CARSTAR Weekly Racing Series
Race Wrap & Full Results

June 8th: Toursec Twin 50s

TOURSEC LIGHTNING
In a true test of man and machine, “Rational” Richard Drake (Halifax) drove away from the Toursec Lightning field to win the Toursec 50 on Friday evening.
Drake, who finished fifth in the season opener, let his new car stretch its legs over the 50-lap caution free distance.

“These long races can be a crapshoot with these Dodge Neons,” said Drake in victory lane. “This win is huge. Getting out here and winning the 50, it looks like it is going to be a good season!”

Scott Thibodeau (Williamswood), who swept both Toursec 50s last year, had to settle for second behind his championship rival in 2017.

The battle for the third place position stole the show in the Toursec Lightning 50. Steve Matthews (Bedford), winner on CTV Night, and reigning Tim Hortons at the Airport Rookie of the Year Travis Keefe (Halifax) went back and forth for the spot. The two leaned on each other in the late laps with Keefe getting the edge on Matthews at the end for the final podium position.

David Jollimore (Halifax) completed the top five in the 14-car field.

Heat races were won by Stewiacke’s Chevy MacDonald and Drake.

TOURSEC THUNDER
Chris Hatcher (Beaver Bank) led only three laps in Friday’s Thunder on the Hill 50 but they were the most important three laps. Hatcher won his second straight Toursec 50 after winning the August 2017 edition of the event but it was far from easy.

Hatcher pressured Jesse Deveau (Greenwood) as Deveau looked for his first asphalt oval win in a Thunder car. Hatcher showed patience as Tim Webster (Beaver Bank) worked his back bumper while the driver of the No. 11 waited for an opportunity to pounce on Deveau. Deveau left the door open in Turn Four, enough for Hatcher to work to the inside and eventually to the win with the final pass with three laps to go.   

Webster was able to squeeze by Deveau to finish runner-up in his first Scotia Speedworld start on the year. Deveau had to settle for third after leading the most laps in the Toursec 50. Neil Miousse (Kentville) and reigning division champion Dave Matthews (Kennetcook) completed the top five in the 12 car field.

The Toursec 50 featured a number of cautions, including one that saw a hard wreck between Darren Flemming (Rawdon) and Nic Baker (Middle Sackville). Both drivers were okay but their cars were battered after the Turn Two rendezvous.

Hatcher and Greg McKay (Eastern Passage) won heat races to qualify for the Toursec 50. For McKay, it was his first heat race win and had to hold off Drew MacEachern (Dartmouth) as he slid across the line sideways for the victory.

STRICTLY HYDRAULICS LEGENDS
It was a successful return to Scotia Speedworld and the Strictly Hydraulics Legend division for Jolicure, New Brunswick’s Cory Hall.

Hall, the 2018 INEX Winter Nationals Pro Legend champion, got to the point early and never looked back to take home his first Legend car victory on home soil on the year. Hall pulled away after the final restart on the night with nine laps to go to take the win.

Second belonged to Danny Harvey (Lantz), who was not pleased with the way he was raced when battling with Hall. Harvey expressed his displeasure in victory lane to the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour’s leading rookie contender to a mix of cheers and jeers from the crowd.
Emily Meehan (Rawdon Gold Mines) continued her hot start to 2018 with a third place finish, besting Shelby Baker (Fall River) and 2017 INEX Semi Pro Asphalt Nationals champion Nicholas Naugle (Dartmouth). Eighteen cars started the 25-lap feature.

Naugle and Shane Lively (Upper Sackville) won heat races in the Strictly Hydraulics Legend division.

AFFORDABLE FUELS SPORTSMAN
Jordan Veinotte (Porters Lake) put a dismal week behind him in the Affordable Fuels Sportsman division by driving his No. 11 Veinotte’s Truck and Auto Ford to victory lane on Friday night. Veinotte set sail early after making the pass on Tim Hortons at the Airport Rookie of the Year contender Megan Parrott (Beaver Bank) on Lap Nine in the 38-lap feature.

Aaron Boutilier (Porters Lake) would keep Veinotte on his toes in the late stages of the feature but would have to settle for second.

“That was some great old school racing,” said Veinotte of the battle in the waning laps with Boutilier. “We were beatin’ and bangin’, I don’t think either of us have much damage if any. I had some fun, I hope Aaron did too.”

Reigning champion Matt Vaughan (Bedford) drove from the back of the field to finish third. Parrott, who led laps early after battling on the high side in the opening laps, finished a career high fourth place with “Mr. Excitement” Kirk Ryan (Upper Nine Mile River) in fifth.

Veinotte and Darren Wallage (Oakfield) took home heat race wins.