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The 2025 Sunset Speedway season opened with the Steve Slaughter Classic.
The feature event was round one of the Seaton Structures Pro Late Model series.
Ten additional events are on the Sunset schedule to determine the Seaton Structures Pro Late Model class champion.
Pro Late Models are constructed according to specifications and controls standard to most stock car series. The chassis is a tube frame covered with a fiberglass body. Popular body styles include the Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet SS, Ford Mustang, Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry. Depending on the engine choice, a car can weigh as much as 2800 lbs. Unlike the popular APC series, this event allows teams to compete with crate engines or built motors. There are also rules restricting the options for transmissions, ignition components, body material, brakes, etc. The season opener at Sunset Speedway was a one-hundred-lap contest around the 0.333-mile banked oval. The contest also used the 'choose rule.' On restarts, competitors are allowed to choose their lane. The condition of the track may determine their selection, such as how many cars are ahead of them or the handling of their vehicle. If a driver changes their choice after the designated 'choose spot,' they must start from the rear of the field. Some APC United Late Model competitors were entered in preparation for round one of the series at Sunset Speedway on the Victoria Day weekend. |
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A unique system was used to set the starting grid. The fastest eight qualifiers participated in a random draw that determined their starting position. As a result of this procedure, Travis Hallyburton's No. 39 Hillsdale Service Centre Chevrolet Camaro started on the pole. Beside Hallyburton is Dale Shaw, driving the No. 83 Wellington Systems Inc. Chevrolet SS. Jordan Howse and Connor Pritiko occupy the second row. |
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On many occasions, Josh Stade has come close to winning at Sunset, only to have bad luck. Last year, Stade's drought ended with a victory in the APC's Late Model NTN BCA Triple Crown event. He was the fastest qualifier at this season's Steve Slaughter Classic, driving the No. 17 Canadian Flat Roof System Toyota Camry, and started sixth after the draw. Stade joined the leaders early and held off challenges from Dustyn Mombourquette and Jordan Howse to take first place. |
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Dustyn Mombourquette ended his 2024 season with a runner-up result at Peterborough Speedway's Autumn Colours. Mombourquette pilots the No. 16 Paul's Auto Body / IHL Ford Mustang and drew the eighth position for the 100-lap contest. He was immediately behind Josh Stade when the green flag flew and followed him to the front of the field. The two battled for the win late in the race, but he could not make the pass and finished second. |
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Jordan Howse was Sunset Speedway's 2024 GD Coates Pro Late Model track champion and began last year's campaign with a victory at the Steve Slaughter Classic. Howse was gridded third in this season's event driving the No. 8 Paul Howse & Associates Chevrolet SS. By lap 5 of the contest, he had moved to the top spot. After fighting with Travis Hallyburton, Howse had to contend with Stade and Mombourquette. Unable to hold them off, he finished third. |
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Dale Shaw drove the No. 83 Wellington Systems Inc. Chevrolet SS. Shaw was the champion of the inaugural APC United Late Model Championship. In recent years, he has reduced his participation to focus on the family business and support his rental drivers. He was one of the eight fastest qualifiers and started on the outside of the front row. Unfortunately, he was not a match for Stade, Mombourquette, and Howse and finished fourth. |
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After 'testing the waters' for three years, Connor Pritiko committed to all nine events on the 2024 APC United Late Model Championship calendar. Pritiko joined the series with the 2023 Delaware Late Model title. In his rookie season, he won the year's final race and finished eighth in the final standings. Pritiko started the Steve Slaughter Classic in the fourth position but was passed by Josh Stade and Dustyn Mombourquette for a fifth-place result. |
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Shae Gemmell has participated in the APC United Late Model Championship since its inception. Gemmell is one of the front runners with four series victories and third place in last year's final standings. He entered last year's Steve Slaughter Classic, but a mechanical issue prevented him from taking the Starter's flag. Gemmell's fortunes were better this year. He qualified ninth in the No. 3 APC Auto Parts Centres Chevrolet SS and took the checkered flag in sixth place. |
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After several disappointing outings at Sunset Speedway, Josh Stade won in round seven of the 2024 APC United Late Model Championship, the second race in the NTN BCA Triple Crown. A hard-fought victory in this season's Steve Slaughter Classic must be a confidence builder for Stade and the team heading into the opening race of this year's APC United Late Model series. |
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| FINISH | START | DRIVER | SPONSOR / CAR | LAPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | Josh Stade | Canadian Flat Roof Systems / Toyota Camry | 100 |
| 2 | 8 | Dustyn Mombourquette | Paul's Auto Body/IHL / Ford Mustang | 100 |
| 3 | 3 | Jordan Howse | Paul Howse & Associates / Chevrolet SS | 100 |
| 4 | 2 | Dale Shaw | Shaw Motorsports / Chevrolet SS | 100 |
| 5 | 4 | Connor Pritiko | Dumus Developments / Chevrolet Camaro | 100 |
| 6 | 9 | Shae Gemmell | APC Auto Parts Centres / Chevrolet SS | 100 |
| 7 | 7 | Billy Zardo | KRM Medweld / Ford Fusion | 100 |
| 8 | 10 | Kendra Adams | Mobil 1 / Chevrolet Camaro | 100 |
| 9 | 11 | Gord Shepherd | Dr. Renee Hanrahan / Chevrolet SS | 100 |
| 10 | 16 | Dwayne Baker | Zancor Homes / Ford Fusion | 100 |
| 11 | 19 | Gerrit Tiemersma | TBA / Chevrolet Camaro | 100 |
| 12 | 14 | Rick Spencer-Walt | Bromley Automotive / Chevrolet Camaro | 100 |
| 13 | 15 | Glenn Styres | Glenn Styres Racing / Toyota Camry | 99 |
| 14 | 18 | Tyler Liscum | Ontario Modular Solutions / Toyota Camry | 99 |
| 15 | 12 | Erik Dalla Riva | SDR Seating / Toyota Camry | 99 |
| 16 | 5 | Taylor Holdaway | Holdaway Automotive / Chevrolet SS | 99 |
| 17 | 13 | Jo Lawrence | Elite Property Group / Chevrolet Camaro | 99 |
| 18 | 17 | Ollie Ferguson | MBRP / Chevrolet SS | 98 |
| 19 | 1 | Travis Hallyburton | Hillsdale Service Centre / Chevrolet Camaro | 48 |
| 20 | 20 | Paul Maltese | Ontario Steel Sales / Chevrolet Camaro | 9 |
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