In Search of Friday Sunshine!

Let’s call a spade a spade, last Friday flat stunk.

Okay, let’s move on.

While we did not get racing in last Friday, we were treated to a phenomenal show between the Smith Brothers in the Toursec Lightning class and a great duel between Matt Vaughan and Dan Smith in the Pulse Heavy Duty Trucks on Sunday as the undercard for the Nova Truck Centres Make A Wish 150.

The Toursec Lightning race may have been one of the best races of the card on Sunday. Sure, the top two ran away from the field until a caution with five laps to go set up a restart, but you had some wonderful racing from fourth on back. Travis Keefe had to wrestle his way to third and it appeared that’s where he was going to finish before a fire ended his day on Lap 20. We almost saw a Smith Brothers Racing 1-2-3 finish and it’s been a while since we’ve seen that.  The day will come sooner rather than later for the leading Tim Hortons at the Airport Rookie leader with the way he has ran in the first four races.

When we came into the season, we had our eyes on Scott Thibodeau and Richard Drake as the two favorites for the championship with Deven Smith not running for points this year. With Darrell Sullivan missing Sunday, the two are at the top again with Thibodeau building a nice cushion on “Rational” Richard. This thing is far from over, one bad night could set the #169 back to the rest of the field, but after another podium finish on Sunday Thibodeau has established himself as the driver to beat after four races.

The competition continues to get stiffer in the class with names like Matthews, Stewart, Jollimore, MacMillan, Dillman, Hopper, Snelgrove and many more having great runs to open the year. While Thibodeau and Drake may be tough to top in the overall season standings, I think we’re ready to see a couple more names added to the list in victory lane before this season is over.

When we do roll out the Shiners Classic on July 7th, I am excited to see who will win it. While it is not guaranteed we see all these names return but we had Aaron Boutilier, Russell Smith Jr., Chris Reid, Jeff Dillman and Tony Mason poised for their first Scotia Speedworld starts of the season. Phil Barkhouse had motor issues and did not make it out but I’m sure he’ll be there for the 7th.

Give a call out to Mark Williams as he leads the points for the Toursec Thunder division. Williams had said at the start of the year he is just out here this year to have fun and does not have a full season planned but so far it seems like he is having a blast at the front of the field. He’s got Dave Matthews only four points back and Chris Hatcher and Tim Webster are both within nine points so while this season is far from over, we have ourselves a tight point battle in the Thunder class.

The Hydraulics Plus Bandolero division returns on Friday as well and we have tight battles throughout their three divisions within a division as well. Brooke Dowe has looked impressive in two races but she has Dawson Noble and Dylan MacMillan hot on her bumper. Tip of the cap to Matthew Rushton for rebounding to get into victory lane two weeks ago. It will be a tall hill for him to climb to get back into the point picture, but if he can score maximum points each week and Mother Nature lets us race, you never know what might happen.

As anticipated, we are going to see a battle between Nathan Langille, Owen Mahar and Colton Noble in the Bandit championship. Noble was impressive the last time we ran, finishing third overall and taking the Bandit win. He now sits five points back of the tie between Langille and Mahar. These kids will go back and forth all season long and will be a treat to watch this summer.

Josh Langille has started off the season on a high note by winning the first two Bandolero Outlaw races but it has been Sam Rogers shadowing him. We know Austin MacDonald has what it takes to make this a three horse race for the championship and Danny Chisholm along with rookie Tanner MacLean are not far behind. Can Langille go three for three? Find out on Friday!

Friday is Kiddie Night, so be sure to bring the kids down for 7pm and they can go for a ride with their favorite CARSTAR Weekly Racing Series driver for a ride around the 3/10-mile oval. I’m going to be joined by Strictly Hydraulics Legend and INEX Masters driver Danny Harvey. Danny has been a driver at our track for over two decades and he has stories would fill up multiple Friday nights of racing. I’m looking forward to having him in the tower, chatting with him about his racing career, the current goings on in the Strictly Hydraulics Legends division and much more. His insight should add a depth to the show and I hope you are looking forward to it as much as I am.

Also, quick congratulations to Danny’s Uncle, “The Legend” Cy Harvey on his upcoming induction to the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame. The list was announced on Tuesday and Cy’s name was among them. Cy has won in almost every type of racing vehicle that has raced at Scotia Speedworld, with the exception of a Bandolero, and is still racking up the hardware. Congrats Cy!

It’ll be a great night of CARSTAR Weekly Racing Series action on Friday evening. Let’s hope we can get some sunny skies!

Until Friday, keep the hammer down and we’ll see you at the track!