Big race, big pay day for Ohsweken Thunder Stock racers
This class of race cars has several names, but full-size oval track cars with minimal performance modifications have been a mainstay for decades, and while not the headliners, these affordable cars have been an important part of a track’s race night. They are called Street Stocks, Pure Stocks, Showroom Stocks, Hobby Stocks and others.
Ohsweken Speedway calls them Thunder Stocks, a class that has competed on the clay oval since its opening more than 25 years ago. This year, the class will get its laps of stardom in its own special event during the track’s long-standing and popular Northern Sprint Car Nationals week in September.
“Why not give our Thunder Stock racers a piece of the glory, and give them an event to celebrate,” said Ohsweken general manager Clinton Geoffrey. “It only makes sense to feature some of the best racing our track provides week in and week out. Our Thunder Stock racers always put on a great show. This event should draw some visitors as well.”
The Thunder Stocks will be featured Sept. 12 as the opening act during the three-day show that will present the Northern Crate Sprint Car Nationals on Sept. 13 and the 20th Northern Sprint Car Nationals on Sept. 14.
Following the lead of the Sprint Car race format, the Thunder Stocks will partake in time trials, head races, and a C, B, and prestigious A main. Prize money of $20,000 is on tap, including $5,000 for the winner of the A main.
“When it comes to speedway history, the Thunder Stocks have been on the program from the very beginning,” said Geoffrey. “Our Stock Car classes have entertained fans for more than 25 years, and you won’t want to miss this event.”
This show will be presented by Nitro 54 Variety, Arrow Express and Sit’N Bull Tire, with a 7:30 p.m. race time. Ohsweken opens May 3 for two nights of car testing, and its 27th season gets underway May 17 with a full card plus a visit from the UMP and CDN Modifieds.
NASCAR held its biggest race of the year Feb. 18, and Chevrolet took three of the top five positions, including Daytona 500 winner William Byron. Great news for Chevy fans.
But the automaker’s future in the series is a little cloudy now as GM stopped producing the Camaro recently. While race teams will use the iconic car this season, a suitable replacement vehicle must be found to stay within NASCAR’s regulations.
The Camaro has been built on and off since 1967, and this latest version has been in production since 2016. This production stopped in January of this year.
“This is not the end of Camaro’s story,” Global Chevrolet vice-president Scott Bell was quoted as saying in the Detroit Free Press. But if Chevy wants to stay competitive in NASCAR, and other race series, what’s it going to race?
The only present Chevy rivals in Cup racing, Ford and Toyota, are using their new models, the Mustang Dark Horse and the Camry XSE. Chevy is working on the development of an electric Camaro and a Camaro SUV, neither of which is conducive to NASCAR racing. The still-in-production Chevy Malibu is a possibility.
Chevrolet leads all carmakers with NASCAR Cup wins at 853, which includes 2014 races. Ford is next with 728 wins, and Dodge is third with 217. NASCAR needs a Chevy-based race car. Not only does it have a reputation to uphold, but the legions of fans also expect it.
The Thunder Stocks will be featured Sept. 12 as the opening act during the three-day show that will present the Northern Crate Sprint Car Nationals on Sept. 13 and the 20th Northern Sprint Car Nationals on Sept. 14
TIM MILLER IS A FREELANCE CONTRIBUTOR TO THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR WHOSE FOCUS IS MOTORSPORTS. HE IS THE AUTHOR OF SEVERAL BOOKS ON AUTO RACING.