Author: ladybug388

PETERBOROUGH, Ontario — Behind the wheel of two different racecars, A.J. Emms was able to pick up a pair of top-five finishes at the 2023 edition of the Autumn Colours Classic at Peterborough Speedway.

Behind the wheel of the No. 31 Ford Thunderbird owned by Rob Bromley, he laid down a lap of 14.537 seconds to set him up to start third for the feature. He quickly slotted in line in the opening laps, with his sights set on tracking down the top-two ahead of him. Ultimately, even through lap traffic, he was unable to close the gap en route to a third-place finish.

It marks his second career OSCAAR Hot Rod top-five finish, following a fifth-place finish in his series debut last season.

Behind the wheel of the No. 14 Modified, he laid down a time of 13.760 seconds to qualify him fourth for the 40-lap feature. He was able to hold the position through the stages, though found himself stuck on the outside on a restart with just 12 laps on the board. He ultimately faded back to fifth, and looked to make up the lost ground.

Although he was able to close the gap between himself and the top-four and attempted to make the pass on a couple occasions, he was unable to. He was ultimately credited with a fifth-place finish.

The modified result builds upon the team’s successful series numbers, which include 56 top-five’s (second all-time) and 69 top-10’s (series leading) in 85 starts.

With ACC concluding the season, it has been successful as a whole with three wins, four heat victories, and six top-five’s in seven races, leading to a 10^th-place finish in points despite missing three events.

Emms Racing is proud to be supported by BAE Environmental, Bromley Automotive, TL Tire, Speedy Glass Orillia, Klotz Canada, Peter Built Racecars, and Short Track Musings for the 2023 campaign.

Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to the Emms Racing website at http://www.ajemms.com, as well as the team’s facebook page via https://www.facebook.com/ajemmsracing/.

By: Ashley McCubbin

PETERBOROUGH, Ontario — Doing double duty for the second straight year at Peterborough Speedway’s Autumn Colours Classic, A.J. Emms picked up four top-five finishes in heat race action.

Behind the wheel of his familiar No. 14 Modified, he drove from the tail of the field to a fourth-place finish in the first heat on Friday night. Then starting on the pole on Saturday, he led seven laps, before being passed on the final lap en route to a runner-up.

Behind the wheel of the Ford Thunderbird in OSCAAR Hot Rod action, he started off the weekend by parking it in victory lane during Friday night’s heat. He then started at the back of his qualifier on Saturday, driving his way up through the field with a last lap pass for fourth.

Unfortunately, both features were not run as scheduled on Sunday due to consistent rain falling. Emms will return to Peterborough Speedway this Saturday, October 14 in hopes taking home a pair of leaves.

It is worth noting Emms knows what it takes to be successful at Peterborough, scoring his first career modified victory in the Autumn Colours Classic in 2016 there. Notably, he has no finishes worse than seventh in his last 12 appearances there, with two wins and 10 top-five’s.

The team will hope to build upon their previous series numbers which include 55 top-five’s (second all-time) and 68 top-10’s (series leading) in 84 starts.

He has also shown speed there in the past with the Ford Thunderbird, scoring a fifth-place finish in his OSCAAR Hot Rod debut last year at ACC.

Emms Racing is proud to be supported by BAE Environmental, Bromley Automotive, TL Tire, Speedy Glass Orillia, Klotz Canada, Peter Built Racecars, and Short Track Musings for the 2023 campaign.

Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to the Emms Racing website at http://www.ajemms.com, as well as the team’s facebook page via https://www.facebook.com/ajemmsracing/.

By: Ashley McCubbin

WILLIAMSON, NY — Getting the chance to race with the Race of Champions Sportsman Series at Spencer Speedway at the beginning of the month, it became a day of learning for A.J. Emms en route to a top-15 finish.

“It was a great opportunity,” Emms commented in the days that followed. “It was great to be able to race the car for Cathy and Paul down there. It was also great to have some of our crew come down to help us there. We were fortunate with some incidents on the track which helped us move up in position, and finish where we did which we were very happy with considering it’s our first time at the race track, first time in that car, and with a very stout field of competition.

“I think overall it was a success. We had a great time as a team and definitely learned something and hopefully we get another opportunity to do it again in the future.”

After ranking 26^th in the first practice of the afternoon, the adjustments behind the wheel and to the car paid off for the second session with Emms working his way up to 19^th on the board. He then carried the speed into his lone qualifying race for a seventh-place finish.

“It was definitely a positive experience in terms of continuing to get better each and every lap,” he expressed. “We were – not only me but as a driver, I was definitely continuing to get better in learning the race track as Spencer Speedway, although it’s very flat, is a very racey track. So each and every time out on the track I was able to learn something and get more familiar with the car as it was a car that I had never driven prior to that event.

“It was definitely uplifting and positive and hopefully we can take some of that momentum back wherever our next race is.”

