SLMS Set for Round Two at Speedway 660 This Saturday May 29, 2024 Regional GEARY, NB – The cars and stars of the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series return to the track where it all began just over a year ago. Speedway 660 will play host to the Castle Building Centres 150 presented by Taiga Building Products – round two of the 2024 Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series season – on Saturday June 1st, 2024 with a 6pm start time. A large star-studded field of entries have declared their intentions to take to the Geary Woods to battle for the checkered flag, trophy, and $4000 cheque. Speedway 660 has been the site of some memorable finishes as of late – many fans are still chattering about the showdown between Ashton Tucker (#2) and Cory Hall (#83) in the 2023 ReCar 150, which set the stage for late race dramatics from Dave O’Blenis (#48) and Ryan Messer (#1) during the Yard Gear 250 on SpeedWeekend. Just this past weekend, Tucker and Jarrett Butcher (#54) had fans on their feet coming to the checkers of the Maritime Pro Stock Tour East Coast International 150. Expect more late race heroics during the Castle Building Centres 150 presented by Taiga Building Products. Fast Facts Date: Saturday June 1st, 2024 | Start Time: 6:00pm Pit Gates Open: 11:30am | Grandstands Open: 4:00pm Event: Castle Building Centres 150 presented by Taiga Building Products /Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series Round Two Track: Speedway 660 Location: 588 Branch Road, Geary, New Brunswick, Canada Track Size: 1/3 Mile | Race Distance: 150 Laps Support Classes: Crossroads Maritime League of Legends, Atlantic Modified Tour, Shur-Fit Automotive, Bumper to Bumper Street Stocks, Bandoleros Race Day Tickets: Purchased at the Speedway 660 ticket booth, credit / debit is accepted! Ticket Prices: Adults – $30 | Youth (15 and under) – Free | Pits – $40 Speedway 660 Pit E-waiver: SLMS.ca/ewaiver 2023 Speedway 660 Winners: Ryan Messer #1, Cory Hall #83 SUPER SIX Super Late Model Series Storylines Trio of Contenders Prepare for Sticky Challenge The last time the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series raced at Speedway 660, the podium finishers were Cory Hall, Ashton Tucker, and Ryan Messer. When the green flag flies for the Castle Building Centres 150 presented by Taiga Building Products, this trio of drivers will be starting at the rear of the field, setting the stage for what is sure to be a can’t miss race. On May 13, it was announced that these three teams would start the next race under penalty after the Fog City Auto Spa 150. Not missing a beat, each of these three teams are ready for the challenge that lies ahead to come through the field – a challenge that is sure to entertain fans along the way. Hall and Tucker have finished first and second in the last three Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series events, while Messer was on the podium for both races at Speedway 660 in 2023 – including a win in the inaugural race. It will surely take a balance of patience and aggression to work to the front of the field, while avoiding potential disaster along the way. Given the caliber of performance from these teams as of late, opportunity knocks for every driver in the field to capitalize early in the Castle Building Centres 150, and use the advantage track position provides to drive to victory. O’Blenis and Messer Rematch After SpeedWeekend Fireworks Dave O’Blenis and Ryan Messer left it all on the line in the closing laps of the 2023 Yard Gear 250 at Speedway 660. It was a stellar race with an epic conclusion, with O’Blenis coming out on top in a historic victory for the veteran driver. This weekend, this pair of drivers will return to Speedway 660 in a major extended distance race for the first time since that memorable night. O’Blenis is a seven-time champion at Speedway 660, while Messer is the defending winner of the early-season race in the Geary Woods – a result he followed up with a third place effort during the ReCar 150 last August. Two of the best and most popular drivers at Speedway 660, they have amassed many wins. Coming off top ten finishes in the Fog City Auto Spa 150, it would be fitting to return to Riverview Ford Victory Lane when the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series rolls into town – but the real winners may be the fans if a re-match of the 250 finish unfolds. Multi-Time Oxford 250 Champion Enters Castle Building Centres 150 One of the biggest names in New England Super Late Model racing has circled a part-time Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series effort on his calendar, starting with this weekend’s Castle Building Centres 150 presented by Taiga Building Products. Travis Benjamin’s (#7) career statistics in New England speaks for itself. Three