JAMES RIVER, NS – Colby Smith and Braden Langille were the big winners Friday evening at Riverside International Speedway for day two (of three) for the 2016 edition of the IWK 250 weekend. Smith was the winner of the Highland Building Centres 100 for the NAPA Sportsman Series and Langille took the checkered flag in the Maritime Legends Challenge for the Upper Clements Park Maritime League of Legends. A huge crowd was on hand for the show and enjoyed large fields of race cars in both divisions with drivers from as far away as Newfoundland making the trek to be a part of this weekend at Riverside which is widely known as the most anticipated in all of Canadian short track racing. Colby Smith with his crew (photo – Ken MacIsaac) Smith (Barrington Passage) was followed to the finish line by Russell Smith, Jr. (Timberlea) and Darren Price (Main a Dieau). Thirty cars entered the race. Braden Langille (photo – Ken MacIsaac) Langille (Shubenacadie) beat Dylan Blenkhorn (Truro) and Nicholas Naugle (Dartmouth) to the finish line in a race that saw 23 entries. Langille’s win was especially impressive since the youngster’s car needed extensive repair after he crashed Thursday during practice for the race. IWK 250 SET FOR SATURDAY The 10th edition of the IWK 250 presented by Steve Lewis Auto Body is Saturday. Thirty-seven teams are expected to attempt to qualify for a 30-car field in a race that boasts a $90,000 purse with $10,000 guaranteed to the winner, along with all the accolades that accompany being and IWK 250 champion. Five Canadian provinces and three states in the U.S. are represented on the stellar expected entry list (online at www.riversidespeedway.ca, IWK 250 page, entries tab). General admission seating will be available at the track box office Saturday starting at Noon. Qualifying heat races start to set the starting grid for the IWK 250 start at 4:30 p.m. followed by a pre-race show autograph session and entertainment at 5:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies are at 7 p.m. and the green flag for the IWK 250 is at 7:30 p.m. FANS URGED TO ARRIVE EARLY With a record crowd expected to attend the IWK 250 fans who want to avoid lineups (in traffic and at the box office) are encouraged to arrive early. Plenty of good seats remain. RV SPOTS SOLD OUT The camping area is sold out with more than 900 RVs expected. All overnight parking on Riverside International Speedway property from July 16 until the day after the IWK 250 requires a permit (RVs or otherwise). Riverside International Speedway is recognized as a premiere stock racing facility in Canada. The 1/3-mile high banked asphalt oval roars to action several times a year for special events. It is the home for eastern Canada’s only NASCAR event, and of the IWK 250 – widely known as the best stock car race in Canada. Located in James River, between New Glasgow and Antigonish, the facility is easily accessible at exit 30 on Trans Canada Highway 104. For more information call 902.863.2410 or click www.riversidespeedway.ca.
