Since coming to the Maritimes I have had a huge learning process trying to figure out the best way around each oval. We have done well at the short ovals Petty Raceway and Oyster Bay Speedways but struggled terribly at Scotia Speedworld and Speedway 660. I did have some experience at Riverside International Speedway in 2016 and 2017 but both times has issues, a mechanical failure in 2016 and a gas cap coming off in 2017 that resulted in our car catching fire on lap 3 and then going down 10 laps looking for a replacement fuel cap.
Riverside is a great track, but a very physically demanding oval. I struggled with Scotia for 3 years then in 2021 had my fastest lap their a 14:538. We finally broke that in the final race of 2023 with a 14:500.
Each track is much different than any in Ontario although combining a few would bring similarities to both Peterborough and Sauble Speedways. The first time on Oyster Bed I fell in love with the track, my kind of oval. If this was 2010 I could win there, and at Petty as well. I say 2010, but even 2014 would be close to take the checker. }
It seemed that over the past few years I would be lucky to finish 149 of 150 laps. But this past weekend we had a very good handling car and it showed with a 9th in the feature and finishing on the lead lap. We also finished 8th in our heat race, last, but we were 4th fastest.
What made us better this weekend? I would say confidence and learning to drive the car smart by avoiding both bumps off turn 2 and 4. I was able to do that and run smooth laps keeping us in the hunt with a few cars, battling for a top 10 position.
At the checker I was very happy to finish 9th and complete all 150 laps with no damage to the car. My crew were very happy as were both my son in law Derrick and daughter Shirley. They came so Shirley could spend a belated Fathers Day with me.
My crew Chris White, Jack Lynds, Bobby and Emily Sanford were awesome and Bob Landry was there, but mostly for moral support, and Shannon Riley came after work.
We had a great day, though I did get into #33 Tylor, spinning him out. I didn’t mean to, and called and apologized the next day. He said not to worry his caliper was seizing.
We are now 9th in points after three East Coast International Pro Stock Tour races.
We will be at our 4th Tour race this coming weekend at Riverside with the NASCAR Canada Series.
POS CAR DRIVER NAME PRIMARY SPONSOR HOMETOWN PTS
1 54 Jarrett Butcher Superior Foundations Porter’s Lake, NS 618
2 25G Gage Gilby CKG Elevator Enfield, NS 597
3 13 Austin MacDonald King Competition Pictou, NS 593
4 41 Mike Rodgers Rodgers Apartments Moncton, NB 586
5 08 Nicholas Naugle Brycon Construction Dartmouth, NS 585
6 11v Jordan Veinotte Veinotte’s Trucking & Auto Porter’s Lake, NS 582
7 0 Sam Rogers Lower Onslow, NS 573
8 88 Russell Smith Jr Nova Construction Lakeside, NS 566
9 36 Gary Elliott Quaker State Murray Siding, NS 556
10 30 Stephen Lively East Coast Financing Shubenacadie, NS 549
11 25 Ryan VanOirschot Ron MacGillivray Chev Antigonish, NS 496
12 89 Nova Racing Nova Construction Antigonish, NS 395
13 51 LeClair/Smith M&K Construction Brackley Beach, PE 382
14 33 Tylor Hawes Mackinnon & Olding Porter’s Lake, NS 367
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