Slaunwhite Adds Name to IWK 250 Champion List July 16, 2023 Regional After laying down the fastest lap in Time Trials, winning the Dash for the Pole, and pacing the field for 212 laps, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Carson Hocevar (Portage, MI) thought he had the 2023 edition of the IWK 250 presented by Steve Lewis conquered. Craig Slaunwhite (Terence Bay, NS) wasn’t about to let Hocevar walk away with the win and his chance to win one of the most prestigious events in the Maritimes. Slaunwhite battled hard in the final laps, bided his time and, in the end, got by Hocevar with 14 to go to become the 34th Champion of the IWK 250 presented by Steve Lewis. Hocevar ended up finishing 13th. Nicholas Naugle (Dartmouth, NS) had another impressive run coming across the line second with Russell Smith Jr (Lakeside, NS) rounding out the podium. Greg Proude (Springvale, PE) and Mike Rodgers (Moncton, NB) finished fourth and fifth respectively. complete unofficial results Time Trials kicked off qualifying in the afternoon with Hocevar laying down the fastest circuit of the 26-car field with a lap time of 14.364 seconds. Following Time Trials, the top ten fastest cars were shaken up with a redraw on the front stretch and then they hit the track for a 15-lap Dash for the Pole. Hocevar crossed the finish line first to claim to coveted pole position for the IWK 250. The remaining 16 cars competed in Atlantic Tiltload Heat Races and saw Ryan VanOirschot (Antigonish, NS) and Donald Chisholm (Antigonish, NS) claim the victories. Brad Eddy (Halifax, NS) won the Kenny U Pull Hard Charger award picking up the most spots on the field after gaining nineteen positions over the 250 laps of action. Tanton Wooldridge had an outstanding run in his first long-distance race and was awarded the Lucas Oil Rookie of the Race Award. Ryan VanOirschot picked up the Fast Eddie Racewear Lucky Dog Award. The race was slowed by eight cautions and took two hours to complete. The East Coast International Pro Stock Tour heads to New Brunswick next Saturday for the Fleetrite 150 at Petty International Raceway. Stay tuned to www.maritimeprostocktour.com for all the latest news or follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram @prostocktour About the East Coast International Pro Stock Tour: The East Coast International Pro Stock Tour (PST) is considered the highest level of stock car racing in Canada. The Tour is recognized in the industry as one of the healthiest stock car racing series in North America. PST visits four tracks throughout the Maritimes during its May through September season. The East Coast International Pro Stock Tour is owned and operated by Maritime Pro Stock Tour Limited. For more information, call our administration office at 902.481.2531 or click www.maritimeprostocktour.com. You can also follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/prostocktour and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/prostocktour
