MILLGROVE, Ontario — Shae Gemmell is starting off the season the way he ended it, as he parked in Flamboro Speedway victory lane on the opening night of the 2026 season on Saturday, May 2nd.

After timing in third quickest during qualifying for the first round of the Flamboro Grisdale Showdown Series, Gemmell kept himself inside the top-five throughout the first half of the event. He then took over the top spot on Lap 36, pacing the rest of the way in the 50-lap feature en route to the checkered flag.

Quick qualifier Jake Sheridan made a late-race pass for a runner-up finish ahead of Billy Schwartzenburg, Dale Shaw, and Shawn Chenoweth. Kyle Steckly’s return north of the border warranted a sixth-place finish after having to start deep in the field following issues in qualifying, in front of Blair Wickett, Kevin Gallant, Tyler Di Venanzo, and Kevin Albers.

Jacob Sutcliffe placed 11th in his first career Pro Late Model appearance at Flamboro, followed by Gerritt Tiemersma, Ray Morneau, Connor Maltese, Dwayne Baker, Josh Gruntz, and Billy Zardo.

Shawn Chenoweth led flag-to-flag to win the season opener for the Steel City Rumble Series ahead of last year’s champion Lane Zardo, Justin Collison, Coltin Everingham, Cole Burrows, and Nick Troback.

Jason Keen took the lead on Lap 9 to win the Grindstone Landscaping Canadian Vintage Modifieds season opener ahead of Ty Riopelle, TJ Marshall, Mike Podd, and Jordan Ramsbottom. Scott Tonelli led the opening eight laps en route to sixth in front of Chris Pendlebury, Dave Evison Sr., Jay Linde, and Doug Hood. Harry Gillis and Alexandria Ditner rounded out the field.

Jason Keen went for the daily double, winning the second feature after finding his way to the lead on Lap 9. TJ Marshall was second after pacing the opening eight laps ahead of Jordan Ramsbottom, Ty Riopelle, and Mike Podd. Scott Tonelli was sixth once again, this time in front of Chris Pendlebury, Jay Linde, Doug Hood and Dave Evison Sr. Alexandria Ditner and Harry Gillis rounded out the field.

Blaise Shaw led flag-to-flag to win the opening Klotz Auto Repair Mini Stocks feature of the season ahead of Tyler Lewis, Matt Young, Shawn Taylor, and Mike Thomson. Mike Robinson III was sixth in front of Dustin Goodfellow, Andrew Smith, Nikki Richmond, and Bobby Mercer.

Tyler Lewis took the lead on Lap 4 and did not look back en route to winning the second feature ahead of Matt Young, Shawn Taylor, Blaise Shaw, and Mike Robinson III. Mike Thomson led the opening three laps, before fading back to sixth in front of Wyatt Sutcliffe, Andrew Smith, Bill Pearsall, Nikki Richmond, and Bobby Mercer.

Rodney Rutherford led flag-to-flag to win the opening Hogan Law & McClurkin Properties of Cambridge Pure Stocks feature of the season ahead of Spencer Riddell, Matt Young, Dan Storey, and John Cote. Chase Mitchell made his way forward for sixth in front of Chance Rogers, Jake Watson, Brandyn Milligan, and Leo Labarbera.

Rachel Mitchell battled inside the top-10 early, fading late for 11th, followed by Mark Allan, Reece Bourgeois, Chris Burrows, Megan Mitchell, Mac Ingram, Rick Mitchell, Cam Thomson, Jacob Landry, William Young, Hailey Hill, and Courtney Scott.

Rodney Rutherford went for the daily double, taking the lead in the final laps to secure the victory ahead of Rick Mitchell, Leo Labarbera, Chase Mitchell, and Matt Young. Rachel Mitchell ran inside the top-five throughout the feature, fading late for sixth in front of John Cote, Spencer Riddell, Chance Rogers, and Dan Storey.

Jake Watson ran up inside the top-10 for the first half, fading back for 11th, followed by Reece Bourgeois, Courtney Scott, Chris Burrows, Mac Ingram, Jacob Landry, Hailey Hill, William Young, Mark Allan, and Brandyn Milligan. Of note, Milligan’s feature ended on Lap 2 following a roll over on the backstretch due to contact.

The next event at Flamboro Speedway is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, featuring the season openers for the Southern Ontario Modified Association and Ontario Pro Challenge Series. OSCAAR will also be on-hand with their season preview “Beat the Clock Challenge” featuring the JRS Auctions OSCAAR Super Late Models presented by Just Foam It, Overkill Enterprise OSCAAR Modifieds, and The Fyre Place & Patio Shop OSCAAR Hot Rods presented by Bromley Automotive. The night is rounded off with the Klotz Auto Repair Mini Stocks and Hogan Law & McClurkin Properties of Cambridge Pure Stocks.

Be sure to keep up with the latest by checking out Flamboro Speedway’s website at http://www.flamborospeedway.ca. You can also keep up via your favorite social networking website by following the speedway on Twitter at https://twitter.com/FlamboroSpdwy and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/flamborospeedway. Fans are encouraged to like the speedway’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Flamboro-Speedway-Authorized-Page-102328664646735/.

Report By: Ashley McCubbin