Setting Up the Sportsman 100

This Friday night is one of my favorite Friday nights of the year at Scotia Speedworld.

Okay, I say that a lot but its hard to not like the racing product that has been on the race track since May.

Everybody asks me who we will see on Friday night compete for the Affordable Fuels 100 and who I think will race their way to victory lane. It is hard to answer both but I believe we will see some of the most exciting racing action you’ll see anywhere in the province in this class with the Affordable Fuels 100.

Now, it is not like the Toromont Cat 250 where drivers have to order tires and we can base an entry list off that and there is no pre-registration for the Affordable Fuels 100. I can tell you that we will have a number of strong drivers that compete on a part-time basis racing with us on Friday evening. They’ll all be gunning for Russell Smith Jr., who has won the last five of these Sportsman races on Cat 250 weekend. Russy was on the podium when we ran the Shriners Classic and maybe if that was a 75-lap or a 100-lap feature, we’d be talking about the No. 44 in victory lane rather than Richard Salter.

Russell will be tough, but he’ll also be in tough with the stacked expected entries headed to Scotia Speedworld on Friday.

I can confirm that both Kenny MacKenzie JR and Dylan Blenkhorn will each make their first Scotia Speedworld Sportsman start of the year. MacKenzie Jr has one previous Affordable Fuels 100 start but the race ended early as he was swept up in a Turn Two fracas. The No. 85 ran well at Riverside during the IWK 250 and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him near the front when the chips are down on Friday. Blenkhorn will drive the No. 41 Dulux Paints Bayers Lake Chevrolet for Craig McFetridge and while the car wasn’t quite ready for the Shriners Classic, it will be good to go both tell me for Friday night.

Colby Smith was impressive as always last Friday night in his tuneup for the Affordable Fuels 100. Smith finished third as he dug deep at the end of the feature. The track was a bit slow and after chatting with Frankie Fraser they threw a couple adjustments at the car that didn’t adapt the way they thought it would.

I would expect to see a guy like Phil Barkhouse Jr compete with us on Friday night, maybe a guy like Jeffrey Breen, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cory or Tony Leonard in the No. 74 car. Again, we cannot be sure who is and who is not showing up but the visiting race cars will be tough to beat.

Oh, and then there are the Affordable Fuels Sportsman stars from the CARSTAR Weekly Racing Series.

Let’s pick up where we left off last Friday night with Megan Parrott going to victory lane. Whatever way you look at it, that win was big. Megan was a part of a history making three female feature winner night and we believe Megan was the first female Late Model winner at Scotia Speedworld since Alanna MacKay post-Modified days. While we cannot confirm her win or date, if it is the case, Megan is still the first female Late Model winner since before Megan was born. Put that one in perspective.

Oh, and by the way, Megan drove the wheels off that No. 1 Pothier Motors Dodge and looked like a veteran out there en route to her first Sportsman win. Jordan Veinotte kept her honest, pushing the teenager to her limits and she did not crack.

The downside to it is that eyes will be on her to repeat it. This race is big and will be the longest Megan has run at Scotia Speedworld. It will be interesting how she adapts over 100-laps on Friday.

She is racing Deven Smith, Darren Hilchie and Bernie for the Tim Hortons at the Airport Rookie of the Year Award. While Friday is a non points show (show points only), the crop of freshmen will be put to the test. Darren Hilchie has shown lots of improvement and Bernie continues to learn with every lap. Deven Smith has been impressive and his first win isn’t far away. Imagine the storyline if he was the one to stop his older brother’s Affordable Fuels 100 win streak?!
Jordan Veinotte would have to be considered one of, if not the, favorite from the Friday night regulars. Veinotte has won a pair of races this year and leads the standings heading into the final stretch to the finish of the year. He’s also had success up the road at Petty International Raceway. It would be hard to bet against him during the Affordable Fuels 100.

Aaron Boutilier sits second in the CARSTAR Weekly Racing Series point standings but he’s had a quiet season compared to what we’re used to seeing. Sure, he’s only been on the podium twice and has five top fives in six point paying races but no feature victories. Usually at this point we’ve seen at least one win out of Boutilier but he’s fully in the championship picture heading into the 100.

Alex Johnson has been close to putting a checkmark in the win column this year. He and Richard Salter put on a great show during the Shriners Classic and it wouldn’t surprise me to see them near the front when the pay window opens.

In seven Sportsman races at Scotia Speedworld in 2018, we’ve had six different winners in Veinotte (two), Parrott, Salter, Kirk Ryan, Pete Miller and Matt Vaughan. Sure, any one of those six could win again but you’ve got a list of drivers who will be chomping at the bit to add their name to make it seven different winners in one of the most competitive Sportsman classes in Atlantic Canada.

As good as the Affordable Fuels 100 will be on Friday night, the three support classes will provide just as much quality entertainment.

The Toursec Lightning division continues to grow in car count with an average of 15 cars taking the green over the past three races. It is hard to beat the thrill of seeing a first time winner but seeing two back to back is pretty neat. Marshall Bezanson was pumped up two weeks ago and the week before it was Travis Keefe who drove it to victory lane. Steve Matthews still has a manageable point lead but you best believe our Lightning drivers will be on their game to take home a Cat 250 weekend checkered flag.

Emily Meehan and Shelby Baker are trying to pull themselves away from the Strictly Hydraulics Legend field to decide this championship amongst themselves. Meehan drove from the rear of the field last week to take an impressive victory with a late race pass. Baker has been so darn consistent with not only a worst finish of sixth in feature competition but five third place heat race finishes. We’ve seen championships come down to heat race performance and Baker has one of the best records on racking up points in qualifiers. Don’t count out Paul Goulden or Andrew Lively either, should something happen to the top two they are right there to make a title run.

After six races in the Toursec Thunder division, we have our first two time winner in Darren Flemming. Flemming also broke a three way tie for the lead while five points back Dave Matthews and Jesse Deveau are still tied. Chris Hatcher had motor issues last week, which is the second straight a championship contender has had issues following Neil Miousse getting tangled up in the Turn Four wall the week prior. I wouldn’t discount the pair from the championship picture, they have really good race cars, but they will need to be lights out between now and Finale Friday to win the title.

While the Bandoleros are not racing this weekend at Scotia Speedworld, it is INEX Bandolero Nationals weekend at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Good luck to Danny Chisholm who is in the Carolinas preparing for the National event with a little help from 2017 International Outlaw champion Cameron Bolin. Go get ‘em Danny!

My special guest on the call of Friday’s race is Harry Ross White. It will be great to have HOSS in the booth because he’s got so much experience inside a number of race cars at Scotia – from a Thunder car all the way up to a Pro Stock. If the Affordable Fuels 100 wasn’t enough to get you out to the track, this should get you moving for sure!

The Toromont Cat 250 weekend is a special weekend for a lot of us with a lot of bragging rights and a little bit of cash on the line. Hope you can join us to see it all unfold this weekend!

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