Road Rage 50, Mini Stock Classic On Tap For Speedway Miramichi

MIRAMICHI, NB – Speedway Miramichi’s 50th anniversary season marches on this Saturday, with the second stock car event of the year taking place. It promises to be a thrilling afternoon, highlighted by the Miramichi Mini Stock Classic, and the Road Rage 50 Demo / Enduro, with action getting underway at 2 pm.

The Mini Stock class at Speedway Miramichi will contest one of their biggest events of the year this Saturday, with the first ever 50 lap Mini Stock Classic! In May, JR Lawson came through the field and made a late race pass on Rob Poirier to score the victory in what was a 30 lap feature. After 1 event, Poirier holds a 2 point lead over Lawson, and Guy Basque, who finished 3rd in May. These 3 drivers displayed their talents in May, and even in some races last year, and it seems likely that all 3 will be competing and challenging for the win on Saturday. But don’t count out the competition, such as Michael Savoie, Chris Garnett, Mathieu Mallett, and Travis Conroy, all of whom are getting closer to breaking through into victory lane. Fans can also look forward to several local drivers making their first starts of the year, including Wesley Peterson, Kendall Arbeau, Conrad Mallett, and new rookie Michael-Andre Poirier.

Back in May was a thrilling hard-hitting Spring Smash. While Marc-Andre Benoit won the Demolition Finale driving for Julian Benoit, it was Trenton Silliker who was the story of the day, as he came just one spot short in the Demo from completing a clean sweep of the day. Trenton has a sizeable point lead after the first event, but there hasn’t been any word on whether or not Trenton will return to try and complete the sweep, and maintain his points lead. Regardless, he will have a stout field of competitors looking to stop him in his tracks. Among the drivers who have signaled their intentions to compete include 2nd place in points Joey Pitre, Randy Girouard, Shawn Sisk, Zachary L’Hullier, Justin Martin, and Gabriel McGraw.

Demo drivers will test their skills in the several popular qualifying events, including the Dash for Cash and Figure 8 Race, as well as the Bag Race, which returns for the first time this year. The Powder Puff race was a thrilling showdown between Aimee MacLean and Chantel Ackles last race, and hopefully, they will return to compete again with even more competition! This will all lead up to the exciting Road Rage 50 Finale for Demo drivers – which is a 50 lap Enduro concluding with the overall winner being crowned in a traditional demo

The past 3 Atlantic Modified Tour races at Speedway Miramichi, dating back to last September, have gone to young Pro Stock phenom Ashton Tucker driving for Braxton Stafford Racing. But with Pro Stocks racing at Speedway 660 this Saturday, Tucker is not expected to be behind the wheel of the #91 Modified, leaving the door wide open for someone else to take the checkers. It is expected that Braxton Stafford will be driving the #91 car this weekend, which will be his first ever start in a Modified in Miramichi. If he could win, it would extend the cars win streak to 4 races, and also maintain the track points lead for the team. But many drivers will be looking to capitalize on Tucker’s absence, including Miramichi’s “Mr. Excitement” Doug Matchett who finished 2nd in the May race, and currently sits second in points. Behind Matchett sits John Lyons and Joe Hoyt, both of whom have Miramichi connections, and both of whom are in a tie for 3rd in points. Looking back to May, the biggest surprise was Kevin Brideau, who pulled off a podium finish in his first ever start! Kevin will be back and looking to improve on that finish on Saturday. A number of drivers could make their first start of the year in Miramichi on Saturday, including Cody Price – who finished 2nd to Tucker last October – and Steven Curtis – who will be debuting a unique new body for his Modified that you will definitely want to see.

After a Brunswick 100 podium swept by out of town drivers, local Miramichi Street Stock drivers will be out in full force looking to redeem themselves. Brad MacLean will be among them after falling just short of a podium finish during the Brunswick 100. Despite only sitting 3rd in points, Brad is the highest of all drivers expected to be in attendance this Saturday. Perhaps the biggest challenger to MacLean could be James “Hollywood” Matchett, who is rumoured to be driving Big Poppa Motorsports #1 car – the same car that he dominated with at Petty Intl’ Raceway with last year. After suffering a mechanical issue in the Brunswick 100, Deryk Murphy will have his car back on the track, while Chris “Groovy” Wilson and Brandon Hollier are expected to make their season debuts. A number of other drivers may make an appearance at the track Saturday, and we hope to see them all out to take part in the Street Stock race!

After a return which featured a thrilling showdown between former track champions Robert Legere and Darcy O’Neill, the Dukes class will be back Saturday, hopefully with even more growth! Legere and O’Neill, who have a combined 4 track championships between them, battled side by side all day before ending in a photo finish back in May. This time, there should be some more competition for Legere and O’Neill, rumoured to potentially be led by some cars out of the MacLean Racing stable.

The green flag drops at 2pm on Saturday, with kids rides happening just before at 1:30pm. Grandstands open at 1pm, and pit gates open at 11am. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for youth from ages 8 to 17 years of age, and kids under the age of 7 are free. The popular Family Pass will be in effect again for $35! Pit passes are $20!

About Speedway Miramichi

Speedway Miramichi is Eastern Canada’s Oldest Active Motorsports Venue, and Northern New Brunswick’s only paved oval track. Located in the city of Miramichi, New Brunswick, and just 5 minutes away from all city amenities, Speedway Miramichi hosts stock car racing and demolition events throughout the summer. There is no other facility in the world where you can watch a stock car race, burnout competition, figure-8 race, and a demolition derby during the same event. Visit our website (speedwaymiramichi2016.com), check us out on Facebook (Speedway Miramichi Inc.), or find us on Instagram (speedway.miramichi) for more details, and join us as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary in 2018.

source – track communications