By: Clayton Johns/Sauble Falls Racing
September 16 2016
Sauble Beach, Ontario – The final APC United Late Model Series race takes place this weekend at Delaware Speedway and Sauble Falls, Ont. native Andrew Gresel hopes to earn his first series championship when the final checkered flag waves. The 100-lap race is the main event of Delaware’s Great Canadian Race Weekend on September 17.
Gresel and his team have worked hard over the last three weeks to make sure the car is back up to speed after suffering a broken rear-end at Sunset Speedway to conclude the month of August.
“The car is all back together. We got out for a few laps at Sauble and everything was smooth and running well,” Gresel said of his test session. “Everything should be fine for Delaware.”
The preparation hasn’t stopped since, as Gresel continues to fine tune his McRobert Fuels/Hy-Grade Roofing/London Recrational Racing No.81 Ford Fusion. He hopes to become the second champion in series history.
He enters the race with a 13-point lead over rival Matt Pritiko. The battle will start right from qualifying time trials with bonus points available to the fastest five drivers.
“We’re going to keep our eyes on the points all race. The biggest thing is probably going to be qualifying. We’re racing mainly against Pritiko and that’s his home track so I’m sure they’ve been out testing,” Gresel said frankly. “They’re going to be shooting for a pole.”
Gresel has been dominant at Delaware this year with wins in all three of his starts at the London-area track this season, including the APC Series event at the big half-mile on Canada Day. His success and experience will go a long way, but Gresel knows the competition will be tough regardless.
“There’s a bit of comfort, but Delaware is anybody’s track. (Jesse) Kennedy isn’t in the points battle, but he’s going to be at the front,” Gresel said of the perennial contender. “Pritiko runs well there too. Everybody does.”
With a championship on the line between Gresel, Pritiko and a handful of other mathematically eligible drivers, it’s going to be a tough race. Gresel doesn’t anticipate receiving any favours on Saturday.
“Give and take is definitely thrown out the window,” Gresel said. “It’s going to be a risky game. It might be a 13-point lead, but it could be nothing in a hurry.”
Make no mistake: Gresel wants this title badly. He’s won four races with the series this year and wants to cap a great season with his first championship since winning the OSCAAR Super Late Model crown in 2014. He also won the 2011 Delaware Late Model track championship.
“It would mean a lot for me. I’ve been involved in Late Model racing for a number of years. This title would mean a lot for me because you’re running against the top guys in Ontario,” Gresel said. “It would mean a lot to pull it off.”
The APC Series race on Saturday, September 17 is scheduled for 2:00pm. In the event of rain on Saturday, the event does have a rain date for Sunday, September 18. Additional event information is available at www.delawarespeedway.com.
SEASON STATS
Pro Late Model – 11 Starts: 5 Wins, 8 Top-5s, 10 Top-10s
Super Late Model – 2 Starts: 2 Wins, 2 Top-5s, 2 Top-10s
SAUBLE FALLS RACING MEDIA
Website: www.saublefallsracing.com
Facebook: facebook.com/saublefallsracing
Twitter: @SaubleFalls81
Andrew Gresel’s 2016 season is supported by several corporate sponsors, including: Sauble Falls Tent & Trailer Park, London Recreational, McRobert Fuels, Hy-Grade Roofing, F1 Freight Systems, Canadian Union of Skilled Workers, Gallinger Ford Lincoln, Castrol Canada, Pro Wraps, Brisk Spark Plugs, Barry’s Construction and Raden Givari at Ehomes.