GUELPH, ON - Mere months removed from his first career Sunset Speedway championship, Super Stock heavyweight Matt Bentley is feeling the pinch in terms of acquiring the sponsorship and marketing support necessary to return for a full time title defence in 2017.

“The last thing our team wants to do is have to sit on the bench after the season we had in 2016 - but sponsorship is harder to come by every year,” admits Bentley. “We put everything we had into winning the Super Stock championship but, unless something comes up, I’m not sure we’re going to have the support needed to come back and defend it”

However, despite his team’s relatively uncertain future, Bentley is quick to refute any notions of a possible retirement or hiatus looming in the near future.

“No matter what happens - we’re not quitting,” insists the second-generation racer. “We’ve built this program from the ground up. My parents, my Brother and I have worked too hard to walk away from it now. But, at the same time, it has to make sense for us. We need sponsorship to make it happen”

Following a top-5 finish in his first career Ltd. Late Model appearance at Peterborough Speedway’s Autumn Colours Classic, Bentley has hopes of continuing his Late Model assimilation in addition to contending for a second consecutive Super Stock championship.

“There’s a lot more that we want to accomplish with this team,” says Bentley. “Getting familiar with the [Limited] Late Model at Peterborough last October was huge. If possible, I’d love to defend our Super Stock championship and hit some of the bigger Late Model races throughout the summer. I really believe that I’m just starting to come into my own as a driver - it’s only going to get better from here”

With just over two months remaining until Sunset’s season opener on April 29th, Bentley continues to work towards forging the necessary partnerships needed to return to competition on a full time basis.

“I’m wearing out shoe leather trying to put a deal together,” laughs Bentley. “I promise I’m not giving up on it. We’re meeting with potential sponsors and suppliers and doing everything we can to be ready for opening night. We’re reassembling both cars to be ready for a season of racing”

“Right now, it’s just a matter of how many nights of racing are in the budget,” continues the standout. “If we can pick up some sponsors, we’ll be at Sunset every Saturday. If not, we’re going to do whatever we need to be there as often as possible. It might be once a month, it might be less than that. Right now, we’re just working overtime to put something together to come back and defend what we won last season.”

photo credit - Dan Little Photography