PREVIEW: Bill Zardo Memorial at Flamboro Speedway

When it comes to drivers known for being tough behind the wheel, Bill Zardo ranks among those across the province of Ontario.

It is why The Fyre Place & Patio Shop OSCAAR Hot Rods presented by Bromley Automotive competitors are ready to be tough and competitive for this weekend's Bill Zardo Memorial at Flamboro Speedway on Saturday, May 23.

There are several drivers to watch in the field this weekend that will be contending for the win once the The Car Guy green flag waves.

Trevor Thompson is one of those, as he has found victory lane in the past at Flamboro Speedway and scored fifth and seventh-place finishes in the pair of events last season. The driver of the No. 00 Camaro was consistent last year, scoring five top-10's in six series appearances, with 24 top-10's in 29 career starts.

Tyler Hawn enters the weekend with momentum on his side after capturing the 2025 series championship with four wins and 10 top-five's in the 10 races. He started his title run by winning the Bill Zardo Memorial last season with a dominating performance after starting on the front row. It marked his fourth trip to victory lane at Flamboro, which leads all drivers.

Rob Bromley was also someone to watch in last year's Zardo Memorial, en route to scoring a third-place finish in the season opener. It marked the first of his five top-five finishes last season in eight races. Consistency has always been there for the driver of the No. 6 Challenger, as evident with 41 top-10's in 48 series career starts.

Drew Richardson impressed with his first full season on the tour last year, scoring five top-10's in the eight races last season. One of those was an eighth-place finish at Flamboro last fall.

After taking a year off, Ryan Cowan will be back behind the wheel this season with his Pontiac as he hopes to insert himself back in the conversation. He has made 52 career starts with 20 top-10 finishes.

Steve Book has shown speed at Flamboro in the past, as evident by placing second at Frostoberfest last October. It was one of the highlights of a great 2025 campaign that included six top-five finishes.

Thomas Wunsch had a breakout campaign last year, as evident by placing inside the top-five in the year-end standings with four top-five finishes. The success included a runner-up in last year's Bill Zardo Memorial.

Tom Walters has proven to be fast in his couple of appearances with the tour, as evident by finishing fifth in the 2025 edition of the Autumn Colours Classic at Peterborough Speedway. In total, he has scored 14 top-five finishes in 19 series appearances.

The battle of the Wilsons will be one of the talking points, as Brian Wilson and Brian Wilson Jr. will be battling against each other rather than sharing a racecar this season. They proved to both be fast last year, running inside the top-10 on a weekly basis.

John Gaunt has only been with the tour on two previous occasions, but do not let that fool you. Both of those saw him place in the top-five including a win at Sunset Speedway.

The 2025 rookie class of drivers will certainly be catching the attention of several fans in attendance, as these competitors come with a variety of past experience in racing.

Daniel Hawn will join the field as he gets ready to race against his brother following championships in T.Q. Can-Am Midget and OSCAAR Pro Sprint competition.

Rob Poole will be making his return back behind the wheel after taking 10 years off, spending time as a crew member during those years. His past experience includes championships in thunder car competition alongside experience in the JRS Auctions OSCAAR Super Late Models presented by Just Foam It.

Ben McPherson is hoping the experience gained at Sunset Speedway on a weekly basis translates to the tour as he will be travelling across the province for the first time in his first career.

Lane Zardo made a single series appearances last year, showing speed through qualifying before it drastically went wrong in the early laps of the feature. He will be hoping to carry the success he has had in Super Stocks with multiple checkered flags at Flamboro to the Hot Rods.

Ayden McNicol will be making the jump into the Hot Rods following a successful season of Bone Stock competition at Full Throttle Motor Speedway.

Lucas Chapman will be one of the youngest drivers in the field, but has experience in a variety of classes that he will be using to quickly adapt to the bigger car.

2015 OSCAAR Super Late Model Champion Kevin Cornelius will be back behind the wheel this season after taking some time off, ready to work with car owner Allen Adams in hopes of finding success.

Don't miss the action at Flamboro Speedway this weekend as it will include the Bill Zardo Memorial, the Don Biederman Memorial for the OSCAAR Super Late Models, and the Brian McLean Memorial for the Overkill Enterprise OSCAAR Modifieds.

Be sure to keep up with OSCAAR by checking out the series website at http://www.oscaar.racing and staying tuned to the official OSCAAR Racing Facebook page, while following both the Twitter and Instagram accounts (@OSCAARRacing) to keep up to date on everything you need to know.

About OSCAAR Racing:

OSCAAR Racing is Ontario’s premier touring stock car racing series, featuring Super Late Models, Modifieds, and Hot Rod divisions. Known for professionalism, competitiveness, and fan-first entertainment, OSCAAR continues to elevate grassroots motorsports across the province.

OSCAAR is proud to be supported by JRS Auctions, Overkill Enterprises. The Fyre Place & Patio Shop, Just Foam It, Scott Reinhart Trailer Sales Ltd., Bromley Automotive, Knightworks Design, Red Leaf Apparel Co., Bicknell Race Products, Hoosier Tires, Cobra Racing Tires, Norcom Supply, The Car Guy, McColl Racing Enterprises, Grisdale Race Products, American Racer, Klotz Canada, and Lakeside Mobile Tire Inc.