We entered our 7th IWK250, with 24 other teams for the biggest race of the year. We do have one other 250 lap race coming in August but this one draws the biggest crowd of all because of the size of the facility. It’s the best place to show case our race cars but also the biggest paying race in Canadas for Pro Late Modes and the fastest track active in Canada with speeds of 125 mph on the straights. It also pays $20,000 to win.
we had a great day of practice but once again could not get below 15:0. The car handled great but either I wasn’t driving in deep enough or the car just wouldn’t turn for me.
The newer cars turn the best but they are over $140,000. Our car would be better with a younger stronger driver, but wouldn’t keep up with the new technology. A younger won’t be happening until I retire although my son David is coming in early August for the Summer Clash 250 at Scotia Speedworld to take the car out for practice to see how it is handling and make changes for me and I am happy for that. David was no doubt one of the best drivers in Ontario. I don’t say that because he’s my son, but because of the 14 Championships he has.
We kept working on our car but could only repeat every time out lap speeds within hundred of 15:0, consistent but not fast I decided to add some gear to the car to make up for it’s age (2016) and give us more off the corner. It didn’t make us any faster, still the same speeds but consistent.
On Wednesday we had 2 tires that were wore very bad with on y 16 laps on them. I showed the tour officials and they c=gave me 2 more and didn’t charge me, plus helped us install them.
We did times trials and though we couldn’t get into the 14:’s we were not the slowest but we were a second off the fastest cars. Our fast time was 15:2 and the highest was 14:010. The top cars, and most others do a lot to get top lap times. I have never done that but everyone knows once the race starts they lose 4 tenths.
We finished 7th in our heart race. The car was good, just couldn’t keep up with the faster cars and younger drivers. These teams are for the most part, the best in Canada.
When coming to a Pro Stock race you will usually see 8 or 9 stacker tractor trailers in the pits, Beautiful trailers in the $300k bracket or more.
we had a Fan Appreciation meet and greet before the race started and I’m proud to say we had one of the longest lines with fans waiting patiently 10 minutes or more to get a signed autograph card or have me sign their book, t-shirt
The feature went well, mush closer than last year with many lead changes. However a favorite Jarrett Butcher had a horrifying crash when his throttle stuck The car slammed the wall between turns one and two. That hard hit pretty much destroyed the chassis and many bolt on parts, but Jarrett was okay. .
We were lapped a few times by lap 180 and then got a flat tire and had to pit under green. That cost us many laps. When we returned with 49 laps to go we were 34 laps down. I asked my crew if there was any cars in the pits we could catch by staying out. The answer was yes from Chris who had the race on his phone. Jack our spotter said for us to try our best to not get lapped much more and could mathematically catch another position. Over the next 49 laps we got lap[ped once more but when the checker fell we had gained 2 more spots moving us to 15th and no damage. I was very happy with that finish and no damage.
Congrats to Nicholas Naugle on winning this race by inches over Craig Slaunwhite, a former 3 time champion of the series and winner of this race.
Coming off turn 2 on the white, Craig got Nicholas a little sideways and pulled beside him on the back stretch. They raced hard into 3 but it would be the #08 of Naugle who would take this very close finish, one of the best ever. So good for the fans. It was Nicholas 3rd feature win in a row. He closed the gap on us for the top 10 standings.
Our next race is July 25th at Oyster Bed Speedway. PS….this was our 8th race of 2026, 5th points race. we are now at 934 Consecutive Nights
Here are the points standings after this race.
Fort Garry Industries Pro Stock Tour Standings
#1—2—902—Tucker
#2—25–92—Gilby
#3—11–985—Butcher
#4—66–979—Mahar.
#5—-66–979—Veinotte
#6—-13–972—MacDonald
#7—-0—748—Noble
#8—24–945—Christensen
#9–25–934–Vanoirschot
#10–36–884–Elliott
#11–08–804–Naugle