CANADIAN STAR ROSS LOOKING TO BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS IN THE DIRT LATE MODEL WORLD

Dirt Late Model
National Headlines

Richards scores World of Outlaws Series win at Cornwall Motor Speedway

VanWormer captures Summer Nationals win at Vermilion Co. Speedway

Eckert ends WoOLMS winless streak with victory at Autodrome Drummond

Mars goes flag to flag for WDRL Late Model win at Freeport Raceway Park

Moyer grabs O'Reilly Late Model Challenge win at the Lucas Oil Speedway

McCool takes MSCCS Late Model Series win at Whynot Motorsports Park

Hogge collects Western Allstars Dirtcar Series victory at Antioch Speedway

Schlieper wins Lucas Oil 'Grassy Smith Memorial' at Cherokee Speedway

Rogers takes Advance Thunder Series feature win at Crossville Raceway

Drake captures Western Allstars Dirtcar Series victory at Ocean Speedway

Miller takes second straight Summer Nationals win at Farmer City Raceway

Schlieper wins Lucas Oil 'Grassy Smith Memorial' at Cherokee Speedway

Drake captures Western Allstars Dirtcar Series victory at Ocean Speedway

McCreadie returns to limelight with powerful win at Ohsweken Speedway

Vaught takes home UMP Summer Nationals victory at Belle Clair Speedway

James Baker
WALLACEBURG, ONT. (July 1) - Aspiring race drive Chris Ross lives in southwestern Ontario, a region that does not offer many opportunities to run a dirt late model.

Few tracks there feature the late models as part of their weekly racing programs, leaving the "Ontario Dirt Late Models" series as the only avenue for an Ontario driver to race in his own province. The "ODLM" is Canada's only dirt late model touring series and has offered race dates at select Ontario tracks since 2003.

Ross began his racing career in 2000 and has gained his share of success over the past eight years. The 27-year old Wallaceburg, ON resident started with a steel-block motor, limited late model and began racing with the now defunct "Great Lakes Late Models" series. He found victory lane often, winning four features at Ohsweken (ON) Speedway and 11 main events at South Buxton Raceway in Merlin, ON from 2000 through 2003.

Ross owned his first ride in 2000 but drove for his stepfather, Garry Lemesurier for the next six years.

In 2003, Ross was crowned the champion of the "Great Lakes Late Models" and also captured the track championship at South Buxton Raceway.

But Ross was not satisfied.

It was always his dream to move on to bigger and better things in the dirt late model world. He had hopes of one day racing with the "World of Outlaws" and winning races in the United States.

After several more developmental years, Ross moved up the ladder to the costly aluminum-block engines and into the very competitive arena of the super late models in 2006. He began to travel to the states and raced at tracks like Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, OH, the famous Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, OH, Butler Motor Speedway in Quincy, MI and I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, MI.

Success did not come easy at first, but Ross was one step closer to realizing his dream. He began to qualify for feature events at the tracks he visited and was opening eyes on the American racing scene.

Enter 2008...the break-out season for Chris Ross.

After a slow start early in the season, Ross won a feature event in a rare appearance at South Buxton Raceway.

The win wasn't a season-maker, but it was a beginning.

But the best was yet to come.

In May, Ross traveled to Attica (OH) Raceway Park for a "World of Outlaws" late model series show. There he would be on center-stage with the best dirt late model drivers in the world.

Ross appeared to be a sure transfer for the main event from his heat race, but got a little over-anxious and spun in a circle. However, the spin-out would only temporarily derail his dreams of making a "WOO" feature.

The "World of Outlaws" late models had booked a Canadian tour and were set to open at Ohsweken Speedway along with the "Ontario Dirt Late Models." Ross was up to the challenge, and made the two and one-half hour tow to Ohsweken for the event.

The determined Wallaceburg racer made the most of his opportunity and qualified for his first "WOO" feature by finishing fourth in his heat. Not to be out-done, he backed that up with a very impressive 12th place finish in the main event, finishing ahead of defending "WOO" champion Steve Francis and perennial favourite Chub Frank.

Chris Ross had arrived.

