Even though it was a shortened schedule for the Knightworks Design OSCAAR Hot Rods presented by Sauble Falls Tent and Trailer Park, there was a lot to offer through the four events that were ran, as they offer a variety of thoughts for the years ahead.
Diversity
When the concept of the OSCAAR Hot Rods was developed, a lot of excitement surrounded the idea of the series and what was to come. It was just a matter of seeing what the car builders and drivers could come up with in the shop and get out to the track.
Flash forward a couple years, and you can easily say it’s one of the fastest growing divisions in the province. Even though the 2020 season was shortened due to COVID-19, several drivers made their series debuts – seven in total, with several of them experiencing their own respective successful.
There’s also diversity in looking at the variety of experience competitors bring to the table, from past late model champions to competitors with super stock or mini stock experience. The variety of cars is also there, from a Ford Fairline and Pontiac Laurention, to a Studebaker Hawk and a Rambler Ambassador. It seems this will also continue to grow heading into 2021 with several other beautiful cars currently being built, including a station wagon.
Rookie Winners
In speaking of the success of the rookies, it was apparent when three of them were able to become first time winners in the series, ironically with those all happening in a row to close out 2020.
Rob Bromley kicked off the party by scoring the victory in the series’ lone trip to Sauble Speedway. He did not have it easy, having to hold off Adrian Foster as the pair went to war, trading the top spot back and forth over the second half of the feature. The success did not end there, as Bromley scored a seventh at Jukasa Motor Speedway despite having to start last on the field due to issues in qualifying.
Tom Walters showed speed in the first two events of the year, with a runner-up at Jukasa, followed by running up front until mechanical woes at Sauble. Everything came together for the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee at Sunset Speedway, as he used his years of experience on the 3/8-mile oval to hold off all challengers en route to the checkered. He then backed it up with a runner-up at Jukasa a week later.
Trevor Thompson had the silver bullet on a role at Sunset, enough to score a runner-up to Walters. The performance came following a runner-up in his first trip to Jukasa in August, so everyone knew returning to the Crown Jewel a month later, he would be someone to watch. The predictions proved true, as he found his way into the lead once the four-way battle was settled at the checkered flag.
Each of these drivers proved they are capable of getting the job done, and could also easily see themselves as championship contenders if they elect to run a full schedule. Combined with the current mainstays in the series, the title battle could be one to watch.
Mr. Consistency
Steve Book is already known as one of those to watch, as evident by a runner-up in the points in 2019. It’s why a lot of people had the Studebaker as one of their cars to watch entering this season, and you have to wonder what could’ve been with the full schedule.
Even with a shortened schedule, Book did not slow down one bit as he won the season opener at Jukasa Motor Speedway, and followed it up with three more top-six finishes for an average finish of 3.5 across the four events.
That’s not how he earned the headline Mr. Consistency, though. He accomplished that feat by writing a new chapter in the series history book by scoring 25 straight top-10 finishes, dating back to Sunset Spring Velocity in May 2018. While hoisting checkered flags is nice, good solid results goes a long way when it comes to the points – and it’s why a lot of people have circled the No. 64 heading into 2021.
Here From The Beginning…..
There are always a lot of conversations occurring about Hot Rods around the province, and there’s a name that comes up more often than not – Tyler Hawn. After all, he is one of the drivers that has been here from the beginning.
His impact on the series goes beyond that, though; he currently holds a couple different records in the history books. The biggest is obviously the three consecutive championships, but you cannot forget the series-leading nine feature wins or 23 top-five finishes.
It was surprising to see the No. 2 not win a feature in 2020, but that just shows you how competitive the series is. Even though the elusive checkered flag was missing, it still proved to be a solid season for Tyler Hawn. He scored a heat win at Sunset Speedway to go with a top-10 in each race, highlighted by a season-best third to conclude the year at Jukasa.
In knowing they did not reach victory lane this past year, you can expect the gang at Hawn Motorsports to go hard to work this winter in hopes of not repeating that in 2021.
Inching Closer
If you are looking for a driver to reach victory lane that has not been able to do so yet, then look no further than Paul Senior. The No. 8 Ford Maverick may not have a feature checkered flag yet, but it could very well happen soon.
Since debuting his new ride in 2019, Senior has shown speed as evident by a third-place finish at Flamboro and battling for the win at Jukasa. That carried into this past year, with a top-six finish in each of the three events the team entered, including a third at Sunset Speedway.
It seems with each lap turned behind the wheel, Senior gets to know his car that much better and the experience seems to be translating into speed. Now it’s just about putting the pieces together in 2021 to make it happen.
Be sure to keep up with OSCAAR by staying tuned to the series website at http://www.oscaar.ca. Also, make sure to “like” the official OSCAAR Racing Facebook page, while following both the Twitter and Instagram accounts (@OSCAARRacing) to keep up to date on everything you need to know.
OSCAAR’s 2020 racing season was supported by several dedicated partners including Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC, Knightworks Design, Living Lighting Canada, Scott Reinhart Trailer Sales Ltd., Touchwood Cabinets, Sauble Falls Campground, The Fyre Place & Patio Shop, Ohsweken Speedway, American Racer, and Grisdale Race Products.
By: Ashley McCubbin