By Dave Vokey

The deafening roar you will be hearing in less than a week from the 8th Line of Oro can mean only one thing, that the OLG Slots & Casino Thunder Cars are on the track. In what has been Barrie's deepest division for the past several years, it is now time to take a look at the combatants as the 2009 season draws near.

The biggest story heading into the season will be the incredible "Drive for Five" as 4 time track champ #49 "Flyin" Frank Davey returns to the track in search of a 5th title. Davey, would perservere through a thrilling season long battle with #2 Eddie Tremblay to claim the championship in 2008, in his always quick and reliable Camaro, with a 37 point gap between the two seasoned veterans when the final checkered flew. Tremblay, has put his racing plans on a hiatus for 09 from all accounts, but the car he drove to 4 feature wins over the past two seasons will be returning, in the very capable hands of veteran Pure Stock and Thunder Car driver Rick Walt.

While the immensly talented Davey and his one handed driving style only managed 1 feature win in 2008, his 8 top 5's and 11 top 10's led the division, proving the titles captured in 2001, 2005, & 2006 were not a admirition. The biggest challenge for the venerable veteran should come in the form of 2007 champ #44 Dave Doucette, who endured a tough 2008 after being suspended for a 2 week period, then electing to try a few other tracks in the area, with his hopes of a repeat title now a thing of the past. That being said, Doucette would still manage 2 feature wins in just 5 Barrie starts. It was in the season ending Thunder Car Nationals, where Doucette really made his mark however, winning all three 50 lap segments in dominating fashion among some of the best Thunder Car drivers in the province.

While beating either Davey or Doucette wont prove easy, there is a plethera of drivers ready to step up and make the race fans take notice should either driver falter. Leading the charge will be #00 Darryl St. Onge in his immaculately prepared Georgian Waste Services Pontiac Grand Prix. Over the last two seasons, St.Onge brought home a 3rd place in 2008, to go with a runner up finish in 2007, leaving one with the impression that this could be his year to get that elusive track title. Also in the mix will be #97 Brad Holden of Midland, who's coming off a 4th place in points, finishing just 50 points back of brother in law and track champ Davey. Another who should be really pushing the envelope in 2009 is the talented #24 Leonard Johnston of Gravenhurst, as he tries to nail down that first Barrie feature win, after twice losing 2007 feature victories in the tech shed.

While the top 5 drivers arent a lock by any means, several fairly new drivers to the division also had very sucessful 2008 seasons. Included in this group are 2008 Rookie of the Year #15 Donnie Brandon, 2007 Rookie winner #42 Troy Potts, #22 Jason Elliott, #35 Chance Isherwood, #3 Ken Denhollander, #9 Chris Burrage, #67 Jeff Smith, #84 Jerry Slavish, and #6 Kevin "Tex" Aiken. All of these drivers bring less than 2 years of expierience of driving Thunders, with both Isherwood and Slavish notching feature wins in 08, proving they are indeed here to stay.

While some of the newer drivers have really made their mark in the Thunder Car division, one should never forget about the division veterans, who have proven time and time again they too are contenders for a top 10 finish in the season long points standings. The most notable driver in this grouping is the colorful and popular #12 Jim "The Polish Prince" Belesky, who is coming off a 7th in points, also bagging a feature win in early Sept. Belesky, wont be the sole veteran with high hopes as the season approaches, as #92 Dan Dixon, #21 Luke Gignac, #59 Devan Craft, #10 "Rockin" Ray Shepherd and #25 D'arcy Gribbon have all proven their capable of good finishes over the years, while #82 Ben Lidstone and #34 "Pistol" Pete Marquardt are also rumored to be returning to High Line competition after taking a season off racing.

If its a rookie flavour you want, look no further then #14 Thayne Hallyburton, #01 Tim Tremblay, and #05 Teri-Lynne Dixon. Look for Hallyburton to lead the charge here, after 3 highly sucessful years racing Pure Stocks, while the other two are fairly new to the racing circles, and are likely looking for that all important seat time. All in all the incredible race action the Thunders have provided over the past several years should be returning in spades this year. Season opens May 16th on the 8th line of Oro, so dont you dare miss a moment of the action this division is sure to provide.