|
The Steve Slaughter Classic marked the opening weekend for Sunset Speedway's 2025 season.
The bill included Junior Late Models, Mini Stocks, Super Stocks, Pro Late Models and the popular LUDUH Hot Rod division.
In addition to their appearance on the opening night the Hot Rods would compete eleven times at Sunset.
The cars competing in the Sunset championship are constructed to specifications and rules common to most stock car series. What makes the Hot Rod division unique are the makes and models that compete in the division. The cars must be North American, have a steel body and have been produced between 1949 and 1984. No convertibles or front-wheel-drive vehicles can participate in this series. Changes to the rules in the off-season included the addition of pick-up trucks and an increase in the eligible year range from 1974 to 1984. The Hot Rods must have a stock roof, grill, and tail, while the rest of the body panels can be fabricated from 22-gauge sheet steel but must retain a stock appearance. Many other rules governing this class are for safety and to keep the costs down. Sunset Speedway held the rescheduled 'Speed is Forever' event on Sunday, August 31. On the program were the Struyk Energy Systems Hot Rods. The drivers competed in a thirty-lap contest around Sunset Speedway’s 1/3-mile banked asphalt oval during the ‘Speed is Forever’ event.
|
|
|
Thirteen Struyk Energy Hot Rod competitors line up on Sunset Speedway’s back straight for the thirty-lap feature during the ‘Speed is Forever’ event. On the pole is the No. 22 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle of Josh Berry. On the outside of Berry, is Mark Gordon driving the No. 52 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Filling out the second row are the No. 18 1964 Ford Falcon of Jay Cutting and Luke Gignac driving the No. 777 1964 Dodge Polara. |
|
|
The Struyk Energy Hot Rod feature race was red-flagged before drivers completed the first lap. The Ford Falcon of Jay Cutting spilled fuel on the track, causing several competitors to spin. Dan Archibald and Thomas Wunsch slid up against the pit wall but were able to continue. Luke Gignac, in a Dodge Polara, and Tom Walters, driving a Chevrolet Chevelle, weren’t as lucky and retired. Earlier in the day, Walter’s primary car suffered an engine failure. |
|
|
Hot Rod veteran Tyler Hawn is having a busy season as he is competing in Sunset Speedway’s Struyk Energy Hot Rod division and the OSCAAR Hot Rod Series. In fact, Hawn is leading the points in both championships. The driver of the No. 2 1966 Pontiac Beaumont won the first heat race and was gridded sixth for the feature. By lap 2, Hawn was in the lead and went unchallenged to win by a margin of 3.571 seconds. |
|
|
|
Mark Gordon is a Peterborough Speedway regular who competes in the track’s Super Stock division. This season, he’s joined the Struyk Energy Hot Rod ranks, driving the No. 52 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, with backing from Just Hockey. Gordon competed in heat race two and finished second. He lined up second for the feature. Gordon led a couple of laps before being passed by Tyler Hawn. He captured a runner-up result. |
|
|
|
Dan Archibald was a Super Stock competitor but now races the No. 07 1976 Chevrolet Nova in the Hot Rod class. Archibald sits fifth in the Struyk Energy Hot Rod standings. He started on the pole in the first heat race but could not hold off Tyler Hawn and finished second. Archibald started seventh in the feature, but was a victim of the opening lap incident. The car had minimal damage and Archibald continued. He held off Thomas Wunsch to finish third. |
|
|
|
Tyler Hawn is joined by family, friends and his crew to celebrate his victory at the ‘Speed is Forever’ event. Hawn moved to the top spot early and dominated the contest. He is having a tremendous season and leads the championship standings in two series – the Struyk Energy Hot Rod division at Sunset Speedway and the OSCAAR Hot Rod Series. |
 |
 |
 |
| FINISH | START | DRIVER | CAR | LAPS | RETIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | Tyler Hawn | 1966 Pontiac Beaumont | 30 | - |
| 2 | 2 | Mark Gordon | 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 30 | - |
| 3 | 7 | Dan Archibald | 1976 Chevrolet Nova | 30 | - |
| 4 | 8 | Thomas Wunsch | 1974 Chevrolet Camaro | 30 | - |
| 5 | 1 | Josh Berry | 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle | 30 | - |
| 6 | 9 | John Gaunt | 1966 Chevrolet Chevy II | 30 | - |
| 7 | 3 | Jay Cutting | 1964 Ford Falcon | 30 | - |
| 8 | 10 | Steve Book | 1960 Studebaker Hawk | 30 | - |
| 9 | 11 | Nick Holman | 1968 Chevrolet Camaro | 29 | - |
| 10 | 5 | Jason King | 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle | 29 | - |
| 11 | 13 | Matt Spry | 1970 Plymouth Duster | 29 | - |
| 12 | 4 | Luke Gignac | 1964 Dodge Polara | 0 | - |
| 13 | 12 | Tom Walters | 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle | 0 | - |
| Copyright Notice: |
| All content (photographs and text) appearing on this website are the exclusive property of © www.zoompics.com and are protected under International copyright laws. The subject matter on this website may not be reproduced, copied, stored or manipulated. |
