When the final point standings are calculated at the end of the regular season, pride and bragging rights are the ultimate rewards for a local racer’s success.

 

After claiming back-to-back 4Fun/Bone Stock titles in 2016 and 2017, Jeremy Kelly made the move to the Jiffy Lube Mini Stock ranks to kick-off the 2019 schedule and won rookie of the year that same season. While it took a couple of seasons to adjust to the new division, the 34-year-old filmmaker who lives in downtown Peterborough quickly found his niche and clinched the 2021 track championship – by a scant, 1 point margin over Ryan Oosterholt – with a feature win on the final night of the regular season to seal the deal. Kelly says he still finds spending Saturday nights with his family and friends at the venue known as Canada’s Toughest 3^rd Mile Oval is still a lot of fun.

 

“I’m very thankful for the support of my parents Teresa Kelly, Glen Harrington and Blair Kelly. Its also great to race with my teammates including my brother Jake and Johnny Bates,” admitted the driver. “I have to thank my girlfriend Jess Weitz for her encouragement, along with J.P., Dave and the team at the track for their hard work at putting everything together so we could be back at the track.”

 

Kelly says he appreciates what he calls the ‘Mom n’ Pop’ sponsors in the community – including Kirk Norris of Desjardins Insurance, Ranger Construction, Impact Communications, Tyler Junkin & TMC Motorsports, Stay Classy Racing, Connelly’s Minute Muffler, Parnell Motorsports, Poked by Tony & Mike’s Tattoo – that back his No. 80 machine and help him live out his boyhood racing dream.

 

2021 Jiffy Lube Mini Stock standings (Top 10)

 

Jeremy Kelly (#80)                 531

Ryan Oosterholt (#79)           530

Ember Junkin (#19)               523

Kevin Strutt (#34)                   491

Brock Baker (#63B)               481

Erin Kearns (42X)                  441

Brad/John Lavalle (#6)          438

Marilyn Junkin (#61)              403

Ryan Edwards-Kiss (#20)     378

Carol Dawson (#38)              352

 

There really isn’t an off-season for hometown racetrack operators. They might take a day off here and there, but as quickly as one year’s line-up comes to an end, they start making plans for the next. That’s the case for owner/promoter J.P. Josiasse and the management team at Peterborough Speedway. They’re looking forward to potentially kicking-off the 2022 schedule on the Victoria Day holiday weekend in May.

 

“We still have a lot of work to be done before the next green flag but I think we’re in a very good place,” said Josiasse. “Things should be good to go for the next season. We’ll have our regular weekly classes returning and talks are also starting with some of our special guest divisions to find some dates in our 2022 plans.”

 

Keep up to date with details and information for the new season by checking www.peterboroughspeedway.com or visiting the track’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media platforms.