He had proven that he belonged on the same track with the best dirt late model drivers in the world on that night at Ohsweken.

"It is definitely a dream come true," said Ross of his Ohsweken effort. "It was only about three or four years ago that I was watching these guys (the World of Outlaws) and just thinking how cool it would be to be able to race with them on a competitive basis."

Ross knows that to fully realize his dream he will have to do more racing in the U.S. His plans for the rest of the season are to run Oakshade and all of the late model events at Eldora.

That means Ross will probably not be racing much in Canada this season. He may run the "Ontario Dirt Late Models" series shows and the "Castrol Canadian Shoot-Out" at South Buxton Raceway, but his focus will remain across the border.

"I plan on running over there (the U.S.) as long as I can afford to do it," said Ross. "I am hoping to gain some sponsorship to help me along which is the ultimate goal. I have met some awesome people the past couple of years that have helped me a bunch, so I am very thankful for that. I'd love to run the "UMP Summer Nationals" one day. But you have to prove yourself this day and age and know the right people to get an opportunity like that."

Ross has fielded his own racing team since 2007 along with his grandmother, Shirley "Grams" Ross and his uncle, Greg Ross. His crew is limited with just his uncle and Doug "Frosty" Frost wrenching on the car.

"The only thing that I can do at this time is just try to keep racing and gaining more experience to try to compete at this level," he said.  "Even the local tracks that I race at like Oakshade are very tough. I feel that if I keep doin' this I will someday be able to win some races down the road."

Like many other drivers, Ross has been bitten by the experience of racing at Eldora Speedway. With its long straight-aways and high-banked turns, Eldora can be an unforgiving and intimidating track to even the most experienced racers, but Ross feels that he has settled in at the big half-mile oval.

"The first time I ran there I was so excited and nervous all wrapped up in one person," said Ross. "Driving around there is very intimidating even to this day. But I have tried to knock the wall down on more than one occasion so it doesn't really bother me as much now. Now it's more thrilling than anything."

Ross calls Eldora his favourite track and speaks of his experiences there like a seasoned veteran.

"I love going there," he said. "I wish I could race there every week. It is so tough because anytime you show-up there, you know there is goin' to be some big guys show-up and try to tame the place. You can learn so much by watching and racing with the guys who are really good around there."

Despite his recent successes, Ross is still not completely satisfied with his performance this season.

"This year has been really high, or rock bottom...we have really struggled this year with our new car (a Rocket chassis)," he said. "We still have limited experience in this game and you pretty much have to unload fast off the trailer or you are behind. I am confident that we are goin' in the right direction and we will keep our heads up and drive on."

And goals remain for the future.

"The first thing I wanna win a feature in the U.S.," said Ross. "I don't care where it is. I'd love to win even just an ALMS (American Late Model Series) show at Eldora, that is a huge goal. If I ever got the opportunity to run a series like Lucas Oil or WOO, I'd jump all over it. I wanna make "The
Dream" and the "World 100" (both Eldora Speedway races) and then if I can do that, I'll change my goal to winning them."

One thing is certain about Chris Ross

If determination is any factor...he'll reach his dreams.

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Ontario Dirt Late Models 2008 Schedule
"Canada's Only Dirt Late Model Touring Series"

Thursday, June 19...Ohsweken Speedway, Ohsweken, ON...with the World of Outlaws...winner Tim McCreadie

"Civic Holiday Challenge"
Saturday, August 2...Merrittville Speedway, Thorold, ON
Sunday, August 3...Humberstone Speedway, Port Colborne, ON

Friday, August 29...Ohsweken Speedway, Ohsweken, ON

Saturday, September 20...Brighton Speedway, Brighton, ON

Ontario Dirt Late Models Series Champions

2003...Brad Authier, Chatham, ON
2004...Brad Authier, Chatham, ON
2005...Jim Dale, Jr., Blenheim, ON
2006...Brad Authier, Chatham, ON
2007...Rob Ledingham, Port Colborne, ON

For more information go the Ontario Dirt Late Models website:
www.ontariodirtlatemodels.com