Taking the green flag in 19^th for the main event, Emms utilized the 35-laps to work his way up the running order. Making some passes, combined with avoiding the incidents that took place on-track paid off en route to crossing the finish line in 12^th.

“I’ve actually never driven on a track like that, to be honest with you,” he explained. “It’s a very unique surface where there is two racing lines – an outside line and an inside line. It is extremely fast and being so fast with no corner walls and such long corners, it was a very unique experience for sure and something I’d like to try again. Because as I said, it was very racey track and I was really impressed with how hard and clean the racing was there.”

With how positive the experience turned out overall throughout the day, Emms says he would welcome another opportunity to race with the Race of the Champions.

“I was really impressed with how the entire series ran,” he said. “I was also really impressed with the quality of racing we were able to see there and the sportsmanship that was shown before and after the races. Again, working with Paul and Cathy was a great experience and I hope I’m able to do that again – either with them or somebody else as it’s something that really peaks my interest to try some of these American tracks and also to race with some great drivers and cars will only make me better.

“That’s always our continuing goal – to get better, as we’re really passionate about the sport, and hopefully we’ll be able to do that in the future.”

Emms is not done this racing this season, set to get back behind the wheel of his familiar No. 14 Modified with the Just Foam It OSCAAR Modifieds. The team is currently riding a wave of momentum with three straight wins in a row.

“We definitely have some crown jewel races coming up,” Emms commented. “I think that, for me, I would really obviously it’d be really important to get some good finishes near the end of this year. Like I said, we’ve been really fortunate with having some things fall our way in terms of luck wise and we’re hoping to continue to ride that wave as racing is a sport with many ups and downs.

“So hopefully we can finish out some of these last races strong, keep the car in one piece, and have some fun while we’re doing it. As always, the goal is to get to victory lane and I know an event like the Autumn Colours Classic is an event we’ve won in the past, but just being such a prestigious event, it’s one that we’d love to win again.”

Special shout-out to Cathy and Paul Townsend for the opportunity to race with the Race of Champions at Spencer Speedway.

Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to the Emms Racing website at http://www.ajemms.com, as well as the team’s facebook page via https://www.facebook.com/ajemmsracing/.

By: Ashley McCubbin

SAUBLE BEACH, Ontario — Starting on the pole, A.J. Emms did not look back en route to scoring his third straight Just Foam It OSCAAR Modified feature victory on Saturday night at Sauble Speedway.

Emms proved the No. 14 Modified had speed in it, as evident by driving from the tail of the first heat to a runner-up finish on the leader’s bumper. He then captured the flag with a win in the second qualifier after pacing all 10 laps.

When it came time for the feature, Emms started on the pole, and despite a mid-race yellow flag for an incident, he was able to maintain the track position throughout. By stretching out the advantage over the event to a straightaway lead, he was able to lead all 40 laps en route to capturing the victory.

It marks his series record-setting 14th straight podium finish, 55th top-five (second all-time), and 67th top-10 (series leading) in 83 series starts.

Emms Racing is proud to be supported by BAE Environmental, Bromley Automotive, TL Tire, Speedy Glass Orillia, Peter Built Racecars, and Short Track Musings for the 2023 campaign.

Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to the Emms Racing website at http://www.ajemms.com, as well as the team’s facebook page via https://www.facebook.com/ajemmsracing/.

By: Ashley McCubbin / AM Marketing – ashleymccubbin17@gmail.com

PETERBOROUGH, Ontario — Leading the field to the green flag, A.J. Emms paced all 40 laps en route to winning the OSCAAR Modified feature on Saturday night at Peterborough Speedway.

“The last two races – both Full Throttle Motor Speedway and Peterborough Speedway – are strong tracks for us, so again, we were hoping for another solid outcome,” he commented. “We’re very fortunate to come away with two wins in those two races. As we know in racing, anything can happen, and we experienced that at Full Throttle Motor Speedway in finishing a close second but a disqualification giving us the win. We’d obviously love to have those wins come on the race track like they did at Peterborough Speedway, but we also know that wins are hard to come by, especially in the OSCAAR Modified division.

“So we’ll take what we can get and hopefully the momentum for us continues as we move forward into the next race.”

The speed was there when they unloaded the No. 14 Modified at Peterborough Speedway, as evident by winning his first heat on the track. He then made his way through the field in the second qualifier to a runner-up finish.

Starting on the pole for the feature, Emms was able to put a considerable gap on the field, stretching it out to a half-track lead.

“I feel like with the crate engine package, when we were rolling and as the race progresses and a long green flag run, we can get the momentum up and keep it rolling and I feel that’s what we did,” he said. “We’ve worked a lot on our longer run speed to make sure we have that speed later in the race and it was great to see at Peterborough Speedway some of the things that we’ve been working on seemed to work.

