.png)
.png)
(August 12th, 2024) - One of the most talented and polarizing drivers in Atlantic Canada finds himself in an unfamiliar place heading into the ReCar 150 presented by Wonder Auto & Tire - but it’s a sign that he’s peaking at the right time!
A resident of Pictou, N.S., 25-year-old Cory Hall (#83) has spent all season in the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series trying to gain traction on Ashton Tucker (#2). Hall finally controls the points heading into the season finale, jumping atop the standings after earning his second win of the season in the Chapman Bros. 150 presented by Hynes Paving at Oyster Bed Speedway - a race which saw Tucker cross the line fourth.
It has been a hotly-contested war all summer between Hall and Tucker, with the duo combining to win all five races. Hall has never finished worse than second - given how he only now got the points lead with stats like this is a true testament to the war fans have been witnessing unfold all season long and the intense season finale that is on the horizon on Saturday August 17th.
“I’ve never been in a position to win a championship since I raced Legends cars,” Hall said in an interview. “This is certainly a different mindset for me going into this race.”
“Ashton has been the most dominant car, but we’ve been the most consistent car. He’s got three wins, we’ve got two - so we could go into the finale and even the score, or it could be four to two and I could still come away with the championship. That’s kind of what a championship is about. It’s just going to take execution on my end. I have to maximize and there’s no mistakes that can happen.”
Now a setup specialist by day at King Competition, Hall’s path to be an elite Super Late Model competitor in Canada has been one full of many twists and turns. Originally from Jolicure, N.B. - a small community outside of the town of Sackville and near the Nova Scotia border - the young driver actually first got his start in motorsports by drag racing at a young age. Eventually, Cory’s father Scott tried his hand at stock car racing at the nearby Centre for Speed in Shediac, before Cory jumped into a Bandolero in 2012.
By 2014, Hall had won a championship at Petty International Raceway in River Glade, N.B., which sparked a transition to Legends cars for 2015. Hall called the Legends home for many years, amassing well over 70 wins while earning back-to-back INEX Winter Nationals championships in 2017 and 2018.
With his sights set on bigger goals, Hall was provided the opportunity to make a few starts in a Super Late Model starting in 2016. In 2020, Hall acquired a Super Late Model chassis and began racing a partial schedule, before diving in with greater commitment in 2021. He quickly rose to be a dominant force in the region, and has scored eleven (11) wins since - including four (4) Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series wins, two (2) River Glade International crowns at Petty International Raceway, and the Yard Gear 250 at Speedway 660 in 2021.
Since the series formed at the start of the 2023 season, Hall has been a staple in the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series. Finishing third in points last year, Hall leads many stat categories - including laps led, podiums, and is, ironically, tied for most wins with Tucker.
Despite all he has accomplished, the upcoming Easy-Kleen SLMS race is set to be the highest stakes race of his career and he prepares to go head-to-head with Tucker for the championship.
“This championship would be at the top,” Hall stated when asked about the prestige of the championship. “This Super Late Model Series championship is bragging rights, it would settle a score that’s continuous between myself and Ashton. As much respect as we have for each other, this is it. I’m certainly excited for the challenge, that’s what I’m here for. I’m so glad to have him challenging me and I’m glad to be challenging him. I think we can expose each other's weaknesses, which has made us both stronger.”
“There is only a net gain for the racing community as this continues to unfold. However this settles - and continues into next year - I think it’s going to be a gain for the fans and all the people in the sport who get to watch.”
While respect has been shown all season between the pair, fans are quick to recall the dramatic duel in the closing laps of last year’s ReCar 150 at Speedway 660 - a race which saw Hall and Tucker roughing each other up with the checkered flag in the air. While Hall vows a clean race, he acknowledges the importance of leaving it all on the line.
“Obviously between Ashton and I there is a lot of respect, and I think the goal on both ends is to race clean - but it can certainly get dicey when it gets down to the last few laps if we’re battling it out for not just the win, but the championship. I will not dirty someone to win this championship, but I will certainly put it all on the line when it comes to the end - not just for myself, but the team and everyone who has come out to put me in this position - I certainly will not let it slip away.”
While the ReCar 150 is billed as a head-to-head battle between Hall and Tucker, they are not the only drivers chasing the championship. Sitting third in points, twenty-two (22) points back, is Prince Edward Island’s Robbie MacEwen (#40). It would take bad days for the top two for MacEwen to take the title, but the threat MacEwen could pose looms large in Hall’s mind.
“That’s the overall deal - racing each other could cause neither of us to get it,” Hall noted. “I think that’s why you’ll see a clean race between us - we both want to be on top, but we both don’t want to lose either. I have a huge amount of respect for Robbie MacEwen and his entire team, but we want to come out on top.”
With all the excitement and anticipation surrounding the race, Hall was all smiles when talking about the show the fans are set to witness on August 17th. “You’re going to want to be there without a doubt,” Hall commented.
Likewise, Hall also had a message to send to his competition - a message he kept short and to the point.
“I’m ready. I hope they are too.”
The ReCar 150 presented by Wonder Auto & Tire on Saturday August 17th at Speedway 660 will be round six of six on the 2024 Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series calendar. Action will get underway at 4pm with heat races for the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series.
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 ReCar 150 presented by Wonder Auto & Tire, check out Speedway 660 on Facebook, and online at speedway660.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.
Comments