Steadily finding speed in the Bone Stocks over the past couple of seasons, Ben McPherson is set to embark on a new challenge in his racing career by jumping up to the Hot Rod division at Sunset Speedway. He spoke about his thoughts going into the new season recently with SHORT TRACK MUSINGS.

What are your thoughts as you look ahead to the upcoming season?

Honestly, I don’t know what to think. It’s going to be an interesting season. I’m running both the Bone Stocks and Hot Rods. So Hot Rods, I am hoping to finish the season not getting lapped. Bone Stocks, I’m hoping to at least get a heat win but it’s probably going to be a stacked field again so it’s going to be a challenge.

We’ve watched you progressed in the Bone Stocks. What are your thoughts as you look back to last season?

Last season, it was a mixed bag. It had a lot of ups and downs – it had a lot of good races, but there were a lot of unfortunate races. But overall, I can’t complain about it being a bad season. I finished seventh in points which isn’t a bad way to go.

What do you feel that you need to work on to get ever closer to that first heat win?

Probably being a more aggressive driver. I don’t usually try to run aggressively in the bone stocks, just because I plan to move into the Hot Rods. It’s not worth tearing up my car, but this year, it’s simply going out for a couple races and I want to do the best that I can.

You mentioned it – the jump to the Hot Rods. Why did you make that decision for your next step?

Well, a lot of people go Mini Stocks after Bone Stocks because that’s just the next class up being four cylinder, but you can use rear wheel drive. But when you look at the cost mostly is what we went for. It’s the most cost effective jump for us. With the Mini Stocks not having a tire rule to be competitive, you’re buying new cars every week and the cars themselves are expensive. Not to mention, the hot rods are just a cool division. You get the old school muscle cars, which has always been my style.

What are your goals as you enter into your rookie forray with the division?

Like I said, my one goal is to race the 30 lap races without getting lapped. Hopefully I can snag a few top-10’s but we’re going to be looking at 25 to 30 cars on a regular raceday so it’s going to be a challenge.

How did you get started in racing?

Growing up, me and my dad always went to the track on my birthdays. So that was always a big part for me. I remember just growing up working on cars with my dad – cars have always been my life. So getting to when I was 14, we got a Chevy Cobalt and that was going to be our main racecar before the Cavalier. But about a week before the season started, in 2023, we made the decision to the go to the Cavalier. It was just more of a solid car and easier to learn in. I’d never driven manuel so the Cavalier being automatic would at least be a better start for me.

But yeah, getting started, originally I started with go-karts when I was 11. That was my introduction to racing, if you will. I raced at Mosport. After that first summer, I grew by 80 pounds and half a foot so all of a sudden went from fitting in a go-kart to not fitting in a go-kart. It was also cost effective to go for Bone Stocks than club level karting which is $10,000 for a single cart.

I think one of the cool things with your family is how involved they are. From your dad Gord to taping races, to your sister Danielle doing track photography. How much does it mean for you to have your family involved?

Well, that’s always been the biggest thing for me – I love the family side of it. I take my car to car shows to give that next generation their take on it. Then my family, I’ve always loved having them around. It’s nice my sister does photography, and my dad manages McPherson Motorsports on Facebook. My mom has been in my corner the entire time; she’s always there. My other sister Kyra – she actually helps us paint the car sometimes. She’s always helped us with that; she loves that aspect of it.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Hopefully still racing, making some decent waves through my career. Honestly, who knows. It’s all up in the air right now. I used to have a clear picture of what I wanted, but now it’s more evolved. It hasn’t changed, but yet evolved. I went from wanting to be a mechanic to being a restoration mechanic, and now I’m currently working as a detailer which I absolutely love. Like my goals for the next five years are all up in the air.

Who is your racing hero?

That’s a tough one. Honestly, it’s hard to say. I grew up watching so many people from our track at Sunset Speedway. My dad was good friends with Gord Shepherd, so I grew up watching him and cheering for him. It’s one of those situations where I idolize a lot of people that raced before me and are willing to help. It’s that type of community. I look up to all of them.

What would be a piece of advice to someone getting started?

Be patient. It will come to you, and involve yourself with the community that surrounds you. You don’t know what they’re able to offer you, and whatever they can, enjoy it.