MILLGROVE, Ontario — Over the years racing in a variety of series, Bill Zardo became known as a hard-nosed competitor. His spirit could be felt his memorial race at Flamboro Speedway, as the top drivers of the Knightworks Design OSCAAR Hot Rods battled for the win.

Ultimately, it was Cole Weber coming out on top at the end of the 46 laps and visiting McColl Racing Enterprises victory lane.

Dalen Martin won the first JRS Auctions heat in front of Steve Book, Kyle Woods, Donny Beatty, Jerry Broom, Rob Bromley, Jeremy McLean, Jeremy Taggart, Ryan Cowan, Matt Spry, and Dan Rothwell.

J.R. Fitzpatrick was victorious in the second qualifier ahead of Trevor Thompson, Cole Weber, Tyler Hawn, Nick Clarke, Connor Ellis, Brian Wilson Sr., Nick Holman, Dave Evison Sr., and Bill Clarke.

Rob Bromley picked up the checkered flag in the third heat followed by Taggart, Thompson, Fitzpatrick, Evison Sr., Holman, McLean, Bill Clarke, Rothwell, and Cowan.

Tyler Hawn won the final qualifier in front of Martin, Weber, Broom, Book, Nick Clarke, Beatty, Woods, Wilson Sr., and Spry.

Starting inside the top-five, Cole Weber wasted no time in moving his way forward, taking the lead on Lap 13. However, he was unable to waltz away from the field, with continued challenges throughout the full duration of the feature. The biggest threat came from Dalen Martin, who managed to put his Ford out front at Lap 27. However, it was short lived with Weber charging back around him a lap later.

Cole Weber then carved his way through lap traffic for the remaining 19 laps, picking the win to make the trip to McColl Racing Enterprises victory lane in the Bill Zardo Memorial. Dalen Martin held on for a second-place finish after restarting tail of the field at Lap 3 due to an incident on-track. Steve Book rounded out the podium after running consistently inside the top-five all race.

Trevor Thompson was the second highest qualifier, though accepted the Bill Zardo Challenge (put up by Lane Zardo, Billy Zardo, and Bill Zardo’s pit crew) to start tail of the field and go for some bonus money in the process. He made his way forward steadily throughout, scoring a fourth-place finish. Jerry Broom was fifth.

J.R. Fitzpatrick placed sixth, followed by Donny Beatty, Dave Evison Sr., Jeremy McLean, and Jeremy Taggart. Beatty picked up the bonus $460 put up by Amanda Stoner and Amanda’s Auctions for running eighth at Lap 8. Kyle Woods was 11^th ahead of Matt Spry, Dan Rothwell, Nick Holman, Bill Clarke, Tyler Hawn, Ryan Cowan, Nick Clarke, Connor Ellis, and Rob Bromley.

On behalf of everyone involved, OSCAAR would like to extend a very big thank you to all of the sponsors and supporters of the inaugural Bill Zardo Memorial. Your support is greatly appreciated by all the staff and drivers involved with the series.

The next event for the Knightworks Design OSCAAR Hot Rods is on Saturday, June 17 at Sauble Speedway.

ABOUT UNITED RACING SERIES: The United Racing Series debuted in 2015, and immediately drew attention from around the province with the formation of the APC United Late Model Series. Fans, drivers, and sponsors alike were left wanting more after a wildly successful inaugural season that saw the championship battle come down to the final laps. The series that took Ontario by storm has continued to grow for years and has brought Late Model racing in Ontario to what it truly should be. The United Racing Series is also the home of the Qwick Wick Super Stock Series and the OSCAAR Modified and Hot Rod Series. The goal of the United Racing Series continues to bring out top talent and create a racing atmosphere that is one of a kind. http://www.unitedracingseries.com .

ABOUT OSCAAR: OSCAAR has been bringing excitement to race fans across Ontario since 1990 currently featuring the open wheel ground pounding OSCAAR Modifieds and one of the Provinces fastest growing series, the OSCAAR Hot Rods which is a throwback series featuring full steel bodied cars from 1952 – 1975. In November 2022 OSCAAR has merged with the United Racing Series.

Race Report by Ashley McCubbin