Category: Race Report

INNISFIL, Ontario — Despite starting tail of the field after missing qualifying, A.J. Emms worked his way through the field to score the victory in the Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC OSCAAR Modifieds presented by Just Foam It feature at Sunset Speedway on Sunday.

“Almost speechless,” he said afterwards. “What a great day for our team. Big thanks to Taylor Holdaway for jumping in this morning. Obviously had prior arrangements so couldn’t be here, but Taylor and the crew did an awesome job getting the car where it needed to be.

“Really tough decision whether I was going to drive in the feature, or get Taylor into me, but the racer in me had to jump in and roll the dice. So we had start at the back there, but we were able to persevere, avoid the accidents, and be there at the end. A lot of fortunate / luck that really supported us; that definitely helped us, but we definitely had the car where we could put ourselves in position. Obviously, it was an awesome day.”

With A.J. Emms busy with post-wedding commitments after getting married on Saturday, he would miss practice and qualifying. The team made the decision to put 2015 Sunset Speedway Late Model Champion Taylor Holdaway in the car, and it paid off.

Following a pair of solid practice sessions, Holdaway won the first qualifier, followed by a runner-up in the second.

With Emms getting there in time for the feature, he would start 23^rd, avoiding a couple incidents in the early laps to move up to 11^th by the third lap. Restarting just outside the top-10, he would get alongside Jake Watson for ninth when the third caution came out on Lap 8.

He would continue to move forward after the restart, battling for sixth on Lap 11, getting the spot three laps later, followed by breaking into the top-five on Lap 16. The progress would continue as he moved into fourth on Lap 23, and then up another spot six laps later.  

It would seem as though the climb would be complete there, with the top-two having a full straightaway advantage. However, their battle would result in contact, with one of them going around. with both drivers moved to the back of the field as involved cars, Emms would inherit the lead.

Restarting on the front row, he held off the late-race charge from series veteran Kelly Balson and rookie Steve Lyons to score the victory. It marks his seventh career OSCAAR win, and second straight at Sunset Speedway following last September.

Afterwards, Emms admitted it was a tough decision whether to get in the car, weighing the risk vs. the reward in doing so.

“You obviously start to think about getting in accidents on your way through, especially at a track like Sunset, and first time out,” he commented. “It made the decision very difficult, but at the same time, we had such a great piece today that I really wanted to drive it.”

Following the first event of the season, Emms holds a seven-point advantage over Kelly Balson in the series standings. He also leads the Hard Charger Bonus standings, as well.

The next race for the Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC OSCAAR Modifieds presented by Just Foam It is at Peterborough Speedway on July 31. Fans wishing to attend can purchase tickets via the track website.

Emms know 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 eight appearances there, with six top-five’s.

“We do have some work to do on the car this week just to keep fine tuning, but I am excited to get to Peterborough,” he said. “I know a majority of the field is going to be strong at Peterborough, and a lot of guys don’t make mistakes especially at a place like Peterborough. We’re going to have to be on top of our game and we’re just going to come in with the same attitude; at least we’ll be here the whole day next week. We’ll try to make again as few mistake as possible and try to be there at the end.”

Emms Racing is proud to be supported by BAE Environmental, FMR Scrap Buyers and Recyclers, TL Tire, Klotz Canada, Speedy Glass Orillia, Mike Westwood Fabrications, Peter Built Racecars and AM Marketing.

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HAGERSVILLE, Ontario — Running inside the top-10 throughout the event, A.J. Emms scored a top-10 finish on Saturday at Jukasa Motor Speedway.

“Overall, it was very similar to our first race here,” Emms said. “We had hoped to sort out some of our issues with this race track, but unfortunately, we just didn’t have the speed in the racecar that we wanted. We were able to drive up closer to the front of the field tonight, and we showed a lot of speed. The driver made some errors out there on the race track, which caused us to fall back.

“But overall I feel as though we learned something and as we move forward to next season, I feel we’re more prepared and hopefully we’ll learn from our mistakes and be better next year.”