“Again, hopefully that translates to more success as we move forward through the season but it is great to see some of our hard work is paying off and we’re moving in the right direction.”

It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though, as the caution came out with just a handful of laps remaining for a car going around deeper in the field. Emms got a good restart, pulling away from the field en route to picking up the checkered flag.

“It was a little nerve-racking at the end there with a couple late race cautions, especially with all the built motors behind me,” he admitted. “I feel all the built motors on a restart do have an advantage with the extra horsepower, although they do carry extra weight. So I really did have to play my cards properly and not make mistakes. Again, being the leader, we were able to get both of those restarts and we were really fortunate to have a great handling racecar and that’s what we really saved us there again.

“There were some nerves but again, I have been racing such a long period of time and been in that position so many different times in that past that I’m very thankful to have those experiences and they really supported me in executing that in the end. Additionally, having a spotter, too. My dad was very calm all the way through the race and my crew stays pretty calm in those types of situations. We do know anything can happen in those late race restarts but we were confident we could get the job done and we did, which was great.”

It marks his second straight win in a row at Full Throttle Motor Speedway, which is certainly a great turnaround for the Emms Racing team after going winless last season.

“Like I said, I know from not only my previous experience but also talking to some veterans in the sport that wins will sometimes come in bucket folds and then they’ll dry up for a long period of time depending on the season you’re having, the competition, and the equipment you’re in so obviously we finished in the top-three a lot,” he explained. “The goal for us is to always win. We were held off last season not getting to victory lane which was tough for us, but at the same time, it’s starting to click right now and again, we hope as we progress through the season, we’d like to try to get a couple more. Again, that’s the hope, so hopefully the cards fall our way and we’ll keep doing our homework and working in the shop to try to make that happen.”

It marks his series record-setting 13th straight podium finish, 53rd top-five (second all-time), and 67th top-10 (series leading).

The next race for the Just Foam It OSCAAR Modifieds will take place at Sauble Speedway on Saturday, August 19. In each of five previous appearances at the beach, he has scored a top-five finish, including a trip to victory lane in 2017 and second in June.

“I’m excited to get to Sauble Speedway,” he commented. “Just again, just really focusing on getting some race wins – that’s what we’re there to do, and really just have a solid run. Obviously, we want to get those wins, but at the same time, we really want to execute and show up with a fast racecar. We did have a solid run there earlier in the year – second-place finish – and we’re hoping we’ve built a little bit on our program to hopefully give it another crack at the can later on this month.

“Again, I’m excited to get to Sauble. It’s a place that it’s a beautiful facility, but hasn’t been my favourite track in the past, so hopefully a win will change my mind that way.”

Emms Racing is proud to be supported by BAE Environmental, Bromley Automotive, TL Tire, Speedy Glass Orillia, Peter Built Racecars, and Short Track Musings for the 2023 campaign.

Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to the Emms Racing website at http://www.ajemms.com, as well as the team’s facebook page via https://www.facebook.com/ajemmsracing/.

Continue reading “A.J. Emms Goes Two in a Row in OSCAAR Modified Competition”

DURHAM, Ontario — Running up front throughout the 40-lap feature paid off for A.J. Emms on Saturday night at Full Throttle Motor Speedway with a trip to victory lane.

Emms began the night by starting deep in the field for his first heat, but was able to make his way forward relatively quickly. He took the lead with two laps to go, though a slip up in turns one and two saw him fall back to second at the checkered flag. The second qualifier went his way, as he led flag-to-flag from the pole en route to victory.

Starting eighth for the main event, he wasted no time breaking into the top-five, and closing on the leaders ahead of him. A pair of them would get together battling for the lead, opening the door for Emms to move up into fourth by the first caution at Lap 12.

He utilized the restart to his advantage, jumping up to second on the restart. He tried to reel in the leader, and was able to line up alongside him on a final restart with five laps to go. Unfortunately, he was unable to make the pass, crossing the finish line in second.

During post-race technical inspection, the car ahead of him was found to be illegal per the 2023 OSCAAR rulebook. As a result, Emms was credited with the victory.

It marks his series record-setting 12th straight podium finish, 52nd top-five (second all-time), and 66th top-10 (series leading).

The next race for A.J. Emms and Emms Racing is at Peterboorugh Speedway, on Saturday, August 5. Emms knows what it takes to be successful at Peterborough, scoring his first career victory in the Autumn Colours Classic in 2016 there. Notably, he has no finishes worse than seventh in his last 11 appearances there, with nine top-five’s.

Emms Racing is proud to be supported by BAE Environmental, Bromley Automotive, TL Tire, Speedy Glass Orillia, Peter Built Racecars, and Short Track Musings for the 2023 campaign.

Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to the Emms Racing website at http://www.ajemms.com, as well as the team’s facebook page via https://www.facebook.com/ajemmsracing/.

By: Ashley McCubbin / AM Marketing – ashleymccubbin17@gmail.com