CHEK Upside: Sprint car racers readying for Strawberry Cup return

For the first time since 2019, the Strawberry Cup is back at Westshore Motorsports Park.

This year marks the 37th running of the historic event, with a full field of winged sprint cars expected to contest for the trophy.

“It’s the tune up, the prelude to Daffodil Cup,” says sprint car champion Aaron Willison.

“We put a lot of weight on that [Daffodil Cup], so coming out to Strawberry Cup and having a good run sets a solid foundation for that.”

Also returning this season is multi-time Strawberry and Daffodil Cup winner Trevor Montgomery. Known as the Tornado, Montgomery will make his first start at Westshore Motorsports Park since 2009.

“Honestly [I’m] a little nervous, little butterflies, all sorts of stuff,” says Montgomery.

“It’s been a while since I’ve turned some laps here so it’s going to be fun.”

For Montgomery, who started racing at the Langford oval in the 1980s, adding another Strawberry Cup win would be the perfect start to his comeback.

“I try to keep my expectations set as low as I can type of thing, but something like that would be pretty phenomenal,” says Montgomery.

With this year marking the final running of the race at Westshore Motorsports Park, the 2022 edition holds special meaning.

“[I] grew up for years on Millstream Rd. watching all the cars with open trailers come up and down,” says Montgomery.

“I mean this place was like the holy grail type thing back in the day.”

“We love being here, we love the people, we love the history and we’re cherishing the days we have left at this facility,” says Willison.

Qualifying for the Strawberry Cup starts at 5:30 Friday and Saturday with racing starting both nights at 6:30.

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