With each season that comes up in the Ontario short tracks, there is always a list of drivers that everyone is keeping an eye on with each other division, wondering how they’re going to perform. The Pro Late Models are no different, as evident by the success and strength of the APC Auto Parts United Late Models of Ontario since they launched. 

There are a bunch of drivers who are capable of winning, but here are 20 drivers that are on the radar of people across the province.

As always, be sure to comment with your thoughts – whether positive or negative, and enjoy getting to know these competitors a little more.

Click here to read part 1 /// Click here to read part 2

9. Connor James

2022 Plans: Full time in the APC United Late Model Series with Holdaway Motorsports
2022 Goals: To keep the momentum up from what we ended off with last year, I really feel we are able to compete every weekend for wins. Taylor Holdaway and myself really feel we can get a win and be competitive all year.
Drivers to Watch: Kyle steckly – with him coming out for his first race last year and winning it, he will be a championship contender. Rick Spencer-Walt is a proven winner and he will be a championship contender as well. Treyten Lapcevich is an amazing racecar driver and with how close he was last year to winning the championship, I feel this could quite possibly be his year. J.R Fitzpatrick, had a tough year last year and with him teaming back up with MRE, he will be really good this year. Tyler Di Venanzo – with his team acquiring a new car in the off season, I think it will give Ty that little extra speed he needs to be able to contend for wins.
Most Memorable Moment: To be able to take a trip and race in Nova Scotia at Riverside Speedway with the NASCAR Pinty’s series. That’s the farthest I’ve raced away from home and that is by far my favourite track I’ve been on. I would love to be able to the the Pro Late Model there.

A podium at the Autumn Colours Classic following a nearly race spin certainly showcased how much Connor James grew and improved as a driver over the course last season behind the wheel of a Pro Late Model. Combined with four top-10’s on the APC Series Tour including a season-best fourth at Flamboro Speedway. he is getting set for his breakout campaign.

8. Dale Shaw

2022 Plans: APC racing and possibly some invitationals and regular night racing
2022 Goals: Goal is always to get back to victory lane and keep making Shaw Motorsports better
Drivers to Watch: Rick Burbridge, Matt Pritiko, Erik Dalla Riva, Jake Sheridan, Samantha Shaw
Most Memorable Moment: My two APC race wins.

A past APC Series Champion, Dale Shaw is no stranger to knowing how to get the job done behind the wheel. He showed last season, as evident by three top-five’s on the APC Series tour and running up front regularly in weekly Sunset Speedway competition. After a couple almost win moments in 2021, it is expected to see the No. 83 back in victory lane this year.

7. Shawn Chenoweth

Shawn Chenoweth originally answered the questions for the super stock edition

2022 Plans: Full APC Pro Late tour and Qwick Wick Series, plus year-end specials with the Pro Late Model and Super Stock
2022 Goals: Goal is championships in both, while expectation is to run up front and battle for wins
Drivers to Watch: Lane Zardo, Ryan Dyson, Gerrit Tiemersma, Cory McAllister, Justin Collison
Most Memorable Moment: Watching my Dad win in a car I setup

A regular front runner, Shawn Chenoweth has consistently shown speed across the province, as seen through his multitude of victories at Flamboro Speedway over the years. After a single top-10 on the APC Series tour in 2021, the complete focus by the London Recreational Racing sponsored team over the winter should have him back up front in familiar territory.

6. Ray Morneau

2022 Plans: Delaware weekly races and then the 2 APC shows, and whatever else comes up that will work!
2022 Goals: Get a win and chase a championship. We came up one point short last year from winning the championship, so looking to get one spot better
Drivers to Watch: I can’t wait to run with Kyle (Steckly) at Delaware; he is only going to make our team better with his talent! Coltin Everingham will be looking forward to build off his first year in late model, and I look forward to seeing his results this year! Chase Pinsonneault enters his first year and I’m really excited to see how the year goes for him! He helped us out last year with the super stock and is a really good kid and can’t wait to see him behind the wheel!! I am really looking forward to see JR (Fitzpatrick) back in a McColl Racecar again and will be a threat everywhere he goes! Coming off a championship at Flamboro and a great year in the Quick Wick series, I can’t wait to see Carson Nagy weekly at Delaware chasing wins!
Most Memorable Moment: Jukasa Motor Speedway in 2019 qualifying 3rd behind Jo Lawrence and Brandon Watson and going on to finish 5th in our first APC race

Focusing on Delaware Speedway last year with the late model, Ray Morneau was a front runner on a weekly basis, contending for victories and the championship. He has toured the province behind the wheel of his super stock, and saw success as previously mentioned, which will only help him build his talent moving forward as a driver.

Stay tuned to meet the top-five drivers to watch.