With a lap of 19.605 seconds, Emms would qualify ninth for the 40-lap feature. He would move up to eighth in the early stages, remaining there till the event’s first caution at Lap 16. Restarting on the fourth row, he’d make his way forward, battling for fourth when there’d be contact up ahead between the leaders, with Emms managing to escape without any contact.

Restarting on the second row, he’s dropped back to fourth, though remaining in touch with the leaders. He’d look to make a move on third, when he’d get into turn three a little too hard, sliding up the track, brushing the outside wall, but able to get it straightened back out and keep going. The contact, though, saw him lose some ground in falling back to sixth.

In speaking about the close calls after the event, Emms credits getting through both moments to instincts.

“I’m fortunate to have raced in a lot of races, and I’m also very fortunate to have watched a lot of races,” he commented. “Pretty much at that moment, you’re just really what you’re doing what you can to pull it all together and I feel that experience aids me in making the right decisions. Again, I don’t always make the right decisions, but I was fortunate tonight the car is in one piece and I made some great calls.”

From there, he was unable to close back down on the top-five before the checkered flag waved, crossing the finish line in sixth. In total, Emms has scored two podiums and four top-10’s in four trips to Canada’s Crown Jewel.

“I think we just need to go over all the little details on the racecar because that’s what I feel gets racecars to move better – little details,” he commented. “We’re going to go over everything and try to learn from our mistakes and I believe we’ll be better in the years to come.”

With the shortened schedule due to COVID-19, this will mark the last event of 2020 for the No. 14 Modified. It’s been a successful year, with a win, two podiums and three top-10 finishes across four races.

Emms Racing is proud to receive sponsorship support from BAE Environmental, TL Tire, Speedy Glass Orillia, Peter Built Racecars, Westwood’s Speed Shop, FMR Scrap Buyers, and AM Marketing.

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

INNISFIL, Ontario — Emms Racing can click another track off the list in the Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC OSCAAR Modifieds as A.J. Emms scored the win on Saturday at Sunset Speedway.

“It’s definitely a huge win,” Emms said. “Being able to win the 100^th race for OSCAAR (Modifieds) is definitely a big one to click off the list. It was definitely a hard battle between the 10 car (Kelly Balson), the 51 (Dale Reinhart), and the 89c (Andy Kamrath), all very good cars, tough competitors. Obviously, the 89c has won the last six races so we know that he’s a solid figure and solid competition, so we knew coming into today that we wouldn’t be able to make any mistakes.

“We were fortunate to put ourselves in the right position and capitalize on that for the win. It’s a huge momentum boost after having a tough last two weeks, so we’re looking forward to Jukasa. Definitely thankful to click Sunset off the list in the OSCAAR Modifieds.”

There was speed in the No. 14 Modified right from the drop of the first green flag, as Emms was able to score the victory in his qualifying race.

Starting the feature from third, he would move into second on Lap 10, before the race’s lone caution five laps later. Emms would get a good restart, taking the lead and putting a gap between himself and the field. Although Andy Kamrath was able to close gap in the late stages, and gave a couple shots to the rear bumper, it wasn’t enough. Emms was able to hold him off, and score the victory.

It marks Emms’ first OSCAAR Modified feature victory at Sunset Speedway, and the sixth career series victory.

The event was shown on the G Force Network through next day coverage on Sunday, September 20. You can watch via the following link ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwl3TyjAE0I.

The next event on the OSCAAR schedule will see Emms head back to Jukasa Motor Speedway for the second time this season. In three previous events at Canada’s Crown Jewel, Emms has scored a pair of podium finishes.

“We learned a lot this weekend through Peter Schtanis, Mike Westwood, and my dad (Jeff) – the whole team,” he commented. “We learned a lot and we learned what direction we need to go. So going back to Jukasa, I’m confident that we’ll be able to have a solid run there. Such a beautiful facility, it’s always fun when you can go to Jukasa.”

