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.

When the fans and fellow competitors were asked about the Pure Stock class, there were ultimately over 70 names that came up throughout the discussions – bringing us to this point. Each of those drivers have been ranked, with their final position on the list being determined based on a combination of fan votes, fellow competitor votes, and last year’s success.

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 /// Click here to read Part 3 /// Click here to read Part 4 /// Click here to Read Part 5

26. Brandon Steele
2021 Ranking: 55th

2022 Plans: Go out and just have fun
2022 Goals: Put on the best show for the crowd, friends, and family that are watching
Drivers to Watch: Don’t really have any drivers I’m looking an eye on; I just out to have fun, not trying to be competitive person.
Biggest Moment: Placing in top-five most nights and placing first in the two heat races and placing first in the feature in the same night

Brandon Steele became a consistent front runner at Sunset Speedway as discussed with those accomplishments, and has lived up to that thus far in 2022 – until the wheel came off on Sunday, but we know it will be just a minor setback.

25. Kyle Neumeister
2021 Ranking: N/A

2022 Plans: Running two full-time schedules at Grand Bend Speedway in both mini stock and bone stock, as well as run invitationals and major events such as Velocity and Autumn Colours
2022 Goals: Have fun and making memories with our friends and family no matter where we go!
Drivers to watch: Mark Rioux #27 his come back year haha. Matt Boyes #23 always going to surprise yah with his quality vehicles! Austyn Jennett #9 – watch this dude; he’s moving up but his progress year over year is astounding. Andrew Shilling #29 – this guy has no fear and if he can keep all 4 wheels down watch out!! Karlie Wilman #14 – I’ve got to watch her year after year and this girls drive has gone from 0 to 100! Can’t wait to see what she can do in 2022!!!
Biggest Moment: Some people measure these a lot different then me. I feel like my biggest moment for me will be running a full time mini stock season on a shoestring budget. Something we pride ourselves most on is working harder on the cars so hustling in the off season to offset the costs during a regular season. Racing is expensive but if you do it smart it can be fun and affordable. I’d be lying also if I didn’t say my biggest moment was my fiancé saying yes to marrying me on the front stretch of Peterborough Speedway.

It wasn’t long ago that Kyle Neumeister was the man to beat, no matter where he unloaded, as the trophies were being collected. He showed speed last season, as evident by a strong run at the Autumn Colours Classic

24. Kris Khan
2021 Ranking: 20th

Another driver you have to always watch, as he was thought to be the man to watch in the province no long ago. Just look at his Autumn Colours Classic record through the years.

23. David Rockwood
2021 Ranking: 19th

It seems the team has put a bigger focus towards their super stock program. However, if they unload the pure stock, you have been warned ahead of time to keep an eye out.

22. Nic Ramsay
2021 Ranking: 30th

Another driver who is moving forward in the motorsports relm, focused on super stocks now as part of the Qwick Wick Super Stock Series. That said, his invitational record from 2021 speaks for itself as he was able to score a couple trips to victory lane.

21. Cierra Graves
2021 Ranking: N/A

2022 Plans: Race at Grand Bend and learn more about my car
2022 Goals: Get my first win
Drivers to Watch: Will Quarrie, Craig Cole, Kara Martin, Tegan Ellis, Kris Lawrence
Biggest Moment: Finishing my first race in a car that’s never raced before

20. Jordan Morris
2021 Ranking: 11th

As Jordan Morris said, he “plans to compete in the OSCAAR Hot Rod Series and maybe run a couple bone stock invitationals.” In the limited schedule he is expected to run, he will be someone to watch as he was a steady top-five contender in each of the 2021 invitational events.

19. Gillian Hils
2021 Ranking: 1st

Ranked at the top of the board for 2021, she lived up to expectations in continuing her strength as a regular front runner and contender at Flamboro Speedway throughout 2021. She has been at the track this season, and scoring podium performances.

18. Jordan Wilms
2021 Ranking: N/A

A weekly front runner at Delaware Speedway, Jordan Wilms also showed speed at Sunset Speedway’s Fall Velocity in 2021.

17. Matt Boyes
2021 Ranking: 22nd

It was surprising to see him ranked so low on the list last season, given the run he put together at Sunset Speedway en route to being the 2021 division champion. While brought up in the discussions this past winter, he will be focusing on his mini stock effort instead.

16. Kyle Lucas
2021 Ranking: 7th

A regular at Flamboro Speedway, Kyle Lucas showed speed throughout the 2021 campaign, and has carried that over thus far in 2022. Although he has yet to visit victory lane, he has ran inside the top-five through the first four weeks.

15. Ryan Oosterholt
2021 Ranking: 16th

A runner-up in the 2021 Peterborough Speedway Pure Stock standings proved his ability behind the wheel as he was a consistent front runner weekly, with multiple trips to victory lane.

14. Stephen Finnegan
2021 Ranking: N/A

2022 Plans: Not set in stone at this time. I do know that the 26 machine will be in the conversation wherever it rolls off the trailer. As for a plan, my team and my two boys who are now into racing as well will determine that. We will see how everything plays out. But I really enjoy watching them race.
2022 Goals: I think I have the team and equipment to be a threat anywhere I decide to race. I have put in a lot of work and feel I can run to the front and be a threat anywhere I go. I really enjoy trying new tracks and racing with the best in the division testing my ability. Being in the mix for a championship at Peterborough Speedway wouldn’t be out of the question either but we will see.
Drivers to Watch: In a growing class, anyone has the chance to win any night; it’s who can survive! But if I were to be honest on the drivers who push me and make racing clean and fun at Peterborough, I’d say Ryan Oosterholt would be first, Sean Kennedy, Kyle Novis, Jake Kelly, Brad Lavalle & Kris khan, would be in the conversation. There are quite a few drivers like Ang Novis who have come to the front of the pack over the last couple years. As for invitational racing ,Phil Givens is always fun to race. We have had some good clean battles over the past few years; having said that I need to win the autumn colours classic again.
Biggest Moment:I have always raced for the memories with my friends and family as any racer knows it’s not for the money. There are a few moments that come to mind! I’ve won some features at Peterborough speedway, been in the hunt at Flamboro and Sunset and that was my goal previously as I wanted to try new tracks and finish well. Maybe if time/luck permits I’ll attend some more races next year out of town and be in the mix but I don’t know for sure at this point. Regardless of my plans or outcomes everyone will know the 26 is in the field – that’s not a prediction it’s a spoiler and as my son’s say, you are in it to win it so that’s the plan to lead by example! In all seriousness, the class is a lot of fun.

Stephen was one of the drivers to watch all last season at Peterborough Speedway, as evident by wins throughout the year and a strong placing in the final standings. He also was fast at Flamboro Speedway and Sunset Speedway, adding curiosity as to what the future may hold.

Stay tuned to meet the lucky 13 🙂