The biggest story heading into the event is the battle between Jeff Hanley and Glenn Watson. Watson won the first battle at Mosport as part of his six race win streak to start the year. Since then it has been all Hanley. Hanley won from the pole position at both Peterborough and Kawartha on July 30 and August 5, respectively. Watson looked to be back on top at Kawartha when he passed Hanley for the lead on lap 29, but surrendered the lead to pit for tires on lap 47. A close battle between two of the top contenders surely will be on the table again Friday night.

Most of the field will be starting from scratch heading in to Delaware. As the series is focused mainly in eastern Ontario, many drivers have not been to Delaware in a long time or never at all.

“I haven’t raced at Delaware in a long time. It’s going to be a different situation out there. It might take a few green flag laps there to get used to that track because I haven’t been there in a long time,” explained Lloyd Ritchie, driver of the #62 ‘Orange Blossom Special’.

Shane Gowan is among those drivers that have never raced at Delaware.

“I’ve been a spectator there, but I’ve never turned a lap there. We’ll go there and see what happens.”

Delaware has become known for the bottom groove being the only truly quick line around the track. In an attempt to make the race more exciting for the very powerful Outlaws, Delaware officials have decided to spray a special adhesive to the outside racing groove in order to create more side by side racing. However, drivers are prepared to race on the bottom in order to be fast.

“A lot of the short tracks are one lane tracks. You’re just putting it on a bigger stage. Delaware is a good sized track, just with one lane. Definitely car wise, we will have to do some shock and spring stuff. Like you say, everybody says it’s a little bumpier and it’s got some changes and dips,” explained Shane Gowan.

The driver with the biggest advantage over the field is surely Jesse Kennedy. Prior to joining OSCAAR, Delaware was Kennedy’s home track as he raced in the FT Garage Late Model division. Kennedy is equally prepared to race on the bottom line, but says the 10” Hoosier and American Racer slicks that OSCAAR runs could create a second racing line.

“Well it will be interesting to see. The bottom line is obviously going to be the better spot. We’re going to go back to our original setup. That’s what we know works there. We’re going to have a bigger tire there, we’ve always been on the loose side with our original tire there,” stated Kennedy. “With these tires we should tighten that up a little bit. I’m still a little leery we might be a bit under horse-powered, but it’s a wait and see game.”

The rookie point’s battle has heated up as well with Shane Gowan, Chris Burrows, and Brandon Vanderwel putting some pressure on second place Tyler Hawn. Gowan won his first OSCAAR heat race at Kawartha two weeks ago.

“Yeah it was good to get out of the way. I didn’t expect it to be at that track,” said Gowan.

The overall points battle is heating up with drivers in second through sixth are separated by just 312 points. Given that a driver can earn as many as 310 points in a feature in addition to heat race points, the standings can change on any given night. The tight points system has made for hard racing all season long as drivers battle their way to the top. Jeff Dunford sits just 32 points behind third place Todd Campbell and continues to try and reclaim a season that started with poor luck.

The Matco Tools Outlaw Shootout has the second most prize money on the line this season which all but guarantees a huge car count. The pit gate for the event opens at 4:00pm, and practice begins at 6:00pm for OSCAAR alone, just as the spectator gate opens at the same time. OSCAAR will rotate practice with both the Dynamic Fluids Super Stocks and PowerAde Open Wheel Modifieds from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. Delaware Speedway would like to remind fans that the Kids Club and Hoppy the Clown will be in attendance and toonie hot dogs will be available until 7:00pm to make the event a true family experience. Admission prices will be the same as regular Friday night events at Delaware.

By Clayton Johns

Schedule of Events – Delaware Speedway August 19, 2011

Pit Gate Opens: 4:00pm

Spectator Gate Opens: 6:00pm

OSCAAR Practice: 6:00pm-6:30pm

Rotating Practice: 6:30pm-7:30pm (All Divisions)

Racing Starts: 8:00pm

REMINDER TO DRIVERS: DON’T FORGET YOUR DRIVERS GLOVES

The title sponsor of the event is Matco Tools. Matco will be giving away two pit tool carts (valued at CND $1000); one to the race winner, and one to a lucky fan. In addition, Matco will be using its Infinium line of cordless impact guns to set-up a pit-stop challenge for the fans. Bill Drinkwater, Business Director for Matco Tools in Canada, was extremely excited about the partnership with OSCAAR.