Oxford 250 trophies, two Pro All Star Series championships, and the Granite State Pro Stock Series championship one season ago. However, his success extends beyond the United States of America – Benjamin is a former Summer Clash 250 champion at Scotia Speedworld, and of course, is a former Yard Gear 250 champion at Speedway 660. This weekend he will trek back north of the border for the first time in nearly a decade to Speedway 660, looking to rekindle the magic he once knew in the Geary Woods. The addition of Benjamin is without a doubt one of the biggest storylines for the Castle Building Centres 150, and solidifies the star power set to take center stage at Speedway 660. Halpin Seeks First Easy-Kleen SLMS Win After Weekly Feature Wun On May 18th, Speedway 660 kicked off their 2024 season with weekly racing, including a 75-lap feature for the Re/Max East Coast Elite Realty Pro Stock division. That day turned into a showdown between two drivers looking to break through in a big way. Steve Halpin (#03) and Devin Snell (#10) exchanged the lead several times as they waged war for the checkered flag, with Halpin coming out on top. Halpin led the most laps in the first trip to Speedway 660 one season ago, but came up one spot short to winner Ryan Messer. Halpin is hungry to redeem himself, and got off to a good start by securing the feature victory – his first since 2018. After some bad luck during last week’s Maritime Pro Stock Tour race, he’s hoping good fortunes are on the horizon for the Castle Building Centres 150! Greg Fahey’s Time to Shine It’s been well documented the effort gone into improving Greg Fahey’s (#20) program over the off-season. The AEH Motorsports entry went under the microscope, and early indications for 2024 show improved performance! Fahey earned his first career Easy-Kleen SLMS top ten finish at the Fog City Auto Spa 150 – running up inside the top five at points. During the Maritime Pro Stock Tour race, he showed top five speed again – but a few hiccups trapped him down laps. Speedway 660 has long been Greg Fahey’s playground. After several years of scaled back competition, followed by a learning season in 2023, a breakout back into the spotlight could be anticipated this weekend. PEI Pressure in the Geary Woods Prince Edward Island drivers were completely shut out of the podium at both Speedway 660 races in 2023 – a stat that they desperately hope will change during the Castle Building Centres 150. In fact, only two drivers – the eventual top two in points Dylan Gosbee (#16) and Robbie MacEwen (#40) – even cracked the top ten, doing so in both races. MacEwen is off to a hot start to 2024 with a third place result at the Fog City Auto Spa 150, but Gosbee had an uncharacteristic twelfth place finish in the season opener and is in desperate need of a rebound. The rest of the PEI contingent is hoping for a fortune reversal at the ⅓ mile oval. Darren MacKinnon (#18) struggled last year and saw tough luck – and saw a good finish disappear on the final turn of the Fog City Auto Spa 150. Kent Vincent (#8) stole headlines in his return to competition at Petty with a fourth place finish, but Speedway 660 is a different beast that Vincent has not had the same level of success at – but nevertheless with his experience, is sure to be a contender. For Brodie Lewis (#22), he will be making his second start at Speedway 660, looking to follow up on a career best result at the Fog City Auto Spa 150. Dylan Gosbee brought PEI a championship when all was said and done in 2023, but conquering Speedway 660 is sure to be key for all drivers coming across the Confederation Bridge to keep the glory on the red dirt in 2024. Entry List Stay Up To Date As race day nears, fans are encouraged to stay tuned to social media for breaking news. The Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series can be found on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X (formerly known as Twitter) at @SLMSeries. Also be sure to check out our official website at SLMS.ca. For more information on the Castle Building Centres 150 presented by Taiga Building Products, check out Speedway 660 on Facebook, and online at speedway660.com. About the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series The Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series is Atlantic Canada’s newest stock car racing series. Formed in Fall of 2022 through a partnership between Oyster Bed Speedway, Petty International Raceway, and Speedway 660, the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series contests a six-race schedule with some of North America’s top racing talents. The 2024 season will mark the second season of competition. Fans can find more info online at SLMS.ca, or through Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X at @SLMSeries. Source – series communications
