GEARED UP FOR THE 2008 REGULAR SEASON

Delaware, Ontario

John Houghton

Delaware Speedway PR

April 28, 2008

Delaware Speedway is geared up for opening night this Friday evening!  The lineup for the evening features the three fastest Delaware divisions: the Peterbilt of Ontario Super Stocks, POWERADE Open-Wheel Modifieds and APC Late Models and is held in support of Jesses Journey.

As part of the larger Jesse’s Journey Walk Across Canada in a Day campaign, by making a minimum donation of $5 fans and competitors will have to opportunity to walk the 1/2 mile track before the event to add to walking totals from around the region.  The fundraiser will take place beginning at 7:00 PM.  For more information on that program can be found here.

The Peterbilt of Ontario Super Stocks boast a great lineup of drivers for the 2008 season with over twenty-two pre-registered.  Windsor’s Ray Morneau (#98) is set to defend his championship against a field of experienced drivers and a handful of new challengers.  In a Super Stock coming of age story, the pair of Krown JRL graduates Andrew Perkins and Darrell Lake feel they are in a position to compete strongly in 2008.

“Darrell and I have learned a lot these past four years,” said Perkins in a practice day interview.  “We’re ready to go up and try to compete for a championship.”

Perkins faced a tough run by the end of last year after a rivalry developed between his #3 and Jeremiah Rabideau (#51) of Glencoe.  A series of incidents cost both drivers positions and points.

Additionally, Matt Humphrys (#04) of St. Marys will be joining the class, moving up from Challenger Motor Freight Trucks.  The division will also see the entry of Kris Lawrence taking reigns his father’s #28 Pontiac Ventura.  Duane Manning of Komoka had previously been keeping the seat warm for Kris after the passing of Dave Lawrence at home in 2006 season.  Kris has previously competed successfully in the speedway’s Krown JRL, where his brother Jordan will be racing in the senior division for he first time this year.

The POWERADE Open Wheel Modifieds will be as exciting as ever in 2008.  The last season saw plenty of bumper-to-bumper, sidebar to sidebar action in this class of speed machines.  The past three seasons have seen three different champions with Jamie Cox (#3) of Dorchester, Barry Newman (#1) of Springfield, and Mark Watson (#20) of Ailsa Craig.  With hot shoes like Paul Shipway (#88) of Ailsa Crag and David McCullough (#39) of Glencoe gaining more and more experience, the division is expected to be as fiercely competitive this season as it was last season.

The APC Late Models are also expected to be wildly exciting this season.  Jesse Kennedy will be defending his championship and special event wins at the PartSource 140 and APC 300.  Scott Lindsay is widely expected to be a contender in 2008 along with the likes of “Rocket” Ron Sheridan (#52) of Strathroy and Dion Verhoeven (#77) of Kerwood.

 Anticipation is high with the return of Delaware racing legend Steve Robblee (#28) of Dorchester.  The Windsor area will be well represented this season with the addition of Duke Sawchuck to the Dan Delisile team of racing.  Doug Stewart will be joining the fray with his #2 late model, and Chad Rijnen will be making the jump to Late Model from Super Stock, driving the #33 JR Motorsports entry.  Team APC / CANUSA will be represented by Jamie Ramsay (#42) of St. Thomas.  As well, Brandon Watson, a young-gun from the Barrie area is rumoured to be trying his hand at the Delaware oval on opening night.

Numerous contingency sponsors are also announcing their intentions to be apart of the Delaware Program.  Five Star Race Car bodies will be providing a body package for the year end banquet and the APC 300.  Other top equipment manufacturers such as Holley Carburetors, Edelbrock, Brodix Cylinder Heads, and MSD Ignition will be providing prizing for the competitors at the end of the year.  Locally, McColl Racing Enterprises, Larry Knott Fibreglass Fabrication, Leaf Racewear, John Saunders Racing, APC / CANUSA and Exeter Toyota are all an important part of the program in 2008.  Further details on these programs will be announced in the near future.

The gates will fly open at 6:00 PM on Friday with the racing beginning at 8:00 PM.  You won’t see racing this intense on television, don’t miss a lap!