Some people relax by playing softball or soccer. Others spend their leisure time chasing a little white ball around the golf course. Steve Powell enjoys kicking-back behind the wheel of a racecar. A hard crash late in the 2023 season may have kept Powell on the sidelines but he vowed to return to the sport he loves.

When Peterborough Speedway’s new schedule launched on Victoria Day weekend, there was a new look No. 72 machine in the KOD Disposal Late Model starting field. With the help of good friend and multi-time track champion Dan McHattie, Powell had fulfilled his promise and the 48-year-old speedster from Marmora, Ontario was front row centre in the headline division’s starting line-up.

“That was probably the hardest hit I’ve ever had but as soon as I knew I hadn’t been seriously, I started thinking about getting our program back together,” the driver explained. “With so many good friends and members of our extended racing family stepping-up to help get things ready to roll, the racetrack has always been one of my favourite places to be.”

Seeing a racer in a new ride – especially early in the year – isn’t an uncommon sight. Usually there can be a period of adjustment from the driver’s seat, but Steve Powell seems to have come up to speed with his new piece quite quickly. At the Saturday, May 18^th season opener, he was 4^th in the final rundown and followed that up with a 5^th place showing 2 weeks later on June 1^st. Powell currently sits 5^th in the track’s 2024 point standings.

“The car was comfortable right out of the box and responds well to any changes we make,” Steve Powell said. “I really have to thank Dan McHattie and the Dan McHattie Racecars team for creating such a great piece. I don’t think we’d be here without him.”

In the shop and at the track, Powell’s Late Model is prepped and maintained by Jamie Lynn Hayes, Blaine Delyea and the driver’s father, Brad Powell. The team’s 2024 Peterborough Speedway season is proudly supported by NAPA Sidey Auto Supply, Town & Country Lawn Maintenance, Bell Paving, Premium Portable Toilet Rentals, Custom Mobile Wash, Crowe’s Gas and JJ Stewart Motors.

Powell racing notebook: Steve Powell was denied his shot a 3^rd consecutive main event top-5 finish when rain cancelled the balance of the Saturday, June 8^th program after the qualifying heats. He did finish in 5^th place in each of the night’s heat races.  The team will be back in action Saturday, July 13^th with a pair of feature events on the raceday schedule.

Fans, family and friends can follow Steve Powell and the No. 72 Late