“It gives you a chance to bring the whole family out and meet some of the drivers and be a part of the fun and the enthusiasm. (It`s all about) that feeling you get when you say ‘gentlemen start your engines’ and 600 horsepower fires up,“ explained Drinkwater.

The Official OSCAAR Souvenir Trailer will be carrying a limited number of event t-shirts with artwork designed and printed by one of OSCAAR’s top sponsors, Knightworks Designs of Newmarket, Ontario. In addition to the t-shirt graphics, Knightworks has produced all of the signage for the 2011 Don Biederman Memorial. Each year the special event memorabilia sells faster and faster, so be sure to get yours early in the evening. When you stop by the OSCAAR souvenir trailer, be sure to fill out a question ballot to ask your favourite OSCAAR driver a question. His response could be played live Friday evening.

Additionally, be sure to get yourself a program as you enter the racetrack. If your program is signed by an OSCAAR driver, you will receive an OSCAAR prize pack.

The action on the track will be just as fierce and exciting at the activities off the track. The race for the OSCAAR point’s championship has certainly heated up and so has the rookie of the year championship. Jeff Hanley won his first race of 2011 last weekend at Peterborough Speedway and became the first driver to solve Glenn Watson this season. Watson had won six straight races, but finished second at Peterborough.

Wayne Isaacs debuted a brand new Outlaw at Peterborough, but is hoping to return to his original car Friday night as he attempts to chase down Glenn Watson from his second place points position.

Lloyd Ritchie has run consistently as of late and already has a second place finish at Kawartha in his back pocket this season. Kawartha has been one of Ritchie’s best tracks in the past, so expect more success from the #62.

Glenn Watson is always a top contender to win and Friday night will be no different. Watson led all fifty laps at Kawartha in June, is the points leader heading in to the event, and is the odds on favourite to repeat.

Todd Campbell and Tyler Hawn continue a heated battle for the Rookie-of-the-Year Championship. Campbell matched his season-high sixth place finish at Peterborough; ahead of a tenth place Hawn. Chris Burrows and Shane Gowan have also applied the pressure. Burrow’s has finished eighth in four consecutive races and Gowan finished a season –high seventh. Look for all four drivers to be at the top of their game come Friday night.

Jeff Dunford will look to rebound from a tough finish. Dunford was in the second running position for most of the night at Peterborough before ending his night with nine laps remaining due to an oil leak. Nonetheless, he sits fourth in the standings and will certainly be looking for his first OSCAAR feature win on the series’ biggest stage.

Gary Passer quietly finished in fifth one week ago and moved up to fifth in the championship standings, leap-frogging Tyler Hawn. Look for the Passer #13 to get on the podium come feature time Friday night.

Brandon Vanderwel will look to rebound from two straight sub-par finishes due to mechanical difficulties. Vanderwel’s third place finish at Sauble Speedway on July 9th demonstrated his capabilities and makes him a threat to finish on the podium each and every week.

Craig Stevenson has had a consistent season, finishing around the top-ten every race. Stevenson finished twelfth at Peterborough after some mechanical difficulties put him a few laps down.

Charlie Gallant will search for a solution to his hard luck season. Gallant has been involved in two incidents that were out of his control and suffered a blown engine a few weeks ago at Sunset Speedway. Gallant won his first heat of 2011 last weekend at Peterborough.

Ontario`s fastest asphalt series is set to invade Kawartha Friday night and surely will not disappoint. With a car count anticipated to be in excess of twenty, it is a show that no racing enthusiast will want to miss. The Kawartha Speedway dining gallery will be open for the convenience and dining needs of fans beginning at 5:00pm and closing at 7:30pm, just after the first green flag. Be sure to claim your seat when the spectator gate opens at 5:00pm and take in the on-track practice and all of the events off the track. The first green flag is set to fly at 7:00pm.

