Dan McHattie Scores Hometown Win With APC Series at Peterborough

Before the start of the 2024 season, the APC United Late Model Series announced its Home Track Program. Through this program and accompanying adjustments to the series rules, local competitors at tracks hosting series events were allowed to compete against the touring stars.

Dan McHattie demonstrated the merit of that program on Saturday, winning the KOD Disposal 100 at Peterborough Speedway. A multi-time track champion and the current Late Model points leader at Peterborough, McHattie took the lead on lap 30 from Jake Sheridan and pulled away to a dominant victory.

Despite his impressive track record at Peterborough, McHattie might be considered a surprise winner against the APC United Late Model Series stars. McHattie admitted he was as surprised as anyone to be in victory lane.

“It shocked the hell out of me, too," said McHattie. "First and foremost, I’ve got to thank the APC Series for adjusting the rules package to allow guys like me. I built my car myself, in a shop beside a John Deere tractor. To come here and race and run competitively with this group, we wouldn’t be able to do it without the APC Series affording us the luxury of a hometown guy being able to run with these cars.

“It really showcases what anyone in Ontario can do. The other thing it showcases is what we’ve got going on here at Peterborough Speedway. I always say that you’re only as good as your competition. Running here on Saturday nights with the Saturday night guys, they force me to be better. As a group, we won this race.”

While it appeared to be an easy victory for McHattie as he charged from eighth to the lead in the opening laps, he acknowledged that circumstances and good fortune were part of the evening as well.

“You know what, I was trying to really be easy with it," said McHattie. "The only reason I got to the front was circumstances, and it happened pretty quickly. I was lucky enough that when I got to Jake [Sheridan], he really gave me the lane to race in and let me go. I really appreciate that. It’s true sportsmanlike. That’s a series racer right there that’s running for points and that’s really how I got the lead.

“The last caution, I told the guys I lost my brake pedal. I really wasn’t charging the corner or rolling onto the throttle too hard. I was pretty lucky, in all honesty. The old saying is if you’re easy on and easy off, you’ll go faster. That’s essentially what happened.”

Blair Wickett finished second, marking his second podium finish and third top-five finish through the first three races of the APC United Late Model Series season. That consistency has put him in the thick of the championship battle, and Wickett hopes a victory is on the horizon.

“We’ve been working hard all offseason. To come out and get a third, a fifth, and now a second," said Wickett. "I mean, a win’s gotta be around the corner somewhere, right? We’ve been piecing this thing back together with new parts, part by part as we break the old stuff. Everything seems to be rolling alright now. Let’s hope we can keep it rolling into Delaware.”

Sheridan finished third, a crucial bounce back after two disappointing results to start the 2024 APC season.

“We had a couple of rough weeks there. It’s not what we work for. We do a lot better job, and that shows. We didn’t quite have the piece. We had the short-run speed, but there’s just a little problem we’ve got to fix that we’ve been chasing all year long. We just lose the handling there on entry.”

Jo Lawrence finished fourth, with Connor Pritiko rounding out the top five.

The APC United Late Model Series heads to Delaware Speedway in two weeks for the fourth race of the season. The NTN BCA 100 is scheduled for Saturday, June 29.

-Photo credit: APC United Late Model Series on Facebook

KOD DISPOSAL 100 UNOFFICIAL RESULTS