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.

22. Brady Cox
2022 Ranking: N/A

2023 Thoughts: I think this season will be fun. A few more rookies are joining the class, and it will be fun learning together with them.
2023 Plans: To run primarily at Flamboro but hope to run a few specials at other tracks especially ACC and Frostoberfest at the end of the year.
2023 Goals: Going to go out and have some fun with friends and family. Going to learn a good amount and hopefully get a few top 5 finishes.
Drivers to Watch: Alex Stewart, Austin Etsell, Daphne Sullivan, Nicole Givens, and Cam Thomson

Photographer turned racecar driver is what is happening here, and it could be very interesting if his debut is any gauge of the potential that lies ahead for 2023.

21. Craig Cole
2022 Ranking: 8th
2021 Ranking: 31st

2022 Autumn Colours Classic Champion. That enough alone should have earned him a placing inside the top-five, considering the competition that embarks at Peterborough Speedway yearly. You also cannot forget about his two wins, three top-five’s and five top-10’s at Delaware Speedway in regular season competition. You cannot forget his pair of runner-ups at Flamboro Speedway. Oh, and he won the 2022 edition of the Pumpkin Smasher at Delaware.

20. Mark Thorne
2022 Ranking: N/A

2023 Thoughts: I think this year is shaping up to be another great year in pure stock racing. With all the schedules coming out now we are starting to circle a few races on the calendar.
2023 Plans: To focus on helping Wayde and his teammates at Ohsweken on Friday nights with his Mini stocks. That will leave Saturdays open to get the pure stock out for some fun. At this point the plan is to just get out to Flamboro a few nights and also try out Sauble, Sunset and Peterborough for Autumn Colours.
2023 Goals: Build on the success I had with the new car last year. I only had it out 3 times last year and managed to pick up a win my second night in the car.
Drivers to Watch: I’m excited to see a few drivers improve on their 2022 seasons. Cam Thomson had an amazing first year and is going to be tough to beat again this year. Spencer Riddell showed he has the skills and a car to compete every night. I had a blast racing with the old veteran Rick Mitchell last year and he will definitely win a few races this year. Kyle Lucas is very consistent and can win any night. He should be in contention for a championship this year. I’m also looking forward to seeing how Brady Cox does in his rookie season. He looked like a natural driving our Enduro car last year until the car broke. Looking forward to another fun race season.

Over the years, Mark Thorne has become a common face at Flamboro Speedway, and knows how to hold a pretty wheel to secure a checkered flag. Last year he made four starts, scoring a victory on August 20.

19. Jordan Owen
2022 Ranking: N/A

2023 Thoughts: I feel confident heading into the 2023 season. Last year we had a new car and we were just experimenting with it and finding ways we could be faster. We had some mechanical issues in the late stages of 2022 which we will fix up for this season. Once these issues are rectified in the shop, I believe that we will be on the top in no time!
2023 Plans: We will be racing full time at Sunset Speedway once again. We also may have some new sponsors that will be coming on board for this season as well.
2023 Goals: To win more feature races this year and possibly run for a championship. As many drivers, crew members and fans saw last year, We have a car that is capable of doing so. Once we fix the problems we had last year, I feel that we will be a common sight to see in Victory Lane!
Drivers to Watch: Nicholas Reece has shown that he has potential, me and him had some great battles last season, I tutored him on ways he can become faster and I’ve watched how far he’s come from just starting to becoming 2022 Rookie of the Year, so I think he could shake up the competition this year. If there’s one driver other than myself that thinks they could win a championship, it’s Brandon Steele. He’s won quite a few times in the Bone Stock Division at Sunset, he’s gone above and beyond for other drivers, helping them fix mechanical issues giving the young guns some advice, he even helped get my car fixed up when I hit the wall during the Legends Nationals weekend! On track, Brandon Steele really sets the track on Fire! SKLD Motorsports has deserved its recognition from fans and drivers alike, they’ve come a long way from being at the back of the pack to competing for the race win! One driver that stands out is Andrew Shilling. Aundrea Lusk had one of the best looking race cars ever to hit the racetrack! She’s another driver who deserves her recognition, like Andrew Shilling and SKLD Motorsports, she also has worked her way to the top and I think she will continue this momentum this season. Calvin Reesor is another driver to watch too, he’s another competitor who I had good battles with and I think he’s also gonna be a common site to see in Victory Lane, much like last season!

A sophomore last season at Sunset Speedway, Jordan Owen caught everyone’s attention with a feature win on opening night. He then backed it up with six more top-five’s and 11 more top-10 finishes, placing him inside the top-five in points.