Story By: ASHLEY MCCUBBIN / FLAMBORO SPEEDWAY – MILLGROVE, ONT. CA – The countdown is now on for the first green flag of the 2020 season, with the Pro Late Models set to run a pair of 30-lap features on June 20. The Canadian Vintage Modifieds will also in attendance for their twin 20-lap features.
With the current government restrictions, no spectators or children are allowed to be in attendance for the event. However, Flamboro Speedway has partnered with GForceTV to broadcast the event. Fans are encouraged to log on for the service free on their website at http://www.GForce.net to take in the action, as well as other racing.
The races will take place at 2:05 pm ET, streamed live on the service, with the broadcast beginning at 2pm ET.
As of Wednesday, there were 19 drivers who had paid their entry to partake in the event. There is allowance for up to 24 competitors, so any others interested gcolling23@gmail.com.
With the days counting down, here is a brief preview of those who have signed up to compete.
Kevin Albers knows what it takes to get the job done, with a championship under his belt. Last season, he scored 10 top-five’s and 14 top-10’s in weekly competition despite missing some nights.
Matt Box has his fair share of amount of experience under his belt entering this event, and was able to score a pair of top-10’s in APC Series competition in 2019.
Jaden Chapman has not made a big splash on the Pro Late Model scene to date, but is building upon his experience as a regular at Delaware Speedway.
Shawn Chenoweth is no stranger to having success at Flamboro, with a championship under his belt. He also won a pair of weekly events last season.
Chad Corcoran has made several laps around Flamboro in different divisions, and was able to score a win and 13 top-10’s in weekly competition in 2019.
Tyler Di Venanzo is coming off his rookie year of Pro Late Model competition which saw him score six top-10’s in Flamboro Speedway weekly action, including a pair of top-five’s. His team hopes to be stronger this year after having past Sunset Speedway Champion Taylor Holdaway join their team as a crew chief and mentor to Di Venanzo.
2019 Flamboro Speedway Late Model Champion J.R. Fitzpatrick is no stranger to success, earning the APC Auto Parts United Late Models of Ontario Tour Championship in 2018. Though his experience goes beyond that, with victories in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series and a OSCAAR Super Late Model title under his belt. En route to being crowned the 2019 track champion, he won 11 races with only one finish (sixth) outside the top-five in 19 races.
Jade Franklin is only a couple years into Late Model competition, but has proven his ability already behind the wheel. He scored a season-best 11th-place finish in APC competition in 2019, but was one of those taking advantage of the practice sessions leading up to this event.
Ryan Fraser will be making his Pro Late Model debut, after building his racing resume with experience in the T.Q. Can-Am Midget ranks. He’ll be surrounded by experience, driving a car owned by long-time Flamboro regular Mike Westwood.
2019 Grisdale Triple Crown Champion Shae Gemmell knows what it takes to be successful, scoring a victory and a pair of seconds en route to the title honors. He also showcased his talent on the APC tour, scoring a second in points to Matt Pritiko with a win and seven top-10’s in 10 races.
Jake Gilbert had an impressive rookie campaign at Flamboro last year, scoring 12 top-10 finishes. He also came close to victory lane, leading a bunch of laps on the second-last night of the season en route to placing second.
D.J. Kennington has one of the most diverse resumes, as he has made a couple starts in the NASCAR Cup Series, and is a multi-time NASCAR Pinty’s Series Champion. Although his recent experience in a late model is limited, the recent test session at Flamboro probably got him back up to speed quickly.
Shawn McGlynn is no stranger to experience behind the wheel, as he has made several laps at Flamboro, including a trip to victory lane last season to go with eight top-10 finishes. He showed he can contend with the strongest racers in Ontario, scoring a pair of top-10’s on the APC tour as well.
Jake Sheridan is one of the sport’s young budding stars to watch for years to come, as evident with his APC season in 2019. Despite missing out on reaching victory lane, he scored six top-10’s en route to placing sixth in the standings. He also scored a top-five in each of the Grisdale Triple Crown races at Flamboro last season.
Josh Stade has put together quite the resume, including a championship at Sauble Speedway. He earned three top-10’s on the APC tour last year en route to finishing 13th in the standings.
Brandon Watson is always a threat at any event that he attends, as evident by being a past APC tour Champion. He ran a single APC event last year at Jukasa Motor Speedway, scoring the victory, before placing fifth in the Canadian Short Track Nationals.
Blair Wickett has made a name for himself at Flamboro, scoring a top-10 in each of his five starts there last year, including a victory. He ran the full APC Series schedule in 2019, highlighted by an eighth-place finish at Jukasa Motor Speedway.
Wally Wilson will be making his Pro Late Model debut, following three seasons of Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC OSCAAR Modified competition under his belt. He has scored a pair of top-10 points finishes, while earning the Most Improved Driver honors at last year’s banquet.
As previously noted, Pro Late Models must enter into the pits from 9am to 10am, with all members showing up together, entering as a group, with no one allowed in-and-out privileges through the event. Please note that if you show-up outside of your arrival time, you will not be allowed to enter and forfeit your money.
There will be a driver’s meeting at 11:05am at the pit tower balcony, with a half-hour practice at 11:45am. Time trials will take place at 12:45pm, utilizing the group qualifying format just like the Grisdale Triple Crown. Please note that the PLMS will be impounded following qualifying. There will be a inversion done, utilizing a wheel on the broadcast with an invert of six, eight, or 10 possible.
Social distancing rules will be in effect as they have been through the practice sessions to date, with masks mandatory as they must be worn when you are not in a racecar. You must have hand sanitizer in your pits, with gloves strongly encouraged. You must always remain in your pit stall, and if going to the stands, remain six feet apart from your neighbor. There will be no standing at the fence to observe the races, with the concession stand closed, but bathrooms open for usage.
Please also note that there will be absolutely no alcohol consumption allowed before, during, or after the event. If you are caught with alcohol, you will be penalized with a fine/suspension.
The top-5 Pro Late Models will pay $2000.00 to win, $1300.00 for second, $800.00 for third, $600.00 for fourth, $500 for 5th and $250.00 to start.
Be sure to keep up with the latest by checking out Flamboro Speedway’s website at http://www.flamborospeedway.ca. You can also keep up via your favorite social networking website by following the speedway on Twitter at https://twitter.com/FlamboroSpdwy and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/flamborospeedway. Fans are encouraged to like the speedway’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Flamboro-Speedway-Authorized-Page-102328664646735/.
