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.

18. Wayde Thorne
2022 Ranking: 43rd
2021 Ranking: N/A

The 2022 Flamboro Speedway Frostoberfest Champion. That’s enough for a top-10 placing on the list, perhaps top-five if you consider the caliber of talent that enters the event alone each season. But alas, here we are right now. Thorne also scored another victory and six top-10’s in addition to that notable capture of the igloo.

17. Kris Lawrence
2022 Ranking: 2nd
2021 Ranking: 3rd

The fact that Kris Lawrence is not inside the top-five for the third year in a row will shock and confuse a lot of people. After all, it was not he slowed down at all this past season in finding victory lane at both Delaware Speedway and Flamboro Speedway. He placed fifth in points at the half-mile with nine top-10’s including a feature victory, alongside two wins, seven top-10’s, and an average finish of 3.5714 at Flamboro.

16. Sean Kennedy
2022 Ranking: 37th
2021 Ranking: 15th

The strength of Peterborough Speedway is certainly being shown as we break into the top-20, with several of their front runners making the cut. Sean Kennedy is apart of the club, scoring seven heat wins, a feature victory, 11 feature top-five’s, and an average finish of 4.41667 on the season.

15. Tegan Stanley
2022 Ranking: 33rd
2021 Ranking: N/A

2023 Thoughts: I’m a little nervous but mainly excited as we ended the season very strong with a fast car so I’m hoping to carry the momentum we ended with and have a even better start to our season.
2023 Plans: To be consistent and do my best to represent all of my sponsors and the wonderful things they do for our team.
2023 Goals: Be consistent top-five in feature and top-three in heats, also going to try and win some more heat races and features
Drivers to Watch: Jake Kelly, Ang Novis, Chris Tubman, John Bates, Christen Lavalle

The 2022 season saw Tegan Stanley find a lot of success, including a first career checkered flag with a heat victory. The driver of the No. 23 also scored three top-five’s and 10 top-10’s in feature action.

14. Calvin Reesor
2022 Ranking: 32nd
2021 Ranking: N/A

Speaking with Short Track Musings back in December, Reesor admitted he had not solidified his plans for the season yet, but was looking to have fun whenever he is able to make it out to the track. He also went on to add more consistency in his driving will help improve the program as “missed shifts are a killer.”

Reesor was fast from the very first race of the year, picking up nine top-five’s, including three trips to victory lane en route to a runner-up in points.

13. Brandon Steele
2022 Ranking: 26th
2021 Ranking: 55th

2023 Plans: Go out and just have fun
2023 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.

It was evident the Chevrolet Cavalier had speed right from the start of the 2022 campaign, as evident by Brandon Steele running inside the top-three consistently. At Sunset Speedway, he scored two wins, 11 top-five’s, and 12 top-10’s.

12. Kyle Lucas
2022 Ranking: 16th
2021 Ranking: 7th

There were several drivers who showed speed at Flamboro Speedway, and Kyle Lucas was among those with two wins, 19 top-five’s, 31 top-10’s, and an average finish of 4.833 that left a lot people wondering what if when it came to the championship.

11. Andrew Shilling
2022 Ranking: 31st
2021 Ranking: 21st

2023 Thoughts: It’s going to be an exciting year for the SKLD Team and we are very excited to get the season started.
2023 Plans: Entering my rookie season in the Mini Stock Division with two other members of my team.
2023 Goals: Gain experience in the new division and see how it goes. It’s an exciting change and I’m looking forward to gain more knowledge on how to increase speed and maintain consistency on the newly converted mini stock.
Drivers to Watch: My teammate Karlie Wilman – her veteran experience and knowledge of wheeling her car, can make her a tough competitor on the track. Aundrea Lusk has shown speed and consistency throughout the years of racing beside her; It’s always a tough battle when racing beside her. Jacob Booth is another fast driver and shows no fear on the track; he will surely be an impressive driver to watch out for. Jordan Owen, another fast and consistent driver; his passion for racing and his driving capabilities are outstanding. Brandon Steele, another tough competitor with his heavy knowledge about cars and setups and not to mention being fast. As well as, a lot of other drivers in this division; the class has grown in to something amazing and it’s been tough competition through out. There is always a chance of a different driver winning each night which will make it an interesting season for 2023.

Shilling put together an impressive 2022 campaign, which included a top-five finish in points and his first career feature victory. It’s why the decision has been made to move up to Mini Stock in 2023.

10. Jacob Kelly
2022 Ranking: 9th
2021 Ranking: 25th

A consistent front runner at Peterborough Speedway, he scored five heat wins, 10 feature top-five’s, and an average feature finish of 3.083 across the year.

9. Phil Givens
2022 Ranking: 5th
2021 Ranking: 4th

It seemed no matter what track Phil Givens visited across the province in 2022, he was able to put himself in the conversation. It showed running full-time at Delaware Speedway for BT Racing with nine top-five’s and no finishes outside the top-10 en route to third in points. It showed with a win, no results worse than sixth and an average finish of fourth at Flamboro Speedway. It showed with a fifth and fourth at Sunset Speedway.