2011 Sunset Speedway Super Stock Preview
As posted at http://newsfromthepits.com on 5-6-2011

While most of the focus tends to be on the Late Model Series for their speed and with it being the top class at Sunset Speedway, the Super Stock division is a close-second. The competitiveness of the series is high as there are many drivers who are in the championship picture and a lot of fans call the series their favourite with the style of cars.
Last year, Kyle Donaldson led the way in victories and dominated throughout the season, winning over half of the races and putting up a streak of wins that will be hard to be beat in the future. A lot of people called him unbeatable at one point and questioned whether we’d see the championship battles close. However, this year, it has been announced that Donaldson will not return so now a lot of people are questioning who will be the champion. There are so many options that nobody is going to have a clue till the first night when the action hits the track and we see who is quickest.
For now, let’s review these contenders and speak of why they’d have a shot.

Paul Maltese
Paul Maltese is a driver whom may have not always been on top at the end of the features, though won a lot of heats. He also was a strong driver who was always in contention for wins, avoiding trouble. After last year, he finished second in points, which displays the type of consistency he had in comparison to his fellow drivers. If he can have another year with consistency at this level and maybe step it up, then the 3% who voted for him are on the right track.

Frank Davey
Last season, Frank Davey finished third in points, which is off of his normal mark. A past champion at both Barrie Speedway and Sunset Speedway, Davey is known for winning races and championships, as the 10% who voted for him believe in. Near the end of the year, Davey began hitting his mark as he won two races near the end of the season. If he is able to carry that momentum and get back on his winning track, then he will be able to win another championship again.

Matt Bentley
After making the transition a month into the season last year from Flamboro Speedway to Sunset Speedway, Matt Bentley showed the type of driver he truly is as he was able to get a fourth place finish in points. Bentley made the transition and quickly learned Sunset, racking up some heat wins. That led to a lot of wins late in the season, which makes him a good pick. 12% of the people see him carrying
that momentum that he picked up near the end of the year forward with the new paint scheme that he is set to debut this weekend.

Jason Elliott
If it wasn’t for bad luck and wrecks, Jason Elliott would’ve been in the championship picture instead of sixth in points as he has one of the quickest cars at Sunset Speedway. 26% believe that if he avoids the trouble that found him last year, he will be this year’s champion, which would be no surprise as he did win some races last year.

Jay Cutting
Taking in 32% of the votes, Jay Cutting is the number one pick for the championship, according to the voters in the poll. Going into his third year of racing in the Super Stock division, a lot of fans are still surprised that he is yet to get a feature win under his belt, though he has come close on a couple different occasions. The feature win is definitely something that many believe he will get out of the way early in the season. If consistency and the speed he had at the end of the year are in the cards, then he should be in the championship picture at the end of the year.

Ken Britt
Another driver going into his third season, Ken Britt is another driver that many expect to improve and get his first feature win this season. A lot of people have fallen in love with look of Britt’s mustang, including the 12% who voted for him, but besides looking good, it’s also fast as Britt is a driver to expect in victory lane during the heats once again this year. If he can step it up, avoid trouble and finish consistently in the top five, then you can add him to the list of championship contenders.

Dave Doucette
Last season, Dave Doucette finished eighth in points, but don’t let that fool you. Doucette is a driver who found himself in more trouble than some, which put a damper on his season. Running the full schedule has yet to be confirmed as its sponsorship pending. Though if he does run the full schedule, he will be one to watch as he is always fast and upfront.

Lane Zardo
In the second half of the year, Lane Zardo joined Matt Bentley in the switch from Flamboro to Sunset and quickly adjusted as he was up front during all of the races, including some heat wins. At the end of the year, he co-won the Most Improved Driver award so if he keeps improving and comes out of the gate strong, he could be one that sneaks in there and takes it from everybody else.

Randy Rusnell
Randy Rusnell will be running the full Sunset Speedway season for the first time this year, but don’t let that fool you. Rusnell is a driver with many years of racing experience under his belt and won the Thunder Car Championship at Flamboro Speedway in 2010. Looking for a change in venue, Rusnell makes the transition to Sunset and if he can figure his set-up quickly, then look for him to be in contention all season long.

One look at the list of contenders above and you can already tell that it’s going to be a good year in the Super Stock division as the championship is wide-open so its anyone guess who will step up and take the crown.