Short Track Stars Shine Bright on Canada’s Toughest 3rd of a Mile Oval

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

Stock car racing is all about give and take.  You give absolutely everything your equipment will take in search of that next checkered flag.  Tackling a tight, demanding layout like Peterborough Speedway takes a special kind of racing talent.  A driver needs to display the perfect combination of patient aggression.  A gentle nudge at the right time or place could be the difference between a trip the winner’s circle or a mid-pack finish.  Track owner/promoter J.P. Josiasse says that’s the type of performance that packs the grandstands week after week.

“We’ve earned a reputation as a driver’s track and the word gets around pretty quickly,” said Josiasse.  “It usually takes just one trip through our pit gates for a racer to know what to expect.  We don’t condone people taking each other out on purpose, but there’s only so much time to react when you’re out there with 15 or 20 other drivers who have their eyes on the same prize.”

In 2013, the track’s regular divisions saw over 100 drivers make at least one start in weekly action.  A quick check of the final point standings shows 2 classes were decided by a margin of 10 points or less, while the maximum difference between first and second place point positions was 33 markers.  With 3 of last season’s 5 track champions returning to defend their titles and some familiar faces in different places, the upcoming campaign will be one of the most exciting in years.

Peterborough Speedway’s 2014 schedule will take the green flag with the Country 105 Season Opener, presented by Pepsi – with free spectator grandstand admission – Saturday, May 17th.  The stock car racing portion of this year’s agenda concludes with the 22nd running of the Autumn Colours Classic – sponsored by Lucas Oil Products – October 10th, 11th and 12th.  Sandwiched in between will be 14 Saturday nights; and one Sunday afternoon of thrilling fender-to-fender excitement.

Fan Appreciation/Toonie Grandstand Admission Nights are planned for Saturday, May 31st, July 19th and August 16th.  The popular OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Models have dates with the tight bullring on Mount Pleasant Road, west of the Liftlock City Saturday, August 3rd, August 30th and October 11th, during Autumn Colours.  Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup teams will tackle Canada’s Toughest 3rd of a Mile Oval for a 100 lap affair Saturday, August 9th.  Fans, race teams and even track officials are looking forward to this year’s lid-lifter.

“As soon as the gates swing open, it’s the reward for a lot of hard work during the off-season,” said Josiasse.  “Most people won’t even notice the subtle differences from one campaign to another, but everything we do is designed with the goal of making Peterborough Speedway one of the province’s premier motorsports facilities.”

Fans can find the complete 2014 schedule at www.peterboroughspeedway.com.  The latest news and updates throughout the year are on the track’s Facebook page and Twitter feeds.

Photo attachment:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

Steve Foster scored his first main event win and finished 6th in Late Model points in 2013. This year, he’ll be joined at the track by his daughter Bryanna, who’ll make her debut in the 4Fun division.

Prepared by:  Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

clarkemotorsports@hotmail.com

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