Collins to Become First Newfoundlander in NASCAR Saturday August 13, 2015 Regional Josh Collins will make NASCAR’s record books when he competes in Saturday’s Wounded Warriors Canada 300 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race in Nova Scotia. The stock car racer was chosen to drive the #87 entry for Canada’s Best Racing Team (CBRT), and he is the first Newfoundland native to compete in the history of the series. “Racing this weekend just shows how far Newfoundland has come in racing,” said the Placentia native. “Who would have thought just a few years ago we would see someone from Newfoundland compete in a NASCAR series?” CBRT General Manager Joey McColm made the announcement just days before the team will head to the season’s only Maritime event at Riverside Speedway in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Collins will feature Eastbound International Speedway and Edward Collins Contracting Limited as sponsors for the event. “We are proud to introduce new talent to the premier stock car racing series in Canada,” said McColm. “Josh will be the third driver to get behind the wheel of our #87 entry this season, and we know he will be a great addition to the team.” Traditionally Newfoundland isn’t a breeding ground for racing talent mostly because there have been few facilities in the province. Collins is used to traveling great lengths to find competition. “I got started racing autocross,” said Collins. “We took a 1995 Saturn Sedan in ’03 and raced it in autocross around the province. We didn’t have a trailer, so I drove the car to events.” Collins converted the same Saturn into a short track car to compete on the Avondale Speedway dirt track 45 minutes from his home. When a pavement speedway opened in 2010 the team focused on asphalt racing, and they haven’t looked back. In years since Collins has raced various asphalt cars in different series including the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing in New Smyrna Beach, Florida during Speedweeks. “Josh has been successful racing at New Smyrna Speedway the last couple of years,” said McColm. “There are similarities between that track and Riverside in Nova Scotia. They are both very fast with high banks. We are excited to see what he can do.” Collins’ sights are set even higher than the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. He hopes this is the next step towards racing in one of NASCAR’s top three touring series. The Camping World Truck Series is next on his list. “We tried to get approved to race in some truck series events,” said Collins. “I think this is a great way to gain the experience I need. I am confident Joey and his team have great equipment for me.” Collins is well aware that success in racing only happens if he surrounds himself with good people and finds the right equipment. “It’s hard not to be successful with the people I have behind me in racing,” said Collins. “Bern Hickey from Avondale Speedway was a big supporter, and now Patty Squires from Eastbound Speedway is helping us. With their help, and great support from my crew and family I believe we are in a great position to succeed.”