By Clayton Johns

The schedule for the nite is as follows:

Pit gate opens at 3:00pm

OSCAAR tech opens at 3:15pm

OSCAAR practices at 4:20, 4:40, 5:00, 5:40, 6:00 & 6:20

Spectator gate opens at 5:00 pm

Tech will close at 6:15 pm

Drivers meeting at 6:30pm

Green Flag drops at 7:00pm

The heat races and feature starting positions will all be determined by time trials. Beginning at 6:15pm, each Outlaw will have two laps to lay down their best time with the better of their two laps standing as the official lap. The top two qualifiers will be guaranteed to start on the front row in their respective positions and will each be awarded $150.00 as the night’s top qualifiers. There will also be two separate prizes of $100.00 distributed to two random drivers throughout the field. These positions will be decided once the final car count is known.

Two 12 lap heat races will follow for the Super Late Models with the odd qualifiers (1,3,5, etc.) making up the first heat, and the even qualifiers (2,4,6, etc.) making up the second heat. The finishing order of the heat races will determine the starting order for the feature with the first heat making up the inside row (positions 1,3,5, etc.) and the second heat making up the outside row (positions 2,4,6, etc.).

The time trials offer drivers a chance to ensure a good starting position for the fifty lap feature with the top two qualifiers guaranteed to start on the front row. In most other OSCAAR events drivers have to race heat races and finish in the top half of the field in order to qualify for the invert draw that sets the starting positions for the feature event. Many drivers are welcoming a new format and are excited to try something new and different.

“Loose is fast. I’ll see if I can loosen it up just a little bit for time trials” explained Lloyd Ritchie.

“I think what you’re going to find is that a lot of guys will throw on a new set of tires for time trialing. It’s only a couple of laps so they’ll just scuff them in basically. It’s going to be a different format. I like it, I’m looking forward to it. I’ve never done it before so we’ll just see how we do,” explained Jeff Dunford who currently sits fifth in the championship standings.

Other drivers, including points leader Glenn Watson, prefer racing for starting positions, but are challenged equally with trying to win the pole position.

“I really don’t care for time trials, I never really have, but we’ll give it what we can and see if we can get it on the pole” explained Watson.

Perhaps it is a good omen for the rest of the field who is looking to oust Watson from Knightworks Design Victory Lane after he has won all four feature events to start the season, bettering his total from last season of two feature wins.

Todd Campbell will look to continue his early success after posting four straight top-ten finishes to start the season. He leads Tyler Hawn by just 25 points in the Inside Track Rookie of the Year standings and remains fourth in the overall points. Hawn, who is currently seventh in the championship standings, just 111 points back of Campbell, remains fixated on capturing the Rookie-of-the-Year title.

“That’s pretty much the goal for the whole year. A top ten in points would be good, but I’d rather go for rookie of the year,” explained Hawn at Sunset Speedway.

Other rookie of the year contenders Chris Burrows and Shane Gowan had their best finishes of the season at Sunset Speedway one week ago at eighth and thirteenth respectively. Burrows struggled with mechanical difficulties that kept him from his first two feature events. Gowan destroyed the front end of his car when he hit the wall at Sunset in the year’s first event, just nine laps in to the first heat race. Both drivers will look to transfer their recent success to Sauble Speedway.

Wayne Isaacs has finished all four events in the top-five this season, with his best, a third place finish, coming last week at Sunset. Isaacs has challenged for the top spot every week, but has been just shy of catching Glenn Watson. Isaacs may have his best chance, via the time trial format, to put his #00 ahead of Watson and perhaps in victory lane. Isaacs acknowledges that it is no easy task.

“That’s a tough one. I think it will take (Glenn Watson) to have some bad luck and me to have some good luck,” said Isaacs.

Jesse Kennedy makes his debut in an OSCAAR Super Late Model on Saturday night. Kennedy, who will drive the #10, has a vast amount of experience with time trials after competing in the former CASCAR series and through Delaware Speedway’s weekly program that often holds time trials.