Emms Racing is proud to receive sponsorship support from BAE Environmental, TL Tire, Speedy Glass Orillia, Peter Built Racecars, Westwood’s Speed Shop, FMR Scrap Buyers, and AM Marketing.

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/.

INNISFIL, Ontario — After contact on the track, it was an early end to the Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC OSCAAR Modified event on Saturday for A.J. Emms.

The No. 14 Modified did show speed prior to the issues on-track, though, as Emms was able to lay down the seventh quickest lap in qualifying. From there, he looked to move forward in the early stages of the event, battling three-wide in the first five laps.

On Lap 6, he’d go to make a move underneath a fellow competitor for position, when contact occurred as that driver came down the track. Unfortunately, suspension damage was sustained, bringing Emms down pit road and out of the event. He was credited with an 18^th-place finish.

Fortunately, he will not have to wait long for a chance at redemption as the modifieds are back in action once again at Sunset Speedway on Saturday, September 19.

Emms has run well there at Sunset Speedway previously, scoring a couple heat victories with three podium finishes in his last four appearances. In 12 starts at the third-mile oval, he has scored five top-five’s and eight top-10’s.

“I’ve won in some other classes that I’ve raced at Sunset, but to get an OSCAAR Modified victory there would be important to me,” he commented prior to the first event on the 12th. “It’s the closest track to where I live so it’s one of those places that I attend frequently, not only competing, but watching races when I’m not. So it’s a track that I’d definitely like to get a win at, especially in the unprecedented times. I feel as those as every time you go to the track, especially this year, you want to capitalize on every opportunity that you get.”

While there will be a limited number of fans in attendance and no live stream, fans will be able to watch the feature a day later via the GForce Network.

Emms Racing is proud to receive sponsorship support from BAE Environmental, TL Tire, Speedy Glass Orillia, Artech Promotional Products, Peter Built Racecars, and AM Marketing.

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

 

HAGERSVILLE, Ontario — Despite qualifying mid-pack, a late-race charge would propel A.J. Emms to a podium finish this past weekend at Jukasa Motor Speedway in Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC OSCAAR Modified action.

After showing speed in practice, Emms would qualify ninth for the 40-lap event after posting a lap of 19.181 during time trials. He’d run seventh through the first half of the feature, electing to conserve equipment. Though once the race hit the halfway point, he began to make his way forward, moving into the top-five by Lap 25.

From there, he moved into fourth with a pass on quick qualifier Jeff Walt a lap later, before the caution came out on Lap 32 for an incident. Restarting third, he’d battle back and forth with Kelly Balson to the checkered flag for third, ultimately completing the pass with two laps to go to secure the spot.

The third-place finish marks his second podium performance at Jukasa Motor Speedway following a runner-up in 2019. It also marks his 21st straight top-10 finish in OSCAAR Modified competition.

“Overall, solid day for us,” Emms said. “We started off the day strong in practice, ended up not getting the qualifying run we wanted but fortunately, we were able to conserve our stuff there through the feature and come on strong at the end. We definitely need to improve for next race, but we’re going to go home, do some homework, look over some things, and see if we can find some of the ways we went off today.”

When asked about what he felt he was missing in relation to the top-two, Emms noted horsepower as one of the factors.

“But at the same time, there’s definitely some handling characteristics that we need to sort out as well,” he added. “I think overall we are going to review a lot of the things that we were trying this winter and we’re going to see if we want to go in that direction. But overall, a third-place finish, we’re very happy with where we ended up there.”

The 40-lap affair was streamed live via GForce Network. A full replay of the event can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPNm2dZ3peM.

Emms will be back in action at Flamboro Speedway on September 12. Once again, fans are not allowed to be in attendance due to the pandemic. However, the race will be live streamed on www.GForceTV.net.

“Flamboro is one of those places that I love,” Emms commented. “We’re going to go back and look at our notes from year’s past and I think that’s going to really help us this year, especially with less practice and time on the race track. I mean, this event was very new to us, so I feel in terms of going to Flamboro Speedway, we’re going to have rely on our notebook.”

