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 Mini Stock class, there were ultimately 34 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 40% fan vote, fellow competitor vote, and success last season.

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 the first part 

24. Blaise Shaw
2022 Ranking: N/A

2023 Thoughts: Just excited to start the season after getting my first couple starts last year
2023 Plans: Our plan for this year is gonna be to run at Sunset on non APC weekends, hopefully going to run the mini stock invitational at Sauble.
2023 Goals: To continue to get faster and more comfortable in the car, and above all just have fun and enjoy days at the track with my family and everyone that helps with the car
Drivers to Watch: Josh Bullen, Johnny Paradzinski, Shawn Taylor, Cameron McGlasgan, are all guys who are threats to compete for a win any night they’re at the track and the last one would have to be Laila Walser. She was always up front in the junior late models so I’m excited to see what she can do in a mini stock.

Another Shaw was behind the wheel this year, and was able to find speed throughout the year at Sunset Speedway, getting better each week. He was able to score a top-10 finish in each appearance, with a trip to victory lane in heat-race action.

23. Samantha Shaw
2022 Ranking: N/A

It seems although her focus has shifted to the late model program, Samantha Shaw is still someone that you need to watch anytime she is behind the wheel of a mustang. She scored a checkered flag at Sunset Speedway, and a top-five finish at Flamboro Speedway’s Frostoberfest.

22. Jeremie Duguay
2022 Ranking: N/A

21. Ember Junkin
2022 Ranking: N/A

The Peterborough Speedway Mini Stock division is stacked, as evident by this section of the list. Ember Junkin kicks it off, after having scored eight feature top-five’s, including a victory, alongside five heat wins.

20. Shawn Solomon
2022 Ranking: 24th

For being a rookie at Peterborough Speedway, Shawn Solomon proved he wasn’t going to be out of the picture for wins quickly. He got his fair share of checkered flags, with two feature and seven heat wins – oh, and only three finishes outside of the top-10.

19. Chris Tubman
2022 Ranking: 21st

2023 Thoughts: My thoughts entering the season good question. Well we are hoping to stay consistent through out the year. We had a pretty good year last season going to try and build on what we accomplished for our rookie year. We were in the mix quite a bit last year after we sorted out some new car blues.
2023 Plans: To try and run the full schedule at our home track Peterborough Speedway. Would like to try and run some invitationals.
2023 Goals: Pretty simple – win. If I can stay consistent I think we can obtain that goal get the car to handle better as we struggled a bit with loosing the car late in the race so we have to figure that out and build on it.
Drivers to Watch: Brock Baker not sure what his plans are but he’s really good. Rob Crick he’s putting the work in too better himself and his car. Jeff Laflamme not sure what his plans are this year but if he’s back he’s going to be fast. Johnny Paradinski what else can I say it’s Johnny he’s quick and consistent. Jeremy Blair Kelly not sure what his plans are but he’s a 2 time champ what else to say.

Chris Tubman proved his speed and ability to capture checkered flags at Peterborough Speedway, as evident by two feature wins and six heat victories with an average finish of fourth.

18. Brian Wilson Jr
2022 Ranking: 26th

2023 Thoughts: Going into the season is just how quickly I can get back up to speed. This is a big year for me, coming off of a pretty successful year in 2022.
2023 Plans: I’d like to run most of the schedule at Varney. The $1000 race at Sauble is a race I’d like to try. Frostoberfest is on my list for sure. I’d like to go try some races at sunset as well. But we’ll figure that out as we go.
2023 Goals: Win more races. My goal last year was to win a race and I did that. This is an important year for me to prove that I can consistently be at the front and be in contention to win.
Drivers to Watch: Lots of drivers to keep an eye on this year. The drivers I’m keeping an eye on are Thomas Wunsch, Mitch Wilkin, Wayde Thorne, Scott Mast and My dad.

Despite being one of the youngest drivers in the division, Brian Wilson Jr. has proven to be someone to watch, running up front year-round at Full Throttle Motor Speedway including a couple trips to victory lane.

17. Brian Wilson Sr
2022 Ranking: 10th
2021 Ranking: 14th

2023 Thoughts: Coming into the race season I was hoping to make a new venture for Jr and I to try , but it may have to wait for later or 2024.
2023 Plans: I have 2 races for sure my Dad’s memorial race Aug 6th at Full Throttle and Mike Schmidt’s frostoberfest event!
2023 Goals: Always to have as much fun as possible and contend for the win every time the car unloads from the trailer
Drivers to Watch: Brian Wilson Jr., Thomas Wunch, Mitch Wilken, Shawn Taylor, and 5 would be TBA we may have a surprise for the mini stock I’ll keep that under my hat for now

It doesn’t seem the length of the schedule he chooses, Brian Wilson still proves he’s one of the drivers to watch at any track around the province. It showed that once again in 2022 with success at FTMS.

16. Karl Sault
2022 Ranking: 6th
2021 Ranking: 16th

Running just a limited schedule, Karl Sault was fast with six top-five’s including a victory, with an average finish of 2.6667.

15. Nolan Gould
2022 Ranking: N/A

Despite running a limited schedule, Nolan Gould was able to impress, scoring a pair of victories in his three starts.