Trewolla’s Grit Shines Through in 2025!

It was a season full of growth, grit, and community for Canadian Vintage Modified racer Sam Trewolla (she/her), driver of the #13 Grindstone Landscaping machine. From early struggles to end-of-season confidence, Trewolla’s sophomore year behind the wheel was a testament to determination and heart — even if, as she says, it “ended with a bang.”

“Starting the season I felt rough, but with as much seat time as I could get, adjusting things in the car for my comfort and trying new setups, I already feel pumped up for next year,” said Trewolla. “This season’s rookies have been fantastic to battle with and talk to, and though my engine blew in the first feature of the final race, I’m excited to see what 2026 brings!”

While the final race didn’t go as planned, the season was a strong step forward for Trewolla, who continues to refine her craft both mentally and mechanically. “I’d rate my season a B-minus or C-plus,” she admitted with a smile. “I try my best every time I’m on the track, but I still need to work on getting out of my head and putting more faith in the car. It’s tough being in the back a lot, but I know there’s nowhere to go but up.”

As the off-season begins, the Trewolla Racing camp is already hard at work. Sam plans to focus on fitness, race study, and sponsor outreach, while her father — her biggest supporter — tackles the mechanical side of the rebuild. “My dad spends almost every day working on the car to make sure everything is ready,” she said. “Steve Murdoch has spent so much time helping us and teaching me, and Quinton Murdoch always knows what to say to pump me up. Everyone in the club has been so awesome — it really feels like one big family.”

Among her favourite moments of the 2025 campaign came at Meet the Driver Night, where Trewolla’s dedication to her peers and fans shone through. “My friend Ian Henwood’s engine blew in feature one, and we had planned that night together over the week. I wasn’t going to leave him in the pits, so I drove him onto the track so he could have his first meet the driver night be a success,” she recalled. “I almost ran out of hero cards that night, and hearing kids tell me they’re rooting for me made me want to push myself even harder.”

Looking ahead to 2026, Sam’s goal is clear: to surprise everyone with her continued progress. “My plan is to come in with a new suit and a new attitude,” she said. “With all the adjustments we’ve made over the last two years to make sure I can reach everything comfortably, I know next year I’ll show everyone how much I’ve improved.”

For Trewolla, racing is more than just a sport — it’s a home. “The racing world has been the greatest community I’ve ever been in,” she said. “I’ve made countless friends, and there’s nowhere I’d rather be. Whether it’s a racetrack or a karting track, I feel like I’m with family.”