Emms Racing is proud to receive sponsorship support from BAE Environmental, TL Tire, Speedy Glass Orillia, Artech Promotional Products, Peter Built Racecars, and AM Marketing.

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/.

Press Release by Ashley McCubbin / AM Marketing

PETERBOROUGH, Ontario — A.J. Emms would put the perfect cap on the 2019 race season, scoring a runner-up finish in the Autumn Colours Classic at Peterborough Speedway en route to being crowned the 2019 Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC OSCAAR Modified Champion.

Emms started off the weekend by finishing fifth in his first qualifying heat on Friday night. He would miss his qualifier on Saturday as a result of having to attend a friend’s wedding.

With only a single heat credited, he would start 10^th for the 50-lap feature, moving up to sixth in the early stages, remaining there until the first caution at Lap 20. Restarting on the outside of the third row, he moved up into fifth before avoiding an incident ahead of him on Lap 32 to move up into third.

Restarting on the second row, he would make his way up into second, with his sights set on the leader. Despite 15 laps remaining on the board, he was unable to close the gap between himself and eventual race winner Andy Kamrath, crossing the finish line with a second-place finish.

“I think Autumn Colours went really well overall,” he commented. “I think the 89 (Kamrath) car had a lot of speed; we wish that we would have been able to come up with a little but more speed, but I think overall, we had a strong car and strong finish. The car is in one piece going into the off-season.

“We went in there and did what we needed to do – and that was the plan all weekend. So we were able to accomplish our goal that way and follow through.”

By merely taking the green flag, Emms clinched the 2019 Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC OSCAAR Modified Championship. It marks his first OSCAAR title following a pair of runner-ups in 2016 and 2017.

“It means a lot – not only to me, but my entire crew, and my family,” he said. “My dad, myself, Ryan, and Peter Schotanus have put in a ridiculous amount of work so many years to get in this position and I was just very fortunate to have those people around me and capitalize on the opportunity that was given to me. So I mean, for me, it’s a big deal.

“Being in racing my whole life, you see guys winning championships. One of my heroes as a kid was Tom Walters, and to see the amount of championships that he’s won, that’s something that I’d obviously strive to me and elevate myself to that level. So starting off with an OSCAAR Modified Championship and it’s a great way to cap off a year where we didn’t expect to have these things happen.”

The No. 14 Modified showed speed on a weekly basis, with Emms visiting victory lane on four occasions, including the Rick Woolner Memorial at Full Throttle Motor Speedway.

“The Rick Woolner Memorial was a big one for me,” he said. “Varney (Full Throttle) is one of my favourite race tracks. I know that was a major race for Gary McLean to win with being the 20^th anniversary and Rick being so close to him. That was a big one for me to steal away from him, but also I thought it was a big one for Rick being such a good racecar driver and the amount of respect that I have for Gary McLean and Greg Gibson is very big. Although we’ve been fierce competitors in the past, I have a lot of respect for those guys. So for me to win that race, I realized how much that meant to them and in return, it means a lot to me.

“To also win the Don Biederman Memorial was a big one. Don Biederman is one of my heroes in racing. I wasn’t around to see him race that much, but you hear so many stories from other racers and how can you not have respect for someone like that? So those are two big ones that really stand out for me throughout this season.

“To top it all off with the championship, I couldn’t be much happier.”

Although he was able to score those wins along with seven heat victories, and nine top-five finishes, it did not simply come easy each weekend with growing competition level in the modifieds.

“Without a doubt, there were some new faces in the OSCAAR Modified division, but they were ones that were not new to racing and guys with range of experience, from hobby cars, thunder cars, to anything,” he commented. “We had a really deep field all year. Some guys to note – obviously the 16 car of (Anthony) DiBello was fast throughout the year; showed a lot of speed at a variety of tracks and was a consistent front runner. Jason Keen – same thing, was strong all year long with their new car.

