Ackland Insurance driver Mack DeMan races off turn two at Ohsweken during the 2018 season. DeMan won the 2018 Kool Kidz-Corr/Pak 360 Sprint Car rookie-of-the-year award. (Photo by Dale Calnan/Image Factor Media).
By Clayton Johns
OHSWEKEN, Ont. (May 22, 2019) – The long eight month off-season will finally come to a close when the first green flag of the season drops at Ohsweken Speedway for the Ackland Insurance season opener on Friday, May 24. The fast and high-banked 3/8-mile oval has sat dormant for more than 250 days prior to Wednesday night’s Test and Tune session, but will finally come back to life with a full card for Friday Night Excitement. All four Ohsweken weekly divisions will be in action to begin their respective seasons, including the Kool Kidz-Corr/Pak 360 Sprint Cars, Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars, Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stocks and HRW Automotive Mini Stocks.
Race time for the Ackland Insurance season opener is 7:30pm. Adult admission is just $14 while Seniors (65+) and Youths (13-17) are only $10. Kids aged 7-12 are only $3 and Kids 6 and under are free. This pricing is in effect for all weekly Friday Night Excitement shows in 2019. Cars will be on track for the first time in 2019 on Wednesday, May 15 for the rescheduled Test and Tune night. For the full schedule of events, visit www.ohswekenspeedway.ca.
Kool Kidz-Corr/Pak 360 Sprint Cars
The new season for the Kool Kidz-Corr/Pak 360 Sprint Cars is one of the most anticipated in recent memory with a crop of four full-time rookies planning to chase rookie-of-the-year honours. The top-five in the championship standings from 2018 are all returning to the division, including two-time champion Dylan Westbrook, who has moved to the Hill’s Racing Team. Last year’s runner-up Jim Huppunen will look to improve by one spot this season while third-place finisher Cory Turner will now drive for the Burger Barn Racing team with a new number on his top wing in No.13. For a full Kool Kidz-Corr/Pak 360 Sprint Car division preview, click here.
Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars
With over 40 drivers pre-registered for the 2019 season, the Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Car division will be one of the toughest and most competitive divisions at the track each week. Four drivers from last year’s top-eight have moved up to the 360 Sprint Car ranks, including the division’s defending champion. That leaves a handful of Sprint Car veterans looking to fend off the challenges of young guns and sophomore aces. For the full Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Car division preview, click here.
Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stocks
The Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stocks are set to roar back into action with their popular brand of three-wide and action-packed racing. Four-time and defending champion Dave Bailey will be back in his drive for five championships. It’s a familiar cast of characters for 2019 with all drivers that finished in the top-eight last season returning to the division, which includes runner-up Trevor DeBoer, Logan Shwedyk, Ken Sargent, Ryan Beagle, Jim Lampman, Christopher Hale and Blake Bomberry Jr. Two drivers are moving up from the mini stock division and will battle in rookie-of-the-year contention with Adam Plazek and Clinton Nicholls racing with the Thunder Stocks this year.
HRW Automotive Mini Stocks
In the HRW Automotive Mini Stock division, fans can expect the same edge-of-your-seat five-wide racing they have come to know and love on Friday nights. The reigning track champion Matt Nuell is set to defend his title in 2019 after claiming the top spot by a single point last September. He’ll face a familiar list of competitors with each of the top-10 drivers from last season returning to the track this year, including breakout driver Gillian Hils, Dusty DeBoer, Jonathan Ayrton and fan favourite “Cheeseburger” Sean Iftody. The remainder of last year’s top-10 included Mike Sarantakos, Tim DeBoer, Kyle Wert, Martin Schroeder and Tristan Da Silva. The division will also welcome at least three new drivers for the rookie-of-the-year chase including Tom Cole in No.6r, Jason Thomson in No.16T and Ryan Hillar in No.21H. The HRW Automotive Mini Stocks will also start their season with the first home track race for the Insta-Panels Duel on the Dirt series.
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About Ackland Insurance: Ackland Insurance is an agent for Desjardins Insurance. Born and raised in Brantford, Nathan Ackland is a second generation insurance agent with 18 years experience in the industry serving the community of Brant. Nathan is an active supporter of several local charities, sports teams and is an avid race fans who owns and supports several local race teams. For more information, visit www.acklandinsurance.com.
About MavTV Canada’s All North Racing Powered by Pinty’s
Ohsweken Speedway is excited to announce its Friday Night Excitement racing will be the centerpiece of a new international television broadcast on MavTV Canada called All North Racing powered by Pinty’s. All North Racing will visit Ohsweken for six live broadcasts that will be re-aired multiple times in Canada and the United States. The MavTV broadcasts are scheduled for May 31, June 21, July 22, July 23, August 30 and September 14. These broadcasts include both nights of the Northern Summer Nationals featuring Tony Stewart, Christopher Bell and Rico Abreu as well as the 15th annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals. For more information on MavTV Canada, visit www.facebook.com/MAVTVCanada.
Northern Summer Nationals Tickets Available Now
Tony Stewart, Christopher Bell and Rico Abreu are coming to Ohsweken Speedway for two action-packed nights on July 22-23. All three Sprint Car stars will be in action both nights for two $5,000-to-win 360 Sprint Car shows. Tickets and camping for the Northern Summer Nationals are on sale online at https://ohswekenspeedway.ticketforce.com/ or can be purchased by phone by calling (519) 717-0023.
Ohsweken Speedway Live Stream
Can’t make it to the track or don’t live within driving distance? No problem! Check out all of Ohsweken’s weekly Friday Night Excitement action live online for free via the Ohsweken Speedway Live Stream. The stream goes live at 7:30pm EST each race night at www.OhswekenSpeedway.ca and on our official Facebook page.
2019 SEASON
Ohsweken Speedway’s 24th season of weekly Friday Night Excitement features four divisions of racing, including the Kool Kidz-Corr/Pak 360 Sprint Cars, Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars, Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stocks and HRW Automotive Mini Stocks. Visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com or call (519) 717-0023 for more information.
About Ohsweken Speedway: Founded in 1996, Ohsweken Speedway is a motorsports complex which includes a 3/8 (0.375) mile clay oval track. The facility is owned by the Styres family, and located in the village of Ohsweken, Ontario, Canada. Ohsweken’s weekly Friday night racing program runs from May to September each year, featuring 360 Sprint Cars, Crate Sprint Cars, Thunder Stocks and Mini Stocks. The season finishes each year with the track’ annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals. Ohsweken Speedway also hosts weekly Micro Sprint racing on Thursday nights.
OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY MEDIA
Phone: (519) 717-0023
Email: media@ohswekenspeedway.com
Website: www.OhswekenSpeedway.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/OHSWEKENSPEEDWAY
Twitter: @OhswekenSpdway
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/OhswekenSpeedway
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/user/OhswekenSpdway
Ohsweken Speedway thanks the following partners for their support: Ackland Insurance, Arrow Express, Auto Parts Centres, Bradshaw Brothers Fuels, Burger Barn, Case IH O’Neil’s Farm Equipment, Core-Mark International, Corr/Pak Merchandising Inc., Creative Edge Signs & Graphics, EPIC Racewear, Gale’s Auto Aftermarket, Grisdale Racing Products, Hoosier Tire Canada, HRW Automotive, Insta-Insulation/Insta-Panels, Jibs Action Sports, Kool Kidz Ice & Water, McDonald’s Restaurants of Paris & Brantford, Middleport Mechanical, Miska Trailer Factory, Nitro 54 Variety/Club 54 Racing, Pinty’s Delicious Foods, Renway Energy, Rochester Knighthawks, Strickland’s GMC and Victory Gamez.