OSCAAR MODIFIEDS

By Bryce Turner with files from Ashley McCubbin

A.J.Emms is on a hot streak in the OSCAAR Modifieds, with the 2019 champion winning multiple races in a season for just the second time in his nine-year career.

The streak began at Full Throttle Motor Speedway (FTMS), in a race that was postponed a week to July 22. The 40-lap feature saw an early battle between Brad Pearsall and Dale Reinhart. The pair got side-by-side for the lead and got hooked together, opening the top side for Norman Newman. T.J. Edwards made his move at the same time, passing the trio underneath to take the lead.

After a pair of cautions, Edwards got a good restart, with Emms slipping into second. The top four drove away before a caution, with four laps remaining. The final restart saw Edwards get the advantage, crossing the line first; however, following technical inspection, the No. 34 was disqualified. Emms was credited with his eighth series victory, followed by Newman, Gary McLean, Reinhart and Brent McLean.

“We always want to finish first on the race track, that is the goal and that’s what we strive to do, but at the same time, we also understand that victories can be very hard to come by,” said Emms. “We were very competitive at the end and did show strength, we just weren’t quite in a position to make it happen on the track.”

Emms says that FTMS is a place close to his heart, as he’s raced locally there and considers it a real drivers track.

The series then visited Peterborough Speedway, on August 5. Emms started on pole and began to build his advantage, extending it to a half-track lead before the caution came out, with two laps to go. The restart saw Chad Strawn challenge for the lead, but he was unable to find a way by. Emms scored the victory, ahead of Strawn, Jason Keen, Newman and Bryan Batty.

“With the crate engine package, momentum is very important, and having the lead, we were able to establish that momentum,” said Emms. “We did have some really strong competitors behind us, with the built engines, which do excel on a restart, so I definitely had to make sure that we were on top of our game.”

Emms says that his car historically handles really well at Peterborough and that it’s another important place to win, with the track’s history and the momentum and confidence it provides ahead of the Autumn Colours Classic.

Next up was Sauble Speedway, on August 19. Emms started on pole and, despite a mid-race yellow flag, was able to maintain the track position throughout. He led all laps en route to his third consecutive victory, ahead of Keen, Edwards, Reinhart and Batty.

“I think racing’s a game of inches, not feet; we do have things a little bit all over the place and they accumulate to tenths on the race track,” said Emms. “I know my crew works really hard and they’re continuing to get better, as am I, so I think a lot of little things accumulated to those victories.”

The three wins came after the team decided to skip two races at Delaware Speedway, due to Emms’ work schedule and having a six-month-old son at home, making things too difficult logistically. Though it didn’t consciously change his approach, an exit from the points battle may have still had an effect on those victories.

“Growing up, I was taught that if you win every race, you win the points,” said Emms. “I think the monkey is off our back in terms of just really getting out there and going for wins, because that’s what we want to achieve this season is to win races and I think that’s been a benefit to us, not having the points championship to necessarily worry about.”

The OSCAAR Modifieds season would conclude with three major events – the Great Canadian Weekend, Frostoberfest and the Autumn Colours Classic. IT