“IT goes without saying, he has had a tremendous impact.”

That was Ben Ellement’s response when asked what he thought of the late John Day’s contribution to the sport of speedway for more than five decades.

It was a timely response given the Salute to John Day event will be held at the Perth Motorplex this Saturday night and Ellement, who is a second-generation racer and has been around the sport for as long as he can remember, is well qualified to answer.

“I remember going to the speedway when I was watching my dad race and you would see the orange utes going around then,” Ellement said.

“Now it has built into this little community within speedway.

“Knowing John Day and being connected to that part of the industry for so long, it’s going to be an emotional night…it will be a big one.”

Ellement is one of many drivers who are giving themselves a serious chance of winning the tribute race and given his early-season form, his chances can’t be ignored.

He has been a strong finisher in all four rounds of the AHG Sprintcar Series this season, with three of those events being contested at the Perth Motorplex.

Ellement’s worst result so far has been a seventh and the record books show he also has a fifth and a pair of thirds.

As a result he is the current leader in the sprintcar series points.

Nominations: Dominic Scelzi (USA), Lee Nash, David Priolo, Danny Porter (NT), Andrew Priolo, Jason Kendrick, Taylor Milling, Ben Ellement, Lee Redmond, Shaun Bradford, Bradley Maiolo, Callum Williamson, Scott Chatwin, James Inglis, Tim Van Ginneken (Vic), Carl Dowling, Kye Scroop, Mitchell Wormall and Jamie Maiolo.