take place on Saturday, however Super Late Model heats as well as feature action will all take place Sunday at the Stroud, ON 1/3-mile oval. Pit gates will open at 8:00am for OSCAAR drivers and crew and the spectator gate will open at 12:00pm.
By Clayton Johns (@cjohnsmedia)
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