Riverside Will Close 45th Season Saturday With Pro Stock, Sportsman

JAMES RIVER, NS –  This Saturday will see the end of the 2014 season at Riverside International Speedway, concluding 45 years of the best short track racing at the best short track in Canada.

To celebrate the occasion management decided earlier this year to make the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour (PST) feature event, sponsored by Lucas Oil, an extended length event – 150 laps rather than the regular 100.

By offering an added 50 laps for the same price as previous years events, there is added value for the fans. By adding 50 laps to the second-to-last championship points race of the season for the PST, there is sure to be more excitement for the fans, and more drama for the racers.

“It can totally change the outcome of the race,” said Paul McLean, general manager of Riverside International Speedway. “Tire and fuel strategy is different and the driver needs to be able to adjust his pace to accommodate the extra laps so that he’s got something left in his car for the end.”

With the just the two events remaining on the series this year, every driver running for points will need to be on their game in the Lucas Oil 150, whether they are locked in a battle for the title – or for 10th-place.

With John Flemming (Halifax), Shawn Tucker, and Jonathan Hicken (Brudenell, PE) being the top three in current point standings – and just 40 markers apart – the chase for the championship will be fierce. Both Flemming and Tucker have multiple wins at Riverside, Flemming’s most recent in July’s IWK 250 and Tucker’s in last year’s edition of this race. Hicken’s bid to break into Riverside’s Victory Circle comes in a season on which he has already scored three victories – tied with series sophomore standout Dylan Blenkhorn (Truro) who sits fourth in the standings, just one ahead of fellow series sophomore Cole Butcher (Porter’s Lake).

Mathematically, and realistically, any of the top five have a chance at winning the series title. Flemming and Tucker are both former series champions while Hicken, Blenkhorn, and Butcher are all looking to become first-time series champs. Mathematically, with a potential gain of 60 points per event, any of the top seven drivers still have a chance at the top spot.

EXPECTED ENTRY LIST – LUCAS OIL 150

#0 – Shawn Turple – Enfield, NS

#5 – Jonathan Hicken – Brudenell, PE

#8 – Kent Vincent – Westmoreland, PE

#14 – Terry Dougay – Albany, PE

#18 – Darren MacKinnon – Charlottetown, PE

#21 – Shawn Pierce – Bridgewater, NS

#24 – Steve Ross – Waverly, NS

#29 – Greg Proude – Springvale, PE

#32 – Sarah McKay – Quismpamsis, NB

#45 – Leonard Boutilier – Dutch Settlement, NS

#52 – Shawn Tucker – Fredericton, NB

#53 – Cole Butcher – Porter’s Lake, NS

#66 – Daryl Mahar – Hubley, NS

#67 – Dylan Blenkhorn – Truro, NS

#80 – Roger Miller – Kennetcook, NS

#88 – George Koszkulics – New Glasgow, NS

#89 – Donald Chisholm – Antigonish, NS

#97 – John Flemming – Halifax, NS

#98 – Jerome Kehoe – Sydney, NS

#99 – Craig Slaunwhite – Terence Bay, NS

Entry list subject to change without notice

The Napa Sportsman Series will provide support class action with the Highland Home Building Centres 75 – round five of seven in their chase for the 2014 championship. Chris Reid (Fort MacMurray AB/Sydney), the most recent winner on the series, leads the standings by just seven points over Dale Richardson (Stellarton), who is six ahead of Dave Timmons (Inverness). Shawn Waterfield (Sydney) is fourth – 16 behind Timmons, and Darren Price (Sydney) fifth – only 10 back. All tolled just 39 points separate the top five.

Pro stock time trials start at 5:10 p.m. Saturday; racing starts at 6 p.m. with heat race action for both divisions setting the starting grids for the features. Advance reserved and general admission tickets are available until Friday, either online or by calling 902-863-2410. General admission single day tickets will be available at the track box office on Saturday. The complete schedule, ticket information, and much more, can be found at www.riversidespeedway.ca.

Riverside International Speedway was built in 1968 and opened May 18, 1969 by the late John Chisholm. The track is a scale-replica of Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee. The facility was sold in 1989 and then repurchased by Mr. Chisholm in 2005, who rebuilt Riverside to the world-class facility we enjoy today. Since its opening Riverside has hosted more series and celebrities than any other track in Canada, and has the longest association with NASCAR in Canada.

There is plenty of free RV parking (unserviced) available for this Saturday’s event on an unreserved basis.

Fans should stay tuned to Riverside’s website over the off-season, or subscribe to their newsletter, for announcements in regard to the 2015 season.

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.