Gold making jump from Laird to CASCAR

After enjoying a successful career locally racing at Laird International Raceway and the Kinross Speedway, Michael Gold is taking his show nationally on the Canadian Association for Stock Car Racing (CASCAR) circuit.

Nicknamed "The tall, cool one" by Laird track announcer Greg Brazeau, Gold has been successful at every level he has been at thus far including at Laird and Kinross.

After competing in a pair of races late last season in CASCAR's Sportsman Series, placing a respectable fifth in both races, Gold will make the jump and compete in the CASCAR Power Water Series (Sportsman Series) full-time this season.

After wrapping up the Late Model points title with one race left in the season at Laird, Gold competed in the final two races in the Sportsman Series last September at Peterborough Speedway and then at Fraserville, Ontario's Kawartha Speedway.

Gold's original plans were to race in three Super Series races this season on the CASCAR circuit this season on Aug. 6 in Bowmanville, Ontario at Mosport Oval, Sept. 4 at Deleware Speedway in London then at Kawartha Speedway in Fraserville on Sept. 18.

Instead, Gold now plans to compete in all six Sportsman Series races this season, but still plans to race in London on Sept. 4.

Gold commented that the change in series puts a slight change in his strategy entering the season. The Sportsman Series runs 100 laps with no pit stops which he says puts some added pressure on his rookie pit crew heading into races.

"It's totally different racing," Gold said. "There's more strategies in the Sportsman Series (compared to racing at Laird). Racing on the Sportsman Series for a full season will give me some more racing experience."

Gold added that he is confident after having an opportunity to compete in two races last season.

"Every step up (to the next level) has been at the end of the season and then racing a full season the next season," he said. "It's working out really well that way."

Gold credited a number of people as being an integral part of his successful run in recent years, including his father Allan, who is a fixture in local racing circles himself having competed in drag racing, CASCAR, locally at Laird as well as Kinross among others.

Michael also credited his crew, including Tulio and Jacob Porco, for being a major help behind the scenes which helped him secure the Late Model points title and winning the title by 71 points over second place Rick Ellis.

Gold will kick off his first full season in the Sportsman Series on June 18 at the Mosport Oval in Bowmanville.

(Photos courtesy of Michael Gold)