There is no doubt that a competitive field of cars will be in attendance at Sauble. Given a new format and a new way to qualify for the feature, drivers will surely be battling as hard as possible to start at the front for the fifty lap A-main. OSCAAR joins Sauble’s Junior Late Model, thunder car, and four-cylinder divisions. OSCAAR time trials begin at 6:15 pm, with the first green flag of the evening set to wave at 7:00pm.

By Clayton Johns

Schedule of Events for the South Shore Services 50 at Sauble Speedway (July 9)

Pit gates open: 3:00 pm

Tech opens: 3:30pm

Practice: 3:45pm – 5:45pm (Rotating all divisions)

Tech closes: 5:30pm

Drivers meeting: 5:55pm

Time Trials: 6:15pm

Green Flag: 7:00pm

Glenn Watson looks to continue a solid start to his season in defense of his three OSCAAR championships after winning an exciting event at Sunset International Speedway on May 23. The 22 team will certainly aspire for a strong finish at one of Watson’s favorite tracks and one of the fastest on the OSCAAR circuit.

The 00 of Wayne Isaacs will look to continue his luck after qualifying on the pole for the feature and finishing a solid fourth. Isaacs will be looking to avoid the difficulties he experienced at Kawartha last season with a couple of minor incidents that held back the 00.

Dave Taylor continues his return to OSCAAR after an eleven year absence. Taylor’s first race back resulted in a very respectable fifth place finish. One of OSCAAR’s founding member’s looks to put himself on the podium for the first time in over a decade at a track he has never run a lap on.

Jeff Dunford and Shane Gowan will both look to rebound from unfortunate circumstances at Sunset. Dunford suffered a flat tire in the first of two heat races at Sunset that set him back in the field for the feature and the 7T never fully rebounded finishing in seventh, the final car on the lead lap. The Lucas Oil #39 of Shane Gowan will try to get his rookie season back under way after hitting the wall hard in the apex of turns one and two at Sunset in the first heat race. The damage ended Gowan’s night just nine laps after it had begun. Look for the 39 to rebound with a strong finish at Kawartha.

Mike Bricknell will make his 2011 debut at Kawartha in the Dickson Printing yellow #69. One of four OSCAAR founding members, Bricknell missed the season opener due to personal reasons. The ‘yellow banana’ will be quick as always and should contend for a Top 10 finish at the Downs.

Ian Bourque’s Chevrolet will look to get the season started on the right foot. Bourque finished the 2010 season outside the Top 10 in points after competing in only seven events. However, Bourque finished all seven events in the Top 10, including three Top 5 finishes and an eighth place finish at the Don Biederman Memorial. Bourque also won two heat races.

Three-time OSCAAR champion Rob Clarke returns to OSCAAR and will make his debut at Kawartha Speedway. The familiar black and gold #49 will be threat to finish on the podium at the end of the night as always.

Woodstock native Drew Spicer will be in attendance in his #89 Outlaw. The Spicer’s of Woodstock sponsored car looks to have a strong 2011 season after participating in five events in 2010, which included an unfortunate accident at Mosport Speedway that hindered Spicer’s 2010 participation.

Rookie-of-the-Year contender and current Rookie points’ leader looks to better his strong sixth place finish in the #07 machine. Campbell had a strong outing at Sunset, winning a heat race and drawing the seventh starting position. The high-speed, high-banked Kawartha oval should challenge Campbell to get the most out of his car.

Finally, the debut of Rookie-of-the-Year contender Chris Burrows in the #64b Triton Automotive/Canadian Chrome Crank sponsored Outlaw. Kawartha stands as one of Burrows’ favorite tracks and should prove to be a good event for Burrows to get his OSCAAR career off the ground, Burrows plans to run the remainder of the schedule this season.

The Kawartha 50 is poised to be an exciting event. Combined with the season opener for Kawartha’s regular divisions, the evening is sure not to disappoint. Spectator gates open at 5:00pm with the first green flag waving at 7:00pm. Be sure to stop by the OSCAAR souvenir trailer for all of your official OSCAAR apparel.

Pit Gate opens 3:00pm

OSCAAR tech opens at 3:30pm

OSCAAR Practice times 4:00pm, 4:20pm, 4:40pm. 5:00pm 5:20 pm 5:40 pm 6:00pm, 6:20pm

OSCAAR tech closes at 5:30pm

Drivers – Crew chieft meeting at 6:30pm

We are the first set of heats at 7:00pm and as usual we only get one set here at Kawartha.

