Delaware Speedway JBM Auto Leasing Triple Crown 50 Lap Special (Segment 1) Preview

PHOTO: Spencer Lewis with Delaware stock car legend Steve Robblee, taken in January at the Canadian Motorsports Expo. Robblee is one of the stars previewed in Spencer's preview of this weekend's JBM Auto Leasing Triple Crown 50 lapper at Delaware. (photo www.peterbrand.ca)

By Spencer Lewis

With Delaware Speedway’s JBM Auto Leasing Triple Crown 50 Lap Special only days away, what time like the present to take an in-depth look at who will be gunning for the first big win of the 2009 season?

Steve Robblee– A Delaware Speedway legend, it just wouldn't seem right making a list of potential winners and not including the 2008 champion. The Dorchester, ON driver topped the first ever Inside Track Power Rankings last July, after a string of dominant performances at Delaware through the first quarter of the 2008 season. His patient style has done wonders for him thus far, so don’t expect him to change things any time soon. Look for Robblee to conserve his equipment and be around at the end.

Drew Spicer – It’s yet to be confirmed whether Spicer will be present for the first Triple Crown race, but what a wild card he could be should he find himself unloading on Friday afternoon. After 8 seasons of OSCAAR competition, Spicer has decided to test the waters of Delaware Speedway Pro Late Model action for car owner Jeff Sim. With an aggressive style and a general willingness to win, expect Spicer to make a dash for the lead early.

Jason Shaw – The 2007 & 2008 Flamboro Speedway has not been shy when it comes to making trips to Delaware Speedway’s marquee events, however the results have simply not been there for the Spira Fire Protection team. Past performances aside, there’s no denying Shaw has excellent equipment, a capable crew and a soft touch behind the wheel of a race car. After all, he’s already visited victory lane once in 2009, winning Flamboro’s opener in spirited fashion.

Steven Mathews – Fresh off being named Inside Track’s Top Underrated Driver of 2008, New Liskeard, ON’s Steven Matthews is preparing for a step up in competition as he moves from the Ontario Sportsman Series to Delaware’s talent-rich Late Model division. The 18-year old has already shown an inordinate ability to adapt to new race cars very quickly, and already has some insiders picking him for Delaware’s 2009 rookie of the year.

Jonathan Urlin – There aren’t too many drivers that bring the same brand of excitement and charisma to the track each week as ‘Johnny Dangerous’. After a full season on the ultra-competitive ACT tour, Urlin has decided to bring his spectator-friendly style of driving back to his home track. The London, ON prodigy has won at Delaware before, and there’d be no better way for him to announce his return than to snag a win in 2009’s first big event.

‘Pistol’ Pete Vanderwyst – One of the most successful jack-of-all-trades racers to have ever come out of Delaware Speedway, Vanderwyst has picked an excellent season to make his full-time return. There’s no question that ‘Pistol’ Pete knows how to get around Delaware in a hurry, as he has held the track record since 2006. A strong performance on Friday could easily regain Vanderwyst’s status as one of the province’s top-10 drivers.

‘Rocket’ Ron Sheridan – It seems as though this guy won everything but the points championship at Delaware in 2008. For the past season, Sheridan has been money in Delaware’s long distance races, so don’t count him out for a millisecond. Sheridan is still riding the momentum from his enormous win in Ontario’s most prestigious race, the 2008 running of the APC 300; Expect that to carry the Mt Brydges, ON veteran to a strong performance on Friday.

‘Magic Shoes’ Rob Clarke – There’s no questioning Clarke’s prowess in the ranks of Outlaw Bodied Super Late Models, however the multi-time champion remains rather unproven in the world of Pro Late Model racing. A strong performance on Friday would be a terrific way to affirm his dedication and ability to perform in the ‘knock down, drag out’ world of weekly racing.

These are just a few of the names who have been rumoured or confirmed to be in attendance on Friday. There's no doubt Friday's event will have serious Power Rankings ramifications. With Delaware’s roster looking as strong as it has in a decade, there’s no telling who’ll be first to victory lane. An equally balanced group of veterans and prospects could see Delaware provide the best weekly show in Ontario this season.