As much as things stay the same, things can be a little different – or so the saying may go. Steve Trendell is hopeful of keeping the speed the team has shown in recent years, even though he will be behind the wheel of a different car.

Trendell enters the 2025 campaign full of optimism, after purchasing the Troyer Modified from TJ Edwards’ Tremble Motorsports. Knowing the car is a previous race winner in the series, Trendell feels “this will take our team to the next level.” It was not their only purchase, though, as they picked up a Troyer from Norman Newman as well, noting that will be their back-up, but also possibly used as a rental car.

“It would be a huge confidence boost to finally win a feature,” he commented. “The last feature I won was 2019 with the CVM so I’m due! We feel like with this new car, we are front runners to win each time at the track. My racing career isn’t going to last much longer so I want to win as much as I can!”

Trendell enters this season with momentum on his side after finding himself in heat victory lane on a couple occasions en route to a top-five finish in the 2024 Overkill Enterprises OSCAAR Modified standings.

“It was the model of consistency for sure,” he commented. “We had two finishes outside the top-five, scored a podium, and eight fourth place finishes along with four heat race wins. We rolled into the track and wanted to get the best finishes we could and not tear up the car in the process.”

Knowing the goal is now focused on a feature win, Trendell feels improving in speed and communication will be crucial. As he notes, he “needs to be better at telling my dad what the car is doing so he can make the right changes.”

The 2025 schedule features a variety of tracks, with Sauble Speedway and Delaware Speedway among those circled for Trendell.

“Sauble will always be the one I look forward to racing. It’s just the perfect track in my eyes and suits my driving style,” he commented. “Delaware is always there but that’s mainly for the size and speed. I love racing big fast tracks.

“And lastly it’s gotta be Full Throttle Speedway (Vartona Speedway). I only raced there a few times in the CVM and I didn’t enjoy it. When we went last year with the mod and we were one of the fastest all day, I fell in love with it!”

For Trendell, this will mark his fifth season with the division after making the change from Canadian Vintage Modifieds. Admittedly back then, he knew the challenge he had in switching it up, but there were a couple surprises.

“This is tough to answer without ruffling feathers but in the early years they had lots of cars but they would tear them up pretty good,’ he commented. “Over the last few years the division has changed and there seems to be more respect towards each other, sure there’s still some wrecks and hurt feelings but it’s improved.”

Now with having had success and a smile on his face, the advice to someone wanting to be involved is simple – it’s a great division and the cars are fun as hell to drive!