Whether battling at Sunset Speedway or on the APC Auto Parts United Late Model of Ontario Series tour, Josh Stade proved to be a front runner all season long.

“We had an absolutely amazing year to welcome new partnerships and keep existing sponsors, and be competitive as a race car driver you can ask for much more,” Stade told SHORT TRACK MUSINGS. “Stade Motorsports is very fortunate to be surrounded by such amazing people and have them involved at race events and shows. Personally I had a lot of fun. I’m very invested in my program and work hard to establish relationships and self market myself.”

Throughout the year on the APC tour, Stade scored six top-five’s and seven top-10’s en route to placing fourth in the standings. He then backed it up with five top-five’s at Sunset Speedway.

“(My) favourite moments in 2022 was being a threat every time we hit the track we had cars capable of winning races all year round and showed consistency in running up at the front,” he commented. “A big highlight for me was finishing on the podium at Delaware (Speedway) in the year end APC race . The car got better and better and was a blast to drive up through the field catching the leaders each lap.”

Another stand-out moment from the season for Stade was watching him score the APC Series victory at Sauble Speedway after a battle with Kyle Steckly and Rick Spencer-Walt.

“Man I still sometimes feel like the long weekend we went to Sauble was a dream,” Stade reflected. “To win my first ever APC race at home in front of so many friends, sponsors, family members was beyond special and is a memory that will last forever. But even more special was to come back the next day with the other car and win the Beat the Heat. To win two big races in two different cars on the same weekend is something I may never be able to accomplish again. I’m so thankful for that weekend.”

Stade will return to the APC Series tour in 2023, as well as hopefully run as many special events as he and his team can. There is also a possibility of their schedule expanding, as if they are able to obtain marketing support, he would like to possibly go down south for Speedweeks next winter.

“I don’t honestly think we can do much more to be better; my team was on their A game all season long,” Stade commented. “We worked hard, had fun, and had results. We had a few races that didn’t go our way but that’s racing. We just have to keep our heads down and continue to learn and do what we did in 2022.”

Continuing to stay focused goes with the advice he has to offer to other young drivers, in saying they should not get caught up with the expectations that racing can offer.

“I’ve had my fair share of races that haven’t gone my way every racer has,” he commented. “Something I personally try to do is just stay positive and work hard. I think a lot of us racers put a lot of pressure on our selves we all want to win, but we start to have an expectation of where we should be and when the race doesn’t go that way we think it should in our mind we get discouraged. I feel if your heads down and your focused, at some point you will have some shine of success.”

For their support, Stade would like to thank his partners Canadian Flat roof Systems, Ridgeline, APC, Vinny’s Masonry, Nicol Insurance, Ken Jackson Const., N.Piccolli Const., Steers heavy truck repair shop, Rona Doidge Group, Ryan Enright co-operators, 92.3 Bounce Radio, Side street pizza, Adam Reilly Roofing, MEI Paving, and McColl Racing Ent.