2022 Flamboro Speedway

Due to COVID 19, the last couple of years have resulted in a reduced number of races and limits on spectator attendance. In 2022, the federal and provincial governments have lifted many of the restrictions, which means that the APC United Late Model championship for Pro Late Models has a full race calendar and will see the return of fans.

The 2022 APC United Late Model championship for Pro Late Models kicks off on the Victoria Day weekend at Sunset Speedway with the race called the Dayco 100. In early June, the teams make the first of two stops at Flamboro Speedway for the London Recreational 100. In the middle of June, the AP 100 is held at Peterborough Speedway. On the Canada Day weekend, drivers compete at Delaware Speedway during the Spectra Premium 100. The next race sees the championship make its final appearance at Flamboro Speedway. The Stewarts 100 is conducted at the end of July at Sauble Speedway. Round seven, also called the Stewarts 100, will take place at Sunset Speedway. The penultimate event of 2022 is at Sauble Speedway. Titles are determined on September 24th at Delaware Speedway.

The series rules remain unchanged from last season, with the cars constructed to specifications and controls common to most stock car series. The chassis is a tube frame covered with fiberglass bodies. Depending on the engine choice, a car can weigh as much as 2800-lbs. Crate motors from General Motors (GM 604 & GM 602) and Ford (347) are used in the series. To regulate expenses, competitors use a spec tire from American Racer and Bilstein A2 shock absorbers. There are also rules which restrict the options available for transmissions, ignition components, body material, brakes, etc.

The second round of the 2022 APC United Late Model championship for Pro Late Models was held at Flamboro Speedway. Drivers would compete in the London Recreational Racing 100, a one-hundred-lap contest around the 1/3-mile semi-banked asphalt oval.

Twenty-two United Late Model competitors line up on Flamboro’s front straight in anticipation of the start. When the series’ grid rules were implemented, it was the tenth fastest qualifier, Blair Wickett, on the pole in the No. 97 JP Powder Coating Chevrolet Camaro. Beside Wickett is the 2019 series champion, Matt Pritiko, driving the No. 21 Global Warranty Ford Mustang. On row two are Jake Sheridan and Kyle Steckly.

It wasn’t easy, but to no surprise that J.R. Fitzpatrick won round two of the APC United Late Model race at Flamboro Speedway. The 2018 series champion made some big changes in the off-season; perhaps the most significant was a move to a McColl chassis. Fitzpatrick, who won as recently as last week at Flamboro, started ninth. He moved into first place for the win on lap-91 and now leads the title chase.

Last season at Flamboro, Kyle Steckly did the unthinkable – winning the first APC United Late Model race he entered. Back full-time this year, Steckly drives the No. 22 APC Auto Parts Centres Chevrolet SS and started in the fourth position after being the fastest qualifier. He moved into the lead on lap -13 and led for seventy-four circuits before falling to third place. Steckly would battle back to finish in the runner-up position.

Another former series champion having an excellent outing was Andrew Gresel. The 2016 title-holder was fifth fastest in the qualifying session and gridded in the sixth position. The driver of the No. 81 Gallinger Capital/Image Wraps Ford Mustang moved up the race order and passed the leader, Kyle Steckly, on lap-88. Two circuits later, Gresel lost the top spot to the eventual winner, J.R. Fitzpatrick and would finish third.

The points leader entering round two at Flamboro Speedway was Rick Spencer-Walt. For the first time, Spencer-Walt was launching a full-time assault on the series to win the championship. The driver of the No. 31W Struyk Energy Systems Chevrolet was gridded tenth for the start. Unfortunately, he was involved in two separate incidents and finished twelfth, which dropped him to fourth in the standings.

Last year Shane Gemmell won the Grisdale Triple Crown for Pro Late Models at Flamboro Speedway. In the 2022 season opener at Sunset Speedway, Gemmell finished in the runner-up spot driving the No. 3 APC Auto Parts Centres Chevrolet Camaro. At Flamboro, Gemmell qualified a disappointing sixteen. He started his charge to the front immediately. By lap-90, Gemmell was third but would finish in the fourth position.

APC United Late Model series veteran Tom Gibbons delivered a solid performance in round two at Flamboro Speedway. Gibbons put the No. 10 Gingrich Service Centre Chevrolet Camaro seventeenth on the grid for the start of the London Recreational Racing 100. Gibbons avoided much of the contact during the event and, in particular, the ‘big one’ on lap-92 to finish in the seventh position.

The top three finishers for round two of the 2022 APC United Late Model championship for Pro Late Models at Flamboro Speedway. In the center is the winner of the London Recreational Racing 100, J.R. Fitzpatrick. This was Fitzpatrick’s third APC United Late Model victory at Flamboro. On the left is the runner-up, Kyle Steckly, who scored his first series victory at Flamboro. Finishing third was Andrew Gresel.

FINISH	START	DRIVER	SPONSOR / CAR	LAPS
1	9	JR Fitzpatrick	Cambridge Rigging/ATV Depot / Chevrolet SS	100
2	4	Kyle Steckly	APC Auto Parts Centres / Chevrolet SS	100
3	6	Andrew Gresel	Gallinger Capital/Image Wraps / Ford Mustang	100
4	16	Shae Gemmell	APC Auto Parts Centres / Chevrolet Camaro	100
5	8	Josh Stade	Canadian Flat Roof Systems / Toyota Camry	100
6	2	Matt Pritiko	Global Warranty / Ford Mustang	100
7	17	Tom Gibbons	Tom Gibbons Concrete Finishing / Chevrolet Camaro	100
8	15	Danny Benedict	Mobil 1/GTA Racing Design / Chevrolet Camaro	100
9	14	Billy Schwartzenburg	Spira Fire Protection / Ford Fusion	100
10	7	Dale Shaw	NTN Bearings / Chevrolet SS	100
11	3	Jake Sheridan	Cameron Crane & Riggers / Ford Mustang	100
12	10	Rick Spencer-Walt	Struyk Energy Systems / Chevrolet SS	100
13	13	Connor James	SSG Gloves / Toyota Camry	100
14	18	Mat Box	Maple City Tire / Chevrolet Camaro	99
15	5	Shawn Chenoweth	London Recreation Racing / Chevrolet Camaro	99
16	11	Erik Dalla Riva	SDR Seating / Chevrolet SS	99
17	20	Jade Franklin	Calldecott Millwright Services / Chevrolet Camaro	98
18	21	James Horner	Custom Forming Walls / Chevrolet Camaro	98
19	12	Ryan Kimball	SMG Motorsports / Toyota Camry	90
20	1	Blair Wickett	JP Powder Coating / Chevrolet Camaro	66
21	22	Dwayne Baker	NISCO National Leasing / Ford Mustang	44
22	19	Jordan Howse	McMaster GMC Orangeville / Chevrolet SS	-

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