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2008 Year in Review... From the cheap seats

Guest · 2008-10-16T14:00:19Z

Well kinda bored today and we need to start a new topic on this side of the board so wanted to talk a little local racing, more specifically my take on the 2008 year at BSW. Year started off a little shaky, but I think by the end of it all things really turned around quite nicely. The LLM had a really rough first month with lots of tangle ups and caution filled races, but after the Twin 40s in June when "The Gambler Reynolds" won a caution free 35 lapper on June 14, from that point on the drivers really seemed to get that wrecking wasnt what the fans wanted to see, and we were treated to some great action for the remainder of the year. That year ender won by Jongen was one of the best races I witnessed all year so that was a personal highlight in 2008 for me. #19 Keith McLeod broke through and captured a title, after being close a couple times from 99-04. #10 Gordie Shepherd had a very solid season and his best points finish as well, and showed he will be a force to be reckoned with in 2009. Was a really tight finish behind those 2, with Lewis, Jongen, and the 69 of Al Inglis separated by just a scant 9 points for positions 3-5 . Of the 3, Inglis was the only one that didnt win a feature but showed some remarkable consistency all season long. Any one of these 3 cars could also contend for a title in 09 I feel, and I can see all 3 returning. The four division rookies were a bit of a story as Meyer, Cronan, Kyle Baker and Woodward all preformed admirably throughout the season and all had make noticed improvement by years end. Woodward was the only one that won a heat race, and I think would of been alot higher up in the standings but for a missed night and lending his car to Keith on another occasion. In the Thunders, Davey captured his 4th Barrie title and the racing was really good most of the season. There was some carnage for sure, but thats gonna happen anytime you start 24 cars per night at this tight and tricky of a track. As mentioned the count hovered around 24-25 cars most nights so getting lots of cars is not a bad problem to have. #2 Eddie Tremblay matched Shepherd's accomplishments and also recorded a career best 2nd place finish. Again rookies performances were a nice story in this division with Brandon, Isherwood, Denhollander, Slavish, and Munce. Slavish and Isherwood won features in their rookie year in New Gen cars so they shared that feat in common. I think we have 10-12 New Gens at the track now so its nice to see them catching on, reminds one of the great racing in the old challenger days of the mid 90s. Pure Stock A count was a little low I feel, but they put on some great races at the first of the year. A nasty mid season fued developed mid season between two teams so lets hope they all have got it out of there system for 2009 before someone could get seriouslly hurt. Brandon Crumbie won his first championship after 6 years in the division, and its been fun to see him progress as a driver. With him moving to LLM next year it should be a interesting battle again for rookie honors, as Crumbie will find some stiff competition in Brad Holden and possibly others for that honor. I would look for Ben Melenhorst to be in contention for the title in Pure Stock A next year as I really think he might of won it this past season but for a unfortunate DQ. The biggest story in the 2nd year Charger division was the performance of 14 year old phenom Billy Melenhorst, who won the points title in his rookie year. He and #21 Desi Walt had a truly great fight till the end, and both should be commended on fine seasons. Billy accomplished all this without winning a feature all season ,but did win many heat races so that stat is somewhat amusing. The only other time I can really think of that happening was in 2003 at Sunset, when Morrow captured the LLM title, also without winning a feature. There were 20 cars most nights in the 4cyl starter division so its good to see we got some new blood continuing to enter our sport in the Barrie area. As mentioned the year started off a little rough with issues like increased pricing, questionable on track calls, increased security,stadium liquor licence, and a seemingly unwillingness to listen to drivers and fans from the new track owners, but they did alot of good things as well like reinstating the Power Hour, new scoreboard, and more seating so I think we all should give them some positive recognition for that as well. Its really shaping up to be one of the more interesting off seasons in the local racing scene so it will be interesting to see whats in store for 2009. Well theres my take on things as they stand, do you guys agree or disagree with my views on the way the season went??? And if you disagree give it to me I can take it!!!!!!!!FLMAO Wow that was a long rant!!!!LOL Look forward to seeing you all at the banquet in a few weeks should be good times. That night will run into my b day on Nov 2nd, and yes feel free to buy me a beer or t...

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Thayne

Oct 16, 2008 4:42 pm

(@barrie97ps)

Famed Member

Joined: 20 years ago

does this mean we have both dave and spencer 😮 2 of the best in the bis
that would be awsome but i think i will have to wait and see, spence is prety loyal to sunset. ;D

That would be legendary!

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summerfun

Oct 16, 2008 5:52 pm

(@summerfun)

Joined: 1 second ago

The Spencer rumour is one I have also heard.....Mr. Evans please site your sources........if its true it would be cool.........real cool......

Posts: 0

blkflagagain

Oct 16, 2008 5:54 pm

(@blkflagagain)

Joined: 1 second ago

Well first off thanks for the compliement Thayner!! And I myself think that theres a 90 percent chance we might see Walters return to Barrie. But you'll excuse me for not writing any WELCOME HOME TOMMY banners just yet, cause we all heard this sone and dance before from him..LOL Ever remember during the Slaughter era at Sunset how many times that he said was leaving to go to Pete or Cascar the next year??? I'll wait till the first week of May till I pass the verdict on to that one. LOL But that being said, and knowing first hand how close Walters keeps an eye on points I think he thinks he was wronged at Sunset so thats the basis on thinking its a 90 percent done deal hes returning. And yes ALAN EVANS your 60 day black flag had indeed expired!!! Welcome back!!! But the question remains::: Did you learn anything during your little hiatus???LOL

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alan evans

Oct 16, 2008 6:42 pm

(@alan evans)

Joined: 1 second ago

I learned if you mess with black flagin you get a shagging.

Posts: 147

wattie1

Oct 16, 2008 6:44 pm

(@wattie1)

Estimable Member

Joined: 18 years ago

I can't see Lewis leaving Sunset but if he intends on moving this announcer gig along it would make sense to move to barrie as he would be that much closer to the NASCAR Canadian Tire TV deal. As far as Tom leaving that's extremely possible because didn't he start last year at Barrie then moved over to Sunset as he told me "brutal calls" concerning him. Now he wants to go back, they have the same cast of characters over there. The car count at Sunset would increase automatically just like it did a few years ago when he left Sunset for greener pastures at Barrie where their count went down. It's not a slight on Tom's driving ability (best llm driver around) or Tom himself just a historical fact.

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