“You also can’t count out guys like Luke Gignac who have won championships. Cory Horner and his brother were both very strong in that car – the 79h. John Harper started off the year as a force to reckon with and there are just so many more names to add the list. Anytime Gary McLean comes out, you know he will be fast. Between Shawn Chenoweth and Andy Kamrath driving the 89 car, that was a strong piece for both of them through the year. To add to the list, Dale Reinhart also had a very solid season with the times that he was out.

“I’m sure I’m forgetting some, as the field always definitely looked different at the front, but there was always a lot of competition up there. They kept us on our toes all year. We were fortunate to put ourselves in a position to have some solid finishes, and once we started breaking through with victories, they started coming quicker.”

Even with the heightened competition, the team was able to find success, something Emms credits back to the team and “a lot of hours in the shop” getting things ready.

“Nobody in our series runs on an unlimited budget so that means that everybody has to do lots of hard work,” he explained. “When you’re in an environment like that, I think the extra hours that you put in through the week really show on the race track. I think that’s why we had a lot of speed in our racecar.

“Having tons of knowledge that Peter Schotanus has and provides to our entire team is massive with the experience he has there. And my dad being a former Late Model driver, and thunder car driver for years when I was a kid, he has that experience of grinding through a season and knowing what it takes to win. So I think that having that experience and knowing what is required of us, and then going and putting in those hours throughout the week, doing our homework, watching other people and learning from them, and always striving to be better, I think that’s where we were able to capitalize this year.”

Even though they were successful, the team plans to continue pushing forward, knowing the challenge that lies ahead in 2020. Emms says the key will be fine tuning their equipment, based on the things that they learned near the end of this year.

“Some changes, or really clarifications as to what’s allowed, to our rule package have made it so that we have to go back and do some homework for us,” he commented. “So we need to look at the best way to move forward is for our entire program. We’re definitely going to go back and make sure everything is right on our racecar, and try to insure that we have all of our Is doted and our Ts crossed because that’s where things really come into play.

“Racing is not a game of miles; it’s a game of inches, so we’re going to do our best to find those inches that we have left to move forward. We will do that by going over the entire car and making sure everything is right, and doing what we know and taking information we learned and applying.”

Emms Racing is proud to be sponsored by BAE Environmental, Hastings Home Hardware, Klotz Canada, FMR Scrap Buyers, TL Tire, Artech Promotional Products, Peter Built Racecars, and AM Marketing as marketing partners for the 2019 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

MILGROVE, Ontario — A.J. Emms kept the solid finishes going on Sunday at Flamboro Speedway, scoring a second-place finish in the 50-lap Frostoberfest feature.

Emms started off the night by finishing third and second in his qualifying heats, before drawing fourth in the re-draw for the feature. He’d quickly find himself battling for second in the opening laps, slotting himself in the third spot on Lap 2. He’d remain there until he was able to get by Anthony DiBello for second on Lap 11.

Through the remaining 39 laps, he would get close to the rear bumper of eventual race winner Andy Kamrath, and challenge him side-by-side on a couple mid-race retarts, but was never able to clear him for the spot.

As a result, Emms crossed the finish line with a solid second-place finish, marking his 19^th straight OSCAAR top-10 finish.

“I thought overall it was a good night,” Emms said. “Our game plan was to just go in there and essentially get the best run that we could, all while conserving and keeping the car in one piece with a very quick turnover to the Autumn Colours Classic this weekend. We wanted to make sure we weren’t too hard on equipment, which historically Flamboro is a place that can be extremely hard on equipment.

“We were very cautious in not only our adjustments, but how things played out and we drove throughout the race. But overall, we’re very happy with a solid second-place finish. We felt as though we had a very strong car that contended for the win, which essentially is what we want for each and every week.

“Now, we’re looking very positive towards our last race at the Autumn Colours Classic while hunting a championship.”

