Photo by Dale Calnan/Image Factor Media
By Carin Sundin
OHSWEKEN, Ont. (September 5, 2018) – Ohsweken Speedway officials are pleased to have the driver of the No.4 Middleport Mechanical Thunderstock Aaron “Wink” Rewutzsky “In The Driver’s Seat” this week.
Each week “In the Driver’s Seat” showcases a driver from the Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stock or HRW Automotive Mini Stock divisions to share some insight into the driver in the firesuit and behind the wheel.
Rewutzsky would like to acknowledge and thank his sponsors for their continued support, including: A1 Car Care/Xtreme Liners, Queensway Tire, S&S Exteriors, Expert Auto Clinic, Henderson’s Powder Coating, Brant Aggregates and Action Transmission with special thanks to his behind the scenes support, crew member Darryl Laudenbach, whose help all season long is always appreciated!
How old were you when you started racing? What division/class? How long have you been in the Thunder Stock division?
AR “I always use to take my street car to Toronto Motorsports Park or St. Thomas Dragway for test and tune nights. I was 34 when I started racing in the Mini Stock Division at Ohsweken Speedway in 2015. This year I moved to the Thunder Stock division.“
How did you get involved in racing?
AR “I’ve been around cars all my life with my family’s car detailing business. My parents would take us to the drag races when I was a kid. But when I was 15 my sister and brother-in-law took me to Merrittville Speedway and I fell in love with dirt racing. After watching from the grandstands for almost two decades and going through some tough personal times in 2014, myself and some good friends decided to pool our money together to build a car for the 2015 Mini Stock season at Ohsweken. Also, Chris Dickie kept encouraging us to build something since we were at the track almost every week watching.”
What was your scariest situation in a race car?
AR “It was in June of this year actually, when I blew a tire and contact with another car had me up on my side in turn 3. I thought I was going over on my roof but didn’t quite make it all the way over, thankfully. I was uninjured, but the damage ended my night.”
Do you get “race nerves” before a race?
AR “When we are sitting on the warmup track I get a little nervous. I usually try to think about non-race related stuff or sing some songs to pass the time. But once we start rolling and get on track the nerves go away. Then it’s time to get down to business.”
What is your favourite race moment to date (as a driver, fan, growing up, etc.)?
AR “When I finished second in a Mini Stock feature a couple years ago. It was great being interviewed by Clinton Geoffrey after seeing him do interviews for so many years.”
If you could race in any other class, which would it be?
AR “If I could run another class weekly, it would definitely be Big-Block Modifieds in New York State somewhere. I don’t know if I’m crazy enough to run a sprint car!”
What advice would you give anyone who is interested in getting into racing?
AR “If I had any advice to give, it would be to surround yourself with good people and sponsors. Make sure you have time to spend working on your car. It can be time consuming and your going to miss out on doing other things. Definitely don’t be afraid to ask other people questions. Guys like Jim Lampman, Chris Dickie, Dave Bailey, the Beagles and the guys from the Burger Barn Race Team have always been willing to answer my questions.”
What driver do you most admire? Do they influence your driving style?
AR “I admire drivers like Dale Earnhardt Sr, John Force, Tony Stewart, Scott Bloomquist and Danny Johnson. Drivers that don’t put up with any B.S. They probably don’t influence my driving style. I try to race clean, but everyone makes mistakes and make a little contact from time to time. I don’t ever recall those guys winning a Sportsmanship Award like I have,” he joked.
If you could compete in any race, what would it be? Which track?
AR “It’s a toss up on this one. Either winning the NHRA U.S Nationals by beating John Force in the finals or winning the Big Block Modified race at Super DIRT Week.”
Do you have any race day or pre-race superstitions?
AR “I use to always have 10 McNuggets for lunch on race days and I always go to the washroom before I get in the race car.”
Rewutzsky is currently 17th in the Points Standing in his rookie year of Thunder Stock racing at Ohsweken Speedway. We wish the No. 4 Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stock team a safe and successful finish in the 2018 season. Thank you, Aaron, for getting “In The Driver’s Seat” this week.
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Canadian Sprint Car Nationals Tickets and Camping Available Now!
Advanced reserved seating tickets are on sale now for the 14th annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals on September 14-15 are on sale now! The event features two full nights of Sprint Car action, including Saturday’s $10,000-to-win Feature Event. Visit www.ohswekenspeedway.ticketforce.com or call 519-717-0023 to order and for more information. For the full 2018 schedule of events, click here.
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.
2018 SEASON
Ohsweken Speedway’s 23rd 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 to view the schedule 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, while the season finishes each year with the 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 in 2018: Arrow Express, Kool Kidz Ice & Water, Corr/Pak Merchandising Inc., Renway Energy, Case IH O’Neil’s Farm Equipment, Hoosier Tire Canada, EPIC Racewear, McDonald’s Restaurants of Paris & Brantford, Ackland Insurance, Strickland’s GMC, Lucas Oil Products, Burger Barn, Pinty’s Delicious Foods, Creative Edge Signs & Graphics, Insta-Insulation, Middleport Mechanical, HRW Automotive, and Gale’s Auto Aftermarket.