Jordan Sims Wins Thrilling Dayco 100 Presented by Quaker State
INNISFIL, ON – The 2019 campaign for the APC United Late Model Series Presented by Grisdale kicked-off on a gorgeous Saturday, May 18th with an incredible 32 cars on hand. The Dayco 100 presented by Quaker State had a near capacity crowd roaring as the full field of Pro Late Models put on an incredible show of speed, respect, and talent.
The evening started with group qualifying sessions that saw groups of five released for five laps at a time to try and set their fastest lap. The top 18 cars at the end of qualifying were locked into the Dayco 100 presented by Quaker State while all others were sent to the last chance race to fight for their spots. MacMaster of Orangeville Rookie of the Year contender Jo Lawrence laid down the fastest time of the evening, bettering another rookie contender Gord Shepherd and Jordan Sims.
The Dayco 100 presented by Quaker State started with Matt Pritiko on the pole alongside Nick Goetz after the two pulled the top positions in the post-qualifying pill draw. There was trouble on the opening lap of the race as Shawn McGlynn spun, bringing out the yellow early on. The second yellow flag came out on lap seven as Rick Spencer-Walt went around.
Jordan Sims took over the race lead on the ensuing restart and would lead lap seven. The race would get into a fast-paced rhythm after this as battles developed all over the track. The stiff competition raced in close proximity, all avoiding going a lap down until lap 35 when Sims finally caught the tail end of the 26 car field at the 1/3 mile high banked Sunset Speedway.
The third caution of the evening came on lap 37 when Ryan Kimball suffered a mechanical failure entering turn three and came to a rest. The caution period saw several teams make a trip down pit road for adjustments including the 78 machine of Jo Lawrence who was running inside the top 10. The restart was near disaster as Blair Wickett got out of shape on the front straightaway and ended up sideways in the middle of the track. The field behind managed to avoid any contact and all escaped without wounds.
41 laps into the race the yellow was shown once again as Andrew Gresel went around on the back straightaway. One lap after the restart Andy Kamrath suffered a mechanical failure and the field was slowed once again. A long green flag run would begin after the restart as Sault. St. Marie driver Jordan Sims continued to show the way up front. Gord Shepherd matched pace with Sims through the run but was never able to make a run for the spot, despite the leaders working through some lapped traffic.
Billy Schwarzenburg and Dale Shaw joined the fight up front with Schwarzenburg moving into second on lap 87, bringing the Shaw machine with him around Shepherd. With just a few laps remaining it looked like Jordan Sims had the race locked up, but troubles for a few cars just outside the top five brought out the seventh and final caution. Sims would survive the restart and go on to win his first career APC Series event over Billy Schwarzenburg and Dale Shaw. Gord Shepherd finished in fourth with Treyten Lapcevich rounding out the top five spots.
The APC Series heads to Flamboro Speedway on June 8th for the Interstate Batteries 100, round two of the 2019 season. Information can be found on www.APCRacingSeries.com
Sources: Ryan Dyson – APC Series PR
Photos by Dave Franks Photography