SLMS Full Steam Ahead Into Easy-Kleen Era With Fog City Auto Spa 150

The superstars of the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series are anxiously preparing to get back on track after a long winter of anticipation

Late Models

by Racing America on May 8, 2024

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A new season is upon us and the superstars of the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series are anxiously preparing to get back on track after a long winter of anticipation - to chase wins, and ultimately a championship.

The road to the 2024 Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series originates at Petty International Raceway on Saturday May 11th with round number one - the Fog City Auto Spa 150. The Fog City Auto Spa 150 bumps up on the schedule compared to last year, with Petty opening up the season after serving as the finale last September. With season-long glory in their sights - and a $4000 cheque up for grabs this Saturday - twenty-two (22) competitors have affirmed their intentions to be part of the stout field ready to be unleashed on Petty’s high banks Saturday.

Fast Facts

Date: Saturday May 11th, 2024 | Start Time: 3:00pm
Pit Gates Open: 9:00am | Grandstands Open: 1:00pm
Event: Fog City Auto Spa 150 / Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series Round One
Track: Petty International Raceway
Location: 4045 Route 106, River Glade, New Brunswick, Canada
Track Size: 1/4 Mile | Race Distance: 150 Laps
Support Classes: Maritime All Star Sportsman Series 100, Street Stock, Mini Stock, Bandoleros
Race Day Tickets: Purchased at the Petty International Raceway ticket booth at the track, CASH ONLY!.
Ticket Prices: Adults - $30 | Youth (11-18) - $10 | Kids (10 & Under) - Free | Pits - $40
Petty International Raceway Pit E-waiver: SLMS.ca/ewaiver
2023 Petty International Raceway Winners: Cory Hall #83, Ashton Tucker #2

SUPER SIX Super Late Model Series Storylines

Entering the Easy-Kleen Era

The biggest news story to come from the off-season was the introduction of Easy-Kleen Pressure Systems as the new title sponsor for the Super Late Model Series. The announcement generated plenty of hype which will all come to life this weekend as the Easy-Kleen era begins.

Easy-Kleen Pressure Systems has long been a supporter of stock car racing - notably they’ve been the primary sponsor on Chris Duncan’s #97 car for decades. Fittingly, Chris will debut a new-to-him chassis as the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series debuts.

This perfect partnership fittingly starts just down the road from the Easy-Kleen Pressure Systems headquarters, being just 20 minutes down the road from Petty International Raceway. Prior to race day, a special meet and greet will be hosted at the Easy-Kleen Pressure Systems headquarters on Earnhardt Road in Sussex on Friday afternoon.

Ashton Tucker vs. Cory Hall, Ashton Tucker vs. Jarrett Butcher, Ashton Tucker vs. The Field

Ashton Tucker’s (#2) win percentage at Petty International Raceway in 2023 was astronomical - he won 100% of races he entered at the ¼ mile track. This stat comes on the heels of three big wins - Tucker won the 2023 Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series finale, the Old Fashion Meat Market 150. This win was bookended by two prestigious and marquee events on Petty’s calendar with wins coming in the River Glade International and Mike Stevens Memorial 254. His win streak makes him among the favorites, but can he pick up where he left off last fall?

That Mike Stevens Memorial 254 win came in an incredibly epic finish, outduelling Jarrett Butcher (#54) on a last lap pass after a dramatic final sprint to the finish. Butcher, a three-time winner on the East Coast International Pro Stock Tour one season ago, will kick-off his season with the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series on Petty’s high banks. This will set up a shot at Petty redemption, and a potential last lap role reversal should the driver of the 54 find himself chasing the Brad Silliker Motorsports car at the end.

Cory Hall (#83) is another driver who had memorable battles with Ashton Tucker one season ago. Hall is actually the defending winner of the Fog City Auto Spa 150 - a race Tucker was not in attendance for - after a fierce battle with Dylan Gosbee (#16). It would be a month later when Hall and Tucker produced another dramatic last lap finish when fireworks flew in the closing laps and Hall edged out Tucker in a riveting finish. When the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series returned to Petty, it was another 1-2 finish between Tucker and Hall with Tucker coming out supreme in this chapter.

When on a hot streak, everyone in the field wants to knock you down the ladder. With three consecutive wins, everyone in the field will want nothing more than to snap the streak and claim victory of their own.

Dylan Gosbee Readies For Title Defense

Dylan Gosbee (#16) sits high on a mountain as the only champion in Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series history - and that is a stat he hopes remains the same when the final checkered flag flies on the 2024 season.

Gosbee set the model of how to win an Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series championship one year ago, with his campaign featuring a feature win, three podiums, and a top ten finish in every race. Posting consistent finishes - and overcoming adversity to do so - while not having a bad result vaulted Gosbee to the top. Gosbee enters as the defending champion and has landed a new primary sponsor in NAV Canada, and will have to navigate a tough flight of motivated competitors on his quest to repeat history.

