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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 Struyk Energy Systems.
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. One of the support races for the Flyin’ Frank 49 Super Stock Invitational was the Struyk Energy Systems Hot Rods. Like the Stock Stocks, they were initially scheduled for the Spring Velocity weekend. However, inclement weather forced Sunset officials to reschedule the event to August 3. Drivers competed in a thirty-lap contest around Sunset Speedway’s 1/3–mile banked asphalt oval.
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The pace lap and eleven Struyk Energy Systems Hot Rod competitors line up on Sunset Speedway’s back straight for the thirty-lap contest. On the pole is the series points leader, Tyler Hawn, in the No. 2 1966 Pontiac Beaumont. On the outside of Hawn, driving the No. 07 1976 Chevrolet Nova is Dan Archibald. In the second row is Jamie Cairns in Rob Bromley’s No. 6 1972 Dodge Challenger and the No. 22 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle of Josh Berry. |
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Tyler Hawn is a busy man as he is attempting to win championships in Sunset Speedway’s Struyk Energy Systems Hot Rod class and the OSCAAR Hot Rod series. Based on his results this weekend, the driver of the No. 2 1966 Pontiac Beaumont tops the points standings in both series. Hawn started the feature on the pole. He would lead the contest flag-to-flag and break a tie with Tom Walters in the points chase. |
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When Dan Archibald enters an event, he is always a threat to win. Archibald campaigns the No. 07 1976 Chevrolet Nova. He was entered in the second heat race and finished in the runner-up position to Tyler Hawn. Archibald was gridded next to Hawn on the front row for the thirty-lap finale. At the drop of the green flag, he challenged Hawn. Archibald kept the pressure on Hawn, but would eventually finish second, 3.678 seconds behind the winner. |
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Jason Parker has competed in the OSCAAR Hot Rod series and Sunset Speedway’s Struyk Energy Systems Hot Rod division. The former Super Stock competitor made his Hot Rod debut in the No. 8 1969 Chevrolet Camaro and was victorious in his second OSCAAR race at Sauble Speedway. Parker was entered in the first heat race at Sunset and finished third. In the final contest, he lined up seventh and advanced to finish third. |
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Canadian Motorsport Hall of Famer Tom Walters competes in the No. 47 1965 Rambler Ambassador. Walters’ primary focus is on Sunset Speedway’s Struyk Energy Systems Hot Rod class. He entered the event on Sunday tied in the points chase with Tyler Hawn. Walters started the thirty-lap feature in the sixth position. Despite this moment in turn three, he continued and finished fourth. Walters trails Hawn by thirteen markers. |
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Over the Winter, Tyler Hawn and his team removed last season’s 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo body and replaced it with the chassis’ original 1966 Pontiac Beaumont metal. It appears that the change of bodywork hasn’t negatively impacted Hawn’s success. On Sunday evening, he collected another victory at Sunset Speedway. Hawn enjoys the championship lead in the Struyk Energy Systems Hot Rod division and OSCAAR Hot Rod Series. |
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| FINISH | START | DRIVER | CAR | LAPS | RETIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | Tyler Hawn | 1966 Pontiac Beaumont | 30 | - |
| 2 | 2 | Dan Archibald | 1976 Chevrolet Nova | 30 | - |
| 3 | 7 | Jason Parker | 1969 Chevrolet Camaro | 30 | - |
| 4 | 6 | Tom Walters | 1965 Rambler Ambassador | 30 | - |
| 5 | 3 | Jamie Cairns | 1972 Dodge Challenger | 30 | - |
| 6 | 8 | Mark Gordon | 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 30 | - |
| 7 | 4 | Josh Berry | 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle | 29 | - |
| 8 | 10 | Luke Gignac | 1964 Dodge Polara | 29 | - |
| 9 | 11 | Ben McPherson | 1965 Pontiac Parisienne | 28 | - |
| 10 | 5 | Mark Dilley | 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle | 4 | - |
| 11 | 9 | Paul Bogensberger | 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle | 4 | - |
| - | - | Tanner Holmes | 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS | 0 | Did Not Start |
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