INNISFIL, Ontario — Alas, the off-season has finally come to a close and racecars will on the track as the APC Auto Parts United Late Model Series is set to tackle Sunset Speedway with their season opening Dayco 100 as part of Spring Velocity on May 18. This event does not make or break your season, but could set the tone depending whether you come out of the event on a good note or not.

2023 Champion Kyle Steckly may be tearing things up with the ASA STARS National Tour in the United States – currently ranked ninth in points, but that is not going to keep him from trying to defend his championship this season. He will hope to repeat the success that led him to two wins and seven top-10 finishes last season en route to his first career title. Some may be concerned entering this weekend, based on finishes of 10th and 22nd in his first two series appearances at Sunset. However, a third last August combined with third in the Steve Slaughter Classic has turned those thoughts around.

Jo Lawrence knows how to get the job done at Sunset Speedway, picking up the victory in the Stewart’s & Kubota 100 last August en route to placing second in the year-end standings behind Steckly. Now partnered with Elite Racing Group, you should expect to see the No. 78 up front once again despite placing ninth in the Steve Slaughter Classic.

It was Danny Benedict picking up the checkered flag in the Dayco Spring Fling 150 last May at Sunset off of a great strategy decision, with his team able to parlay that success into placing seventh in the year-end standings. “The Big Ticket” is scaling back his schedule for 2024, but did have May 18, 2024 on the calendar as one of his events. Although he placed second in the Junior Hanley Classic a year ago, it is worth noting he kicked off this season with a 12th in the Steve Slaughter Classic.

Jake Sheridan has yet to win an APC Series event at Sunset Speedway, but do not leave him off of your list of drivers that could contend. He has scored three top-10’s in his last four series appearances in Innisfil, including a pair of fourths last year.

Shae Gemmell had hoped to start off his year better in the Steve Slaughter Classic, but mechanical issues sidelined him before the green flag. Regardless, the No. 3 is still on a lot of people’s radars with three top-10’s in his last four APC Series Sunset appearances, including a runner-up in May 2022. He also placed sixth in the standings a year ago.

Blair Wickett has shown speed at Sunset Speedway, scoring the pole and leading the opening laps of the Junior Hanley Classic last September en route to placing sixth. Combined with a fifth in last May’s APC Series event, you cannot overlook the ruby red on-track this weekend.

Kendra Adams has steadily been improving with each season behind the wheel of a late model, and makes the next big step of her racing career as she will make her APC Series debut this weekend. The driver of the No. 2 notably placed 11th in the Steve Slaughter Classic, alongside a 13th result in the Junior Hanley Classic last season.

There are several names beyond these that could be mentioned as the entry list goes deep for this weekend. Some of the other drivers that have filed entries include Brandon McFerran, Cole Quinton, Connor Pritiko, Erik Dalla Riva, Jr Farrelly, Taylor Holdaway and Tyler Di Venanzo. There are also other names that could easily be in attendance as well.