Emms will now carry a 64-point lead advantage into this weekend’s season finale at Peterborough Speedway, with the Autumn Colours Classic. Emms has been successful there before, winning the Classic in 2016.

“With the position that we’re in now, we’re just going out like we do every single race,” Emms commented. “I rarely mention championship or think about those things; my goal is essentially to run as best as we can every single race, and we do put a high level of pressure on our team to perform at every single race. So the Autumn Colours Classic will be no different.

“I do enjoy races that there are more competitors and outside pressures, as I do thrive in that environment. So I do look forward to heading back to Peterborough while leading the points and looking for not only a strong finish to close out our championship run, but also another win at the Autumn Colours Classic.”

Emms Racing is proud to be sponsored by BAE Environmental, Hastings Home Hardware, Klotz Canada, FMR Scrap Buyers, TL Tire, Artech Promotional Products, Peter Built Racecars, and AM Marketing as marketing partners for the 2019 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/.

Press Release by Ashley McCubbin of AM Marketing

INNISFIL, Ontario — With a pair of podium finishes in the Iron Man 72 at Sunset Speedway, A.J. Emms was able to extend his advantage in the Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC OSCAAR Modified standings.

Emms was quick right from the start of the weekend, winning his first qualifier, followed by a runner-up in the second.

Starting on pole for the first 36-lap feature on Saturday night, he would battle with Kelly Balson for the top spot off the drop of the green flag, taking sole procession on Lap 5. He would lead the next two laps, before being challenged and passed for the top spot three laps later. Now running solidly in second, he’d remain there through the middle of the feature, until he was passed by Balson for the runner-up spot on Lap 22.

Running third, he would continuing to put down solid lap times through the back half of the feature, crossing the finish line with a third-place finish.

Following the event, Emms shared his thoughts on how the night played out.

Starting third in the second 36-lap feature on Sunday night, he would move up into second with a three-wide move on the opening lap, taking over the top spot on the seventh lap. He would then lead the next 12 laps before being passed for the top spot on Lap 19.

Over the middle portion of the feature, Emms would challenge for the lead on a pair of restarts, but was unable to clear Andy Kamrath for the top spot. Instead, he’d battle to the checkered flag for second with Anthony DiBello, ultimately coming up short, crossing the finish line in third.

“Overall, it was a good night for us,” Emms said after the second feature. “We ran well last night, changed some stuff and it worked out. It’s a game of inches so we’re very fortunate to come out of here with a third-place finish, and we’re looking forward to Flamboro in a few weeks.”

With just two races remaining on the schedule, Emms leads the Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC OSCAAR Modified standings by 56 points.

The next race for the Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC OSCAAR Modifieds is at Flamboro Speedway on October 6. Emms knows his way around the Milgrove, Ontario oval, having won both OSCAAR events there thus far in 2019.

Emms Racing is proud to be sponsored by BAE Environmental, Hastings Home Hardware, Klotz Canada, FMR Scrap Buyers, TL Tire, Artech Promotional Products, Peter Built Racecars, and AM Marketing as marketing partners for the 2019 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/.

Press Release by Ashley McCubbin of AM Marketing

MILGROVE, Ontario — A combination of speed and perseverance paid off for A.J. Emms at Flamboro Speedway on Saturday night, as he was able to pick up his fourth feature victory of the 2019 season.

Emms started off the night on a solid note, finishing third in both of his qualifying heat races.

He would draw the pole for the feature, breaking out to the early lead. Although he’d lose the top spot on Lap 7, he’d get it back five laps later when the current race leader got caught up with lap traffic. Despite a series of cautions through the back half of the feature, Emms kept putting together good restarts, ultimately crossing the finish line in first for the win.

It marks his second win of the season at Flamboro Speedway, and fourth overall of the season after winning at Delaware Speedway and the Rick Woolner Memorial at Full Throttle Motor Speedway. Emms now leads the Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC OSCAAR Modified standings by 50 points.