We are scheduled for the second feature of the night following the Late Models.

Drinkwater explained that tools and racing go hand-in-hand, making the OSCAAR partnership an easy choice for the company. “All of the guys working on the racecars are our customers” explained Drinkwater. “It just makes perfect sense to participate in some of the interests they like, so that we have a solid relationship between them and us.” The relationship between Matco Tools and OSCAAR is nothing new to either party, as Matco Tools has been a sponsor of the series for many years. However, Drinkwater demonstrated the need and desire to take the partnership to the next level. “You don’t always want to do the same things year in and year out because it becomes stale after a while” said Drinkwater. Drinkwater insists that Matco Tools has included several of OSCAAR’s other sponsors such as JBM leasing and Knightworks Design, in its negotiations with Ontario’s fastest series. “We’ve kinda worked it out between us that we want to go bigger and better, and take advantage of those two 75 lap races” described Drinkwater of the relationship between the companies.

However, the Matco Tools sponsorship does not simply stop at putting a sign up at the track. Matco Tools is currently organizing multiple events at each track, several of which have already been finalized. A customer appreciation barbeque is being held at each race, as well as some other interactive opportunities for fans. Included in these activities will be a full Matco Tools display area of some of the more than 13,000 items that are part of the Matco Tools product line. Additionally, fans will get the chance to demonstrate their automotive skills in the Tire Change Challenge. “We’re probably going to take one of the OSCAARs… and use some of our Matco Tools and have a tire change removal and replacement challenge” explained Drinkwater. Not only will race fans get a chance to show their skills, but also a chance to use some of the tools from Matco’s new Infinium line. Matco’s Infinium line is composed of cordless, lithium ion powered products and the line’s impact guns will be used for the challenge. “We’ll be giving out prizes for the winners of the best time” added Drinkwater. However, Drinkwater explained these will not be the only prizes given away at the events. “We’re also having a tool cart giveaway. We’re going to do a raffle and one of the lucky people in the stands is going to win a tool cart” said Drinkwater excitedly of the opportunity for fans.

The drivers of the two races will benefit from the partnership as well, with the winner of each race taking home the same Matco tool cart as the lucky fans at each event. The tool carts are valued at approximately $1000. Drinkwater explained that the drivers will gain more from the race than just the possibility of a new tool cart. “It’s relationships. We want to show we’re working towards the same common goal as them (the drivers). We’re selling professional tools, premium products for premium mechanics” added Drinkwater. In many cases, the drivers of OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Models are also the mechanics, with some added help.

Drinkwater also stated that among the reasons for choosing OSCAAR as a racing partner was the highly competitive nature of the series. “The main reason we went with OSCAAR is because they are very competitive” added Drinkwater enthusiastically. “They travel a circuit and they’re not racing every Saturday night in the same location, or every Friday night in the same location. The fact that they’re over 600 horsepower cars, they attract a lot of people.” Every OSCAAR event is fun for the whole family, and also adds to the many reasons Matco Tools has partnered with OSCAAR. “It gives you a chance to bring the whole family out and meet some of the drivers and be a part of the fun and the enthusiasm” encouraged Drinkwater. “That feeling you get when you say ‘gentlemen start your engines’ and 600 horsepower fires up.” That is one feeling you cannot find anywhere else in Ontario.

——-

About Matco Tools

Matco Tools is a manufacturer and distributor of quality professional automotive equipment, tools and toolboxes. Our product line now numbers more than 13,000 items. We also guarantee and service the equipment we sell.

Matco Tools is a subsidiary of Danaher Corporation, a Fortune 500 company and key player in several industries, including tools, environmental and industrial process and control markets.