Gosbee is joined by Robbie MacEwen (#40) as the only drivers to score a top 10 finish in every series race held to date. An underlying storyline worth noting will be just how long these PEI combatants can keep these streaks alive.

Messer, Proude, O’Blenis Hope To Exorcise Petty Demons

Of all drivers in the field, three drivers have long been snakebitten when it comes to Petty International Raceway success - and last season did nothing to change that idea.

Ironically, these three drivers all found each other wedged together in a multi-car incident during the Fog City Auto Spa 150 last July. Greg Proude (#29), Ryan Messer (#1) and Dave O’Blenis (#48) each showed great speed and had cars to challenge for the win that day - but the Petty bug bit them just past the ⅓ mark and ultimately would end their days. Fast forward to the Old Fashion Meat Market 150, and high hopes were dashed as each driver battled adversity and posted uncharacteristic results.

This trio of drivers all scored many wins and trophies no matter where they went last summer, except for Petty which continued to haunt them. All three are widely considered favorites for the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series championship, but getting the best of Petty International Raceway will be crucial to making a bid for the championship.

Will It Be a Sophomore Slump or Sophomore Stardom for Graduating Rookie Class?

The Castrol Rookie of the Year battle was one for the ages in 2023, with a huge class of drivers doing battle. In 2024, four of those rookies will return to tackle their sophomore seasons on the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series. The question looms of what performance will be expected from these drivers.

Hudson Weston (#43) claimed top rookie honors when the dust settled last season, with several strong performances and top 10 finishes. Each rookie contender showed strength and improvement throughout the season, and for some, Petty International Raceway was the site of some of the most memorable moments. Kenny MacKenzie Jr (#85) earned the EIT Race Radios Pole Award during the Old Fashion Meat Market 150, while Ryan Raynes (#94) captured Rookie of the Race and a top ten run during the Fog City Auto Spa 150. Brodie Lewis (#22) had never raced at Petty prior to 2023, and after a mechanical DNF in the first trip, he tied a career best finish when the series returned for the finale.

On the heels of 2023, the future sure is bright for the series and the sport, especially as we all get to watch last year’s crop of rookies continue to progress through their careers!

New Faces Full-Time in 2024!

A healthy crop of drivers have registered for full-time competition this upcoming season, including a number of drivers who did not race, or only ran part-time during the inaugural season.

One of the biggest names announced is a true legend and ironman - being Prince Edward Island’s Kent Vincent (#8). A two-time IWK 250 champion, a River Glade International winner, and a multi-time Oyster Bed Speedway champion, Kent Vincent is a beloved figure in Maritime racing. His return to full-time competition coming on the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series has been welcomed with much fanfare, and his return commences this Saturday.

From a veteran to a rookie, one rising young prospect will make the leap to full-time competition for 2024 and race for Rookie of the Year honors. Lonnie Sommerville Racing prodigy Curtis Collins (#27) has made a name for himself in the Sportsman division, and after getting his feet wet in 2023, is jumping into competition with the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series. He earned Rookie of the Race honors in one of his two starts last season, and watching his progression in 2024 will surely be a storyline worth watching.

Also registered to compete full-time is Maine’s Wyatt Alexander (#96), as he aims to be the “Maine Man” as he calls the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series home this summer. A former Speedway 660 track champion with a healthy list of accolades south of the border, Wyatt adds an American flair to the Atlantic Canadian series.

Stay Up To Date!

As race day nears, fans are encouraged to stay tuned to social media for breaking news as it happens! The Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series can be found on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X (formerly known as Twitter) at @SLMSeries. Also be sure to check out our official website at SLMS.ca.

For more information on the Fog City Auto Spa 150, check out Petty International Raceway on Facebook, and online at pettyraceway.com.

About the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series

The Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series is Atlantic Canada’s newest stock car racing series. Formed in Fall of 2022 through a partnership between Oyster Bed Speedway, Petty International Raceway, and Speedway 660, the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series contests a six-race schedule with some of North America’s top racing talents. The 2024 season will mark the second season of competition. Fans can find more info online at SLMS.ca, or through Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X at @SLMSeries.

About Easy-Kleen Pressure Systems

Easy-Kleen Pressure Systems Ltd. has been manufacturing high pressure wash systems since 1982. Over 100,000 companies spanning various fields in both the commercial and industrial sectors are utilizing our machines for their everyday cleaning needs. Easy-Kleen is dedicated to continuing to build the world’s most heavy duty, hardworking, reliable, and efficient high pressure cleaning systems. Our machines are known by our customers to last decades, with many units performing for over 25 years. Visit EasyKleen.com to learn more about the products and services offered by Easy-Kleen Pressure Systems.