“It was definitely a very topsy-turvy night,” Emms admitted in victory lane. “We finished third in both our heat races, just trying to stay clean and out of trouble. Throughout the race, we just kind of persevered. Starting on pole is very fortunate to draw number one. There were lots of fast cars out here tonight so I’m not sure exactly what we had. We just kind of really relied on our notes moving forward.

“The 89C of Andrew Kamrath was really fast out there. He definitely had the car to beat tonight; unfortunately, he just got caught up in lap traffic. So from there, we just kind of took off, clicked off laps, and were able to take home the finish.

“Overall, a really great night for us. It was really nice to have the whole family here – or half the family here. Moving forward, we’re very excited to get back to Sunset Speedway in a couple weeks and hopefully continue our positive finishes.”

The next race for the Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC OSCAAR Modifieds is at Sunset Speedway, with the Iron Man 72. The unique format will feature qualifying heat races, followed by twin 36-lap features split across the two days – Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22.

“I don’t know if we’re going to have a strategy. We’ll have to sit down and plan it with the crew,” he commented. “Sunset Speedway – although close to home and a place that I run a lot of laps on, maybe isn’t my favourite race track. But we’ll learn, and do the best we can, and try to click some strong finishes.

“Really, it’s just doing the preparation back home in the shop and trying to bring a good piece there because if you start off behind the ball, it’s very hard to catch back up with this group of OSCAAR Modified drivers. It’s very important to do our homework, and hopefully we can come out with a strong finish.”

Emms has run well there at Sunset Speedway previously, scoring a couple heat victories with a track-best third-place finish in June. In nine starts at the third-mile oval, he has scored three top-five’s and six top-10’s.

Emms Racing is proud to be sponsored by BAE Environmental, Hastings Home Hardware, Klotz Canada, FMR Scrap Buyers, TL Tire, Artech Promotional Products, Peter Built Racecars, and AM Marketing as marketing partners for the 2019 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/.

Press Release by Ashley McCubbin of AM Marketing

LONDON, Ontario — Starting on the fourth row, A.J. Emms would make his way forward throughout the 50-lap Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC OSCAAR Modified feature at Delaware Speedway to finish third.

He started off the night by winning his first qualifying heat, though following the re-draw for the feature, he would start eighth. He began to make his way forward from the drop of the green flag, moving up into sixth by the fourth lap. He’d remain there throughout the middle portion of the feature, avoiding contact ahead of him on Lap 26 to move up to fifth.

Starting on the inside of the third row, he’d get alongside Anthony DiBello for third, but the yellow flag came back out for an incident deep in the field. The second restart would see Emms alongside Jason Keen for third, but another caution slowed the action again.

The third attempt saw him alongside DiBello for third, with contact happening between the pair. Emms would initially drop back, but was able to hold off a challenge for position from behind. He’d get back alongside DiBello for third with six laps to go, completing the pass two laps later.

He’d ultimately run out of time to catch the top-two, so he’d ultimately cross the finish line with a third-place finish. The solid performance allowed him to keep his points lead of 31 points.

“Overall, it was a good night,” Emms commented. “Started off eighth, which is definitely difficult to come through a strong field like the OSCAAR Modifieds. We were fortunate to be patient there throughout the race and then start to pick our way through the field with about 15 to go, and we were able to make it up to third. So overall, a great run for us. The car is one piece, we had a lot of speed; we were very happy with everything.

“Looking forward to Flamboro. It’s been a good track for us, so hopefully we can close out the deal there.”

The next race on the OSCAAR Modified schedule is at Flamboro Speedway on Saturday, August 24. Emms knows his way around the Hamilton, Ontario-based oval, winning there last month.

Emms Racing is proud to be sponsored by BAE Environmental, Hastings Home Hardware, Klotz Canada, FMR Scrap Buyers, TL Tire, Artech Promotional Products, Peter Built Racecars, and AM Marketing as marketing partners for the 2019 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/.

Press Release by Ashley McCubbin of AM Marketing