2024 Maritime Late Model Mid-Season Recap Part 2 of 2
August 1st, 2024
Due to the length of this article with both parts combined, I decided to separate it into 2 parts, the first part is: [Click Here]
#25 Gage Gilby Exceeding Expectations in Rookie Year:
At just 16 years old, Gilby is making waves in his rookie year. Currently ranking 3rd in the Pro Stock Tour points standings, just 2 pts out from 2nd place #13 Austin MacDonald, and within reach of leader #54 Jarrett Butcher, he has shown remarkable skill and composure beyond his years, and relative experience in a Late Model.
With how fortunate we've been, and with all of the help from the Butchers and all of the long hours that our crew puts in, we're definitely way ahead of our expectations for this year. So we're going to keep going with that momentum and hopefully carry it on to a good standings finish at the end of the year. - Gilby on starting the season with the expectation of running select starts, but ending up running full-time based on results.
In our first race - first races, we just went in with the hopes of finishing on the lead lap and keeping our car together, like keeping all of the panels on it, coming home in good shape, and just earning our spot. It's also about learning - not just on the track, but in the shop, all of the hours in the shop that we have put in, just learning. It's not so much that, that changed now mid-season, it's still about learning, with tons to learn for our team, but now we can kind of have that confidence to go into each race and know that we have the ability to be strong off of the trailer, and that our team does have the ability to be good. - Gilby on expectation difference now versus going into his first race
The Butcher family, Darren, Jarrett, Cole, they've done a ton for our team. They got us started. We bought our car from them, and they've been helpful. They've helped us learn how to work on the car, and helped us with setup stuff. I talk to Jarrett every day about lines and stuff for our next track that we're going to, and track times which is huge for me - getting out on the track and testing. They've been some of our biggest help this year. - Gilby on the biggest factors that have really helped him on the track so far this year
I really enjoy Petty, our race got cancelled out there, but it's a super fun track. The banks are high, and high speed, it's a lot of fun. But I think as of right now, my favorite track is probably Scotia (Speedworld), because in my opinion, it's more of a driver's track. If you're good there, you know that everything has to come together to be good there. Your set up, your line, the driver, spotter, and the crew. So I think that coming in with all of those variables, and when you're good there, it's probably the most successful feeling that you'll get, I think, is at that track. - Gilby on preferred track(s) so far
#54 Jarrett Butcher's Bid for a Championship:
Butcher is having a stellar year, leading the points standings in the Pro Stock Tour (PST) all year long, and also currently leading the charge in the win column, for his second season in a row (last year he had a series high 3 wins, finishing 2nd to Craig Slaunwhite in the standings, this year he has 2 wins so far - the first 2 races of the season). His consistent growth positions him as a favourite for the title, and a favourite for the win on any given night. It feels like his first marquee race victory is right around the corner.
Super Late Model Series:
The SLMS has proven that its debut season was no fluke or novelty. The series has delivered excellent coverage, competitive racing, and deep fields once again in Year 2. Their attention to consistently highlighting all of their drivers in their coverage is really nice to see, as well. The championship race remains tight, with just two races to go, and Race #5 this weekend, August 3rd, at Oyster Bed Speedway, PEI.
Here are the full-time competitors to date
Current Standings SLMS Standings (After 4 of 6 Races):
While Tucker's point lead over Hall is only 5 points, with MacEwen 20 behind Hall, the gap between 4th place and 9th place is only 19 points, with 7 drivers very close. In fact, 5th, 6th, and 7th are seperated by only 1 point. With 2 races left, everyone will need to be dialed in, as they could gain or lose many positions very quickly.
East Coast International Pro Stock Tour Series:
The PST season has seen encouraging car counts and a closely contested championship race, in its own right. The series continues to be a cornerstone of Maritime racing, and after a successful IWK 250, there are still 4 races left, including the 250 and 200 lap features at Scotia Speedworld.
PST Standings (After 6 of 10 Races):
With 4 races remaining, we also have potential for lots of changes in this order by the time the season is finished.
With about half of the season finished, and most of the biggest races of the year remaining, including the points finales for SLMS & PST, the year has started out with a bang, and carries many storylines to follow going down the stretch.
