Dynamic duo look to maintain dominance of popular division
May 1, 2025, OHSWEKEN, ON – The Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stocks at Ohsweken Speedway steal the show on a regular basis. While not the premier division at the Big O, but Thunder Stocks have a couple of things going for them – the cars are relatable with Camaros and Monte Carlos among other body types, and it has a great rivalry.
Hagersville racer Dave Bailey won seven consecutive track championships at Ohsweken driving his Brewster Baker tribute car – a throwback to stock car raced by Kenny Rogers in the 1980s movie Six Pack. His unbelievable consistency and always-fast race car made him more than anyone could overcome since 2014.
Enter Ryan Beagle. The Big Dog from Vittoria is as mild-mannered as any racer you will meet. When he exits his car in victory lane he is as humble as they come always thanking the fans for coming out.
Beagle has been fast for a few seasons, but something changed in 2024. He was beating Bailey on a regular basis, and Bailey had some mechanical failures that hurt him in the championship standings. It was the perfect storm for a new lead character to contend with Brewster Baker.
“I’m looking forward to getting back on track,” said Bailey in a pre-season interview. “If we can start off the year the same way we finished last year it will be a good season. We learned from the issues we had at the start of last year, but Beagle was fast. We will have something for him this season.”
Beagle has similar aspirations for the new race season.
“I feel like it might be more enjoyable now that I’ve got a championship,” said Beagle. “It was a great accomplishment, and now I can look forward to getting back into the swing of things.
“I can’t wait for the big races. I’d love to win another Brock Leonard Memorial, Gale’s Cash Blast, or Thunderstock Nationals. That’s what I’m ready for.”
The magic formula that creates such dynamic racing with the thunder stocks includes a classic handicapping system used in short track racing for decades. The fast cars start at the back.
With most racing in 2025 drivers earn their starting positions based on speed, and the fastest cars generally start at the front.
The classic handicapping throws back to a time when racing promoters looked to put on great shows, and what is more exciting than the best in each division coming from the back every night. The formula isn’t rocket science, but after the first two weeks of a race season the top drivers in points will start no better than 15th place on most nights.
For spectators watching Bailey and Beagle and the rest of an impressive Thunder Stock driver roster work through traffic brings them to their feet.
The action begins next Friday night, May 9th, with the Race of Champions Sportsman Series, Crate Sprint cars, Thunder Stocks, and Mini Stocks.
Who’s it going to be? Bailey? Beagle? Or will some of the other top contenders want their turn at the top of the standings. Mark Fawcett, Mike Klazinga, Kyle Wert, Trevor DeBoer and Zach Bleich will be gunning for the two marked men at the top.
The other event drawing huge anticipation at Ohsweken Speedway is the return of the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars May 14th and 15th. The double header of the greatest show on dirt has already sold out the campground, and advanced ticket sales have been brisk.
The expected driver roster for the Outlaws return includes David Gravel, Carson Macedo, Sheldon Haudenschild, Donny Shatz, Buddy Kofoid, Logan Schuchart, Giovanni Scelzi, Cole Macedo, Bill Balog, Garet Williamson, Skylar Gee, Zach Hampton, Conner Morrell, Chris Windom, Hunter Schuerenberg, Stewart Friesen, Anthony Macri, Jordan Poirier, Glenn Styres, Tyeller Powless, Ryan Turner, Joe Trenca, Todd Hoddick, Dylan Westbrook, Cory Turner, Josh Hansen, Kevin Pauls, and others.
Tickets for this mega-event are available at www.OhswekenSpeedway.ca.