Well it was definitely an exciting weekend of racing in Toledo Ohio on April 23, 2011, at the first race of the Jegs CRA Racing Series. The weather certainly was not co-operating and Practice Day scheduled for Friday was rained out, but we woke 
up to sunny skies on Saturday, and once things dried up, practice began. After a few practices, the car was tuned up and our times were good, with approximately 40 cars showing up and only 20 cars making the show on time trials, the other 12 had to qualify in heat races. Brandon qualified in 11th position with a time of 16.16, and started the big race in 9th. Due to set-up problems, he was forced to pit numerous times and therefore go to the back of the field and fight his way back and late in the race in he was caught up in an accident, but the great crew was able to fix the car and get it back out for the last 20 laps, wherein with some great driving Brandon was able to finish in 9th place. It was definitely a caution filled race and a lot of good looking cars, with only 15 cars out of the 32 finishing the race. Great Job!! Next race is Illiana Motor Speedway, Schereville, Indiana on May 14, 2011.
Well its official, Brandon is now scheduled to race in the Jegs CRA All-Stars Tour south of the Border. The schedule begins on April 23, 2011, at Toledo Speedway, Toledo, Ohio. Brandon owes a
big thanks to Ron of Shear Metals and John from Logel’s Auto Parts for their support, and a very special thank you to all the crew members notably Steve and Stu for all their time devoted to the hectic race schedule to come. In order to obtain a full schedule of Brandon’s racing, click on to the link for the CRA Series – Jegs Crate Late Model Schedule. See you at the races!!!
Brandon Watson is finally ready and off to Florida for the Speed Week’s World Series 2011. Practice begins on Thursday, February 10, 2011, with qualifying and racing on Friday, February 11, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. We will keep you posted with updates and it will also be covered by Speed51. GOOD LUCK BRANDON!!!!
Brandon Watson Captures First OSCAAR Feature Race With 50 Lap Win At The Autumn Colours Classic
From www.oscaar.ca
The 18th Annual Autumn Colours weekend was another for the record books with clear skies, hundreds of race cars and overflowing parking lots. The OSCAAR race featured a definite entry for the record book as Brandon Watson became the youngest ever OSCAAR driver to win a feature race.
Starting on the outside pole position, Watson quickly jumped out in The Smart Exchange #9 car to take the first lap and went on to lead all 50. Jeff Dunford had started on the pole and then settled behind Watson in 2nd place. Dunford tried to catch Watson and maintained a decent pace, but in the end would fall back to a few car lengths short of the lead.
So in the end it was a strong win by Brandon Watson who sported a big grin in victory lane. “It was a great run” said Brandon, “It’ was unfortunate I didn’t get to race with Hanley. But it was a great job by all my crew.” The two drivers raced hard with each other at the 2009 Autumn Colours with Watson earning big praise from Hanley for the way he raced. In addition to that 2nd place finish, Watson picked up 2nd and 3rd at Sunset and Kawartha this season and it seemed just a matter of time before the young gun made it to victory lane. Full race report available here
Pro Late Model 110 Lap Feature Race
The Late Model race was a very long 110 laps that tested all drivers patience when it dragged on over 3 hours. Brandon was in the top 3 for most of the race and could have challenged for the win until he was taken out during a restart and had to go to the rear. Then during another restart the “train” piled up and the 9 car received the most damage. Luck was a factor when the race was delayed for a lengthy caution that allowed the 9 team to make repairs and stay on the lead lap. Then it was all Brandon as he raced back up to the front and finished an amazing 7th! And there you have the highs and lows of Autumn Colours 2010.
By Spencer Lewis
Heading into the afternoon of September 12th, a multitude of questions surrounded the Graham Contracting and Landscaping 75. Would Sunset be able to draw a car count sufficient enough to provide excitement for an extended distance? What quality of competition would enter the event with little more than a month’s warning? And most importantly, would the first Pro Late Model show promoted under the Sunset International Speedway banner be worthy of remembrance?
Rest assured, those entering with questions, were left marvelling at one of the most compelling and competitive Late Model races anywhere in 2010.
Defending Autumn Colours Classic champion Brandon Watson entered the GCL 75 with a car that, 7 days earlier, captured a runner-up finish at Delaware’s Great Canadian 200, one of the most prestigious PLM races in Canada.
Entering as one of the early favourites, Watson found himself nose to nose with some of the toughest pound for pound drivers in the province including former ALSTAR tour champion Jason Shaw, 27-time champion Stompin’ Tom Walters, 2010 Kawartha Late Model champion ‘Mr. Excitement’ Chris Morrow and Snowball Derby veteran Shaun McWhirter.
Pre-race qualifying would see Watson and 2010 Sauble Speedway Ltd. Late Model titleholder Jason Parker (No. 08 Candue Homes/Risk Management Solutions Chevrolet) split top qualifier honours. After a paddock-side coin toss, Watson was ruled the top qualifier, and would redraw ninth, placing his Smart Exchange Propane Chevrolet inside of the 5th row.
The race’s early-goings would see McWhirter, he of the top-5 2006 Snowball Derby finish, pace the field from his outside pole starting position.
As McWhirter looked to place asphalt between himself and the rest of the pack, 2 and 3-wide battles became the norm as the remainder of the field began to sort itself out, with both Watson and Shaw (No. 82 Spira Fire Protection Ford) flexing muscle quickly.
Watson would pressure McWhirter, finally dispatching the former ALSTAR regular at lap-19, bringing with him his Spira Fire Protection teammate, Jason Shaw.
Shaw, a multi-time Flamboro Speedway champion, would pull to Watson’s outside, drag-racing alongside the prodigy for a multitude of laps to the raucous approval of the Sunset audience.
The veteran appeared poised to complete a pass when the field slowed for a lap-29 caution, although a picture-perfect restart from Sunset regular Watson would find Shaw quickly fall back into line behind the #9.
At this point, defending Sunset Ltd Late Model champion Tom Walters (No. 47 McColl Racing Enterprises Chevrolet) found his way past Shaw, and began to chip away at Watson’s lead, looking for his 2nd victory since debuting a brand new McColl Racing Enterprises chassis over the Labour Day long weekend.
Watson, heralded for his in-race composure, would not allow for Walters’ pressure to disrupt his robotic pace, holding Walters to a half-car length or more as the laps began to quickly slip away.
Stompin’ Tom would attempt a hail mary, last ditch effort pass on the final lap, but would cross the line less than a quarter car length in behind the surging Watson, who pulled into victory lane after leading an incredible 56 laps. Jason Shaw, 2009 Delaware Speedway Rookie of the Year Mark Watson and Gary Elliott would complete the star-studded top-5.
Upon climbing from his ride, Watson offered a smile when asked where the win ranked amongst the numerous triumphs accumulated throughout his relatively short career, “Yah, this is right up there. It’s a big win. We had a great run, it was a real good field of cars and we were fast right off the trailer”
“My guys were fantastic today. To get the car ready, and this fast, after Delaware last Sunday is awesome”
“I knew we had what it took [to stay in front of Shaw], we just had to race smart”
“This car is alot different than what we normally run on a Saturday night at Sunset. This one is what we use to run ASA and CRA Super Series races down in the states, but we were still able to use some notes and track experience to set it up this afternoon”
Watson would close his victory lane ceremonies by thanking his crew, loyal fans, sponsors and all those who came out to support the first running of the Graham Contracting & Landscaping 75.
Courtesy Sunset Speedway website www.sunsetspeedway.ca