Matco began operation in 1946 and, since 1979; we have sold our products directly to professional mechanics, enthusiasts, and those who value quality tools through a network of independent franchised mobile distributors. Our franchisees are easily recognized in their white trucks bearing the familiar Matco logo. Today, Matco distributors operate in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Finding a distributor, however, is not the only way to purchase Matco tools. We sell to central purchasing operations and other institutional customers through industrial sales representatives and, as part of our commitment to innovation, Matco is proud to offer our entire catalog for sale via the Internet. It’s an exciting new chapter in our story. And, just one more example of our promise to be “First to market, first to the street.”

Matco is proud of our quality products and our partnerships with our distributors. Together, we offer the best buying relationship in the industry.

By Clayton Johns

Brantford, ON – The OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Models and ImageFactor.ca Motorsport Designs have announced a new marketing agreement for the upcoming racing season.

In 2011, ImageFactor.ca Motorsport Designs will present the Best Appearing Car Award to the team that not only has the best-looking car, but also maintains that look all season long. “I completely believe that image is a factor in marketing to race fans. I appreciate a team that makes that effort to have a sharp looking race car all season long” said Greg Calnan, of ImageFactor.ca. “I look forward to presenting the award at seasons end and am excited to be a part of Ontario’s fastest tour on asphalt!” he added. “OSCAAR is a first-class organization and it’s a privilege to be a small part of such a great series.”

ImageFactor.ca Motorsport Designs in association with Ontario Oval Speedway News (www.OntarioOval.com) will award the winner of the 2011 OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Model Best Appearing Car Award a total of 500 full-sized (8.5” x 11”) double-sided, full colour autograph cards.

ImageFactor.ca Motorsports Design is a leader in promotional designs for race teams, tracks and touring series in Ontario. They offer websites, autograph cards, sponsorship proposals, business cards, posters, pocket schedules, programs and much more. For more information visit www.imagefactor.ca

This weekend OSCAAR will be taking part of the annual Speed and Custom Show in London. Two OSCAAR drivers Shane Gowan and Dave Taylor will have their cars on display. The #51 of Taylor will be using the show to debut a new team sponsor for the 2011 season.

Two of OSCAAR’s sponsors will also be part of the display. Knightworks the official sign and clothing supplier of OSCAAR in 2011 will be on hand. Knightworks offers to the racers everything a team needs, from clothing and team shirts to graphics for the race cars.

Matco Tools a world leader in tools and tool boxes will also have some of their products on display for fans to get a closer look.

Also the younger fans of racing will be able to get a close up look at 2 Jcars and the Hype Energy Drink Go-Kart. This will provide an excellent opportunity for parents to learn more about these two excellent ways to get their young drivers into racing.

Hope to see all you racing fans out on the weekend.

The show runs from Friday March 25th to Sunday March 27th, 2011. For directions and more details follow the link on the OSCAAR website.

By Dave Gainforth

Among TJ’s many accomplishments, I know he is most proud of being voted by his peers as Sportsman of the Year for two years straight. 

Although the shop no longer has an Outlaw in it, there is a new car there, a super modified that TJ and his team will be campaigning at Oswego Speedway this summer. 

In speaking to TJ, he wanted to thank all the drivers, teams and crews of OSCAAR for such a great ride the past few years. He knows all the experience gained will only help him as he tackles his next racing challenge. Although he won’t be competing with OSCAAR, he credits the series with helping his racing career and wishes the series nothing but great success in the upcoming season.

In speaking for everyone here at OSCAAR, we wish you the best of luck this season and look forward to watching you race on an off weekend.

By Dave Gainforth

To be eligible, a racer must have a) displayed an Inside Track decal on their cars in 2010; b) finished in the top 20 in points; and c) been a subscriber in good standing to Inside Track Motorsport News.

We are going to put some of these Inside Track Canadian Racer Contingency Ads in Volume 15.01 of Inside Track (to press Feb. 11, 2011). We’ll put the rest of the submissions into Volume 15.02 (to press March 11, 2011).

Click here to access the PDF form that racers need to complete and submit to Inside Track Motorsports News. Email the form to contingency@insidetracknews.com or fax it to (416) 962-7208). We also need a high-res JPG image, which can also be sent to contingency@insidetracknews.com.

Thank you for your assistance and we look forward to including ads from as many of your racers as possible in Inside Track Motorsport News.

From: Greg MacPherson- Inside Track Motorsports News